United States Government Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Course

GOVT-2305-DC015 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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Luis Ricardo Fraga, United States Government: Principles in Practice; © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012

Supplies

Notebooks, black or blue pens or pencils, notebook filler for notebook.

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to:

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 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

Classroom rules and expectations:

Be prepared!  Reading assignments must be completed by Monday of the week assigned.  Be in seats when bell rings.  Bring textbook, pens (blue or black), pencils, and notebook to class every day.

Written assignments will have clear due dates.  Late assignments will have 10 points deducted.  Students who are absent will have one additional day for each day of absence before the point deduction is applied.

Be respectful:  Of peers, guest speakers, and instructor.

Be involved!  Active participation and questioning are course requirements.

Be aware that chewing gum is not permitted.

Grading Criteria

A student’s six-week grade will be based on:

A weekly grade for regular class attendance, active participation in class discussions and activities and general class behavior will account for 10% of the six-week grade.

U.S. Government/1

Notebooks will account for 10%.  They will be graded at least once every six weeks for completeness, organization and neatness Notebooks should contain six tabs labeled:  course syllabus; daily class notes; chapter tests; unit tests; returned assignments; and, blank notebook filler.  There should be no blank pages except following the last tab.  For daily notes there should be a minimum of one new page per day, in blue or black ink.  Each page of daily class notes should be headed with the date and the liturgical feast of the day (which is posted daily on the board at the front of the classroom).  Those should be followed by notes on the lecture or review of the day.  If the daily notes exceed a single side of the page, use the back and subsequent blank pages as well.  Start each day with a new page!  Notebooks should be complete and ready to be graded without any advance notice.

A composite weekly grade for homework assignments will be 10% of the six-week grade.

Section quizzes will be given upon the completion of each section, and will represent 15% of the grade.

A paper addressing an ethical dilemma is required.  Details will be provide during class.  Written assignments should be typed and double-spaced.  Assignments will vary in length, depending on topic, and will be graded for content, use of documentary and external supporting evidence (as required), grammar, spelling, and evidence of critical thinking.  This paper will replace the homework grade during the third six-week period.

Chapter tests will make up the remaining 55% of the grade

The final grade will be determined by the average of each of six-week grades (25% each) and the final examination grade (25%)

Attendance

Regular attendance is expected in order to be successful in this class.

Calendar

Additional Information

This course is planned to provide the student with knowledge and critical thinking about American politics and government.  During the course of the year students will explore a variety of subjects.  The interrelations of politics, ideas, and economics will demonstrate how different ideological divisions produce different political consequences.