Hill College
112 Lamar Drive
Hillsboro, TX 76645
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Prefix and Number Course Title
GOVT 2305 Federal Government 2305
Date: August 1, 2015
ACGM Description:
GOVT 2305
An examination of the 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.
Catalog Description:
This course surveys the development of our national government, the rise of constitutionalism and the national constitution, bureaucracy, public policy, the federal system, voting, political parties, elections, civil liberties and civil rights. Also includes an analysis of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government, public opinion, the media, interest groups, national defense, public policy, and social welfare. This course shall strive to increase the student’s knowledge, understanding, and interest in public affairs and of the processes and workings of our national government. The course shall emphasize to students the importance of participating in our democracy and provide students with a new enthusiasm toward engaging in American civic and political life. This course may be taken before or after GOVT 2306.
Lecture Hours 3 Lab Hours 0 Semester Credit Hours 3
Prerequisite: None
Introduction and Purpose:
American Government 2305 surveys federal government in the United States.
a. Help provide an understanding of the American system.
b. Enable students to compare and contrast the American Federal System with other governmental forms used throughout the world.
c. Prepare students to take their place as participatory U.S. citizens.
d. Serve as a basis for advanced study in the field of political science, American and/or specialty courses.
e. Meets requirements for core curriculum/transfer course.
f. Show students how to think critically, asses and analyze legislative, executive, andjudicial functions at the national level.
g. Strive to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the processes andworkings of our federal government, and also emphasize to students the importanceof voting and participating in politics and civil life at the national, state, and local levels.
h. Provide students with a greater understanding of the unique features, organization, history, and general principles and characteristics of federal government.
Instructional Materials:
Textbook: Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy by George C. Edwards,
et al. 2014 Election Edition, Books a la Carte Edition Plus REVEL -- Access Card
Package, 16/ed. ISBN: 9780134138367.
Supplies:Writing materials (pens/pencils), textbook, scantron forms and Blue Books, a notebook for notes, and audio-visual materials provided by the instructor.
Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
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.
6. Analyze the election process.
7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens
8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.
Description of Institutional Core Objectives (ICO’s):
Given the rapid evolution of necessary knowledge and skills and the need to take into account global, national, state, and local cultures, the core curriculum must ensure that students will develop the essential knowledge and skills they need to be successful in college, in a career, in their communities, and in life. Therefore, with the assistance of the Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee, the Coordinating Board approved a 42 semester credit hour core curriculum for all undergraduate students in Texas, including a statement of purpose, six core objectives, and common component areas.
Statement of Purpose:
Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are essential for all learning. Hill College faculty periodically evaluate the objectives included in the Foundational Component Area of Government/Political Science.
Core Objective / College SLO / Course SLO / General Learning Activities / AssessmentCritical Thinking Skills / CT1: Generate and communicate ideas by combining, changing or reapplying existing information / Demonstrate a mastery and knowledge of essential political terms, concepts, and ideas. Also demonstrate knowledge of our federal system and explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States. SLO: 1, 2, 3, & 4. / Throughout the course, students will be introduced to the workings of federal government through a wide array of activities, including class lecture, video presentations, research assignments, text and ancillary readings.With information they have been given in class and from outside sources, students will be asked to analyze, critique, and interpret that information and provide a formal written conclusion in the form of a paper. / Questions embedded within Exams, quizzes, and a Final Exam will determine student's competency and a mastery of the subject matter.
Communication Skills / CS1: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through written communication / Provide students with an understanding of the American system. Enable students to compare and contrast the American Federal System with other forms of government used throughout the world. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. Politics. SLO: 2, 3, & 8. / Throughout the semester students will be introduced to the various elements of the American political system. Through assigned readings, lecture, and video presentations, students will learn the evolution and development of the American political system, and the processes that are involved in the policymaking system. Students will write brief papers, and essays over assigned readings, and exams over the assigned text chapters and lecture notes. / Students will write brief papers over assigned topics, take quizzes over assigned readings, and take exams over the assigned text chapters and lecture notes.
Communication Skills / CS2: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through oral communication / Provide students with a greater understanding of the unique features, organization, history, and general principles and characteristics of federal government. Demonstrate a knowledge of the three branches of government, and the election process. SLO: 4 & 6 / Students will demonstrate their ability to orally express ideas and answer questions, as well as discuss (in class) current events and assigned outside readings on a regular basis throughout the duration of the semester. / Students will receive grades based on their participation and responses to questions and in class discussions from assigned topics and readings.
Communication Skills / CS3: Develop, interpret, and express ideas through visual communication / Enable students to compare and contrast the American Federal System with other governmental forms used throughout the world. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties. SLO: 5 & 8. / Through the use of pictures, charts, graphs, illustrations, and videos students will be asked to develop ideas, demonstrate and demonstrate a basic knowledge to a wide array of data, facts, and information. Students answer objective type questions and compare & contrast questions regarding the visual assignment they have been given. / Students will be graded via quizzes, and short writing assignments.
Social Responsibility / SR2: Identify civic responsibility / Emphasize and illustrate to students the importance of voting and participating in our Democracy and energize students toward engaging in American civic and political life. Students must have a knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. SLO: 4 & 7. / Have students volunteer in different activities, and attend political forums and meetings. Also assist students in getting registered to vote. Prepare students to take their place as participatory U.S. citizens. / A portion of the student's grade will be based upon their participation and completion of the various assigned activities.
Personal Responsibility / PR1: Evaluate choices and actions and relate consequences to decision-making / Students will demonstrate their understanding and knowledge of the American political system. Compare and contrast different political systems and utilize new strategies for studying politics and government. Develop a knowledge of the election process. SLO: 1 & 6. / UtilizeClass discussions, lecture notes, paper assignments, video presentations, quizzes, and tests. Use current politics or events to evaluate choices and actions and relate the current political consequences to decision-making. / Students will be graded on the aforementioned class assignments.
The students' success in completing these objectives will be measured using a set of examinations and assignments described, in detail under the section of this syllabus headed “Method of Evaluation.” An Annual Assessment Plan will be implemented each year to review this course.
Methods of Instruction:
This course will be taught face-to-face and by various distance learning delivery methods.
Audio-visual materials and computer-based technology will be used when appropriate.
Students will be shown how to use a calculator where appropriate.
Methods of Evaluations:
The students' success in completing the core objectives within the Foundational Component Area of Government/Political Science will be measured using rubric, exam, or embedded assessment activity.
Grades in this course will be based on the following evaluative criteria:
I. Testing: Major Exams – objective and essay, and short answer will make up 25% of grade.
II. Course Work: Written assignments including papers, quizzes, class projects, and
participation based on supplemental readings of assigned topics will make up 50% of
grade.
III. Final Examination (comprehensive) of an objective and essay nature will make up 25% of
grade.
Letter grades for the course will be based on the following percentages:
90 – 100% A
80 – 89% B
70 – 79% C
60 – 69% D
Below 60% F
Regular attendance at all class meetings is expected. Disruptions in class will not be tolerated.
Important - All work must be completed and submitted by the student in time before credit is given in course.
Topic Outline:
Chpt. 1 – Introduction to Government in America
Chpt. 2 – The Constitution
Chpt. 3 – Federalism
Chpt. 4 – Civil Liberties & Public Policy
Chpt. 5 – Civil Rights & Public Policy
Chpt. 6 – Public Opinion
Chpt. 7 – The Mass media
Chpt. 8 – Political Parties
Chpt. 9 – Campaigns and Voting Behavior
Chpt. 10 – Interest Groups
Chpt. 11 – Congress
Chpt. 12 – The Presidency
Chpt. 13 – The Budget: The Politics of Taxing and Spending
Chpt. 14 – The Federal Bureaucracy
Chpt. 15 – The Federal Courts
Chpt. 16 – Economic & Social Welfare policymaking
Chpt. 17 – Health Care, Energy, and the Environment
Chpt. 18 – National Security Policymaking
Disabilities/ADA
Reports of discrimination based on disability may be directed to the ADA/Section 504 coordinator. The College District designates the following person to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, which incorporates and expands the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended:
Name:Dr. Heather Kissack
Position:Executive Director of Human Resources
Address:112 Lamar Drive, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Telephone:(254) 659-7731
Students with qualified and documented disabilities may request accommodations which
will enable them to participate in and benefit from educational programs and activities.
Students should contact the Academic Advising and Student Success Center for more details at (254)659-7655 in Hillsboro, and (817) 760-5650 in Cleburne for additional information.
EEO Statement:
Hill College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The college does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information or veteran status in the administration of its educational programs, activities, or employment policies.