Faculty Syllabus
GOVT-2305 United States Government
Denis Berlinger
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
GOVT-2305-043 (16899)
LEC TuTh 12:00pm - 1:20pm HLC HLC1 2202
GOVT-2305-050 (16904)
LEC MW 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC1 1218.00
Course Requirements
Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis and to keep up with assigned readings. Students who miss more than four classes will be in jeopardy of being dropped by the instructor.
There will be four noncumulative tests consisting of multiple-choice and true/false questions as well as short essays.To pass the class, students must take all four tests. The test component of the class is worth 70% of your final course grade.
Students may drop the lowest of their first two test scores.
In addition to the tests, there will be two reaction papers, worth 30% of your grade.
Course Subjects
In this class we'll first examine the principles on which American government is based, namely, democracy, republicanism, and classical liberalism.
We'll then look at the circumstances of the founding of the Republic as well as the ideas and interests that went into the writing of the US Constitution.
We'll then examine the issue of federalism and its evolution over the course of American history.
The next topic will be civil liberties and rights, including their definition and their place in the national political system.
We will then concern ourselves with political parties and elections, including their origins and their role in the political system. The problems of voting turnout and campaign finance will be dealt with here as well.
This will be followed by a look at the nature and role of interest groups.
We will then look at the place and role of Congress in the political system, including its internal structure and functionings.
We'll then assess the presidency and pay particular attention to its development over the last half-century.
In looking at the federal courts, we'll focus on the power of judicial review and its consequences for the political system as a whole.
We'll examine federal domestic policy, particularly as it concerns managing the economy and its role in the distribution and redistribution of wealth.
Finally, we'll cover the evolution of American foreign policy from the earliest years to the present day, with a special focus on isolationism, internationalism, the Cold War, and its aftermath.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Having taken this class, students should have a firm grasp of the conceptual underpinnings of American government. They should also be familiar with the structure and basic functions of the major branches of the federal government, the institutions linking citizens to the government, as well as the essential policies pursued both on the national and international front.
The hope is that students will come away well-equipped to assume their place as informed citizens and actve participants in the political process.
Office Hours
M W 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM RRC 1204
NOTET Th 11:30 AM - 12:00 AM HLC
NOTEM W 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM RRC 1204
NOTEPublished: 01/20/2026 08:59:02