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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.
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GOVT-2305-004 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)
Hybrid
"Introduction to American Government," Charles Turner, BVT Publishers, P.O. Box 492831, Redding CA 96049-2831. Copyright: 2017
Note taking paper, ink pens, No. 2 pencils, printing paper, computer, and access to the internet with a printer.
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.
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.
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 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 Points: A student's final letter grade will be determined by the number of grade points they have earned during the term. A maximum number of four hundred and fifty (450) 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 twenty-ffive (25) points. Attendance performance has a possible twenty-five (25) points. The following point scale will be used to determine the final letter grade of students.
450-405 A
404-360 B
359-315 C
314-270 D
269 or less F
Students who do not finish the course and do not formally drop could receive a failing grade. All requests to drop the class must be sent to and received by the instructor by February 27, 2018. The instructor will forward all formal requests to drop the class to the registrar’s office. A reason is needed for the request
Required Exams: There will be three (3) exams during the term. Each exam will consist of multiple choice and true and false questions taken from the assigned chapters, study outline material, and lectures. Exams will be scheduled on-line and on a date and time given by the instructor. Each exam has a maximum of one-hundred grade points.
Makeup Policy: Exams will be scheduled throughout the term. 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 term. Requests will be evaluated for cause by the instructor and may be denied for insufficient reason. A makeup exam must be completed before the next scheduled exam.
Final Exam: The final exam will be exam three (3). It will cover the chapters, study outline material, and class lectures presented after exam two (2). There is no makeup for exam 3, however students may schedule an early exam time with the instructor if needed.
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 point of view. 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 term. Papers must be turned in by March 1, 2018.
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
16-15 25 10-9 10
14-13 20 8-7 5
12-11 15 6 or less 0
Attendance will be taken with a sign-in roster. Students not signing the roster will be considered an absence. 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): Eleven (11) assignments are available to students. 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 and can be used as study material. 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 time. The ten (10) highest assignment scores will be averaged together for your assignment grade. No assignments will be accepted after exam 3 has been given.
Extra Credit: Students may earn thirty (30) additional points that can be added to their exam scores by writing three (3) 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 March 1, 2018. For additional details see extra credit instructions with the course information listings.
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 instructor could receive a failing grade.
Jan. 16: Syllabus review and Introduction
Jan. 18: Chapter 1, the Constitution of the United States
Jan. 23: Chapter 2, Federalism: States in the Union
Jan. 25: Chapter 3, Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
Jan. 30: Exam 1, assignments 1-3 are due
Feb. 01: Review Exam 1, Chapter 4-Political Ideologies
Feb. 06: Chapter 6: Politics and the Media
Feb. 08: Chapter 7, Interest Groups & Political Parties
Feb. 13: Chapter 8, Campaign and Elections
Feb.15: Exam 2, assignments 4-7 are due
Feb. 20: Review Exam 2, Chapter 9-the Congress
Feb.22: Chapter 10, the Presidency
Feb. 27: Chapter 11, the Bureaucracies
Mar. 01: Chapter 12, the Supreme Court & the American Judiciary
Mar. 06: Review for exam 3
Mar. 08: Exam 3, and assignments 8-11 are due
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 the role they wish to play in our 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.
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01/18/18 2:10 PM