United States Government Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

GOVT-2305-004 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

We the People: An Introduction to American Government  (Fifteenth Edition) by Thomas E. Patterson Mc Graw Hill

Supplies

Access to Textbook · Loose Leaf or Binder Copy or eBook w/ Access Code Included.

Note-taking Supplies i.e., laptop, pen and paper

Access to Wi-Fi and laptop or desktop computer for Blackboard

Student Performance

1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
2. Describe the separation of powers and the checks and balances in both theory and in 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, topics, key discussion points and policies in the U.S. process.

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

Course Recording Policy 

Class Recording Policy: Students without approved accommodations ARE NOT permitted to record lectures in any format, including audio, video, or any other method, nor may they use speech-to-text or text-to-speech software to capture or transcribe the lecture. This policy also applies to recording the professor or fellow students. 

This policy is a deliberate instructional effort to provide students with a protected learning environment that is trustworthy and engaging. 

Expected Student Behavior  

- Student’s cell phones must be silenced and stored out of sight when not in use for course related activities (absent emergency or “good cause” at my discretion). 

- Air Pods or headphones of any type ARE NOT permitted in class unless the student receives accommodations from the institution or permission from me. 

- Food and drinks are allowed so long as they are not disruptive to other students (i.e. noisy or stinky). Students are expected to clean up behind themselves, as appropriate.

- Students are expected to demonstrate adequate communication with me on any issues they may have concerning the course, the course materials or assignments, or other students. 

- Students are expected to treat other students and myself with respect at all times and to avoid any behavior that may be disruptive to the learning environment. If group work is assigned, all group members are expected to participate in a cooperative and positive manner – actively and equally. 

- Students are expected to turn assignments in on time unless exceptions are made by the institution or me with proper notice and documentation. 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria 

20 points - Exam One 

20 points - Exam Two  

20 points - Exam Three  

10 points Common Assessment · Sunday,  Sunday, May 3, 2026, 11:59 CST

10 points – Assignment #1

10 points – Assignment #2

5 points – Class Participation

5 points – Attendance

Total – 100 points  

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 in-person exams throughout this 8-week course, held during class time as specified in the course schedule. The exams are not cumulative, meaning each exam will cover material up to the class before the exam (specific details will be provided on the course schedule below). The exams will include content presented in class, assigned reading material from your textbook, as well as supplemental material from Blackboard and lecture. 

Make-up Policy: All make-up exams must be arranged with the instructor.  If the student misses an exam, the student must arrange to take the exam within one week of the scheduled test date. There will be a 5 point reduction of the overall grade on the exam for any student who does not have a documented, legitimate/excused reason for missing the exam on the exam date. No exceptions. Without a justifiable reason for missing an exam, 5 points will be deducted. Make up exams will be taken in the Testing Center. 

Late Work: All assignments are due by the specified date and time indicated on the syllabus or assignment instructions. Late assignments will be accepted, but penalties will apply. Late submissions will receive a deduction of 3 points. The maximum deduction for late submissions after 5 days is 5 points. Note: Late submissions due to documented medical issues, family emergencies, or other significant and justifiable reasons will be considered. However, it is not an  automatic. You must contact me as soon as possible to discuss your situation and provide appropriate documentation. 

Extra Credit Opportunity:  

Students have the opportunity to earn extra credit throughout the 8-week semester, with a maximum of 5 extra points available for the course. Based on the point scale, it could make the difference between an A and a B, or between passing and failing. Extra Credit Opportunity are TBD until the 7th week of the course.

Attendance

As a college student attendance is an important expectation, especially given that you are investing in your education. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class, and excessive tardiness or leaving early may count as an absence. Attendance will be monitored through Watermark. Group discussions are designed to help you prepare for exams and assess your understanding of key concepts. 

In hybrid courses, attendance is particularly crucial to your success, as we only meet approximately 16 times during the semester. This makes it even more important that you prioritize attending class. If you miss, make-up opportunities will only be granted with a documented, valid reason for your absence. Ultimately, you are responsible for your attendance in this course.

If you anticipate any challenges meeting this expectation, I encourage you to reach out to me early to discuss possible strategies to ensure your success.

Calendar

Additional Information

Class Participation and Preparation 

Adequate participation and preparation ensure a student’s success in a course. As part of this expectation, student’s must complete their weekly reading assignments, group activities (as applicable) and other assignments, participate in valuable and respectful discussions with their fellow students and myself, and sit for their exams. 

“Adequate” and “valuable” in the context of participation and preparation can be demonstrated most typically by a student adhering to the attendance policy, staying off their phone, paying attention in lecture, reading their assigned weekly materials and contributing meaningfully to daily in-class discussions. 

Goals 

The instructor reserves the right to change due dates as necessary if events call for it. This would be in the event of an emergency or other need (external or internal). 

Our goal is to learn and to respect one another. I encourage critical thinking and to continue learning. Compare outside sources to what book and/or instructor presents. As with all healthy/robust debate or discourse, let us remember to exercise maturity and civility.