Faculty

GOVT-2305 United States Government

Shina Amachigh

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

GOVT-2305-037 (16896)
LEC RRC ONL DIL

LEC TuTh 1:30pm - 2:50pm RRC RRC1 1218.00

Course Requirements

Course Requirements.

1. Class “participation”is required and includes attendance, asking relevant questions, expressing opinions and commenting during class discussions which will be numerous, hopefully.

2. Tests. There will be 4 tests required. .

3. Internet paper assignment.

An internet assignment is required. A detailed outline will be in the syllabus made available online.

Readings

Textbook:

Krutz, Waskiewicz (Open stax) American Government

This book is available as a free online PDF Download and/or may be viewed online.

Course Subjects

Course Outline:

Chapter 1: Communication in the Information Age
Chapter 2: The Constitution and the Structure of Government Power
Chapter 3: Federalism
Chapter 4: Civil Liberties
Chapter 5: Civil Rights
Chapter 6: Political Culture and Socialization
Chapter 7: Public Opinion
Chapter 8: Participation, Voting, and Social Movements
Chapter 9: Interest Groups
Chapter 10: Political Parties
Chapter 11: Campaigns and Elections
Chapter 12: Congress
Chapter 13: The Presidency
Chapter 14: The Bureaucracy
Chapter 15: The Courts
Chapter 16: Policy making and Domestic Policies
Chapter 17: Foreign and National Security Policies

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Course Objectives.

Students:

Will be led to think through and examine their positions on various US governmental and political issues with a view to “making sense” of them.

Will understand the rules of US government (Federalism, Separation of Powers and Individual Liberties and Rights),

Will become familiar with the "nuts and bolts" of US government (Congress, the Presidency and the Judiciary) and be introduced to the problem of bureaucracy in a democracy.

Attempts will be made to provide opportunities for students to “see” government in action and to become familiar with the political process. A major objective of this course is to encourage student participation in the political process as informed actors.