SYLLABUS
DIVISION: Behavioral and
Social Sciences
DATE: Spring 2008
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: GOVT 2302
American Government II
CREDIT HRS: 3
HRS/WK
LEC: 3
HRS/WK LAB:
0
LEC/LAB COMB: 3
I.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Surveys the practice of politics and government in American, focusing on
the powers,
responsibilities, and performance of U.S. Texas, and local government
institutions. Includes
the legislative
process, executive branch, judiciary, bureaucracy, public policymaking, and
foreign
relations. Prerequisites:
Passing score on state approved placement test in reading
and writing. Internet
Enrollment Special Fee: $50.00
II.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND:
High school graduate, successful completion of GED, or concurrently enrolled
high school student. Recommend that
a student transferring to a four-year institution take HIST 1301 and HIST 1302
prior to enrolling in GOVT 2301 and GOVT 2302.
III.
TEXTS AND OTHER REFERENCE MATERIALS:
O’Connor, Karen, Sabato, Larry J. American Government Continuity and Change,
2008 Texas Edition. New York, NY: Pearson/Longman, Inc., 2008.
A good College level dictionary.
IV.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
A.
Lectures by instructor and guests
B.
Class discussion
C.
Use of appropriate multimedia tools and material
Students desiring auxiliary aids and services for this course should make their
requests to the instructor and the Special Services Director.
PAGE 2
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: GOVT 2302
American Government II
V.
COURSE CONTENT:
TOPICS
A.
The Legislatures
1.
The
2.
The
B.
The Chief Executives
1.
The U.S. President
2.
The Texas Governor
C.
Administration & Bureaucracy
1.
The Federal Bureaucracy
2.
The
D.
The Judiciaries
1.
The Federal Court System
2.
The
VI.
LEARNER OUTCOMES:
The purpose of this course is to prepare each student to be able to:
1.
Understand the democratic method of governing in the American political
system; and recognize the significant similarities and differences between this
system and others.
2.
Be able to describe the policymaking process and to discuss the major
national- and state-level public policy issues.
3.
Critically analyze and describe in written oral communications the
significant problems affecting public policymaking and policy implementation
within the U.S. and Texas governments and propose effective solutions.
4.
Demonstrate familiarity with the concepts essential to an understanding
of the U.S. and Texas governments; and be able to intelligently read, listen to,
and view mass media reports about politics and public policy.
5.
Define selected terms of political science and use them effectively in
written and oral communications.
6.
Describe the significant operations and activities of the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches and of the bureaucracies of the U.S. and Texas
governments.
7.
Understand the roles that the United States plays in the world and the
implications for U.S. foreign and defense policies.
PAGE 3
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: GOVT 2302
American Government II
8.
Describe and illustrate how the
9.
Contrast and illustrate the services and benefits provided by the
10.
Demonstrate how the federal and
11.
Develop and utilize critical thinking skills to evaluate public policies and the
legitimacy of political power in the United States.
12.
Use computers, printed materials, and oral communications to obtain pertinent
information and to analyze key issues related to American politics and
government.
*(General Education Core
Competency IV)
VII. ASSESSMENT:
Each student will demonstrate mastery of the stated learner outcomes both by
passing examinations administered and by reporting on independent research
conducted during the term.
*