United States Government Syllabus for 2013-2014
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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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Farmer, Brian, Robert Bresler, Robert J. Friedrich, Joseph J. Karlesky, D. Grier Stephenson, Jr., and Charles C. Turner. American Government. Seventh Edition. Redding, CA: 2013. (Bundled with required access code)

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\ Farmer, Brian R.  Radical Islam in the West: Ideology and Challenge. Jefferson, NC: McFarland Press, 2010  978-0-7864-5953-7 

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\ Optional Recommended Text: Farmer, Brian R. The Outrageous Government of the United States. Baltimore, MD: Publish/America, 2004.

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Supplies

Paper, pens and/or pencils. Students will also need access to a computer with internet, printer and printer paper.

 

Student Performance

After Studying the Material Presented in this Course of Study, the Student will be able to:

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

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Expected Student Behavior

To the mature adults which are members of this class I apologize for the insult imposed upon you by this section of the syllabus. Unfortunately, past behavior of your fellow students has necessitated its inclusion. Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult university students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the University. This is not junior high, elementary school, nor the 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 of behaviors are 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. Banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor 

2. Sleeping, head on desk 

3.  Interrupting lecture by any unsuitable means

4. Cheating in any form

5. Disruptive talking/visiting between students

6. Throwing paper wads or any other objects

7. Passing notes

8. Disrespect for fellow students

9. Any other disruptive behavior

10. Doing homework related to this or any other class

11. Wearing headphones

12. Disrespectful comments

13. Eating

14. Moving from desk to desk, walking around room.

15. Knitting, needlepoint, or any other arts and crafts.

16. Cell Phones Off!-No Text

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.

Academic dishonesty:
Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Some collaboration with other students on projects is acceptable; however, students must do their own work. Papers which bear a striking resemblance to the work of other students will not be accepted. If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.

Grading Criteria

Course requirements/grading:

Exams.  There will be three major examinations during the semester plus a final exam on Thursday, August 14, 11:30AM-1:30PM. Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures. Students are allowed to drop one exam other than the final, but may not drop the final exam. Each exam is worth 25% of the final grade for a total of 75%. Exams are accessed online in Blackboard from the computer of choice for each student. To access Blackboard for the exams, I suggest typing in the following URL: https://actx.blackboard.com/webapps/login/  You will then enter your username and password. If you do not know what those are, call 371-5000 for instructions on how to set up your technology account. Go to Courses at the top of the screen and click on our Govt 2305 course. Click on the Content button on the left side of the screen. Scroll down to the Exams folder. Click on the folder and then click on the exam that you want to take. If you experience problems, call Ask AC at 371-5000, Dr. Farmer at 371-5193, God (I’ve been told that on your knees in the closet works best), or Santa Claus (I accessed him at age 10 through the Pizza Hut Santa Claus hotline in Scottsbluff, NE 1-308-632-3022).    

Las Vegas Option.   On exam #3 only, if a student has achieved a minimum grade of 70 on each of the first two exams, he/she may attempt to answer all 50 of the questions on the third exam incorrectly.  If a student is able to incorrectly answer all 50 questions on this exam, then a grade of 100% will be entered for this exam in the gradebook.  All questions must be answered and no questions may have more than one answer.  If a student is unfortunate enough to exercise this option and answer at least one question correctly, then the Las Vegas Option exam becomes the exam which the student is allowed to drop. 

Makeup Exams.  There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor.  If a student misses an exam, that exam automatically becomes the one that the student must drop. If the student misses a second exam, then the student must arrange with the instructor to take an essay makeup exam. 

Historical Ethical Dilemma Paper: Students will read a historical ethical dilemma assigned by individually by the insturctor. Individual due dates are determined by the instructor. In a one page typed paper, students will briefly identify and accurately describe the ethical dilemma. Students will use appropriate insights from two or more areas of study at AC to make connections and clarify the ethical dilemma. Students will recognize connections to their own personal values and rules, articulate the sources of their insights, and incorporate personal values in a reasoned response.  Do not include information from Wikipedia or any other web sites, articles, or books. Keep the length of your response to one page. The Historical Ethical Dilemma Paper is worth 5% of the final grade.

 

Weekly Online Homework Assignment. Students will answer the online quizzes on each chapter from BVT Publishing on a weekly basis for a total of 10% of their final grade. Each Quiz has ten questions and all are drawn from the American Government book. Students must use the access codes inside the back cover of the American Government textbook that they purchased for this class to complete the quizzes in BVT Lab at www.bvtlab.com 

Instructor Attendance Policy. Attendance will be considered in the compilation of the class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points from the final grade for class participation. Leaving class early without prior arrangement with the instructor counts as a tardy.  Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.  

Class participation grade.  Since some portion of the readings will be presented and discussed in class during virtually every class period, all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion.  It is obviously impossible to add much to classroom discussion if you are absent, therefore, attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade.  Class participation is 10% of the final grade. Students that never miss class normally receive 100% for their class participation grade. Conversely, the instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for absences or behavior detrimental to the class.  For example, a student who misses half of the class periods will probably receive only 5 of the possible 10 percentage points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. Students who continually exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior may receive a zero for their class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.  A more complete listing of behaviors which may result in loss of class participation points is presented in the behavior section below. 

Synopsis of Grading                                                               Total

Three Exam scores                                                                    75%

Ethical Dilemma Papers                                                               5%

Online homework with BVT Publishing                                         10%

Class Participation Grade                                                           10%

Total                                                                                         100%

Attendance

\ Amarillo College Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.

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\ Instructor Attendance Policy:  Attendance will be considered in the compilation of the class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points from the final grade for class participation. Leaving class early without prior arrangement with instructor counts as a tardy. Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.