Hill College
112 Lamar Drive
Hillsboro, TX 76645
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Prefix and Number
GOVT 2305
Course Title
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, and
judicial functions at the national level.
g. Strive to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the processes and workings
of our federal government, and also emphasize to students the importance of 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
Critical
Thinking Skills
Communication
Skills
Communication
Skills
College
SLO
CT1:
Generate and
communicate
ideas by
combining,
changing or
reapplying
existing
information
Course SLO
General Learning
Activities
Demonstrate a
Throughout the course,
mastery and
students will be introduced
knowledge of
to the workings of federal
essential political
government through a
terms, concepts, and
wide array of activities,
ideas. Also
including class lecture,
demonstrate
video presentations,
knowledge of our
research assignments, text
federal system and
and ancillary readings.
explain the origin and With information they have
development of
been given in class and
constitutional
from outside sources,
democracy in the
students will be asked to
United States. SLO: analyze, critique, and
1, 2, 3, & 4.
interpret that information
and provide a formal
written conclusion in the
form of a paper.
CS1:
Provide students with Throughout the semester
Develop,
an understanding of
students will be introduced
interpret, and the American system. to the various elements of
express ideas Enable students to
the American political
through
compare and contrast system. Through assigned
written
the American Federal readings, lecture, and video
communicati System with other
presentations, students will
on
forms of government learn the evolution and
used throughout the
development of the
world. Analyze
American political system,
issues and policies in and the processes that are
U.S. Politics. SLO:
involved in the
2, 3, & 8.
policymaking system.
Students will write brief
papers, and essays over
assigned readings, and
exams over the assigned
text chapters and lecture
notes.
CS2:
Provide students with Students will demonstrate
Develop,
a greater
their ability to orally
interpret, and understanding of the
express ideas and answer
express ideas unique features,
questions, as well as
through oral organization, history, discuss (in class) current
communicati and general principles events and assigned outside
on
and characteristics of readings on a regular basis
federal government.
throughout the duration of
Demonstrate a
the semester.
knowledge of the
three branches of
government, and the
Assessment
Questions
embedded
within Exams,
quizzes, and a
Final Exam
will determine
student's
competency
and a mastery
of the subject
matter.
Students will
write brief
papers over
assigned
topics, take
quizzes over
assigned
readings, and
take exams
over the
assigned text
chapters and
lecture notes.
Students will
receive grades
based on their
participation
and responses
to questions
and in class
discussions
from assigned
topics and
readings.
election process.
SLO: 4 & 6
Communication
Skills
CS3:
Develop,
interpret, and
express ideas
through
visual
communicati
on
Social
Responsibility
SR2:
Identify civic
responsibilit
y
Personal
Responsibility
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.
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.
PR1:
Students will
Evaluate
demonstrate their
choices and
understanding and
actions and
knowledge of the
relate
American political
consequence system. Compare
s to decision- and contrast different
making
political systems and
utilize new strategies
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.
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.
Students will
be graded via
quizzes, and
short writing
assignments.
Utilize Class 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-
Students will
be graded on
the
aforementione
d class
assignments.
A portion of
the student's
grade will be
based upon
their
participation
and
completion of
the various
assigned
activities.
for studying politics
and government.
Develop a knowledge
of the election
process. SLO: 1 & 6.
making.
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%
80 – 89%
70 – 79%
60 – 69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
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.