United States Government Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

GOVT-2305-014 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Central Ideas in American Government 7e
978-0-9984578-4-0

Supplies

Textbook listed above

Reliable Internet Access

Paper, Pen/Pencils

 

Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Explain the origin and development of the United States  constitution.
2. Describe the United State political structure and how it relates to individual states and institutions.
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 United States government.
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the United States.
6. Analyze the federal election process.
7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of the United States.

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 are expected to comply with Amarillo College policies and procedures listed in the student handbook on your Amarillo College website.  You may contact the instructor prior to the beginning of any class for questions regarding a deviation from these policies.

No sleeping or laying down on the desks during class.  No disruptive or distractive behavior.

Students must be respectful of everyone in the class at all times whether in person or in our on-line course.  Threatening behavior will not be tolerated. Campus police will be utilized for any/all disturbances.

Students are required to be "E-Free" during this class except for personal computers which may be utilized for note taking ONLY.  No game playing on the personal computers during class.  Internet use on the personal computers during class is forbidden unless under the direction of the instructor.  Use of the following (and any others which may not be either remembered by the instructor or invented at the time of this syllabus) is forbidden in this class:  ;ipods, mp3 players, iphones, blackberrys, ipads, cell phones of any kind and anything remotely close to these descriptions.  NO TEXTING, NO TWEETING, NO PHONE CALLS, NO MESSAGE CHECKING, NO CAMERA USE, NO NOTHING WITH YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICE DURING THIS CLASS.  ALL DEVICES MUST BE IN THE SILENT POSITION DURING CLASS TIME.  ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE AWAITS THOSE WHO DISREGARD THIS POLICY.   All students are urged to enroll in the AC alert  notification located on the Amarillo College homepage.

Anyone with a legitimate exception to the above may contact the instructor after class with their plea.

Grading Criteria

Students will actively utilize their AC Online account to receive class assignments, class announcements and to contact the instructor.  Students without personal internet access are free to use the computer internet terminals in the Amarillo College Lynn Library located on the Washington Street Campus.

Grading Criteria:
90  – 100 = A

80   – 89  = B

70   -  79 = C

60  -   69 = D

Below 60 = F

Weekly textbook assignments:  40% of semester grade

Weekly internet assignments, Ethical Dilemma:   40% of semester grade

Attendance  AND  Class participation: 10% of semester grade

Final:  10% of semester grade

Attendance

All students are expected to attend all classes listed below.  There are no such things as "excused absences" for any reason except those requested by other Amarillo College instructors pertaining to specialized school activities.

August 23 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

August 30 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

September 13 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

September 20 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

October 11 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

October 25 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

November 8 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

November 29 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

December 6 - Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Calendar

Additional Information

August 21 - August 29.  Chapter 1:  The Founding and Constitution + Blackboard Internet Assignment.

August 30 - September 5.  Chapter 2:  Federalism + Blackboard Internet Assignment

September 6 - September 12.  Chapter 3:  Civil Liberties + Blackboard Internet Assignment

September 13 - September 19.  Chapter 4:  Civil Rights + Blackboard Internet Assignment

September 20 - September 26.  Chapter 5:  Congress + Blackboard Internet Assignment

September 27 -  October 3.  Chapter 6:  The Presidency + Blackboard Internet Assignment

October 4 - October 10.  Chapter 7:  Bureaucracy + Blackboard Internet Assignment

October 11 - October 24.  Chapter 8:  The Judiciary + Blackboard internet Assignment

October 25 - October 31.  Chapter 9:  The Media + Blackboard Internet Assignment

November 1 - November 7.  Chapter 10:  Voting and Political Participation + Blackboard Internet Assignment

November 8 - November 14.  Chapter 11:  Elections and Campaigns + Blackboard Internet Assignment

November 15 - November 21.  Chapter 12:  Political Parties + Blackboard Internet Assignment

November 22 - November 28.  Chapter 13:  Interest Groups + Blackboard Internet Assignment

November 29 - December 5 .  Chapter 14:  Public  Policy + Blackboard Internet Assignment

December  7 - December 12. FINALS