United States Government Syllabus for 2013-2014
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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.

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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

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Course

GOVT-2305-003 United States Government

Prerequisites

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

Course Description

Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ REQUIRED BOOKS:
\ Title:  Understanding American Government bundled with Access Card, 7th Ed.
\ Author:  Stephenson, Bresler, Farmer, et al.
\ ISBN:  978-1-61882-815-6
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\ NOTE:  All of these books above are printed and packaged specifically for AC students and can only be purchased from the AC Bookstore.  Please remember that each student is responsible for purchasing the CORRECT Textbook/Readers for this course.  It is very easy in the hectic early days of a new term to glance at a card in the bookstore and select the wrong books.  It is also possible for a student to get conflicting advice from others, including bookstore personnel who mean well, but may be misinformed about the correct books for the proper Professor.  So be sure to go online, print-out-a-copy of the Syllabus and bring it with you when buying your books.  If in doubt, buy what is listed on the Syllabus, then sort out any issues later.  The Syllabus is the final word on which book is correct, so read it carefully and buy accordingly.

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Supplies

The Exams for this Course are taken Online which means that each student will need access to a reliable computer and WIRED Internet service in order to take each of the required Quizzes.  You may take your Exams from Home, or on the College campus

Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
6. Analyze the election process.
7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens
8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.

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

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 (SSC 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:  Student records are confidential under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.  Therefore, the student’s progress within this class cannot be discussed with parents, friends, or guardians without written permission from the student.  The student (not a parent, friends, or the professor) is responsible for contacting the professor if the student is concerned about their progress in the class, absent for an extended period due to illness, surgery, or other circumstances, or any other extenuating situations which may arise during the course of the semester. The student is responsible for following and understanding their rights and responsibilities as listed in the student handbook at on the AC Webpage.  

NOTE:  If a student misses class, it is the student’s responsibility to get class notes from another student.  DO NOT ASK THE PROFESSOR FOR THE NOTES.

STUDY GROUPS:  Student-led study groups are encouraged.  The professor will provide, if requested, a secure-web forum for each individual study group.  But, never forget that I am also available to you and will gladly help during my Office Hours or Appointments. 

CELL PHONES:  Cell phone, pagers or any electronic device that might disturb the classroom must be turned off during the class period or it will be confiscated.

CHEATING:  Occasionally a few students will attempt to cheat on one of the examinations.  Students caught cheating in any way or using materials other than those allowed will have their examinations rejected and, at minimum, receive a grade of F (0 points) for that examination.  Additionally such students may receive a grade of F for the course and may be suspended from the College (penalties which become a permanent part of a penalized student’s record and cannot be eliminated by the repeat-option). 

BEHAVIOR POLICY:  To the mature adults who are members of this class I apologize for the insult imposed upon you by this section of the syllabus.  Unfortunately, past behavior by your fellow students has necessitated its inclusion.  Students are expected to behave in a manner befitting adults with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the Professor, and the College. This is not middle school, elementary school, nor Lad ‘N’ Lassie day care center, and I have no intention of tolerating behavior which is more stereotypical of any of the aforementioned.  In order to clarify my position, the following list is included as examples of behavior which may result in permanent expulsion from this class.  A student will receive one verbal warning only.  Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period.  A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.

 Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. sleeping, head on desk
2. interrupting lecture by any unsuitable means
3. banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor
4. passing notes
5. disrespect for fellow students
6. wearing headphones - except for hearing assistance as approved
7. disrespectful comments
8. cheating in any form
9. disruptive talking/visiting between students
10. any other disruptive behavior
11. doing homework related to this class or any other
12. moving from desk to desk, walking around room
13. throwing paper wads or any other objects
14. knitting, needlepoint, other arts and crafts

The instructor reserves the right to assign seating if necessary to preserve order.  Contrary to what you are probably now thinking, it is not my intention to design a class which is a prison camp for college students.  I am in favor of having fun in class perhaps as much as anyone; however, it must not be at the expense of an environment conducive to learning.

Review behavior guidelines in the AC student handbook.

 

Grading Criteria

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:

Required Exams:  Students will be tested, on average, once every two to three weeks over the roughly 15 weeks of the Semester. Testing will be done entirely Online, during a window of time that opens at 0800 (8am) on Friday mornings and will end at 2355 (11:55pm) on Sunday nights.  You may access the Exam only once, so plan your effort accordingly.   That means you must limit all distractions from friends, family, the neighbor's dog, or anything else that may get in the way of you doing your very best on these Quizzes.  Each quiz has 20 questions worth 5 points each a total of 100 points with a 40-minute time limit open over the Friday to Sunday period.  This 3-day window allows everyone to take each of the Tests, but although there are 6 Exams scheduled during the Term, you may drop the lowest score from the first 5 that are given.  That means that the Last Quiz must be taken and its grade may not be excluded from your Course Average.  The logic here is that if you were not required to take that last test then you would simply skip the final two weeks of the course, and the whole point is for you to learn, not just get your "ticket punched."  Since you are given the chance to drop the lowest grade from the Test, then I DO NOT allow any Make-Up Assignments -- for any reason so do not ask.  The second reason for not granting Make-Ups is that they tend to be more work for an already over-stressed student, and by allowing the Drop option instead, I feel that everyone benefits while still protecting your opportunity to succeed in this class.  So remember, there will be 6 Quizzes in total given about every second weekend, and you may drop the lowest ONE (1) of the first 5 that are taken, including a quiz you might miss due to illness or some other issue.  But everyone must participate in the Last Quiz and that score will count.  So to summarize, there are 6 scheduled Quizzes and students may drop the lowest ONE (1) of the first 5 Quizzes, BUT everyone must take the last Quiz, scheduled for the last Friday-Sunday period prior to the start of Final Exam week, and the score from that Quiz #6 counts!  The Quizzes comprise a total of 90% of your class average, while the remaining 10% will come from the following assignment.

 

Other Assignments:

The remaining 10% of your Course Average will come from a Capstone Reflective Essay written in response to one of the Ethical Dilemma in the form of PBS Frontline Videos you will find on the Course Homepage.  These are being required by the State Legislature in several so-called Gate-Keeper classes like Government already, and will become College-wide within a short time.  They must be between 350-500 words in length, and you may select the PBS Frontline Video that interests you the most.  You absolutely MUST submit your Essay via the Online SafeAssign Tool no later than 2355 (11:55pm) on Thursday night 8 May 2014.  You may turn it in anytime after 25 April 2014, but no later than 8 May 2014.  Remember, this Project needs to be submitted via the SafeAssign link ONLY and will not be accepted in any other form as mandated by College rules.  Only citations from material taken from books or Online sources not assigned for this class need to be listed using any standard format.  If you need help with that simply contact the Writer's Corner in the English Department and ask for help. They have created a very useful resource for all of Amarillo College students to gain advice for any written assignment for any class and should be commended and used by all.  Most of your Project will not require any formal citations since this is your view of an ethical dilemma that was faced by a real person or entity from some area of US Government you studied during the Semester, but you may find that it is helpful to use a quote or paraphrase from an outside source so be sure to use the appropriate citation for those parts of your Essay.  The goal is to have each student explore and apply what they have learned during the term to an actual event, and then express their personal response to it. 

 

To summarize, each student will take 6 Quizzes during the Term and may drop one (1) of those Tests (from the first five) so that 5 Quizzes worth 18% each will count for 90% of the class average.  The Last Quiz is Required for Every Student and May Not be Dropped under any circumstances, so plan accordingly.  It is risky to either ignore one of the earlier Quizzes, or to assume that you will do well on the Last One only to find that you desperately need the points from that Last Quiz and find that you "bombed it" and are stuck with a poor grade instead of a higher one from earlier in the Term that must be "tossed out" because only 5 scores will count, and one of those is that Last Quiz.  Please be forewarned and be prepared as the Semester closes to do your best on that Last Quiz.  Finally, each student will write that brief Reflective Capstone Essay covering an Ethical Dilemma they selected from the List, and the Project must be between 350-500 words submitted between 25 April and 8 May for the last 10% of your Course Average.        

 

COMPOSITION OF FINAL GRADE:  All Quizzes are worth 18% each for a total of 90% of your course grade.  There are 6 Quizzes, but only 5, including the Last One will be used to determine all averages.  Students may drop ONE (1) of the first 5 Quizzes, BUT everyone must take the Last Quiz and the score from Quiz #6 counts!  There is NO extra credit offered--so Please Do Not Ask.  This Syllabus is much like a Contract between the student and professor and alterations are not allowed.  Experience has demonstrated that Make-Up work is often just more to do for an already swamped student, so I have chosen to use the Drop score option to relieve the pressure and prevent students from trying to do extra work while still keeping up with up-coming work that is still due on time.  Remember, each student is being allowed to Drop one (1) of their scores to assist those who must miss a Quiz or have outside obligations.  So there is no Extra Credit allowed. The remaining 10% of your course grade will come from the Capstone Reflective Essay, late in the Semester and will not be a major strain on you.

Graded Quizzes (5 at 18% each)      90%
Capstone Reflective Essay               10%

 

GRADE SCALE:
A          90 and above
B          80-89
C          70-79
D          60-69
F          Failing (below 60)

 

MAKE-UP POLICY: There are no make-up Quizzes or Assignments under any circumstances. A missed Quiz will simply become a dropped score-- no exceptions.  There is NO extra credit offered. Remember, everyone must drop one (1) of the first 5 Quizzes but ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE LAST Quiz and the score will count.  The other Assignment must be submitted on the date listed, with no extensions or exemptions.

Attendance

Attendance is necessary to successfully complete this course.  See AC Student Handbook for guidelines. 

NOTE:  This is a hybrid course which meets once a week for lecture requiring student attendance. This is NOT an online course.

QUIZ SCHEDULE:  Quizzes will, on average, be administered at the end of every two to three weeks the class meets during the 15 weeks of the Regular term.  This means that a great deal of material will be covered in lecture/discussion in the period between the Quizzes.  Therefore, it is imperative that students be in attendance each day, since most of the content that will be tested will come from the Professor's lecture/Discussion with the class.  I cannot be emphasize strongly enough just how important being part of that interaction between the class and the Professor is when learning Government.  This is not a subject that is bound by formulas or learned by memorizing the names of bones or atomic tables.  The foundation of Government is the story of the foundation of the Nation, and the only proven way to learn that story well is to participate in a discussion of what happened and why.  So please make every effort to attend all classes, and seriously consider forming Study Groups with your classmates to spread the workload out among several people and to learn from their interpretations of the events we are all studying.  Also, ask the Professor to cover anything you do not understand.  I hold an Advanced Degree in this field of study, spending years of study and thousands of dollars to be able to teach you in the best way possible.  So please take advantage of that while I am learning from you as well. 

 

 

Calendar

Additional Information

AC Connect for Course Webpage:  Students can access the associated course webpage on the Internet through the AC Connect Server at https://acconnect.actx.edu or through the AC Homepage http://www.actx.edu/.   Students will be able to access and complete the quizzes on the associated calendar dates, view their quiz scores, review the Course Syllabus, and more.  All electronic correspondence between student and Professor must to be conducted through the AC Connect -- Course Home Page – Send E-mail link.

WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE:  It is the responsibility of the student to officially drop or withdraw from a course. Failure to withdraw may result in a grade of “F” for the course. A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated withdrawals that are submitted on or before APRIL 24, 2014.

COPYRIGHT OF COURSE:  The course presentations/materials shall not be reproduced, distributed, re-used, or revised without prior knowledge and consent of the professor. The content of this class is copyrighted and protected under laws similar to those governing more traditional materials such as books or articles.   Therefore, audio recorders must have PRIOR approval of the instructor and cannot be disseminated beyond personal use and no visual reproductions or photographs are allowed under any circumstances.

HOLIDAYS:  No class will be held on the following dates:
Monday - Friday, March 10-14, 2014 - Spring Break Holiday
Friday - April 18, 2014 - Easter Friday Holiday

**Changes or adjustments in course material, or other parts of this syllabus may be made during the semester if circumstances warrant.