Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
GOVT 322 Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
GOVT 322
AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The U.S. Congress and state legislatures, their powers and organization, and how liberal and
conservative forces exert influence through lobbying and elections.
RATIONALE
A basic knowledge of the American legislative system is essential in order to equip the student
with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in conducting the business of government,
politics, policy making, public administration, public safety, and military service. This course
offers knowledge of the U.S. Congress, its relationship to state legislatures, their powers and
organization, the legislative and policy making processes, and how liberal and conservative
forces exert influence through lobbying and elections.
I.
PREREQUISITE
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
IV.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Office
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A.
List and explain the constitutional provisions dealing with Congress.
B.
Describe the institutional changes in Congress since the adoption of the
Constitution.
C.
Explain the factors which determine how congressmen make decisions.
D.
Analyze the impact that political parties and philosophy have had on
congressional policy making.
E.
Explain the way in which Congress passses legislation and formulates budgets.
Page 1 of 3
GOVT 322 Course Syllabus
F.
V.
Evaluate congressional representation and structure in light of biblical principles.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will
complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (2)
Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is
required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum.
Each thread must be a minimum of 250 words and demonstrate course-related
knowledge. Each thread must cite at least 2 sources from the course materials in
current Turabian format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply
to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be a minimum of 150 words and
engage with course-related knowledge. Each reply must also cite 1 source from
the course materials in current Turabian format.
D.
Congressional Profile
The student will write a 3–5-page description of a local congressman and his/her
relationship with his/her district. The paper must be formatted in current Turabian
format. A title page and bibliography page are required, but they do not count
toward the required length of the assignment. A total of 6–10 citations is required.
E.
Book Review
The student will write a 3–5-page Book Review in current Turabian format on
Bring Back the Bureaucrats: Why More Federal Workers Will Lead to Better (and
Smaller!) Government. The review must include the following sections:
introduction, summary, critique, personal response, and conclusion. The student
must quote from the book in the summary while laying a foundation for the
subsequent sections. A minimum of 2 additional scholarly sources must be cited
in current Turabian format. A title page and bibliography page are required, but
they do not count toward the required length of the assignment.
F.
Reflection Essay
The student will write a 3–5-page research-based paper in current Turabian
footnote-bibliography format that focuses on creating and defending a framework
for evaluating good representation and oversight. The paper must include at least
2 scholarly references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible. A title
page and bibliography page are required, but they do not count toward the
required length of the assignment.
G.
Tests (3)
Each test will cover the Reading & Study material for the modules/weeks in
which it is assigned. Each test will: be open-book/open-notes; contain 50
Page 2 of 3
GOVT 322 Course Syllabus
multiple-choice, true/false, and/or multiple-answer questions as well as 1 essay
question; and have a 1-hour time limit.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (2 at 75 pts ea)
Congressional Profile
Book Review
Reflection Essay
Tests (3 at 150 pts ea)
Total
B.
10
150
100
150
150
450
1010
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
course will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
Page 3 of 3
GOVT 322 Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
GOVT 322
Textbooks:
Cloonan, GOVT 322: Cloonan (2015).
Davidson et al., Congress and Its Members (2015).
DiIulio, Bring Back the Bureaucrats (2014).
Gellhorn & Levin, Administrative Law and Process in a Nutshell (2006).
Hamilton et al., The Federalist Papers (2003).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Cloonan: Truman excerpt
Davidson et al.: chs. 1, 2, 13
Gellhorn & Levin: Introduction
Hamilton et al.: Nos. 1, 6, 9–10
1 presentation
1 website
2
Davidson et al.: chs. 3–5
Hamilton et al.: Nos. 31, 35, Declaration of
Independence
1 presentation
3 websites
3
Davidson et al.: chs. 10, 12
Hamilton et al.: Nos. 37, 47, 51
1 presentation
4
Davidson et al.: chs. 6–7
Hamilton et al.: Nos. 52, 55, 57, 63
1 presentation
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
DB Forum 1
10
0
75
Test 1
150
Congressional Profile
100
DB Forum 2
75
5
Cloonan: Holyoke excerpt
Davidson et al.: chs. 8–9
DiIulio: chs. 1–5
1 presentation
1 website
Test 2
150
6
DiIulio: chs. 6–7, Epilogue
Gellhorn & Levin: chs. 6, 9
1 presentation
1 website
Book Review
150
7
Davidson et al.: chs. 11, 14
Gellhorn & Levin: ch. 2
1 presentation
2 websites
Reflection Essay
150
8
Davidson et al.: chs. 15–16
1 presentation
Test 3
150
TOTAL
1010
DB = Discussion Board
NOTE: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends
on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.