United States Government Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Course

GOVT-2305-001 United States Government

Prerequisites

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:

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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook:

"Introduction to American Government," Charles Turner, Ninth Edition, BVT Publishers, P.O. Box 492831, Redding CA 96049-2831. Copyright: 2017

Supplies

Note taking paper, ink pens, No. 2 pencils, printing paper,  computer, and access to the internet with a printer.

Student Performance

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.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

 

1. Define and describe federalism and intergovernmental relations, the basis for federalism in the Constitution, and its changing character and developments 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.

 

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 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 Criteria

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-five (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.

Grade Points               Letter Grades

                                                                 480 - 432                            A

                                                                 431 - 384                            B

                                                                 383 - 336                            C

                                                                335 - 288                             D

                                                                     287 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 submitted to your advisor by March 3, 2020 in order to drop passing.  Please state the reason for the request.  All requests given to the instructor will be forwarded to your advisor.

Required Exams: There will be four (4) 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 a date and time given by the instructor. Each exam has a maximum of one-hundred grade points. The instructor with provide the exam copy and Scranton in class before the exam.   Department Tutoring Policy: students who score below 70% on an exam are required to attend tutoring before they can take the next exam.  This includes attending the exam review to see if it was lack of preparation or attendance and attending the next chapter review prior to the next exam.  A student will not be allowed to take the next exam if they do not participate in these two remedial activities.                                          

One Makeup Exam: 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 four (4).  It will cover the chapters, study outline material, and class lectures presented after exam three (3).  There is no makeup for exam 4 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 five (5) ethical dilemma situations will be given to students at the beginning of the term.  Papers are to be one or two pages, double spaced, using 12 point type.  At least two references should be used using the MLA format.  The maximum grade points for papers are fifty (50).  Students who complete and turn in the paper on or before Exam 3 will receive ten (10) extra credit grade points.

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

Attendance               Grade Points            Attendance             Grade Points

16-15                                    30                        10-9                       15

14-13                                    25                         8-7                         10

12-11                                    20                         6 or less                   0

                                                                                                                                                  

Attendance will be taken with a sign-in roster. Students not signing the roster will be considered  absent. 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.  

ASSIGNMENTS : There are twelve (12) assignments are available to students.  All assignments are take 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 grades and used to replace your lowest exam score.  No assignments will be accepted after exam 4 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.  For additional details see extra credit instructions from the instructor.

Attendance

Students are responsible for obtaining all class information and material covered for any absence. Study outlines are presented for each chapter covered in the textbook.  Students should print them out and bring them to class.  The outlines contain blanks that need to be completed prior to or during the chapter lecture.

Calendar

Additional Information

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.