United States Government Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook:

"Introduction to American Government," Charles Turner, 1th Edition, BVT Publishers, P.O. Box 492831, Redding CA 96049-2831. Copyright: 2017

Supplies

Note taking paper, ink pens, No. 2 pencils, printing paper, computer with camera, and access to the internet with a printer.

Student Performance

Course Description: A study of the background, organization and functions of the State of Texas.  The course will survey the politics in the State of Texas.

Prerequisites: RDNG 0331- minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

 

1. Define and describe federalism and intergovernmental relations, the basis for federalism in the Constitution, and its changing character and developments well as explain other ways of organizing government.

2. Identify and explain the three branches of government in the U.S.

3. Explain the constitutional powers and limitations of political actors

4. Identify adn define the rights of U.S. citizens

5. Explain the philosophical development-theoretical concepts of the state, government, limited government, democracy, and authoritarian government and demonstrate        the strengths and weaknesses of each concept.

6. Explain the historical development of the U.S. Constitutionalism as a basis for political society and the historical development of the U.S. Constitution and the politacal system that has developed under the constitution.

7. Explain the concepts of limited government protection of the individual through limitation of government power, and explain how American government is limited through federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights and democracy.

 

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 will be expected to follow the guidelines listed in the Amarillo College Handbook.  Disruptive behavior is unacceptable and not allowed.  In order to produce an environment conductive to learning one must be tolerant of different views, opinions, and perspectives from others.  Treat people as you would want them to treat you. 

Cell phones need to be in the silent mode during broadcasts.  Phones may be monitored but not answered during class.  If a student has an emergency they are to step away for their screen and silence your microphone on your lap top.

Grading Criteria

Grading Points:  A student's final letter grade will be determined by the number of grade points they have earned during the term.  A maximum number of four hundred & eighty (480) grade points are possible. The following point scale will be used to determine the final letter grade of students.

                                                                   Grade Points               Letter Grades

                                                                 480 to 432 = A          335 to 288 = D

                                                                 431 to 384 = B          287 or less = F

                                                                 383 to 336 = C

                                                                                                                             

Students who do not finish the course and do not formally drop could receive a failing grade.  All requests to drop the class must be submitted to your advisor by October 03, 2023 in order to drop passing.  Please state the reason for the request.  All requests given to the instructor will be forwarded to your advisor.

Required Exams: There will be four (4) exams during the term. Each exam will consist of multiple choice and true and false questions taken from the assigned chapters, study outline material, and lectures.  Exams will be scheduled on a date and time given by the instructor. Each exam has a maximum of one-hundred grade points. Exams will be online. Each date and times will be given by the instructor.                                            

One Makeup Exam: Exams will be scheduled throughout the term. If you know in advance that you will not be able to take a scheduled exam, early exam times may be scheduled with the instructor.  For unexpected absences makeup exams may be scheduled with the instructor's approval.  Only one makeup request will be permitted per term. Requests will be evaluated for cause by the instructor and may be denied for insufficient reason. Only one attempt for each exam.

Final Exam: The final exam will be exam four (4).  It will cover the chapters, study outline material, and class lectures present after exam three (3).  Taking this exam is mandatory unless a student makes prior  arrangements with the instructor. 

 

Attendance Points: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement; therefore it is the responsibility of each student to attend all classes.  Grade points will be awarded to students for the following attendance performance

Attendance               Grade Points            Attendance             Grade Points

15 - 14                             30                          9 - 8                           15

13 - 12                            25                           7 - 6                            10

11 - 10                            20                           5 - 4                              5

                                                                                                                                                  

Attendance will be taken by the instructor at the beginning of every telecast lecture. Students not signing on to the class will be considered  absent. Grade points for attendance will be adjusted in the event of class cancelation or technical difficulties.  Students are responsible for obtaining all class information and schedules covered of any absence. No grade points for 3 or less class attendances. 

ASSIGNMENTS : There are twelve (12) assignments, one for each chapter covered.  All assignments are open-book exercises over key terms listed in the back of the textbook chapters.  Assignment copies are available by printing them from your AC Connect U.S.Government Portal under assignments and study guides.  Completed assignments may be submitted in the drop box online system or turned in at class.   Assignments may be submitted ahead of time. The assignment scores will be averaged together and used to replace your lowest exam score.  The student may omit two assignments. Notify the instructor of the two assignments you wish to omit.  The ten remaining assignments will be  averaged and will replace the lowest exam score at the end of the term.

  Assignments 1, 2, 2A, & 3 correspond with exam one (1).

  Assignments 6, 7, & 8 correspond with  exam two (2).

  Assignments 9, 10 & 12, correspond  with exam three (3).

  Assignments 14 & 16 correspond with exam four (4).

Extra Credit: Students may earn forty (40) additional points that can be added to their exam scores by writing four (4) letters to an elected or appointed representative in any government (federal, state, or local) level.  The issue or topic of the letter must be related to the public official's authority or area of responsibility and the topics may not be duplicated to different officials.  One letter may be substituted by showing the instructor a valid voter registration card or proof thereof.  For additional details see extra credit instructions listed under content.  Letters are to be submitted to the instructor.  Do not mail them to the government official.

Attendance

Students are responsible for obtaining all class information and material covered for any absence. Study outlines are presented for each chapter covered in the textbook.  Students should print them out and bring them to class.  The outlines contain blanks that need to be completed prior to or during the chapter lecture.

Study Outlines are presented for each chapter from the textbook.  Students should print them out and have each chapter outline available during the lecture online.  The blanks can be completed prior to or during the lecture for each chapter.  Questions about the outlines or chapters should be discussed during the lecture.

Calendar

Additional Information

The objective of this class is to instill an understanding of our national government and what it is based upon.  The material is presented in a framework to help the student organize and analyze the broad data necessary to formulate views and understanding about our government, politics, and the role they wish to play in our political system.  As individuals we function in terms of our self-interests.  But, a democratic republic depends on our willingness to subordinate ourselves to the interests of the common good that is necessary to balance and control the power of government.

  It is not the instructor's objective to convert a student to a particular political or partisan position, but to encourage students to grapple with and engage in assessing the material to form their own position.