United States Government Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Course Information

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Course

GOVT-2305-002 United States Government

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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

Political Science, 2013, Douglas ISBN # 1269239236

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Supplies

Access to Internet for research on Homework Assignments and to take Online Chapter Tests.  Access to keyboard and printer. Pencils, pen and paper for note-taking.  Small tape recorder if you wish to record lectures.

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Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

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1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.

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2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

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3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.

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4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.

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5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

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6. Analyze the state and local election process.

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7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

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8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.

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

\ COURSE  ETHICS:  At Amarillo College, there are serious academic penalties for any unethical conduct on the part of any student.  The policy and penalty for such conduct is provided in the general Catalog.

Grading Criteria

HOMEWORK: There will be four (43) assignments. Each is worth a possible 100 points, for a total possible homework grade of 100. The total homework grade will constitute 20% of your total semester grade. Your 4^th Homework Assignment involves your solving an ETHICAL DILEMMA.  See the instructions for this  in “Student Documents” online.

CHAPTER TESTS: There will be five (5) CHAPTER TESTS each covering approximately 3-4 chapters. The average of your 4 highest Chapter Tests will constitute 60% of your semester grade.  

IF I exempt you from taking the Final exam, the average of your 4 highest chapter tests will count 80% of your semester grade.

If Dates of Testing vary from the course calendar they will be announced two class periods prior to the test. ALL CHAPTER TESTS will be taken IN CLASS.

FINAL EXAM: The final exam is Comprehensive (over whole textbook) and MANDATORY for all non-exempted students. It counts as 20% of your semester grade. This grade is NOT a test grade you can drop. NOTE: In order to take the final exam at other than the pre-scheduled time, permission must be obtained from the department chair, not this instructor.  YOU WILL TAKE THE FINAL IN THE CLASSROOM not on the internet.

GRADING POLICY: If your raw score on any test, exam, homework or final grade calculation contains a decimal amount, it will be rounded off to the nearest whole number. Refer to the student handbook for the corresponding letter/numerical grading scale used at Amarillo College for this department.

DAILY COURSE WORK: We will be covering approximately one or more chapters per week in the text. The student is responsible for reading all the material in the assigned text and any class handouts. It will be important to success that the student take notes on class lectures and on current events class discussions. Students will NOT have access to instructor's lecture notes for class days missed.  The Instructor will prepare Chapter Outlines of the Lecture material for students to use to guide their note taking during class.  These will be posted on the AC Connect site for this class prior to each chapter lecture.  Look for them on the course page under “Student Documents.”

Attendance

Regular attendance is required for satisfactory achievement in this class. Attendance shall be taken at each class meeting. It is important that you get good class notes in order to do well on the tests.  Students will not have access to the Instructor's lecture notes.

Calendar

Additional Information

DROPPING THIS CLASS: YOU CAN DO THIS ONLINE, or YOU MAY SEE THE REGISTRAR AND FILL OUT THE PROPER FORMS IN ORDER TO DROP THIS CLASS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER DROP PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN YOUR RECEIVING A GRADE OF “F” AS YOUR SEMESTER GRADE IN THIS CLASS.

TAPING: Lectures may be tape recorded by any student.