United States Government Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

GOVT-2305-002 United States Government

Prerequisites

<p>Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills</p>

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 ResourcesStudent 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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Texts:  Robert Bresler, Robert J. Friedrich, Joseph J. Karlesky, D. Grier Stephenson, Jr., and Charles C. Turner. Introduction to American Government. Ninth Edition. Redding, CA: BVT Publishing, 2017.  ISBN: 978-1-5178-0222-6

                             

Farmer, Brian R.  Radical Islam in the West: Ideology and Challenge. Jefferson, NC: McFarland Press, 2010.  ISBN 978-0-7864-5953-7 

Supplies

Materials with which to take notes, device with internet access, #2 pencil for exams.

Student Performance

After Studying the Material Presented in this Course of Study, the Student will be able to:

1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.

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 federal

government.

5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political

system.

6. Analyze the election process.

7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens

8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.

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

Behavior policy.  To the mature adults which are members of this class I apologize for the insult imposed upon you by this section of the syllabus.  Unfortunately, past behavior of your fellow students has necessitated its inclusion.  Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult, Christian, university students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the University.  This is not junior high, elementary school, nor the Lad 'N' Lassie day care center, and I have no intention of tolerating behavior which is more stereotypical of any of the aforementioned.  In order to clarify my position, the following list of behaviors are included as examples of behavior which may result in permanent expulsion from this class.  A student will receive one verbal warning only.  Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period.  A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement. 

Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

1.banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor	6. throwing paper wads or any other objects	11. wearing headphones
2. sleeping, head on desk	7. passing notes	12. disrespectful comments
3. interrupting the lecture by any unsuitable means	8. disrespect for fellow students	13. eating
4. cheating in any form	9. any other disruptive behavior	14. moving from desk to desk, walking around room.

5. disruptive talking/visiting 10.  doing homework      15.  knitting, needlepoint, other arts and crafts          

The instructor reserves the right to assign seating if necessary to preserve order.  Contrary to what you are probably now thinking, it is not my intention to design a class which is a prison camp for college students.  I am in favor of having fun in class perhaps as much as anyone; however, it must not be at the expense of an environment conducive to learning.   

Academic dishonesty:

Cheating in any form will not be tolerated.  Some collaboration with other students on projects is acceptable; however, students must do their own work.  Papers which bear a striking resemblance to the work of other students will not be accepted.  If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.

Grading Criteria

Exams.  There will be three major examinations during the semester plus a final exam on Thursday, March 8, 10:30-11:45AM. Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures.  Each exam has 50 questions worth two points each for a total of 100. Students may not drop an exam. Bring a number 2 pencil on exam days.

Makeup Exams.  There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor.  If a student misses an exam, the student can replace the exam with an extra credit book review assignment.

 

Ethical Dilemma Paper: Students will read a historical ethical dilemma assigned by individually by the instructor. Individual due dates are determined by the instructor. In a one page typed paper, students will briefly identify and accurately describe the ethical dilemma. Students will recognize connections to their own personal values and rules, articulate the sources of their insights, and incorporate personal values in a reasoned response.  Students must find and use one source related to the Ethical Dilemma. The source must be cited in the Turabian format. For instructions in how to do your citations in the Turabian format, copy and paste the following web site into your toolbar.  http://actx.libguides.com/chicago

Keep the length of your response to one page. The Historical Ethical Dilemma Paper is worth 50 points of the total of 500 points possible in the class. 

Instructor Attendance Policy. Attendance will be considered in the compilation of the class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points from the final grade for class participation. Leaving class early without prior arrangement with the instructor counts as a tardy.  Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.  

Class participation grade.  Attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade.  Class participation is worth 50 points of the possible 500 points in the class. Students that never miss class normally receive the full 50 points for their class participation grade. Conversely, the instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for absences or behavior detrimental to the class.  For example, a student who misses half of the class periods will probably receive only 25 of the possible 50 points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. Students who continually exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior may receive a zero for their class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.  A more complete listing of behaviors which may result in loss of class participation points is presented in the behavior section below. 

 Synopsis of Grading                                                   Total

Four Exam scores      (100 points each)                       400

Ethical Dilemma Papers      (50 points)                        50

Class Participation Grade   (50 points)                         50 

Total                                                                               500

 

Grading Scale

450=A

400= B

350= C

300= D

Attendance

Amarillo College Attendance Policy:  Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.

Instructor Attendance Policy. Attendance will be considered in the compilation of the class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points from the final grade for class participation. Leaving class early without prior arrangement with the instructor counts as a tardy.  Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.  

Class participation grade.  Attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade.  Class participation is worth 50 points of the possible 500 points in the class. Students that never miss class normally receive the full 50 points for their class participation grade. Conversely, the instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for absences or behavior detrimental to the class.  For example, a student who misses half of the class periods will probably receive only 25 of the possible 50 points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. Students who continually exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior may receive a zero for their class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Calendar

Additional Information

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