COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE:
GOVT 2301: American Government I
COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of politics and government in
America at the national, state, and local levels, with special attention to Texas. Topics
include political theory, the American and Texas constitutions, federalism, political
participation and elections, the institutions of government, and domestic and foreign
policies.
MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
This course has been divided into thirteen units; each unit will be presented in a
lecture/discussion format. Students must be prepared for class and actively participate.
After each unit there will be an exam based on the information discussed during the
lectures, video presentations, reading assignments, current events, etc.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
The Political Landscape
Basic Computer Overview
Federalism
Congress
The Presidency
The Executive Branch and The Federal Bureaucracy
The Judiciary
The Contexts for Texas Politics and Government
Local Government and Politics in Texas
The Texas Constitution
The Texas Legislature
The Governor and Bureaucracy of Texas
The Texas Judiciary
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Unit A: FOUNDATIONS OF GOVERNMENT
A-1 The Political Landscape
1. Discuss the roots of American Government.
2. Explain the characteristics of American Democracy.
3. Analyze the changing political culture and characteristics of the American People.
4. Compare the political culture of the American people and the views of
American People toward government.
5. Describe the face of America today.
A-2 The American Constitution
1. Describe the origins of the new nation.
2. Compare the Resolution of Independence (July 2, 1776) and The Declaration of
Independence (July 4, 1776).
3. Discuss the first attempt at government – The Articles of Confederation.
4. Describe the Miracle at Philadelphia – Writing a Constitution.
5. Analyze the U.S. Constitution.
6. Review the drive for ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
7. Explain the methods for amending the U.S. Constitution.
8. Evaluate the informal methods of amending the U.S. Constitution.
A-3 Federalism
1. Describe the roots of the federal system.
2. Analyze the powers of the government – granted powers, denied powers, implied
powers, and inherent powers.
3. Describe the evolution and development of federalism..
4. Discuss federalism and the Supreme Court.
Unit B: INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
B-1 Congress
1. Describe the roots of the legislative branch.
2. Summarize the powers granted and denied to the legislative branch by the
Constitution.
3. Examine the various activities engaged in by members of Congress.
4. Explain the structure and organization of Congress.
5. Analyze the lawmaking function of Congress.
6. Detail and analyze how decisions are made in Congress.
7. Explain the continuous battle between the Congress and the President over the
powers granted to each branch.
B-2 The Presidency
1. Describe the roots of the office of the President of the United States.
2. Discuss the various powers granted to and denied to the President by the
Constitution.
3. Describe the development of presidential power.
4. Explain how the presidential establishment is organized.
5. Compare the role of the President in the legislative process and as a policy maker.
6. Analyze the importance of public opinion to the President.
B-3 The Executive Branch & the Federal Bureaucracy
1. Discuss the roots and the development of the Executive Branch and the federal
bureaucracy.
2. Describe the modern bureaucracy.
3. Explain the policy making by the bureaucracy.
4. Analyze the problem of holding agencies accountable.
B-4 The Judiciary
1. Discuss the Constitution and the creation of the national judiciary.
2. Describe the Judiciary Act of 1789 and the creation of the federal judicial system.
3. Review the origin of the American legal system – civil and criminal.
4. Diagram and explain the federal court system.
5. Compare the selection of federal court judges with the selection of state court judges.
6. Describe the U.S. Supreme Court today and analyze how it operates.
7. Explain how justices make their decisions.
8. Analyze the process of judicial policy making and judicial policy
implementation.
Unit C: FOUNDATIONS, INSTITUTIONS, & POLITICS IN TEXAS GOVERNMENT
C-1 The Context for Texas Politics and Government
1. Discuss the roots of Texas politics and government.
2. Describe the peoples of Texas – past and present.
3. Explain the ideological context of the Texas creed and the Alamo.
4. Analyze the economy of Texas.
C-2 The Texas Constitution
1. Compare the seven Texas Constitutions with emphasis on 1836 and 1876
Constitutions.
2. Examine the current 1876 Texas Constitution.
3. Discuss recent attempts to revise the Texas Constitution.
C-3 Local Government and Politics in Texas
1. Describe and explain the roots of local government in Texas.
2. Detail the structure of county government.
3. Compare the structure of city governments in Texas.
4. Examine special districts in Texas.
C-4 The Texas Legislature
1. Explain the roots of the legislative branch.
2. Discuss the legislative branch and the Texas Constitution.
3. Describe the various roles played by members of the Texas legislature.
4. Explain the organization of the Texas legislature.
5. Outline the process of lawmaking and budgeting in Texas.
6. Detail and analyze how decisions are made in the Texas legislature.
7. Explain the relationship between the Texas Governor and the Texas
legislature.
C-5 The Governor and the Bureaucracy
1. Describe the unusual relationship between the Texas Governor and the
bureaucracy.
2. List and explain the constitutional roles of the Governor.
3. Explain the development of gubernatorial power in Texas.
4. Compare the role of the governor as a policy maker and as a political leader.
5. Discuss the plural executive in Texas.
6. Explain the modern Texas bureaucracy.
7. Critique the Texas effort to make agencies accountable to the electorate.
C-6 The Texas Judiciary
1. Diagram and explain the structure of the Texas judiciary.
2. Compare the methods for electing and selecting Texas judges and U.S. judges.
3. Discuss current criticisms of the Texas judicial system.
4. Compare the process for trying criminal and civil cases in Texas.
C-7 Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, and Campaigns in Texas
1. Discuss the roots of political parties in Texas.
2. Explain the types of and activities of interest groups in Texas.
3. Describe and compare elections and political campaigns in Texas.
MAJOR COURSE LECTURE, TOPICS DESCRIPTION/REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED
READINGS/ELECTRONIC RESOURCES TO VIEW:
Tentative Schedule (Subject to change by your instructor)
Week
Topic/Lecture/Event
1
2
3
4
5
6
Required/Recommended
Readings/Electronic
Resources to View
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
The Political Landscape: Test #1
The Constitution: Test #2
Federalism: Test #3
Congress: Test #4
The Presidency: Test #5
The Executive Branch and The Federal
Bureaucracy: Test #6
7
The Judiciary: Test #7
Chapter 10
8
The Context for Texas Politics and
Chapter 20
Government: Test #8
9
Local Government and Politics in Texas: Test Chapter 22
#9
10
The Texas Constitution: Test #10
Chapter 21
11
The Texas Legislature: Test #11
Chapter 23
12
The Governor and Bureaucracy in Texas:
Chapter 24
Test #12
13
The Texas Judiciary: Test #12
Chapter 25
14
Review
15
Final
REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS:
O’Connor, Karen, Sabato, Larry J., Keith, Gary A. & Haag, Stephan D., American
Government: Roots and Reform, 2009 Texas Edition, New York: Longman, Inc. 2009.
1. Pen or pencil.
2. The Government text.
3. Paper for notes or quizzes.
4. The willingness to participate in classroom activities.
GRADING CRITERIA:
Six Week Grading Policy:
1. Pop quizzes, worksheets, reports
2. Chapter tests
Final Grade:
Three Six Weeks Grades Averages
Semester Exam
50%
50%
GRADING SCALE:
90-100
A
80 – 89
B
70 – 79
C
0 – 69
F
75%
25%
ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT: If you have a documented disability which will
make it difficult for you to carry out classwork as outlined and/or if you need special
accommodations due to a disability, please contact (956) 364-4520 or visit the Support
Services Office in the Auxiliary Services Building as soon as possible to make
appropriate arrangements.
CLASS POLICIES:
Teacher Hours:
I am usually available after school every day from 4:10 P.M. to 5:00 P.M .
Tutoring and/or make-up work is offered during this time. Also, my e-mail address is
[email protected].
Make-Up Assignment Policy:
The student will to set up a contract date with the instructor to make up any
missing assignments. A grade of zero will be given to the student if the assignment is
not made up by the contracted date.
Copyright Statement
The materials used in the course [textbooks, handouts, media files (podcast, MP3,
Videos, RSS (Feeds), and all instructional resources on the colleges Learning
Management System (Moodle)] are intended for use only by students registered and
enrolled in this course and are only to be used for instructional use, activities associated
with, and for the duration of the course. All materials generated for this course, which
includes but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab problems, in-class materials,
review sheets, and any additional materials.
These materials may not be retained in another medium or disseminated further. They
are provided in compliance with the provisions of the Teach Act. These materials may
not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written
permission of the copyright holder or TSTC. For further information contact your
instructor.
Communicating with your instructor (MyMail E-mail System)
All official college E-mail to students is sent through MyMail, the official student e-mail
system at TSTC Harlingen. When communicating with instructors and/or employees of
the college, you are required to use your TSTC MyMail student e-mail address. If you
choose to forward your e-mail to another account, please be advised that you must
respond from the MyMail account.
TSTC Harlingen faculty, staff, and students are asked to report all threats, perceived or
real, immediately to College Police located in the Auxiliary Building. If the threat is
imminent, the College Police emergency phone line at 364-4234 or 9-911 should be
called. College Police will then coordinate the proper response in accordance with
State and federal laws and TSTC System/College rules and regulations.
NOTE: Any changes to this syllabus will be provided in writing to the student and
updated on all posted locations (HB 2504, course Moodle sites, building offices, etc.).