Course Description:
This course views American Government through the perspectives of its political cultures and provides a special emphasis on the politics of American Minorities. The study of the U.S. Constitution and the institutions and processes of the American political system are an integral part of this course. Although the course is mostly the study of the institutions that make up the American political system, a brief political perspective to the politics of four groups is provided: African-Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. Hopefully the study of American government can become more relevant and interesting when we look at the interaction of this particular minority groups within the political system. For this course students do not attend scheduled classes, but study text material and use web-based resources to complete assignments. Students are required to have an internet account to take this course. ACC will does not provide internet accounts. All exams will be taken at any of the ACC Testing Centers. Other assignments will be completed through the internet. A Syllabus will be available online through Blackboard with all the specifics during the first week of classes when the Online Orientation process begins for all students registered for this class.

We will be using Blackboard for this course. A Syllabus and course assignments will posted on Blackboard during the first week of class.

Online Orientation:
An online orientation is required  for this course during the first week of classes. We have to wait until registration is over and all student names have been loaded to Blackboard. Check for the link to Orientation on this web page.

Blackboard:
We will be using Blackboard for this course. The syllabus, study questions, course assignments, and discussions will be posted on Blackboard during the first week of classes. If you have never used Blackboard before, you will be able to link to the Blackboard page as soon as registration is over and all student names have been loaded into the system. You will then be able to familiarize yourself on how to use Blackboard.

Required Textbooks:
The Challenge of Democracy, by Janda, Berry, Goldman, Hula:  Brief Edition, Eighth Edition, WADSWORTH Cenage Learning. 2012, 2009, 2008

"Can We All Get Along?" Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics, by Paula D. McClain and Joseph Steward Jr., Fifth Edition, Westview Press, 2010   ISBN 978-0-8133-4423-2
[This book is on order and should be available by the time the Fall Semester begins. This book will be available at Rio Grande Campus Bookstore Only. Check with this bookstore for availability]

ORIENTATION LINK
This Orientation link will be available during the first week of class.