Houston Community College
Social Science Division
Government 2305
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
DR. SANDERS ANDERSON, JR.
Office Hours: By Appointment
Telephone: (713) 718-6063
sanders.andersonjr@hccs.edu
3 Hour lecture course/48 hours per semester/16 weeks
TEXTBOOKS
American Politics Today: By William T. Bianco & David T. Canon, Third Edition.
Purpose of the Course: Government 2305 is one of two courses designed to introduce students
to the study 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.
The course goals are to develop an understanding of the institutions and political processes of the
American political system; encourage critical thinking about political events; and introduce
students to the discipline of Political Science and how political scientists study politics
scientifically. This course is fully transferable to all Texas State colleges and universities.
Course Prerequisites: Must be placed into college-level reading and college-level writing
Student Learning Objectives: After completing GOVT 2305, students will be able to do the
following:
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Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the
federal government.
Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the
political system.
Analyze the election process.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.
Analyze the role of socio economic factors in American Politics
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FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves
prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences
or be assigned the final grade of “FX” at eh end of the semester. Students who stop attending
classes will receive a grade of “FX”, compared to an earned grade of “F” which is due to poor
performance. Logging into a DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending.
Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never
attended class. Students who receive financial aid but fail to addend class will be reported to the
Department of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of “FX” is treated exactly
the same as a grade of “F: in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic
progress.
ADA Statement: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric,
vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability
Services Office at the respective college at the begging of each semester. Faculty is authorized
to provide only the accommodations requested by the Ability Services Office. Students who are
requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the appropriate (most convenient)
DSS office for assistance. Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are
encouraged to call 713-718-6164 to make necessary arrangements.
There will be five (5) examinations including the final examination all of equal value. The
formal examination is not comprehensive. If factors intervene to alter the number of
examinations the adjustments will be made.
Make up Policy:
Missed exams can be taken with legitimate written excuse and at the discretion of the professor.
Grading Scale
Examination 5 = 500 points
450 – 500
400 – 499
350 – 399
300 – 349
Below 300
=A
=B
=C
=D
=F
If there are fewer examinations given because of circumstances, the scale will be adjusted. The
use of electronic devices including cell phones will not be allowed during examinations and their
use discouraged in class.
Course Attendance and Withdrawal Policy: Attendance will be taken on a daily basis. A
student may officially drop at the registrar’s office anytime up to the official date of withdrawal.
Withdrawing is the responsibility of the student. Students who take a course for the third time or
more face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and
universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing
grades, confer with your instructor or a counselor as early as possible about your study habits,
reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and
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opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available. The final date to withdraw
this system is November 1, 2013 at 4:30.
Beginning Fall 2007, the State of Texas imposes penalties on students who withdraw/drop
courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than SIX total course withdrawals
throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university. Students are
encouraged to review the HCC 6 Drop Policy.
How to Drop
If a student decides to withdraw from a class upon careful review of other options, the student
can withdraw online prior to the deadline through their HCC Student Center.
HCC and/or professors may withdraw students for excessive absences without notification (see
course attendance policy above).
International Students: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa.
Once a W is given for the course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa
consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any
questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty: A student who is academically dishonest is, by
definition, not showing that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an
advantage not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each
student’s individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level
playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles.
You are expected to be familiar with the University’s Policy on Academic Honest, found in the
catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules
will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity
in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by
College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic
dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another students’ test paper;
 Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
 Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization
 Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part
the contents of a test that has not been administered;
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F
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in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or
dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
EGLS3: At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to
answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous
results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual
improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College
Student System online near the end of the term.
Discussion Topic:
I. Introduction, Overview and the Constitution
A. The Constitution and the Founding
B. Federalism
Required Readings:
American Politics
Chapter 1, 2 and 3
Test I
II. Politics
A. Public Opinion and the Media
B. Political Parties
C. Elections
D. Interest Groups
Required Readings:
American Politics
Chapters 5,6,7, and 8
Test II
III. Political Institutions
A. Congress
B. Presidency
C. The Bureaucracy
D. The Courts
Required Readings:
American Politics
Chapters 9, 10, 11 and 12
Test III
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IV. Civil Liberties are Civil Rights
A. What are civil liberties
B. The Role of the Bill of Rights
C. The Struggle for Civil Rights
D. The role of Government and courts in the struggle
Required Readings:
American Politics
Chapters 4 and 13
Test IV
V. Economics and Foreign Policy
A. What is the Role of Economic theory
B. What is the Role of Social Policy
C. How does foreign policy affect American politics
Required Readings:
American Politics
Chapters 14, and 15
Final Exam
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