United States Government Syllabus for 2026-2027
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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.

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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.

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For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

GOVT-2305-010 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

There is no required textbook. I will post all readings in Blackboard

Supplies

Computer with reliable internet

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

Students caught cheating on exams or any other assignment will receive a zero (F) for that assignment and may face institutional discipline. 

Generative AI, like ChatGPT, is not to be used for any assignment.

Grading Criteria

The final grade will be based on the average of a common assessment, one syllabus quiz, writing assignments, quizzes, and eight exams

A= 90 and above

B= 80 and above

C= 70 and above

D=59 and above

F=58 and below

Grade Breakdown:

Exams: 60%

Writing Assignments: 25%

Common Assessment: 10%

Quizzes: 5%

This course has 8 units. With the exception of the last Unit, which will have less writing assignments and quizzes, each unit will have 2-6 writing assignments, 2-6 quizzes, and 1 exam. Exams and quizzes will be both multiple choice and true/false. Quizzes and writing assignments will cover posted videos and the readings I post in Blackboard. Exams will cover video lectures and accompanying slides. There will also be one Common Assessment, which is a short paper (instructions linked in Blackboard).

 How do I prepare for the exams?

 Studying in college is a complex task in that it involves many factors such as time management skills, reading ability, nutrition, exercise, study skills, motivation, sleep, and stress among others. The guidelines offered in this section may help to some degree.

Achieving success in this course will require a time commitment. I recommend that you prepare for your exams and for class by ACTIVELY reading and outlining (taking detailed notes) the assignments.

I recommend that you use a word processor to create your own outline of the reading and lecture material. After you complete this process, you have a way to test your knowledge level, and you will have covered the material in a systematic and comprehensive manner. This process will allow you to “chunk” the material into smaller pieces, which is more effective than trying to “digest” it all at once by cramming or just “reading over” or skimming over the reading.

If you are having difficulty with the material, you can reach out to me, and I will gladly help as I can.

How many questions are on the exams?  How much time do we have to take each exam.

Each online exam will have 20-25 questions.  Each online exam will have a time limit of 20-25 minutes (1 minute per test item).

What time do the exams open and close? 

The exams will be available during the same window the entire unit is available. Before taking an exam, however, you will need to finish all quizzes associated with that unit. Units will be opened at 12:00 AM and will close at 11:59 PM (see dates in calendar section of syllabus).

GENERAL EXAM INSTRUCTIONS

All exams will be online in Blackboard.

You are not penalized for guessing.  Remember to click the “submit” button at the end of your exam. 

The computer will allow you to stop the exam at any given time during the time allowed.  You can then go back into the exam and resume taking the exam.  However, no matter how many times you stop and resume the exam, the timer NEVER STOPS.

A student may be able to take a missed exam if he/she emails the instructor before the exam is given explaining the circumstances that require him or her to miss it. Being granted permission to make up a missed exam is not guaranteed: all excuses will be evaluated on a case by case basis, and how timely a student gets in touch with the instructor will be considered as well. Students should not casually miss exams: generally, only unavoidable and serious matters (e.g., death in the family or serious illness) will be considered acceptable excuses. 

 Am I allowed to use notes on the exams?

Yes. You may use hand-written or typed notes on the exams. You may not use the internet or any AI system.

What is the penalty for cheating on an assignment?

You may NOT have another person work with you at the time that you are taking one of the online exams, quizzes, or writing assignments. If there is any indication that you received help during an online exam, quiz, or writing assignment, the penalty will be a zero (F) for that assignment. Whether the student has cheated on an assignment is at the discretion of the instructor--the burden is not on the instructor to prove a student cheated.

Honesty and ethical behaviors are imperatives in any career.  Therefore, cheating will not be tolerated.  Amarillo College’s “Student Code of Conduct” will apply to all work in this course.  Cheating on an Exam includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

• Copying from another student’s work.
• Using test/study/related materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
• Collaborating with or seeking aid from another person during a test without permission from the test administrator.
• Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.  
• Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
• Bribing another person, or in any other way exchanging goods or services to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test

Do you offer extra credit?

There is not an “extra credit” option.  I want you to learn how to do college level work and do well in your class as opposed to passing a class based on extra credit.  I want you to learn the study skills necessary to be successful as you continue taking courses in college. 

I will, however, replace your lowest exam score with your highest exam score--this does not include zeroes.

Attendance

The Census date is September 9th. The syllabus quiz will be due before then. The syllabus "quiz" will require you to only type your name, indicating you understand the terms of the syllabus. 

Completion of this assignment will give you a 100% for a quiz grade.

Failure to complete this assignment will result in an automatic removal from the course.

Calendar

Additional Information

The instructor reserves the right to adjust the calendar and make modifications as needed