United States Government Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Course

GOVT-2305-DC012 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

We the People- 14th edition

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

No performance information available

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

No behavior expectations available

Grading Criteria

Grade Breakdown

Discussion postings- 20%      

Discussion responses- 10%

Quizzes- 10%

Term Paper- 15%

Mini Paper- 10%

Midterm exam- 15%

Cumulative Final Exam- 20%

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

PAPERS:

Mini Paper: You are required to write a short argumentative paper so that I can gauge your writing skill and how you make an argument. You must persuade me of a topic, which are listed below. I want you to choose a side and persuade me one way or another on the issue. You MUST cite at least one credible source in the paper and the paper must have at least 1000 words. It must be formatted in MLA or APA format, written in 3rd person, double spaced, and be spell checked for errors, etc. Failure to do the mini paper means I will not read your larger term paper.

 

Mini paper topics:

If your last name starts with

 

A-F: Persuade me whether or not the United States should act as the world’s policeman

 

G-L: Persuade me whether or not we should have strong gun control laws

 

M-S: Persuade me whether or not the government should get rid of the death penalty

 

T-Z: Persuade me whether the government should ban abortion

 

So this will require you to do some research on the issue and focus on the government’s action here. There is no wrong answer so long as you defend your point well.

 

Term Paper: Students will choose a political topic (MUST BE APPROVED BY ME) to write about and will argue and defend a point. This paper is expected to look and sound professional and must be thoroughly researched. You are expected to pick a side and convince me of whatever your argument is while also telling me why the other side’s arguments are wrong. The report is expected to be standard format (either Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font, 1 inch margins, double spaced) and sources must be cited in either MLA or APA format. The paper must have at least three reputable sources (WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A SOURCE and will not be allowed!!!) and should be between 7-10 pages (not counting title page or works cited page). Do not use any crazy colored paper or anything like that. You MUST cite your sources if you quote something, reference something, or even mention someone’s idea. Failure to properly cite and document your sources will be considered plagiarism and will result in a grade of zero. Also, be sure to differentiate between fact and opinion in your paper and proofread your paper! I will mark down heavily if a paper is not properly proofread for errors.

 

Note, the topic for the term paper is due soon, look at the schedule to see when. This topic must be approved by me beforehand, every day it’s late will dock you points. Be sure to look over the Term paper topics slides, Term paper analysis slides, and example term papers to see what I am looking for. You will submit your paper in the drop box in the “term paper stuff” folder.

 

DISCUSSIONS & RESPONSES:

Discussion Postings: There are 11 Discussion postings you will write (D1-11). They are found in the discussion sections. After you read the chapters and my associated lectures/slides, go ahead and read the applicable discussion. There are multiple questions within each discussion prompt; you are required to respond to EACH question. These submissions are expected to be THOROUGHLY WELL RESEARCHED, CITED, and PROFESSIONAL. Do NOT simply just tell me your feelings; you must back up and prove any point you claim. Also, be sure to write in 3rd person also. Your discussion posts are due NOON on the date in the syllabus. NO LATE DISCUSSIONS ACCEPTED since you have 7 days to post.  For course grading, I average your Discussions. 

 

Discussion Responses: For each Discussion posting, you are required to respond to at least TWO OTHER STUDENTS discussions (listed as R1-11). So, R1 means you will respond to at least two other students D1 posts, etc. Your responses should also be well thought out and well-researched. Do NOT just post an “I agree” type statement; your response must advance the discussion. If I think your response is weak, I won’t give you credit for it. NO LATE RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED REGARDLESS OF YOUR REASONS FOR NOT GETTING THEM IN.

 

For grading, there are only three grades you can get. 100 (two acceptable responses), 50 (one acceptable response), or 0 (no acceptable responses). For course grading, I will average all your responses.

 

ASSESSMENTS:

            Quizzes: There will be a quiz due prior to each of the discussions. They are found in the quizzes tab on Canvas. I will not accept any late quizzes for any reason.

 

Exams: There will be two exams. A midterm and a comprehensive final exam. They will both be taken online. No Late exams will be accepted for ANY reason.

Attendance

No attendance information available

Calendar

Course Calendar

 

***ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE BY 12:00 PM (NOON) CST ON THE TUESDAY OR FRIDAY LISTED BELOW***

 

 

Tues Aug 29- Introduce yourself on Discussion/ read syllabus        

 

Fri Sep 1- Read the entire U.S. Constitution/ Syllabus quiz due

 

Tues Sep 5-  Quiz 1 Due (Chapters 1&2)

 

Fri Sep 8 - D1 due

 

Tues Sep 12- Quiz 2 Due (Chapter on Federalism)

                                   

Fri Sep 15- D2/R1 due          

                                   

Tues Sep 19- TERM PAPER TOPICS DUE TO ME

 

Fri Sep 22- Quiz 3 Due (Chapter on Civil Liberties)            

 

Tues Sep 26- D3/R2 due

 

Fri Sep 29- Quiz 4 Due (Chapter on Civil Rights)

 

Tues Oct 3- Take a break day 1- Nothing due

 

Fri Oct 6- D4/R3 due             

 

Tues Oct 10- MINI PAPER DUE

                         

Fri Oct 13- MIDTERM EXAM DUE

 

Oct 16-22- FALL BREAK- Nothing due

 

Tues Oct 24- Quiz 5 Due (Congress and Public Opinion chapters)

 

Fri Oct 27- D5/R4 due          

 

Tues Oct 31- Quiz 6 Due (Chapters on Presidency and Bureaucracy)

 

Fri Nov 3-    D6/R5 due

 

Tues Nov 7- Quiz 7 Due (Chapters on The Federal Courts and Political Participation)                 

 

Fri Nov 10- D7/R6 due            

 

Tues Nov 14- Quiz 8 Due (Chapters on Social/Public Policy and the Media)

             

Fri Nov 17- D8/R7 due           

 

Tues Nov 21- Quiz 9 Due (Chapters on Foreign Policy and Political Parties)        

 

Tues Nov 28- D9/R8 due  

           

Fri Dec 1- Quiz 10 Due (Chapters on Campaigns & Elections & Interest Groups)

 

Tues Dec 5- D10/R9 due

 

Fri Dec 8- TERM PAPERS and R10 DUE

 

Tues Dec 12- FINAL EXAM due

 

Additional Information

Frequently asked questions:

Will we need to meet in person at any time? – No

When are things due? – Look below at the course schedule. All assignments are due on Tuesdays or Fridays below by Noon (CST).

Do you accept late work? – it depends on the assignment. Term papers and mini papers I will, but there will be deductions for every 24 hours late. Anything else I won’t.

Do I need the book- Yes. You will be reading the entire book

How do I do well on the discussions and/or responses? – Think of these as essays in their own right that MUST have sources and factual background and be well proofread.

Syllabus Created on:

08/23/23 5:22 PM

Last Edited on:

08/23/23 5:23 PM