Faculty

GOVT-2305 United States Government

Ellen Baik

Credit Fall 2026

Section(s)

GOVT-2305-079 (39342)
LEC RRC ONL DIL

LEC MW 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC1 1313.00

Course Requirements

The 8-week Hybrid Classroom (DIL HYC) course combines 50% on-campus and 50% online instruction. Due to the accelerated format, students should expect a fast-paced workload with substantial independent work outside of class, but the benefit is that the course will be completed by mid-October. Attendance is not mandatory but regular participation is strongly encouraged. Students who do not attend during the first week may be dropped by the Registrar for non-attendance. Certain course activities require in-person attendance and cannot be made up outside of class.

Readings

This is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) course. The textbook (American Government by OpenStax) for the class is available online at the link provided below, and a PDF copy can be downloaded as well. I may post supplemental instructional materials in the learning modules from time to time.

https://openstax.org/details/books/american-government-4e

Course Subjects

Introduction

Constitution

Federalism

Federal Courts

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Political Parties

Elections

Public Opinion

Media

Interest Groups

Congress

Presidency

Bureaucracy

Public Policy

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

1. Discuss the challenges facing a democratic system of government.

2. Describe the foundations, development and features of the US Constitution.

3. Discuss the benefits and problems associated with our federal system of government.

4. Explain how political values, attitudes and behaviors are learned, organized and expressed.

5. Discuss the benefits and problems associated with the political party system in the US.

6. Describe the operation of a political campaign, types of elections and the factors that affect election outcomes.

7. Discuss the benefits and problems associated with the role of the media in US government and politics.

8. Discuss various types of interest groups, including their goals and strategies.

9. Describe the structure, functions and operations of Congress.

10. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses associated with the presidency, including formal and informal powers and limits on those powers.

11. Discuss the role of the bureaucracy in policymaking, including its regulatory and implementation functions.

12. Describe the structure, functions and operations of the federal judiciary.

13. Discuss the way civil liberties and civil rights protect both the individual and categories of people.

14. Describe the policymaking process and the implications of various economic and social policies on government and society.

Disclaimer

This is an abbreviated version of the course syllabus. Please check the course blackboard site, which opens up on the first day of class, for a complete version of the syllabus containing important course information, course policies, and course calendar.