United States Government Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

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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 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Access Code For Government In America: People, Politics & Policy - 19e

Edwards & Wattenberg

ISBN 0-13-835907-5

Supplies

• Reliable Internet Access

  • Students must have consistent access to the internet to complete all course components on time.

• Access to the E-Book and Blackboard

  • Required for completing Pearson assignments, quizzes, and accessing course materials.

• Access to Blackboard (Learning Management System)

  • All announcements, assignment links, and grades will be posted on Blackboard.

• Access to Washington Street Campus

  • May be required for optional office hours, technology support, or special sessions announced in advance.

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.

Students 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

No behavior expectations available

Grading Criteria

• Grading Criteria

  • 10 % – Pearson Assignments

  • 15 % – Common Assessment

  • 25 % - Exam One 

  • 25 % - Exam Two  

  • 25 % - Exam Three  

  • Total – 100 %

• Letter Grades

  • 89+ = A 

  • 79+ = B 

  • 69+ = C 

  • 59+ = D 

  • 58 and below = F 

  • (Important Note: Any average .5 or above will be rounded up.) 

• Exam Information: There will be three exams throughout this 8-week course, accessible via Blackboard. The exams are not cumulative—there will be no "final." Each exam will cover a specific set of chapters (details will be provided in the course schedule below).

• Make-up Policy: All make-up exams must be arranged with the instructor. If a student misses an exam, they have 48 hours to provide a reason for missing it. The student must then take the exam within one week of the scheduled test date. There will be a 15% reduction in the overall exam grade for any student who does not have a documented, excused reason for missing the exam. Make-up exams will be retaken via Blackboard.

• Late Work: All assignments are due by the date and time specified in the syllabus or assignment instructions. Late Pearson assignments will be accepted; however, grade penalties may apply. The instructor will consider late submissions only for documented medical issues, family emergencies, or other significant and justifiable reasons. The common assessment will not be accepted after the deadline except under exceptional and exigent circumstances. Students must contact the instructor as soon as possible to discuss their situation and provide appropriate documentation.

• Common Assessment: The common assessment will be assigned during Week Five and will be due in Week Seven. Students are expected to complete the assessment during the designated timeframe. Requests to access or submit the common assessment prior to its official release will not be granted. This policy is in place to ensure that students have adequate time to engage with and understand the relevant course material, which is essential for successfully completing the assessment.

Attendance

As this is an online course, there is no formal attendance policy. Students are expected to complete all assignments by their assigned due dates and to regularly log in to Blackboard to stay informed of course updates.

Calendar

Additional Information

Instructor’s Right to Modify Course Content
The instructor reserves the right to modify assignment due dates, course content, or the course schedule as necessary to support the learning goals of the class. Students are responsible for regularly checking the course syllabus and the Blackboard course site for updates or announcements. Any changes will be communicated to students in a timely manner.