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

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

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-DC002 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

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

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

• This is an online class. This is not a self-paced class. All due dates are specified in the course schedule below. 

• Remember to participate in Discussion 1: Introduce Yourself and Discussion 2: political Knowledge on time as these discussions will be used to verify your presence in the course.  Students who fail to participate in the first two 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 participate in each discussion or complete each exam, 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 covered by each exam and familiarize yourself with the key terms and review questions in 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.  

• There are (4) major exams to complete this semester, one exam for each unit. Each exam is made of 25 multiple-choice or true/false questions.  You have 40 minutes to complete each exam.  You also have only one attempt to complete each exam.  The lowest exam grade will be dropped, and each of the remaining exams is worth 20% of your final grade.

• There are (5) discussion questions in the course. Each discussion is worth 6% of your final grade.

• The Reaction Paper will be available to you from the first day of the course and is due by the date listed in the course schedule.  Details about this assignment are found in the Reaction Paper folder in Blackboard.  The Reaction Paper is worth 10% of your final grade.

Grading Criteria

A = 90 and 100 

B = 80 and less than 90 

C = 70 and less than  80 

D = 60 and less than   70 

F = 0.00 and less than 60 

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

Discussions: 5 X 6 Points Each = 30%

Reaction Paper: 10%

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.

Reaction Paper:  Requests for submitting the Reaction Paper after the deadline will not be granted as I must post your final grades by the college's deadline.

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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Policy on the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) : Generative AI, like ChatGPT, is not to be used for creating, drafting, or otherwise producing written content/assignments such as term papers or presentations. Using “milder” forms of generative AI like Grammarly or Microsoft’s editing tools for error-proofing is acceptable. However, students must be cautious about generative AI as it can produce answers that may not be accurate or reliable. It may sometimes offer an argument that doesn't make sense or fabricate details. Students must evaluate information using external sources, as generative AI is a closed system. Overreliance on generative AI is not a substitute for student learning and may remove student personalization and tone from written work. If you are caught using generative artificial intelligence and not understanding the material you're using it for, you will receive a failing grade.

Civility in the classroom and respect for the opinions of others is very important in an academic environment. It is likely you may not agree with everything that is said or discussed. Courteous behavior and responses are expected.

Talk to me as soon as possible if you find yourself struggling with the class. The longer you wait, the less likely it will be that we will be able to find solutions to your problem.

The instructor has the right and option to add, delete or revise segments of this course or syllabus during this semester.