1300 San Pedro
SYLLABUS
Department: Political Science
Course number and title: 2302 American Government, Problems and Policies
Credit Hours 3 Hrs/wk lec. 3 Hrs/wk lab 0 Lec/Lab comb. 0
I. Catalog
description
A
general survey course in American Government covering the theories,
constitutional issues, and concepts of government, politics, public opinion,
parties, ethics, the U.S. Bill of Rights, civil rights, civil liberties,
problems and functions of national, state and local government. Completion of Government 2301 and 2302 is
necessary to satisfy the state legislative requirement. Government 2302 fulfills the
The
study of American and Texas Government by students attending
"There shall be given in all colleges and
universities supported by public funds a course in American Government with
special emphasis upon the constitutions of the United States and Texas . . .No
student shall be graduated from any such college or university who has not
passed a satisfactory examination in such college or university which he may
have attended previously." (
"Resolved...that
the State-supported colleges and universities in Texas require that any student
certified for graduation shall have completed theretofore in a standard college
or university at least six (6) hours for credit in the governments of the State
of Texas or of the United States of America, or the equivalent of both." (Acts of the Fifty-Third Legislature, First
Called Session) (1954)
II. Required
background
Students
must have a "C" (or above) or place out of Reading 0303 and English
0301. Students should be reading at the
13.0 level and be qualified to take English 1301.
III. Texts, other reference
materials
See
individual syllabus for current text.
IV. Methods of Instruction
A
professor may use one or more of the following:
Lecture
- discussion
Assigned
reading from texts
Guided
collaborative learning
Media
Assisted Instruction
Research
projects
Students
should check with their professor in order to obtain the specific methods to be
used in his/her class and materials that may be necessary for the course.
V. Course Grade
Some or
all of the following methods may be utilized by professors to assess student
progress: major exams composed of
objective and/or essay questions, short quizzes, oral questions, research
papers, oral presentations, attendance and a comprehensive final exam.
VI. Course Content
Theories
and concepts of government
Origins
of government, types of government
Origins
of American governmental institutions and constitutions
English
sources
Other
influences
Theories
of decision-making: Democracy,
Pluralism, elitism, etc.
American
politics
Main
themes in American political history
Campaigning
and elections
Multicultural
Issues
Political
Parties
Public
opinion and pressure groups
Constitutional
Issues
Problems,
challenges, and policies of American local, state, and national government
Civil
rights and civil liberties and other
Foreign
affairs
Government
and the economy
Public
Services: health, education, and the
general welfare
VII. Competencies and Outcomes
Course
content listed above (VI) is a topical outline of American Government: Problems
and Policies. Student mastering of this
subject matter will be assessed through his or her performance on the exams
mentioned above and any additional work assigned by the instructor.
Upon completion of this course, the
student will be able to:
Comprehend
the origins and evolution of the American political culture.
Understand
the growth democratic institutions, political parties, interest groups, public opinion, and voting.
Know
the key principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Have
an awareness of the basic concepts of federalism.
Recognize
the various means of citizen participation in a democratic and multicultural
society.
Understand the operations of
the three branches of
Understand
current public policy questions and analyze possible solutions.
Understand
the structure and processes of the
Recognize
the various means of citizen participation in our democracy.
Be familiar
with the basic policy issue facing American society both domestic and foreign.
Understand
the concepts of civil liberties and civil rights in a multicultural
society.
VIII. Absence Policy
Regular
and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is
required. A student absent for any
reason is responsible for all work missed.
Absences
of each student are recorded without exception from the official date of
his/her enrollment. The counting of
absences begins on the first day of a student’s enrollment in the course after
classes begin. A student absent the
equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a regular semester may be dropped by
the instructor. If a student is dropped
from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W”
(withdraw). It is the student’s
responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.
Both
tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with
regard to each.
IX. Academic Dishonesty Policy
Students
may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an academic penalty or
disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty.
Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test,
plagiarism, and collusion. For
additional information, refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San
Antonio College Bulletin.
X. Children on Campus Policy
Students
are urged not to bring children to
either a class or a lab. Minors under the
age of 12 must not be left unattended on campus.
XI.
As per
Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, if accommodation is needed, students must make
the request through the Office of Disabled Student Services, CAC 124C, Phone:
733-2347.
1300 San Pedro Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212-4299
Phone: 210/733-2000, Technology Hotline: 785-6031
One of the Alamo Community Colleges
GIFTS TO THE COLLEGE
may be made through the ACCD FOUNDATION . .
.The Fundraising Arm of the Alamo Community Colleges.
San Antonio College Mission
Statement
The Alamo Community Colleges are Equal Opportunity Employers.
For special accommodations or an alternate format, contact the San Antonio
College disABILITY Support Services at 733-2347
This Web site Last
Updated 7/5/07