Government of the United States Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Instructor

David Daily (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

david.daily@amaisd.org

Phone

Office Location

Office Hours

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

GOVT-2305-030 Government of the United States

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

The foundation, organization, growth and development of the national government and its problems.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Edwards, George; Wattenberg, Martin; Lineberry, Robert, Government In America 10^th Edition, Longman, Addison Wesley Publishers, 2002.
\ Readings: Woll, Peter, American Government, Readings and Cases 15^th Edition, New York, NY; AB Longman Publishers, 2004.
\ *Additional readings as assigned*

Supplies

\ Computer applications, in particular, Microsoft Powerpoint®, Microsoft Word® , Microsoft Excel®, Adobe Acrobat®.
\
Use of
Student Performance
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\
\ After Studying the Material Presented in this Course of Study, the Student will be able to:
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\ 1.      Define and describe federalism and Intergovernmental Relations,the basis for federalism in the Constitution, and its changing character and development as well as explain other ways of organizing government.
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\ 2.      Identify and explain the three branches of government in the U.S.
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\ 3.      Explain the Constitutional powers and limitations of political actors.
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\ 4.      Identify and define the rights of U.S. citizens.
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\ 5.      Explain the philosophical development-theoretical concepts of the state, government, limited government, democracy, and authoritarian government and demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each concept.
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\ 6.      Explain the historical development of Constitutionalism as a basis for political society and the historical development of the U.S. Constitution and the political system that has developed under that Constitution.
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\ 7.      Explain the concepts of limited Government, protection of the individual through the limitation of government power, and explain how American government is limited through federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, and democracy.
Students Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Log in using the AC Connect Portal
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Expected Student Behavior
- \ I take the responsibility to instruct each of you in this Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics Course seriously. I expect you as a student to treat this course similarly.
- \ You will be permitted to leave the classroom only in the event of an emergency or with my permission.
- \ Each student is expected to comply with the various provisions and code of conduct as found in the Student Handbook.
- \ Tardiness: Punctuality is demanded, is expected, and is your responsibility. Tardiness seriously interferes with class progress and is clearly a disturbance for the instructor as well as the class. As a result, you are expected to be in the classroom and at your desk when the second, i.e., the tardy bell rings.
Grading Criteria
- \ Each student will work within an assigned group to complete research/current event projects
- \ Students will examine the issues of Public Policymaking using US Government databases, newspapers, scholarly journals, other selected internet resources, and any related resources you may choose.
- \ Each student will complete an individual research project on 1 issue dealt with by the Supreme Court.
\
- \ Each student will prepare his/her own study guide for each chapter and submit the same to the instructor on the day of the objective test for the relevant chapter.
- \ Each student will be required to bring to school relevant current events for each unit and should be prepared to discuss on a daily basis the relevance of their current events to the issues at hand.
\
1. \ Objective tests which will encompass all material in the stated unit including information from the text, class lecture, and outside readings.
2. \ Readings Quizzes which will be drawn from the supplemental reading in the Woll Reader or handouts provided by the instructor.
3. \ Free Response Essays where each student will draw upon the information given during a unit of instruction. All free response essays will be drawn from past AP Exams and will be timed.
4. \ Group and Individual project work.
5. \ Miscellaneous
\ Make-up work for scheduled tests/quizzes will be allowed for excused or requested absences. You will be unable to make up unscheduled pop-quizzes. It is YOUR responsibility to contact your teacher for all make-up tests/quizzes. Absent with prior approval: your failure to make up any assigned tests/quizzes or homework on your first day back to school will result in a failing grade for that work. Make-up tests/quizzes will be given in the classroom on your first day back. Make-up work will not be permitted for an unexcused absence. Consequently, an "F" or a failing grade of "0" will be recorded for any work for which a grade was given during the unexcused absence.
Attendance
\ The attendance policy will be discussed in class.
\
\
\
\ Tardiness: Punctuality is demanded, is expected, and is your responsibility. Tardiness seriously interferes with class progress and is clearly a disturbance for the instructor as well as the class. As a result, you are expected to be in the classroom and at your desk when the second, i.e., the tardy bell rings.
Calendar
\ There will be required exams and quizzes throughout the semester.
\
\ A final exam is required of all students.
\
\ Course Calendar
\
\
\
\ Unit I Introduction to Government
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\ 1st six weeks
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\ Topics Covered:
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\ 1)     Historical development of Democracy
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\ 2)     Theories of Western Democracy
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\ 3)     Classical v. Contemporary political theory
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\ Edwards Chapter 1
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\ B. Berelson “Democratic Practice and Theory” (Woll p. 207)
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\ Plato: The Philosopher King
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\ Machiavelli: Selected readings
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\ Montesquieu: Selected Readings
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\ John Milton: Areopagitica
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\ Constitution of the United States (Woll Reader)
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\ Readings Quiz (Plato – Montesquieu)
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\ Constitution Quiz
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\ Berelson Quiz
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\ Ch. 1 Objective Test
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\ Political Cartoon Analysis exercise
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\ Free Response Essay: Classical vs. Contemporary political theory
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\
\
\
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\ Unit II Constitutional Foundations
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\ 1st six weeks
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\ Major Topics Covered:
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\ 1)     Social Contract Theory
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\ 2)     Historical background of the American Revolution
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\ 3)     Articles of Confederation to Federal Constitution
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\ 4)     Ratification debate Federalists v. Antifederalists
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\ 5)     Marshall Court – Federal power v. State’s Rights
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\ 6)     Federalism
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\ Edwards Chapters 2 & 3
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\ Locke Second Treatise (Woll p. 4)
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\ Madison Federalist #10 (Woll p. 164)
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\ McCulloch v. Maryland (Woll p. 69)
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\ United States v. Morrison (Woll p. 88)
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\ Locke – Madison Quiz
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\ McCulloch Quiz
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\ Ch. 2 & 3 Objective Test
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\ Free Response: Federalism
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\
\
\
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\ Unit III the Political Process
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\ 1st six weeks
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\ Major Topics Covered:
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\ - How do Americans participate in government and why?
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\ 1)     Role of Public Opinion and Polls Ch. 6 Edwards
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\ 2)     Political Socialization Ch. 6 Edwards
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\ 3)     Function, structure, and impact of Interest Groups Ch. 11 Edwards
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\ 4)     Function, structure, and impact of Political Parties Ch. 8 Edwards
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\ 5)     Media and the political process Ch. 7 Edwards
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\ Television News Project
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\ Edwards Chapters 6, 7, 8, 11
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\ M Fiorina “The Decline of Collective responsibility in American Politics” (handout)
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\ David Truman “The Governmental Process” (Woll p. 246)
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\ Sample Poll
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\ Interest group survey: Computer lab
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\ “Where do you fit” political Interest Survey
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\ Fiorina Quiz
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\ Truman Quiz
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\ Ch. 6 & 7 Objective
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\ Ch. 8 & 11 Objective
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\ Free Response: Compare – Contrast Interest Groups and Political Parties
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\ Television News – Group Project
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\ Unit IV Campaigns and Elections
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\ 2nd six weeks
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\ Major Topics Covered:
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\ 1)     Types of elections and the roles they play
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\ 2)     PACs
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\ 3)     Lobbying, elections, litigation
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\ 4)     Money and election reform
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\ Group Work: Sample Poll
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\ Edwards Chapters 9 & 10
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\ V.O. Key “The Responsible Electorate” (Woll p. 214)
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\ N. Ornstein “Five Point Reform…”
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\ P Ellis “Ten Big Lies…”
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\ V O Key Quiz
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\ Ch. 9 & 10 Objective
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\ Free Response:
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\ Sample Poll
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\
\
\
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\ Unit V Policymaking
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\ 2nd six weeks
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\ Major Topics Covered:
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\ 1)     Policymaking overview
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\ -       Economic Policy Ch. 17 Edwards
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\ -       Social Policy Ch. 18 Edwards
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\ -       Healthcare and Environmental Policy Ch. 19 Edwards
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\ -       Foreign and Defense Policy Ch. 20 Edwards
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\ 2)     The political agenda
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\ 3)     Political actors
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\ 4)     Linkage institutions and the people
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\ “The Policymaking Pie and the Laswell Model”
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\ Public Policy Research: Public Policy Chart (4 items, economic, healthcare/environmental, social, Foreign/defense)
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\ Theodore Lowi “The End of Liberalism: The Indictment” (Woll p. 252)
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\ Rozell & Wilcox “Interest Groups and the American Political System” (Woll p.256)
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\ Readings Quiz
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\ Ch. 17 & 18 Objective Test
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\ Ch 19 & 20 Objective Test
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\ Free Response: Linkage institutions and Policymaking
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\
\
\
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\ Unit VI Policy Making Institutions
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\ 3rd six weeks
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\ Major Topics Covered:
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\ 1)     Characteristics of the branches of government
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\ 2)     Politics and Policy
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\ 3)     Congress – President – Bureaucracy – Courts (delicate balance)
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\ 4)     Policymaking, leadership and federalism
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\ 5)     Role of the courts in policy making
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\ 6)     Landmark court cases
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\ 7)     Money, media, reelection and policymaking
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\ Congress: Edwards Ch. 12
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\ M. Fiorina “The Rise of the Washington Establishment” (Woll p. 352)
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\ R. Fenno “If, as Ralph Nader says…” (Woll p. 383)
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\ J. Cohn “Roll Out The Barrel…”
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\ **Congressional Bills Research Project*^*
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\ Executive/Bureaucracy: Edwards Ch. 13, 14 & 15
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\ R. Neustadt “Presidential Power” (Woll p. 280)
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\ Alexander Hamilton Federalist 70 (Woll p. 272)
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\ H. Stein “Presidents and Economics…”
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\ Congress Readings Quiz
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\ Executive Branch Readings
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\ Congressional Bills Research
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\ Free Response: Policymakers – Public Policy
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\
\
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\ Unit: VII Judiciary/Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
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\ 3rd six weeks
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\ Major Topics Covered:
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\ 1)     Historical background
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\ 2)     Changing nature of the courts
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\ 3)     Nationalization of the Bill of Rights
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\ 4)     Fourteenth Amendment, Due Process and Equal Protection
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\ 5)     Strict Construction vs. Broad Interpretation
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\ Landmark Court Cases Project (Topics Chosen)
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\ Edwards Ch. 4 & 5
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\ Edwards Ch. 16
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\ Alexander Hamilton Federalist 78 (Woll p. 409)
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\ Marbury v. Madison (Woll p. 414)
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\ US Constitution Amendments 1-10 (Bill of Rights) and 14 (Woll Appendix #2 pp. 450 ff)
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\ Nationalization of the Bill of Rights (handout)
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\ Selected SCOTUS cases (Woll Reader & handouts –TBA)
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\ ** 1965 Alabama Literacy Test **
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\ Readings Quiz (Federalist 78 & Anti-Federalist #84)
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\ Readings Quiz (Marbury v. Madison)
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\ Landmark Court Cases Study Guide due
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\ Landmark Cases Test
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\ Ch. 16 Test
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\ CH 4 & 5 Test
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\ AP Practice Test
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Additional Information
\ The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.
\
\
Syllabus Created on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM
Last Edited on:
11/30/-1 12:00 AM

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Government of the United States Syllabus for 2011-2012 Return to Syllabus List