United States Government Syllabus for 2014-2015
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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

Privacy Statement

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-2305-008 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

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook:

\ \

"Political Science" Pearson Custom Library edition, Pearson Learning Solutions, 501 Boylston St., Suite 900, Boston, MA 02116, Copyright 2013.

Supplies

Note taking paper, ink pens, No. 2 pencils and 4 green scantron forms (Form No. 882-E) for the exam.  Computer access to the internet with a printer is needed.

Student Performance

Course Description: A study of the background, organization and functions of the State of Texas.  The course will survey the politics in the State of Texas.

\ \

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

\ \

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

\ \

\ 1. Define and describe federalism and intergovernmental relations, the basis for federalism in the Constitution, and its changing character and developmentas well as explain other ways of organizing government.
\ 2. Identify and explain the three branches of government in the U.S.
\ 3. Explain the constitutional powers and limitations of political actors
\ 4. Identify adn define the rights of U.S. citizens
\ 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.
\ 6. Explain the historical development of the U.S. Constitutionalism as a basis for political society and the historical development of the U.S. Constitution and the politacal system that has developed under the constitution.
\ 7. Explain the concepts of limited government protection of the individual through 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

Students will be expected to follow the guidelines listed in the Amarillo College Handbook.  Disruptive behavior is unacceptable and not allowed.  In order to produce an environment conductive to learning one must be tolerant of different views, opinions, and perspectives from others.  Treat people as you would want them to treat you. 

\ \

Cell phones will be allowed in the classroom but only in the silent mode.  Phones may be monitored but not answered during class.  If a student has an emergency they are to step outside of class for cell phone calls.

Grading Criteria

Grading Points:  A student's final letter grade will be determined by the number of grade points they have earned during the semester.  A maximum number of five-hundred (500) points can be earned by a student.    All exams have one-hundred (100) possible grade points.  Personal Responsibility and Social Responsibility Assignments (Ethical Dilemma papers) have a possible fifty (50) points.  Attendance performance has a possible  fifty (50) points.  The following point scale will be used to determine the final letter grade of students.

Grade Points               Letter Grades

                                                                                                     451-500                            A

                                                                                                     401-450                            B

                                                                                                     351-400                            C

                                                                                                     301-350                            D

                                                                                                         0-300                            F

Assignments averages will replace one low exam score and extra credit points will be added in with exam grade points.  Student grades will be posted in the U.S... Government portal under grades.  Grades will be added and updated after each exam.

Required Exams: There will be four (4) exams during the semester, one exam every four weeks of the semester.  Each exam will consist of multiple choice and true and false questions taken from the assigned chapters, study guide material, and lectures.  Copies of the exams will be provided on each exam date.  All responses to exam questions must be scored on a green scantron (Form no.882-E) and turned in to the instructor with the exam copy.  Scantrons are available from the AC. bookstore, from campus vending machines, and the instructor on exam days.  Each exam has a maximum of one-hundred grade points.

Makeup Policy: Exams will be scheduled throughout the semester with one exam every four week quarter.  If you know in advance that you will not be able to take a scheduled exam, early exam times may be scheduled with the instructor.  For unexpected absences makeup exams may be scheduled with the instructor's approval.  Only one makeup request will be permitted per scheduled exam (1,2 &3).  A missed exam will be scheduled at the Testing Center unless the instructor specifies otherwise.

Final Exam: The final exam will be exam four (4).  It will cover the chapters, study guide material, and class lectures presented after exam three (3).  Attendance for exam four (4) is mandatory unless students make prior arrangements with the instructor's approval.

Ethical Dilemma Assignment Points: All government students are to read and choose one ethical dilemma situation and briefly identify and describe the problem (dilemma), using appropriate insights from your personal values and your areas of study at Amarillo College.  Then, describe your choice or decision to the dilemma and the reasoning with your points.  Responses, grammar, and spelling will be taken into consideration in determining grade points.  Copies of the fifteen (15) ethical dilemma situations will be given to students at the beginning of the semester.

Attendance Points: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement; therefore it is the responsibility of each student to attend all classes.  Grade points will be awarded to students for the following attendance performance.

U.S... Government (31 Class Periods):    Attendance               Grade Points

                                                                                                                                    16-15                             50

                                                                                                                                    14-13                             40

                                                                                                                                     12-11                             30

                                                                                                                                    10-09                             20

                                                                                                                                     08-07                             10

                                                                                                                                      06-01                             00

Attendance will be taken with a sign-in roster.  All students must sign the roster before leaving each class.  Students that do not sign the roster will not receive credit for that class period.  Students who do not formally drop the course prior to the semester drop date with the Registar's office can receive a failing grade.  Grade points for attendance will be adjusted in the event of class cancelation due to inclement weather.  Students are responsible for obtaining all class information and schedules covered of any absence.  The instructor will NOT give copies of lecture notes or outlines to students due to absences.

ASSIGNMENTS (optional): Twelve (12) assignments are available to students to replace one low exam score.  Assignments are optional and choosing not to complete them will not be counted against a student's exam scores.  All assignments are taken home, open-book exercises over key terms listed in the back of the textbook chapters.  Assignment copies are available for printing from your AC Connect U.S.. Government Portal under assignments and study guides.  Completed assignments will be graded and returned that can be used as study guides.  All assignments will have deadlines that coincide with scheduled exams. Assignments submitted after a deadline will be graded, but the grade will be reduced by ten (10) points as a late penalty.  Assignments may be submitted ahead of quarter schedules. The ten (10) highest assignment scores will be averaged together and used to replace the lowest test score.  No assignments will be accepted after exam 4 has been given.

Extra Credit: Students may earn forty (40) additional points that can be added to their exam scores by writing four (4) letters to their elected or appointed representatives in any government (federal, state, or local) level.  The issue or topic of the letter must be related to the public official's authority or area of responsibility and the topics may not be duplicated to different officials.  One letter may be substituted by showing the instructor a valid voter registration card or proof thereof.  Extra credit letters and voter registration cards must be submitted by the end of the fourteenth (14th) week of the semester.  For additional details see extra credit instructions with the course information listings.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement; therefore it is the responsibility of each student to attend all classes.  Excellent attendance will be rewarded.  Students with two (2) or less absences during the semester will receive five (5) percentage points added to their final grade average at the end of the semester.  Students with three (3) to five (5) absences during the semester will receive three (3) percentage points added to their final grade average at the end of the semester, also.

\ \

Attendance will be taken for each class with an attendance roster to be signed by all students before leaving each class period.

\ \

Students are responsible for obtaining all class information and material covered for any absence.  The instructor will NOT give students copies of lecture notes or outlines due to absences.  Students who do not complete the required exams and do not formally drop the course prior to the official drop date through the Registrar's office could receive a failing grade.

Calendar

Additional Information

The objective of this class is to instill an understanding of our national government and what it is based upon.  The material is presented in a framework to help the student organize and analyze the broad data necessary to formulate views and understanding about our government, politics, and their role in the national political system.  As individuals we function in terms of our self-interests.  But, a democratic republic depends on our willingness to subordinate ourselves to the interests of the common good that is necessary to balance and control the power of government.

\ \

  It is not the instructor's objective to convert a student to a particular political or partisan position, but to encourage students to grapple with and engage in assessing the material to form their own position.

\ \

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