Faculty

GOVT-2305 United States Government

Anaka Rivera

Credit Fall 2024

Section(s)

GOVT-2305-021 (90604)
LEC TuTh 9:00am - 10:20am SAC SAC1 1202

GOVT-2305-023 (90606)
LEC TuTh 12:00pm - 1:20pm SAC SAC1 1202

Course Requirements

Means of Assessment (e.g., exams, activities, papers, etc.):

Three Examinations.
1. Three Examinations will represent 50% of your final grade, or 25% each.
2. Your lowest test grade will be dropped.
3. Examinations will be based on lectures and readings.

Two (2) Research Papers.
1. Two research papers will represent 40% percent of your final grade, or 20% each.
2. Instructions and topics are provided in separate handouts. See also Blackboard Folder.

Course Participation.
1. Will represent 10% of your grade.
2. See the Course Participation Rubric provided in a separate handout.
3. You will need an electronic device to sign into an application for attendance.
4. Examples of participation include VoiceThread responses, Minute Paper, course discussion, timeliness, and attendance, to name a few.

* Class Assignments will be due as scheduled.

Readings

Required Text(s):

OpenStax, American Government. OpenStax. February 2019. https://openstax.org/books/american-government-3e/pages/1-introduction

U.S. Constitution (Print and Carry for Class)

Course Subjects

Date	Chapter	Assignment	Exam
August 27	Class Orientation, Political Culture & Civic Engagement
August 29	Political Culture & Civic Engagement
August 30	Political Culture & Civic Engagement
September 3	Political Culture & Civic Engagement
September 5	The Constitution and Its Origins
September 10	The Constitution and Its Origins
September 12	The Constitution and Its Origins
September 17	American Federalism
September 19	American Federalism
September 24	American Federalism
September 26	--------------------------------------------------	----------------	Exam 1
October 1	Civil Liberties
October 3	Civil Liberties
October 8	Civil Liberties
October 10	Civil Liberties	Optional Draft
October 15	Civil Rights
October 17	Civil Rights
October 18	RESEARCH PAPER 1 DUE	*By 11:59 p.m.*
October 22	Voting and Elections
October 24	Voting and Elections
October 29	Public Opinion/Media
October 31	--------------------------------------------------	----------------	Exam 2
November 5	Interest Groups
November 7	Congress
November 12	Congress
November 14	Congress – Bill Making
November 19	Congress
November 21	The Presidency	Optional Draft
November 26	The Presidency
November 28	NO CLASS - Thanksgiving
November 29	RESEARCH PAPER 2 DUE	*By 11:59 p.m.*
December 3	The Courts
December 5	The Courts
December 10	The Courts
December 12	--------------------------------------------------	----------------	Exam 3

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Course Objectives/Student Outcomes:

Analyze the role conferred upon the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government by the United States Constitution and bureaucratic institutions.
Analyze the intergovernmental relationship(s) between branches of government (i.e., executive, legislative, and judicial) and independent agencies.
Ability to effectively influence policies and/or legislation enacted by the federal government.
Evaluate and/or effectively critique executive, legislative, and judicial policy.
Critically evaluate and understand the performance of the U.S. national government, both domestically and internationally.
Become familiar with current events and issues influencing public debate and U.S. government actions.

Office Hours

M T W Th 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM Virtual/SAC

NOTE Please see the syllabus on how to schedule time to see me during office hours. Hours are flexible and virtual to accommodate varied student schedules.