Please email me to suggest a time.
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
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 .
GOVT-2305-003 United States Government
<p>Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills</p>
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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website
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.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Dual Credit Course
Edwards, Georce C., Wattenberg, Martin P., Lineberry, Robert L. Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy. Seventeenth Edition. Boston, MA: 2015
Ladd, Everett C., Serow, Ann G. The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity. Fifth Edition. Baltimore, MD: 2011
Chromebooks, Spiral notebook, pens or pencils, and/or something you can take notes with. (Tablets are acceptable, as well as laptops)
Student performance will be graded based on participation in discussions, productivity on reading quizzes, a comprehensive final at the end of the semester, and daily assignments.
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".
Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures. If you are going to miss a day of class, please inform me one class time ahead of time unless it is a personal emergency. There are some special circumstances which it is impossible to foresee, so when they occur, please communicate with me about any difficulties or problems with attendance that you’re having as a result.
Attendance is mandatory unless cleared ahead of time by the instructor. Once again, I understand that there are times when attendance is simply not possible, but communication needs to be open and shared between student and teacher on these types of issues.
Reading Quizzes (30%)
Reading quizzes are normally due every other week on Fridays. There are a few exceptions as you’ll see below. The important thing to remember, however, is that they all become available as soon as our students get access to the online textbook. Once again, all of them will become available so that our students can work as far ahead as they like (even if they want to work all the way to the end). This is done to help our students learn not to procrastinate, as well as to prevent any zeroes resulting from not turning in an assignment by its due date. These quizzes are automatically graded by the computer. Once again, it’s always best for students to be working ahead.
Online Reading Quiz Due Dates:
Chapter 1 – September 8
Chapter 2 – September 15
Chapters 3 and 4 – September 29
Chapters 5 and 6 – October 13
Chapters 7 and 8 – October 27
Chapters 9 and 10 – November 10
Chapters 11, 12, and 13 – November 24
Chapters 14 and 15 – December 8
Ethical Dilemma Paper (Mandatory Extra Credit = 10 pts extra credit on Final Exam when turned in on time
The ethical dilemma paper, which is an assignment mandated by the State of Texas, will be handed out or made available online on January 3rd and is due November 24th. For all dual credit students, this paper will need to be submitted online in the drop box I have created for it. The paper will need to be attached as a Microsoft word document so that it can be checked for plagiarism by an online checker, and so that I can pass it onto the individuals at AC that collect these papers for the state. Please note this paper is due the same day as the Final Exam and should probably be turned in well ahead of time.
Final Exam (50%)
Likewise, the final exam will also be given out early. Usually the middle of September. It consists of three essays that build upon each other. The student should think hard about a unique topic of interest, and come to me to let me know what they’re working on. The topic should be of either a political nature or issue relevant to either the nation or the world today. These essays should be well thought out with meaningful content, and crystal clear arguments. Although students aren’t forced to, I encourage students to bring me their drafts as they’re working on them so that I can help them articulate their arguments and points best, and I have attached the grading rubric I use for them. When providing assistance in the drafting process, my job is simply to help them reach their own best, articulate conclusions at all times, and never to push them in one way or another ideologically. The final exam is due on November 24th. It will be handed out during the 1st week of school. Please note this paper is due the same date as the Ethical Dilemma and should be done well ahead of time. Don’t procrastinate!!
Discussions (20%)
Discussions are held as a grade on a case by case basis. There is no way to tell when a class discussion will be used as a grade so it is important for our students to be engaging, respectful, and searching for truth in every class discussion that we have. I have attached the grading rubric for class discussions to this letter as well. A part of the discussions are our Statecraft simulation which is an in-depth and long-term collaborative simulation for understanding the nature of politics and power. The same grading rubric used for discussions is used for “Statecraft” discussions.
The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.
08/15/17 1:28 PM
08/15/17 1:30 PM