Angelina College
Liberal Arts Division
Government 2305 – Federal Government (Federal Constitution and Topics)
General Syllabus – Summer I 2014
Basic Course Information
A. 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.
B. Intended Audience: This course will meet the certification requirement for prospective teachers, as
required by Texas law. Required of all students seeking an Associate of Arts or Science degree, or who plan
to transfer to a four year institution.
C. Instructor
a. Kevin L. Wooten
b. Office Location: Angelina College Polk County Center – Room 100A
c. Phone: 936-633/4570
d. Office Hours: by appointment
e. Email Address: kwooten@angelina.edu
Intended Student Outcomes
A. Core Objectives Required for this Course
a. Critical Thinking Skills: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and
synthesis of information
b. Communication Skills: to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral and visual communication
c. Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the
ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
d. Personal Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to
ethical decision-making.
B. Course Learning Outcomes for all Students (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Lower Division
Academic Course Guide Manual)
a. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
b. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
c. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
d. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of federal government.
e. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
f. Analyze the election process.
g. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens
h. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics
Assessment Measures
A. Assessment for the Core Objectives:
a. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will research an assigned topic emphasizing Critical Thinking Skills.
Students will give a presentation or write an essay on the assigned topic. The presentation/essay
will be assessed using a rubric which incorporates the Angelina College Institutional Rubric for
Critical Thinking.
b. Communication Skills: Students will research an assigned topic. Students will give a presentation or
write an essay on the assigned topic. Students will present their findings to the class.
Communication skills will be assessed using a rubric which incorporates the Angelina College
Institutional Rubric for Communication Skills.
c. Social Responsibility: Students will research an assigned topic exploring Social Responsibility.
Students will give a presentation or write an essay on the assigned topic. The essay will be assessed
using a rubric which incorporates the Angelina College Institutional Rubric for Social Responsibility.
d. Personal Responsibility: After reading the course syllabus, instructions, and course rules, students
will design a Personal Responsibility Contract between student and instructor. The contract will be
assessed using a rubric which incorporates the Angelina College Institutional Rubric for Personal
Responsibility.
B. Assessments for the Course Learning Outcomes:
a. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States: This
information will be covered in class discussions and assessed on a major exam.
b. Demonstrates knowledge of the federal government: This information will be covered in class
discussion and assessed on a major exam.
c. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice: This
information will be covered in class discussions and assessed on a major exam.
d. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal
government: This information will be covered in class discussions and assessed on a major exam.
e. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system: This
information will be covered in class discussions and assessed on a major exam.
f. Analyze the election process: This information will be covered in class discussion and assessed on a
major exam.
g. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens: This information will be covered in class
discussion and assessed on a major exam.
h. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics: This information will be covered in class discussion and
assessed on a major exam and presentation.
Instructional Procedures (Instructor Specific) – Class will consist of in-class discussions using a Power Point format.
Other media, such as videos, will be used.
Course Requirements and Policies:
A. Required Textbook and Recommended Readings, Materials, and Equipment:
a. AM GOV: 2013-2014, by Losco and Baker. McGraw Hill, Publisher
b. Suggested readings, all found online, include 1. Mayflower Compact; 2. Declaration of
Independence 3. Articles of Confederation; 4. Federalist Papers; 5. U.S. Constitution and Bill of
Rights; 5. Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions; 6. The Gettysburg Address; 7. The Emancipation
Proclamation; 8. Civil War Amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th); 9. 19th Amendment; 10. Letter from
Birmingham Jail
B. Course Policies: This course conforms to the policies of Angelina College as stated in the Angelina College
Handbook
a. Academic Assistance – If you have a disability (as cited in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 or title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) that may affect your participation in
this class, you should see Karen Bowser, Room 208 of the Student Center. At a post-secondary
institution, you must self-identify as a person with a disability; Ms. Bowser will assist you with the
necessary information to do so. To report any complaints of discrimination related to disability, you
should contact Dr. Patricia McKenzie, Administration Building, Room 105 or 936/633-5201.
b. Attendance – Attendance is required by the college and will be taken every class period. Any
student that exceeds 2 absences will receive an “F” in the class. If a student exceeds 2 absences
prior to the official drop date, it is the responsibility of the student to officially drop the class.
c. Additional Policies Established by the Instructor: Students must turn off and remove from sight cell
phones or other communication devices before class. Laptops and other devices may be used for
note taking purposes only.
*This is a college class. By choosing to take this class you are accepting the adult responsibility that
comes with it. These responsibilities include 1) maintaining academic integrity, 2) Respecting fellow
students by not being disruptive, 3) Respecting the instructor by allowing him to present material
without inappropriate interruptions, and 4) Being accountable for your own actions.
Course Outline: Description of course activities including (tentative) due dates, (tentative) schedules, and
(tentative) deadlines.
6/3 – Introductions, Begin Discussion of Unit 1 (Preview Unit 1, parts 1 and 2 PP) (read chapters 1, 2 and 3)
6/5 – Finish Unit 1 (Study for Unit 1 Exam)
6/10 – Exam 1 (Unit 1), begin Unit 2 Discussion (Preview Unit 2 PP) (read chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9)
6/12 – Complete Unit 2 (Study for Unit 2 Exam)
6/17 – Exam 2 (Unit 2), begin Unit 3 (Preview Unit 3 PP) (read chapters 4 and 5)
6/19 – Complete Unit 3 (Study for Unit 3 Exam)
6/24 – Unit 3 Exam, Begin Unit 4 discussion (Preview Unit 4 PP) (read chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14)
6/26 – Complete Unit 4 (Study for Unit 4 Exam)
7/1 – Unit 4 Exam, Begin Unit 5 discussion (Preview Unit 5 PP) Read chapters
7/3 – Complete Unit 5 (Study for Unit 5 Exam
7/8 – Final Exam over Unit 5
Evaluation and Grading
Personal responsibility contract 50 points
A = 489+
Exam 1
100 points
B = 434-488
Exam 2
100 points
C = 379-433
Exam 3
100 points
D = 324-378
Exam 4
100 points
F = 000-323
Exam 5
100 points
Total Possible
550 points
Personal Responsibility Contract
You will design your own Personal Responsibility contract for this class. This contract will demonstrate that you
understand the policies and expectations that are involved with taking a college class. This contract will satisfy the
State of Texas core objective of “personal responsibility,” that is required of Government and History classes.
The contract will be organized in an outline format. Follow this template:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Name
a. Personal biography
b. Your academic (high school and/or college) experience up this point
c. Your academic goals
d. Your career goals
Personal Responsibilities
a. Define the following types of academic fraud
i. Plagiarism
ii. Copying
iii. Collusion
b. Why is academic integrity and doing your own work so important in academia?
c. State your intentions with regard to academic fraud.
d. Describe students’ responsibilities regarding the following
i. Respect for peers
ii. Respect for the instructor
iii. Electronic devices (when, or when not, appropriate)
iv. Being on time and prepared for class
v. Economic responsibilities (whose money is paying for your education? What are your
responsibilities to those people)
Analysis – Consider the society we live in and think about the academic rules that are imperative
academic integrity. Explain how many aspects of our society (Business, politics, media, etc.) do not
respect the same ethical requirements as academia.
I hereby understand my responsibilities with regard to this class
a. Signature
Your grade will be based on the following:
Ethical Issue Recognition: ability to recognize the complexity within an issue
Commitment recognition: ability to understand the importance following through on commitments
Accountability: accepting responsibility for actions, understanding consequences
Structure/spelling/grammar