Faculty Syllabus
GOVT-2305 United States Government
Vanessa Faz
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
GOVT-2305-063 (16910)
LEC MW 2:05pm - 3:35pm CPH CPH1 2020
GOVT-2305-068 (16914)
LEC MW 10:30am - 11:50am DIL DLS DIL
GOVT-2305-118 (30678)
LEC MW 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC2 2313.00
GOVT-2305-119 (30679)
LEC TuTh 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC2 2318.00
Course Requirements
LEGISLATIVE REPORT 20%
Students will be responsible for researching a bill and provide a report on a bill of your choosing.
Please go to this link: https://www.congress.gov/ and research a law that you find interesting. There is a link
to 'Top 10" laws that are being discussed. You can start there but you do not have to choose one of these
specifically. Please look at the rubric posted on blackboard on how to structure this assignment.
Due .
NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED
COURT CASE ANALYSIS 20%
You will be assigned a court case that you will prepare an analysis for. There will be a google document with your name next to your assigned court case.
·You will be assigned a United States Supreme Court Case
This link with the cases will be posted to blackboard under Supreme Court Case Analysis.
You will need to research your case. Suggested websites will be on the rubric on blackboard.
You will need to research your case and adhere to the Case Study analysis posted on blackboard. This is a step by step example with bullet points in how you should
complete the assignment and turn it into me. Failure to complete in bulletpoints will result in a zero.
·Case studies should not be more than 4 pages in length (if more than 4 pages 10 points will be deducted).
·It should be in Times New Roman---- 12 point font
·A works cited page should accompany your case study analysis. If one is not provided then a zero (0) will be assigned as this is plagiarism. Please make sure that
is according to MLA 9 format. If any part of your assignment is AI generated to include grammarly, it will be
given a zero.
********DETAILED RUBRIC WILL BE POSTED TO BLACKBOARD AS WELL as the DEADLINES ON THIS ASSIGNMENT.*********
Due
NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
EXAMS--1 AND 2 X 15% EACH
TEST 3 X 20%
You will have three tests this semester. The tests will consist of the following:
There will be 3 tests. They will consist of True/False, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and
matching of definitions. These questions will come from chapters, handouts, class notes, films/movies.
Each exam will be 50 questions worth 2 point each and 10 short answer questions from the chapters.
If you arrive more than 5 minutes late to class (on any one of the three exams, you will not be allowed to take the exam and a grade of (0) zero will be given for that exam. If
you miss an exam, please refer back to syllabus section titled “MAKE-UP EXAMS” for further information.
Students may not leave the classroom while taking an exam under any and all circumstances including leaving to go to the restroom. If there are extenuating circumstances, the student must make arrangements with the instructor prior to the exam date. or you forfeit your exam and a grade of zero will be given
All cell phones MUST BE TURNED OFF during exams. If a student answers a call during an exam, he/she will receive a “zero” for that exam.
All exams must be turned in when the student is finished taking the exam, or a 0 “zero” will be given for that exam.
SINCE THE 3 rd EXAM IS ON THE LAST DAY OF CLASS, THIS EXAM CAN NOT BE MADE UP,
TAKEN EARLY OR ANY OTHER ACCOMODATIONS WHAT SO EVER CANNOT BE ADDRESSED
AS THE SEMESTER IS OVER. A GRADE OF ZERO (0) WILL BE GIVEN IF THIS EXAM IS MISSED
FOR WHATEVER REASONS. MISSED EXAM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: VACATIONS,
BIRTHDAYS, DEATHS, GRADUATIONS, SCHOOL FUNCTIONS, SPORTS ACTIVIITES/FUNCTIONS,
COLLEGE VISITS, , ETC. This list can have additions at the discretion of the instructor on a case
by case basis
Readings
Tues Jan. 20 Introduction/Syllabus ReviewReview Assignments
Thurs Jan. 22 Americans and Their Political Values Read Chapter 1
Tues Jan. 27 Americans and Their Political Values Read Chapter 1
Thurs Jan. 29 Americans and Their Political Values Read Chapter 1
Tues Feb. 3 The Founding and the Constitution Read Chapter 2
Thurs Feb. 5 The Founding and the Constitution Read Chapter 2
Tues Feb. 10 Federalism Read Chapter 3
Thurs Feb. 12 Political Participation Read Chapter 9 pgs 342-251
Tues Feb. 17 Test 1: Chapters 1,2,3, 9
**Do not be more than 5 minutes late to class or you will not be able to test.
Thurs Feb. 19 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Tues Feb. 24 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Thurs Feb. 26 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4 Legislative Report Due at 11:59p.m.
Tues Mar. 3 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Thurs Mar. 5 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Tues Mar 10 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Thurs Mar. 12 Civil Rights Read Chapter 5
Tues Mar. 17
SPRING BREAK
Thurs Mar. 19
Tues Mar. 24 Civil Rights Read Chapter 5
Thurs Mar. 26 Civil Rights Read Chapter 5
Tues Mar. 31 Political Parties---pgs 207-226 Read Chapter 8
Thurs Apr. 2 Political Parties---pgs 207-226 Read Chapter 8
Tues Apr. 7 Test 2: Chapters: 4, 5, 8
**Do not be more than 5 minutes late to class or you will not be able to test.
Thurs Apr. 9 Campaigns and Election spgs 253-271 Court Case Analysis
Due at 11:59p.m. Tues Apr. 14 Campaigns and Elections pgs 253-271
Thurs Apr. 16 ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Tues Apr.21 Presidency Chapter 11
Thurs Apr.23 Presidency Chapter 11
Tues Apr.29 Congress Chapter 10
MON Apr.27 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW/DROP
Thurs Apr. 30 The Courts Read Chapter 13
Tues May 5 The Courts Read Chapter 13
Thurs May 7 Domestic Policy Read Chapter 14
Tues May 12 Foreign Policy Read Chapter 15
Thurs May 14 T est 3: Chapters 9,10,11, 14
**Do not be more than 5 minutes late to class or you will not be able to test.
*
****Please note***
I reserve the right to make additions, changes, and substitutions to the syllabus at any time.
In addition, the Announcements, Email, and Messages in Blackboard are an extension of the course syllabus and the primary
means of communicating essential course information to students. Announcements are used for time-sensitive updates such as
due date reminders, changes or clarifications. Announcements provide a quick way to facilitate updates and modifications to the
entire class. It is expected that students will regularly check course announcements and are responsible for information
disseminated through them. While the syllabus serves as the foundation and initial contract for our course, Blackboard
announcements are a dynamic supplement as we work together as a community throughout the semester.
Course Subjects
Tues Jan. 20 Introduction/Syllabus ReviewReview Assignments
Thurs Jan. 22 Americans and Their Political Values Read Chapter 1
Tues Jan. 27 Americans and Their Political Values Read Chapter 1
Thurs Jan. 29 Americans and Their Political Values Read Chapter 1
Tues Feb. 3 The Founding and the Constitution Read Chapter 2
Thurs Feb. 5 The Founding and the Constitution Read Chapter 2
Tues Feb. 10 Federalism Read Chapter 3
Thurs Feb. 12 Political Participation Read Chapter 9 pgs 342-251
Tues Feb. 17 Test 1: Chapters 1,2,3, 9
**Do not be more than 5 minutes late to class or you will not be able to test.
Thurs Feb. 19 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Tues Feb. 24 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Thurs Feb. 26 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4 Legislative Report Due at 11:59p.m.
Tues Mar. 3 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Thurs Mar. 5 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Tues Mar 10 Civil Liberties Read Chapter 4
Thurs Mar. 12 Civil Rights Read Chapter 5
Tues Mar. 17
SPRING BREAK
Thurs Mar. 19
Tues Mar. 24 Civil Rights Read Chapter 5
Thurs Mar. 26 Civil Rights Read Chapter 5
Tues Mar. 31 Political Parties---pgs 207-226 Read Chapter 8
Thurs Apr. 2 Political Parties---pgs 207-226 Read Chapter 8
Tues Apr. 7 Test 2: Chapters: 4, 5, 8
**Do not be more than 5 minutes late to class or you will not be able to test.
Thurs Apr. 9 Campaigns and Election spgs 253-271 Court Case Analysis
Due at 11:59p.m. Tues Apr. 14 Campaigns and Elections pgs 253-271
Thurs Apr. 16 ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Tues Apr.21 Presidency Chapter 11
Thurs Apr.23 Presidency Chapter 11
Tues Apr.29 Congress Chapter 10
MON Apr.27 LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW/DROP
Thurs Apr. 30 The Courts Read Chapter 13
Tues May 5 The Courts Read Chapter 13
Thurs May 7 Domestic Policy Read Chapter 14
Tues May 12 Foreign Policy Read Chapter 15
Thurs May 14 T est 3: Chapters 9,10,11, 14
**Do not be more than 5 minutes late to class or you will not be able to test.
*
****Please note***
I reserve the right to make additions, changes, and substitutions to the syllabus at any time.
In addition, the Announcements, Email, and Messages in Blackboard are an extension of the course syllabus and the primary
means of communicating essential course information to students. Announcements are used for time-sensitive updates such as
due date reminders, changes or clarifications. Announcements provide a quick way to facilitate updates and modifications to the
entire class. It is expected that students will regularly check course announcements and are responsible for information
disseminated through them. While the syllabus serves as the foundation and initial contract for our course, Blackboard
announcements are a dynamic supplement as we work together as a community throughout the semester.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Analyze the purposes, functions and roles of government and politics
· Evaluate the foundations, features, and development of the Constitution of the
United States as it applies to the political system today
· Analyze the political and policy making impact of media today
· Analyze the political and policy making impact of political parties
· Analyze the conduct of elections and campaigns
· Evaluate the elements and impact of political culture on politics and policymaking today
· Analyze the functions and operations of the legislative branch and its role in policy making today
· Evaluate the origin, development and impact of civil liberties on individuals and Groups
· Examine the domestic policy making process and the interrelationship between policy and politics
Office Hours
Published: 01/16/2026 14:41:28