United States Government Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Course

GOVT-2305-004 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 2305,for Amarillo College, Pearson Custom Library, copyright 2013

 

 

Supplies

Scantrons, #2 Pencils, pen and paper for note-taking.  Small tape recorder if you wish to record lectures.  Access to computer and printer for homework assignments.

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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 3 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. There will be a 10 point deduction for each class day an assignment is turned in late. Assignment #1 involves solving an ETHICAL DILEMMA.  Instructions for all assignments are found on the class website, student menu, under “Student Documents.”

CHAPTER TESTS: There will be four (4) CHAPTER TESTS each covering approximately 3-4 chapters. The average of your 3 highest Chapter Tests will constitute 60% of your semester grade, UNLESS you are exempted from taking the Final exam, in which case the average of your 3 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.

MAKE-UP TEST POLICY: If you miss a chapter test, this will be your one test grade that will be dropped in calculating your chapter test average. Exceptions made only with proof of DIRE circumstances, and then you will be given a different Form of the exam from the rest of the 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 may have an EXEMPTION from taking Final Exam if you meet ALL THREE (3) OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

1.Missed 2 or less class days for classes that meet twice a week.

2. The average of your 3 highest chapter tests is at least an 90, and you actually took all 4 Chapter Tests

3. You turned in all Homework Assignments on time and made at least 80 points on each of them.

WARNING: If you choose to take the Final when you are exempt, the Final Exam grade cannot be dropped, but must be counted.

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 two chapters per week in the text. The student is responsible for reading all the material in the assigned text and any class handouts or information posted under “student documents.”  on the class website. It will be important to success that the student take notes on class lectures. Students will NOT have access to instructor's lecture notes for class days missed.  The Instructor has prepared Chapter Outlines of the Lecture material for students to use to guide their note taking during class.  These are posted on the AC Connect class website. 

Attendance

Regular attendance is required for satisfactory achievement in this class. Attendance shall be taken at each class meeting. Make a friend in class who will share notes with you if you must miss a class.

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Additional Information

DROPPING THIS CLASS: YOU MUST SEE THE INSTRUCTOR OF THIS CLASS TO START THE WITHDRAWAL PROCESS.  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.