South Texas College
Division of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Government 2301VF1 Course Outline
“Mini-Mester” 16 Feb - 10 May 2009 -- Spring Semester 2009
Instructor's Information:
1. Name of Instructor: Jeffrey C. Berry
2. Office Location: Building G258 / Mid-Valley Campus
3. Telephone #: (956) 447-6657
4. FAX #: (956) 447-6677
5. E-mail Address: jberry@southtexascollege.edu
6. Office Hours: MTWRF Online 6:00-7:00 pm
Course Information:
1. Course Name: American Government I
2. Course #: GOVT2301VF1
3. Classroom Location: Internet
4. Class Days/Times: M-S 24/6 [Which means when you can do the work!]
5. Catalog Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of politics and government
in America at the national, state and local levels with special attention to Texas. Topics include political theory, the
American and Texas constitutions, federalism, and the institutions of government covering Congress, the Executive, and the
Judiciary.
6. Departmental Course Goals: By the end of the course students will understand the basic principles of American
political thought through individual reading, debating, critically analyzing, and answering essay questions about colonial
documents, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the "three branches" of government, excerpts from The Federalist Papers,
and de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. Students will have developed a clear understanding of the function of
government and how government affects them, and the importance of participation in a democracy. Students will also
understand the basic structure of the U.S. government and be familiar with the functions and interrelationship between the
"three branches." Students will also read opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court on issues pertaining to the Bill of Rights and
will be capable of forms and expressing ideas and opinions regarding Supreme Court decisions, as well as other issues
relevant to the class. Students will demonstrate their ability to comprehend and write analytically about readings,
information from computer/internet searches and lecture material.
7. Departmental Course Competencies/Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:
Differentiate the influence of social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and
cultures on the evolution of individuals and societies;
Identify significant differences between diverse cultural groups in our society (as it pertains to government);
Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of alternative systems and theories;
Interpret alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social and public policy issues;
Explain the influence of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on government;
Recognize and assume one's responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself, engaging
in public discourse, and using state-of-the-art information gathering systems to stay aware of current public policy;
Illustrate the origins, evolution, and operation of U.S. and Texas political systems, with a focus on the growth of political
institutions, the constitutions of the U.S. and Texas, Federalism, civil liberties, and civil rights;
Explain the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world.
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