United States Government Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

We The People, 15th Edition

ISBN10: 1265026688 | ISBN13: 9781265026684

By Thomas Patterson © 2024

***Students only need access to either a hard copy of the book or the e-book. Connect assignments will not be utilized in this course***

Supplies

Textbook or e-book

Reliable internet service 

Student Performance

1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States
2. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system
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 and analyze the election process
6. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens
7. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics

 

This is an online class. This is not a self-paced class. We will have due dates every single week. 

Remember to participate in the first week's discussions, Introduce Yourself Discussion & Political Knowledge discussion, on time as these discussions will be used to verify your presence in the course.  Students who fail to participate in the first week's discussions within the time frame specified in the course schedule will be marked as "never attended" and will be dropped from the course.

Submitting class assignments on time is essential for success in this course.  Even though you have multiple days window to submit each exam or discussion posts, I highly recommend that you do not wait until the last minute to complete the item that is due that week.  All the due dates are listed below in the course schedule.

To study for the exams, you are expected to read the chapters, and review the PowerPoint provided for each chapter.

Each module in Blackboard also contains a YouTube video link titled “YouTube Extra.” These YouTube videos are intended as supplementary materials that provide broad overview and understanding of the topics discussed.  However, watching these videos is not mandatory as these videos are not intended as study materials for the exams.  Again, to study for exams, you are expected to read the covered chapters and review the PowerPoint for the chapters covered by each exam.

There are (4) major exams to complete this semester, one exam for each unit,  Each exam is made of 50 multiple choice or true/false questions.  You have 80 minutes to complete each exam.  You are also allowed two attempts for each exam, and the higher attempt's grade will be recorded.  The lowest exam grade will be dropped, and each of the remaining exams is worth 20% of your final grade.

There are (4) discussion questions in the course. Each discussion is worth 10% of your final grade.

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 comply with the Amarillo College Student Handbook regarding student behavior.

Grading Criteria

Exams: 4 – 1 = 3 X 20 Points Each = 60% (The lowest exam grade will be dropped)

Discussions: 4 X 10 Points Each = 40%

 

90  and 100 = A

80   and less than 90  = B

70   and less than  80 = C

60  and less than   70 = D

0.00 and less than 60 = F

Attendance

Regular attendance by logging into this class on a very regular basis is a necessity for success. Being organized, logging in to the class and completing work, and being responsible for all due dates is imperative for student success in this class.

Late Work Policy

Make-Up Exams:  Since the lowest exam grade will be dropped, make-up exams may be made up only if you can provide proof of a demonstrated incapacity to take the exam as scheduled.  If no excuse is given, a 10% grade deduction will be applied to all make-up exams.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact me to make arrangements for missed work.

Late Discussion Board Posts:  Late discussion posts will be accepted up to (7) days after their due dates. However, these will be assessed a 10% grade deduction.  Late discussion posts and replies must be sent to me via email.  Please remember to include the names of the students you are replying to in the email.

Calendar

Additional Information

Instructor reserves the right to amend this Syllabus at any time BUT will notify students ASAP of any changes.