United States Government Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Rhonda Cardwell (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

<p>r0066564@actx.edu</p>

Phone

<p>806-206-4674</p>

Office Location

Office Hours

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

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Student Withdrawal Procedures

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Course

GOVT-2305-009 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Government by the People, 2014 Elections and Update Ed.  REVEL

Bundle with Access Code and Loose leaf  25th Ed. 2016 

Author: Magleby, et al.

ISBN#: 9780134138428

Supplies

Access to a reliable computer and reliable internet. Smartphones have numerous problems with the Exams and Quizzes in this course. All students should have access to a desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet access when taking Exams and Quizzes.

Student Performance

  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 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 that Constitution.
  7. Explain the concepts of limited Government, protection of the individual through the limitation of government power, and explain how American government is limited through through federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, and democracy.

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 follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

During discussions in the course; students are expected to be professional and follow common curtesy. The discussions in this class are meant to bring up various positions and sometimes the debate can be heated; however, it is appropriate to attach a certain argument or point of view, but it is never appropriate to attach the person who is posting information with which you may disagree.

Grading Criteria

A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59
Exams Average  –  40%
Chapter Assignments – 25%
Discussions Average  –  25%
Course Paper  –  10%

All exams are online; there are no makeup exams.

Attendance

The online US Government course will not have any on campus meetings. Students must log on to this course in ACOnline the first day of regular classes and follow the instructions for the course. If a student needs individual assistance they can contact me to work out the problems or schedule an appointment.

Attendance and/or participation requirements in courses delivered electronically (telecourses and on-line courses) will be unique to the individual course.

Calendar

Date


Welcome to US Government 2305

Assignments and Exams

 

1-16-2018

 

Read all of the information and instructions regarding this course on this page. Be sure to read the whole page and not just the first few dates. This information will help save you time later in the course. Be sure you have also read all of the start here page and the syllabus.

 

1-16-2018

 

There is a Discussion tab on the left hand menu. Click on that tab and then click on the Topic for Introduction. Click on my introduction posting and then click on "reply". Write an introduction of yourself. It does not have to be long and is not graded. Simply state a few things about yourself for the class. Examples include: major, interests, family information, work, how far you live from campus, etc. There is no due date on this; but the quicker the better. This is just to let you get an idea of how the discussion works. The rest of the discussions assigned in this course are graded. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE GRADED DISCUSSIONS.

 

1-16-2018

 

 

As discussed in the Syllabus and the Start Here page, you will have 4 Unit Exams total and 5 Blackboard Discussions total. You will also have a short Course Paper in the later part of the semester. Additionally, there are weekly chapter assignments that state what chapters are assigned for the week. Each of those have several components that must be completed by the weekly deadline to receive any credit for the points related to those components. Be sure to read ALL OF THE ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS PAGE linked to the INSTRUCTIONS & PAPER TAB in the course. There will be one overall Assignment Grade that will count toward the final overall average for the course. Those are all of the grades for this class. Those are the only grades that will be used to compute your overall average for the course.

 Each Chapter Assignment is very similar as far as the reading and study material are concerned. Each chapter will have several sections of reading and study material. Each section has a short 3 to 5 question quiz. Each chapter has a review quiz and a shared writing assignment. Those are all graded and count toward the overall Weekly Assignment average. Be sure that you complete all of the reading, quizzes, and shared writing assignment by the deadline of each assignment.

 The course is divided into 4 Units. Each Unit has 2 to 4 chapter assignments. Those are all listed with detailed instructions under the Lessons-Assignments tab on the left hand menu in the course. There are also five Blackboard Discussion questions that are graded separately. They are assigned with various weekly chapter assignments throughout the course. There will not be one each week. You can see where they are assigned on this Assignment Dates page and under each of the actual assignments under the Lessons-Assignments tab.

 Each weekly assignment will be assigned on Wednesday of the week and will be due by the next Tuesday except for the first assignment. So you will have at least 7 days to complete the readings, quizzes, shared writing and Blackboard discussions, so there are no excuses for not being able to complete these on time. In addition, I drop one of the five discussion grades. The Course paper will be assigned later in the semester and you will have approximately two weeks to work on this assignment. There will be detailed instructions when the paper is assigned. The average of the three main exams left after dropping the lowest will count 40% of your overall average in the course. The average of the four discussion grades after dropping the lowest will count as 25% of your overall average. The Course paper will count 10% of your overall course average. The average of all of the weekly chapter assignments will count as 25% of your overall average.

The Chapter Assignments completed before a Main Unit Exam are what you are responsible for reading and studying to prepare for that Main Exam. Therefore, each Main Exam just covers the chapters and readings assigned up to that exam and after the previous exam. The last Graded Exam is the Final and is only over the last few chapters assigned after Exam 3. It is not comprehensive of the whole course material. I drop one of the exam grades.

 

 

Assigned

1-17-2018

 

 

Due
1-23-2018

 


WEEK 1

Introduction: Government by the People

  • Introduction: Government by the People
  • The Idea of America
  • A Distinctive Constitutional Democracy
  • Government Of, By, and For the People
  • Shared Writing: Government by the People (20 points)
  • Learning Objectives
  • Conclusion
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further

Chapter 1: Constitutional Democracy

  • Introduction: Constitutional Democracy
  • 1.1 U.S. Government and Politicians in Context (9 points)
  • 1.2 Defining Democracy (18 points)
  • 1.3 The Roots of the American Constitutional Experiment (15 points)
  • 1.4 The Constitutional Convention of 1787 (15 points)
  • 1.5 To Adopt or Not to Adopt? (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 1.5: By the People: To Adopt or Not to Adopt? (20 points)
  • Review the Chapter: Constitutional Democracy
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Constitutional Democracy (75 points)

Chapter 2: Constitutional Foundations

  • Introduction: Constitutional Foundations
  • 2.1 Views of the Constitution (9 points)
  • 2.2 Checking Power with Power (15 points)
  • 2.3 Judicial Review and the “Guardians of the Constitution” (15 points)
  • 2.4 Informal Change: The Unwritten Constitution (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 2.4: Informal Change: The Unwritten Constitution (20 points)
  • 2.5 Changing the Letter of the Constitution (15 points)
  • Review the Chapter: Constitutional Foundations
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Constitutional Foundations (75 points)

Introduction Discussion

 

 

Assigned

1-24-2018

 

 

Due

1-30-2018

 

 


WEEK 2

Chapter 3: American Federalism

  • Introduction: American Federalism
  • 3.1 Defining Federalism (15 points)
  • 3.2 The Constitutional Structure of American Federalism (15 points)
  • 3.3 The National Courts and Federalism (15 points)
  • 3.4 The National Budget as a Tool of Federalism (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 3.4: The National Budget as a Tool of Federalism (20 points)
  • 3.5 The Politics of Federalism (9 points)
  • Review the Chapter: American Federalism
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: American Federalism (75 points)

Chapter 4: The American Political Landscape

  • Introduction: The American Political Landscape
  • 4.1 An Exceptional America (6 points)
  • 4.2 Geography and National Identity (12 points)
  • 4.3 Where We Live (15 points)
  • 4.4 Who We Are (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 4.4: Who We Are (20 points)
  • 4.5 How Much We Own (15 points)
  • 4.6 Unity in a Land of Diversity (6 points)
  • Review the Chapter: The American Political Landscape
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: The American Political Landscape (75 points)

Discussion 1 in Blackboard  -  DUE 1-30
 

Notice that some chapters are skipped after this assignment

 

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 1.

 

ALL of Assignments for week 2 MUST be completed by 1-30-2018

 

 

1-28-2018

 

 

Main Exam 1 First day      - EXAM 1 will be posted this morning.  The exams are all 50 multiple choice questions and you will have 60 minutes from the time you begin. Once you go into the test you must complete your work in the 60 minute time frame. You cannot save your exam somewhere in the middle and come back to it later. Once the clock starts, it does not stop until the end of the time limit. If you get disconnected from the exam, you should try to log back in as soon as possible. This should be plenty of time for all students. Be sure to read all of the instructions before beginning the exam. The Exam will be open through Tuesday.

 

All Exams must be submitted by 11:30pm the last day the exam is available.

 

 

1-29-2018

 

 

Main Exam 1 continued today

 

 

1-30-2018

 

 

Main Exam 1 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

1-31-2018

 

 

Due

2-6-2018

 


WEEK 3

Chapter 10: Congress: The People’s Branch

  • Introduction: Congress: The People’s Branch
  • 10.1 Congressional Elections (21 points)
  • Shared Writing: 10.1: Congressional Elections (20 points)
  • 10.2 The Structure and Powers of Congress (15 points)
  • 10.3 Congressional Leadership and Committees (18 points)
  • 10.4 How a Bill Becomes a Law (12 points)
  • 10.5 The Job of the Legislator (15 points)
  • 10.6 An Assessment of Congress (6 points)
  • Review the Chapter: Congress: The People's Branch
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Congress (80 points)

Chapter 11: The Presidency

  • Introduction: The Presidency
  • 11.1 The Structure and Powers of the Presidency (15 points)
  • 11.2 Controversies in Presidential Power (15 points)
  • 11.3 Managing the Presidency (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 11.3: Managing the Presidency (20 points)
  • 11.4 The President’s Job (15 points)
  • 11.5 Congress and the Presidency (15 points)
  • 11.6 Judging Presidents (12 points)
  • Review the Chapter: The Presidency
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: The Presidency (75 points)

Discussion 2 in Blackboard  -  DUE 2-6-2018

 

 

Assigned

2-7-2018

 

 

Due

2-13-2018

 


WEEK 4

Chapter 12: The Federal Bureaucracy and the Public Policy Process: Creating and Executing the Laws

  • Introduction: The Federal Bureaucracy and the Public Policy Process: Creating and Executing the Laws
  • 12.1 Understanding the Federal Bureaucracy: Constitutional Origins, Organizations, and Employees (15 points)
  • 12.2 The Job of the Federal Bureaucracy (15 points)
  • 12.3 Controlling the Federal Bureaucracy (15 points)
  • 12.4 Defining Public Policy (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 12.4: Defining Public Policy (20 points)
  • 12.5 The Public Policy Process (15 points)
  • 12.6 Citizens and Public Policy (6 points)
  • Review the Chapter: The Federal Bureaucracy and the Public Policy Process: Creating and Executing the Laws
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: The Federal Bureaucracy and the Public Policy Process (75 points)

Chapter 13: The Judiciary: The Balancing Branch

  • Introduction: The Judiciary: The Balancing Branch
  • 13.1 Understanding the Federal Judiciary (15 points)
  • 13.2 The Three Types of Federal Courts (15 points)
  • 13.3 The Politics of Appointing Federal Judges (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 13.3: The Politics of Appointing Federal Judges (20 points)
  • 13.4 How the Supreme Court Decides (15 points)
  • 13.5 Judicial Power and Its Limits (12 points)
  • Review the Chapter: The Judiciary: The Balancing Branch
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: The Judiciary (75 points)

Discussion 3 in Blackboard  -  DUE 2-13

 

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 2.

 

 

2-11-2018

 

 

Main Exam 2 First day      - EXAM 2 will be posted this morning. All Exams are set up the same as the 1st Exam.

 

All Exams must be submitted by 11:30pm the last day the exam is available.

 

 

2-12-2018

 

 

Main Exam 2 continued today

 

 

2-13-2018

 

 

Main Exam 2 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 


Assigned

1-31-2018

 

Due

2-13-2018
 

 


RESEARCH PAPER – ETHICAL DILEMMA

Be sure to note the due date and submit your paper by that date.

 

Assigned

2-14-2018

 

 

Due

2-20-2018

 


WEEK 5

Chapter 14: Civil Liberties: Protections Under the Bill of Rights

  • Introduction: Civil Liberties: Protections Under the Bill of Rights
  • 14.1 The Basis for Our Civil Liberties (15 points)
  • 14.2 First Amendment Freedoms (15 points)
  • 14.3 Property Rights (12 points)
  • 14.4 Due Process Rights (9 points)
  • 14.5 Privacy Rights (9 points)
  • 14.6 Rights of Criminal Suspects (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 14.6: Rights of Criminal Suspects (20 points)
  • 14.7 Protecting Our Civil Liberties in an Age of Terror: Whose Responsibility? (9 points)
  • Review the Chapter: Civil Liberties: Protections Under the Bill of Rights
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Civil Liberties (75 points)

Chapter 15: Civil Rights: Equal Rights Under the Law

  • Introduction: Civil Rights: Equal Rights Under the Law
  • 15.1 Equality and Equal Rights (15 points)
  • 15.2 The Quest for Equal Justice (15 points)
  • 15.3 Equal Protection of the Laws: What Does It Mean? (15 points)
  • 15.4 Voting Rights (15 points)
  • 15.5 Rights to Equal Access: Accommodations, Jobs, and Homes (15 points)
  • 15.6 Education Rights (15 points)
  • 15.7 Equal Rights Today (6 points)
  • Shared Writing: 15.7: Equal Rights Today (20 points)
  • Review the Chapter: Civil Rights: Equal Rights Under the Law
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Civil Rights (75 points)

Discussion 4 in Blackboard  -  DUE  2-20

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 3.
 

 

2-18-2018

 

 

Main Exam 3 First day      - EXAM 3 will be posted this morning.

 

 

2-19-2018

 

 

 Main Exam 3 continued today

 

 

2-20-2018

 

 

Main Exam 3 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

2-21-2018

 

 

Due

2-27-2018

 


WEEK 6

Chapter 16: Making Economic Policy

  • Introduction: Making Economic Policy
  • 16.1 An Introduction to Economic Policy (15 points)
  • 16.2 Fiscal Policy (15 points)
  • 16.3 Monetary Policy (15 points)
  • 16.4 Promoting the Economy (15 points)
  • 16.5 Regulating the Economy (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 16.5: Regulating the Economy (20 points)
  • 16.6 The Deregulation Movement (12 points)
  • A Continued Federal Role
  • Review the Chapter: Making Economic Policy
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Making Economic Policy (75 points)

Chapter 17: Making Social Policy

  • Introduction: Making Social Policy
  • 17.1 The Role of the Federal Government in Social Policy (15 points)
  • 17.2 The Expansion of Social Policy in the Twentieth Century (18 points) 
  • 17.3 Social Policy Challenges for the Future: Health, Education, and Crime (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 17.3: Social Policy Challenges for the Future: Health, Education, and Crime (20 points)
  • Review the Chapter: Making Social Policy
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Making Social Policy (75 points)

DISCUSSION 5 in Blackboard  -  Due 2-27

 

 

Assigned

2-28-2018

 

 

Due

3-6-2018

 


WEEK 7

Chapter 18: Making Foreign and Defense Policy

  • Introduction: Making Foreign and Defense Policy
  • 18.1 Understanding Foreign Policy and Defense (15 points)
  • Shared Writing: 18.1: Understanding Foreign Policy and Defense (20 points)
  • 18.2 The Foreign Policy and Defense Agenda (15 points)
  • 18.3 The Foreign Policy and Defense Bureaucracy (18 points)
  • 18.4 Foreign Policy and Defense Options (15 points)
  • Prospects for the Future
  • Review the Chapter: Making Foreign and Defense Policy
  • Learn the Terms
  • Explore Further
  • Chapter Quiz: Making Foreign and Defense Policy (75 points)

Conclusion: Sustaining Constitutional Democracy

  • Conclusion: Sustaining Constitutional Democracy
  • The Case for Government by the People
  • Participation and Representation
  • The Role of the Politician
  • The Importance of Active Citizenship
  • Explore Further

NOTICE this assignment and the last Exam MUST be completed by 3-6

LAST DAY TO TAKE EXAM 4 (FINAL) IS March 6th.
 

 

 

3-4-2018

 

 

Main Exam 4 First day      - EXAM 4 will be posted this morning.

 

 

3-5-2018

 

 

Main Exam 4 continued today

 

 

3-6-2018

 

 

Main Exam 4 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest. This is Tuesday of Finals Week. This is the last day to take the final in this class.

 

 
 

 

 

Additional Information

There is a Start Here page under the Lessons Tab when you log in to the course. All students should read and understand ALL of the information that is contained on that Start Here page. This will save ALL students a lot of time and frustration.

TBA

http://www.actx.edu

Syllabus Created on:

01/14/18 12:14 PM

Last Edited on:

01/14/18 12:14 PM