United States Government Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

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

Office Hours

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

COVID-19 Protocols

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.

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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-2305-009 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

 

Open Stax Textbook - Selected readings from this free textbook, and links are available within the modules of our course.

https://openstax.org/books/american-government-3e/pages/preface

We will have online discussions about US government topics. Please consider this as part of your reading.

Other selected readings will become available through the instructor and available on the Blackboard course website under the button, "Readings."

Statecraft Simulation: US Government Simulation

Supplies

Tangible Supplies:

Phone or other smart device for electronic polling in the classroom. If you don't have one, you may check one out from the 4th floor of Ware.

Intangible Supplies:

Willingness to develop active listening skills

Willingness to develop critical thinking skills

Willingness to develop critical writing skills

Willingness to develop creative thinking skills

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

 

Course Recording Policy:

Note: The recording policy described below does not apply to students with accommodations documentation.

Class Recording Policy: Students without proper accommodations documentation will need to get consent from the instructor if they would like to record any discussions in the course.

This policy is a deliberate instructional effort to provide students with a protected learning environment that is trustworthy and engaging.

 

Letter Grades:

89+ = A

79+ = B

69+ = C

59+ = D

58 and below = F

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 treat each other with respect at all times. During class conversations be aware that students never know who may be in the room with them or what their life experience might be.

Students are expected to discuss problematic situations and issues regarding their course work with the instructor so that a plan can be put in place for the student's successful completion of the course.

Students are expected to read the material prior to coming to class so that they can participate in classroom discussions.

Students are expected to approach material with humility in recognition of the shortcomings of intellectual understanding.

Students are expected to come to class ready to discuss, and with the courage to speak up when asked by the instructor.

Students are expected to turn their assignments in on time, unless other arrangements have been made prior to the due date.

Grading Criteria

30% - Classroom Discussions (in-class)

10% - Common Assessment

30% - Final Exam

30% - Quizzes and Activities

Attendance

Students who do not participate in online discussions cannot receive participation credit for a classroom discussion.

Calendar

Due Dates

Week 1 - Chapter 1 and 2: October 29 @ 11:59pm

Week 2 - Chapter 3 and 4: November 5 @ 11:59 pm

Week 3 - Chapter 5 and 6: November 12 @ 11:59 pm

Week 4 - Chapter 7 and 8: November 19 @ 11:59 pm

Week 5 - Chapter 9 and 10: November 26 @ 11:59 pm

Week 6: Chapter 11 and 12: December 3 @ 11:59 pm

Week 7: Chapter 13 and 14: December 10 @ 11:59 pm

Common Assessment (Course Paper) is due on December 3 @ 11:59pm

Discussions are done in class, and students need to be present to participate. Makeup grades are provided at professor's discretion.

The course final exam will be available from December 10-12 .

Additional Information

The instructor reserves the right to change due dates as necessary if events call for it. This would be in the event of an emergency or other need (external or internal) that could hinder student success.

Please be advised that course content, including discussions, is not reflective of institutional policy or posture. Rather, it is an ongoing conversation that may leave on one remark without finishing a sentence (due to limits on class time).

Syllabus Created on:

10/22/23 10:51 PM

Last Edited on:

10/30/23 11:45 AM