United States Government Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Course

GOVT-2305-007 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.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

"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.

Student Performance

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 development as 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 and define the rights of the 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 Constitutionalism as a basis for political society and the historical development of the U.S. Constitution and the political system that has developed under the Constitution.
7. Explain the concepts of limited government, protection of the individual through the limitation of governmental power, and explain how American government is limited through federalism, seperation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, and democracy.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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. 

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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 Criteria:    A student’s final letter grade will be determined by the number of grade points they have earned during the semester.  A maximum of five-hundred (500) grade points are possible.  Each exam has a possible one-hundred grade points.  The personal responsibility and social responsibility assignment (ethical Dilemma paper) has a possible 50 points.  A student’s attendance performance has a possible fifty (50) points.  The following point scale is used to determine a student’s final letter grade. 

                                        A = 450 grade points to 500 grade points

                                        B = 400 grade points to 449 grade points                       

                                        C = 350 grade points to 399 grade points

                                        D = 300 grade points to 349 grade points

                                        F = 299 grade points or less

Students who do not finish the course and who do not formally drop the course through the Registrar's Office will receive a grade of F.

Required Exams: There will be four (4) exams during the semester, one exam every four weeks of the semester.  Each exam will have a possible 100 grade points and 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 by the instructor.  Students may mark on exam copies but 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 A.C. bookstore, from campus vending machines, and the instructor on exam days.

Makeup Policy: Exams will be scheduled throughout the semester approximately one exam every four (4) weeks.  Students must request a makeup exam if they miss a scheduled exam.  If you know in advance that you will not be able to take a scheduled exam, early exam times may be scheduled.  For unexpected absences makeup exams may be scheduled with the Testing Center at the instructor's discretion.  Only one makeup request will be permitted for missed exams 1, 2, and 3.  A makeup exam must be completed prior to the next scheduled exam.  The instructor reserves the option to administer makeup exams in other forms.  There will be no makeup for exam four (4).  Taking exam 4 early will be permitted upon request.

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.

ASSIGNMENTS: Twelve (12) assignments will be made available during the semester.  All of the assignments will be take-home open book and made up of key term questions taken from the assigned chapters.  Three assignments will be due on each scheduled exam date.  Assignments submitted past their deadline will be graded, but five (5) points will be deducted from the score as a late penalty.  The ten (10) highest assignment scores will be averaged and the assignment average will be used to replace the lowest exam score.  Completing the assignments is optional and choosing not to do them will have no affect on a student's exam scores.  Students may submit completed assignments ahead of schedule.

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 their personal values and areas of study at Amarillo College.  They are to make a choice or decision on the dilemma and describe their reasoning for it.  All papers are to be kept to one page if possible and have a maximum value of fifty (50) grade points.  Papers will be graded for proper dilemma identification, grammar, value sources, assimilation, and overall organization.  copies of the fifteen (15) ethical dilemma situations will be given to all students with additional instructons by the instructor.

 

Extra Credit: Students may earn twenty (20) 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

Attendance Policy and Grade Points: 

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 one (1) or no absences during the semester will receive five (5) percentage points added to their final grade average at the end of the semester.  Students with only two (2) or three (3) 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.  There are fifteen class periods during this semester.  Grade points will be awarded accordingly for the following attendance performance.

Attendance:            Grade points:

15-14                       50

13-12                       40

11-10                       30

9                              20

8                              10

7-1                           0

Grade points for attendance will be adjusted in the event of class cancellaton due to inclement weather or other event.

 

 

 

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.

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  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.