United States Government Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

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<p><big>Dutton Hall, # 202J</big></p>

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Office Hours: I'm available in my office on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 - 12:00am and by appointment.
If a student needs a guaranteed office visit or zoom, please reach out and make an appointment with me directly.
If you email me, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Course Information

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The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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Course

GOVT-2305-011 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Revel Government By the People, 2020 Presidential Elections Edition, 27e

By David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light, Christine L. Nemacheck
For courses in American Government Influence students to act by exploring American politics through the Constitution Revel® Government by the People: Structure, Action, and Impact provides a constitutional anchor for critical thinking that helps students become informed participants in the decisions ...
ISBN-13:  9780136900184
Access Code ONLY

 

Supplies

Access to reliable internet and a device to access the course through the 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

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 follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

During discussions in the course; students are expected to be professional and follow common courtesy.  Students alone are responsible for making sure everything is done on-time.

During course discussions, please be aware that no one ever knows who is in the room with them and what life experiences they've had. Therefore, it is incredibly important to be respectful and kind during discussions, and speak in a manner that will always protect the safety of the learning environment for ALL students.

Grading Criteria

A = 89 - 100
B = 79 - 88
C = 69 - 78
D = 59 - 68
F = 0 - 58
Discussions  –  30%
Attendance - 15%
Common Assessment - 30%
Assignments - 25%

Attendance

Attendance will be taken, and students will be evaluated on the content and quality of our discourse.

Calendar

Course Paper (Common Assessment)

Due October 5, 2021 @ 11:59PM

 

Class Schedule

Week 1: Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States

due: August 31st @ 11:59pm

Week 2: Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice

due September 7 @ 11:59pm

Week 3: Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system

due September 14 @ 11:59pm

Week 4: Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government

due September 21 @ 11:59pm

Week 5: Common Assessment Week - Focus on Writing and Assignments with a lot of discussion about the Common Assessment in class.

Paper is due October 5 @ 11:59pm

Week 6: Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups and political parties in the political system and analyze the election process

due September 28 @ 11:59pm

Week 7:

Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens

due October 5 @ 11:59pm

Week 8: Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics

due October 12 @ 11:59pm

Additional Information

If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work.

 

The Professor reserves the right to change this syllabus as necessary, or as situations submit themselves during our time together.

 

Because this class moves so quickly, it is incredibly important for each student to stay up to date on each of assignments and assessments, as well as be present in class. Attendance is an absolute necessity to success due to the high energy of the simulation itself. We will be experiencing the perplexing realities of American Government and Politics. 

 

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Syllabus Created on:

08/22/21 4:54 PM

Last Edited on:

08/22/21 4:54 PM