Faculty Syllabus
GOVT-2305 United States Government
Deborah Hoag
Credit Fall 2026
Section(s)
GOVT-2305-052 (39316)
LEC MW 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC8 8303.00
GOVT-2305-109 (39371)
LEC MW 1:30pm - 2:50pm RRC RRC8 8303.00
GOVT-2305-123 (39384)
LEC TuTh 1:30pm - 2:50pm RRC RRC8 8303.00
GOVT-2305-125 (39385)
LEC TuTh 3:00pm - 4:20pm RRC RRC8 8303.00
Course Requirements
Course Requirements (NO EXAMS OR QUIZZES)
200 pts. = “Making Connections” Presentations #1 and #2 (PowerPoint/Google slide on an interesting topic)
280 pts. = 14 paragraph answers to a class discussion question (20 possible points for each answer)
400 pts. = Participation in Bb for asynchronous classes; answering questions from Panopto Lecture Videos and engaging with other students via discussion board
020 pts. = submission of class agreement by Friday of the 1st week
050 pts. = responses to WATCH videos (five total/one per unit)
050 pts. = Extend the Discussion (blackboard discussion board participation/five total/one per unit)
1000 Total Points
*No exams or quizzes in this class. This is a reading of core texts and discussion based class. Extra credit available in Bb.
Readings
Readings from the OER (FREE) Open Educational Resource Textbook and from provided short excerpts... see calendar in .pdf syllabus for details. United States Government will be available in Blackboard prior to the first day of class. NO CHARGE! FREE!!!
In addition to the FREE textbook as a resource, we will also read excerpts from Plato, John Locke, core documents like the Declaration of Independence, various debates, writings from Booker T. Washington, WEB DuBois, interesting Supreme Court cases, speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.
Course Subjects
1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional republican democracy.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal structure, separation of powers, and checks and balances.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the branches of government--judicial, executive and legislative.
4. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting, elections, etc.
5. Investigate civil liberties and civil rights.
6. Explore the role of the media.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Students will increase their understanding of the functions of United States’ government and their own place within this framework.
This course is a discussion-based introduction to the study of the United States Government, fo-cused on the reading and discussion of core-texts. Core-texts are important primary documents, such as the writings of the framers of the US Constitution, Supreme Court cases, notable essays, speeches and political music and art. There re no exams or timed quizzes. You are evaluated on your writing, active engagement in the course readings. In this course, you will explore works by influential authors like Plato, Locke, the Federalists and Anti-federalists, Fredrick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Dr. M.L. King Jr., etc.
Textbook and Materials
OER--Open Educational Resources
Resources for this course are FREE to students... the textbook and materials are available to students at no charge.
We will be using the new United States Government on-line textbook. Details will be provided on the first day of class. No purchase of an outside text will be necessary.
A computer with reliable internet availability and modern web browser along with an active ACC e-mail account is essential.
You may need Windows Media Player™ which is available free of charge from the Microsoft™ Corporation. Macintosh™ users can install Flip4Mac™ to view Windows™ media files. ACC Blackboard™ will contain the class syllabus, assignments, announcements, etc. Make certain you are able to access Blackboard™ before the end of the first week of classes. Notify the instructor if you experience difficulties. ACC Blackboard™ requires you to log in at http://acconline.austincc.edu. Click “login,” enter ACCeID and ACCeID password in provided boxes, and click “login.”
Academic freedom
In any situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, particularly about political ideas, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Therefore, be assured that students’ grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in assignments. (www.austincc.edu/handbook)
Scholastic dishonesty policy
Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarism (using another author’s words or arguments without attribution), and collusion (the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement). Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic works is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes (whether taken electronically or on paper), projects (either individual or group), classroom presentation, papers, and homework. If a student commits any of the above actions, the instructor will seek disciplinary action in the form of an academic penalty (which will include a zero on the academic work in question and may include a course grade of ‘F’). Such disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the instructor following College procedures outlined in the Student Handbook (available on the ACC website at www.austincc.edu/handbook/).
Attendance policy
Students should check in with Bb announcements and ACCgmail each day of the week, Monday through Thursday.
On campus and synchronous online students should be aware that attendance and participation in the discussion is essential for a good grade.
Asynchronous ACC campus online DIL students will not have a regularly schedule meeting time; but we will conduct Bb discussion via the Discussion Board Tool.
I would encourage each student to set up a meeting with me in Bb at the beginning of the semester to discuss the syllabus and any questions you may have regarding assignments and requirements.
Email dhoag@austincc.edu for a time slot.
Recording Policy and Disciplinary Policy
Students will be expected to comply with ACC policies for academic honesty and academic freedom (www.austincc.edu/handbook).
Students who fail to follow stated campus policies for the health and safety of fellow students and instructors will be subject to the penalties described in the ACC student handbook as well as the student handbook for their particular campus.
NO posting of audio lectures, exams, lecture notes, handouts, or any other class materials. Do not record any group discussions or lectures under any circumstances. Acknowlegement of the class agreement is an indication of your acceptance of these restrictions.
No use of AI for writing any assignment for this class. You may be subject to legal jeopardy for copyright infringement if you use AI, since most do not openly acknowledge original sources.... JUST DON'T DO IT! No use of AI voices for presentation recordings.
Student Accessibility Services
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or psychological accessibility needs. Students must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Student Accessibility Services on the nearest or most convenient campus. Students are encouraged to do this at least three weeks before the start of the semester (http://www2.austincc.edu/osd/index.html).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
Class AI (Artificial Intelligence) Policy
Artificial Intelligence: NO GENERATIVE AI IS ALLOWED FOR THIS CLASS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
- Definition & Usage Permissions--This policy covers any generative AI tool, such as ChatGPT; Elicit, Grammarly, etc. This includes text and artwork/graphics/video/audio. You may only use spell check embedded in word processing software such as WORD.
- Rationale—this is a discussion-based course; therefore, you must use only your own opinion on the readings and topics of discussion. The course would be meaningless if you use AI to generate an opinion for you. Since I do not count off for spelling and grammar, the use of AI tools is not necessary to succeed in this class.
- Assessment--No use of generative AI is permitted. Meaning a student’s paper and paper content should be generated by the student and should reflect the students’ own original ideas.
- Penalties--Using AI to generate your paper will be considered an act of plagiarism. You will receive a grade of “0“on the assignment or course; and will be subjected to the Academic Dishonesty process of ACC.
- Exceptions--No exceptions to the policy will be considered.
Grade Dispute Policy
Grade Disputes
All course grades are awarded by the instructor of record. Instructors shall exercise professional judgment in the application of those policies and the awarding of grades. All grades are final except in the case of College error.
Specifically, if you have questions about your final course grade, you must contact your instructor within three months after the grade was awarded. If you cannot contact the instructor, contact the department chair. (If the department chair is also the instructor who awarded the grade, the appropriate dean or vice chancellor shall act in place of the department chair.).
Office Hours
M T W Th 4:20 PM - 5:00 PM Round Rock Campus Room 8303 in the 8000 Building
NOTE Also on Tuesday and Thursday between 2:50 and 3:00 pm in 8303, Monday and Wednesday between 8:30 and 9:00 am in 8303, and online in ZOOM meeting in Blackboard by appointment. Email dhoag@austincc.edu for an appointment.M W 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Round Rock Campus Room 8303 in the 8000 Building
NOTEPublished: 05/29/2026 09:51:40