This document outlines the course objectives, expectations, teaching parameters, protocols, and requirements for a Philippine Government and Constitution course. The objectives are to educate students about the Philippine democratic system of government and 1987 Constitution through group discussions and exercises. Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of Philippine history and current events, as well as an initial reading of the Constitution. Class will use small group discussions and presentations to explore issues in a democratic and problem-solving manner. Assessment includes quizzes, exams, group activities, and a research paper. Grades are based on class participation, exams, and a written and oral research paper.

1. COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
ESPAÑA, MANILA
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTION
Course Outline
2nd
Semester 2010 – 2011
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
 To provide the students citizenship education through the study of Philippine government
and constitution
 To study the dynamics of the Philippines as a democratic and republican government
 To help students to understand and appreciate the 1987 Constitution as the fundamental
charter of the land
 To enable the students formulate their own perspectives and responses to the pressing
issues of the times
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
To maximize the benefits of and to, hopefully, pass the course, students, at the very outset, are
expected:
 To have an average familiarity with Philippine history
 To possess an updated awareness of current events
 To have made, at least, an initial reading of the text of the Philippine Constitution
 To be willing to share their insights on issues during small group and plenary class
discussions
 To be ready to accomplish and turn in their requirements on time
 To be prepared to comply with the reading assignments
 To be capable of exercising independence in thinking and of engaging in meaningful
discussion of the issues to be taken up in the class
TEACHING / LEARNING PARAMETERS:
 The class shall treat the Constitution as a living text, that is, open to both questions and
answers.
 Consistent with our advocacy of democracy, the class shall also adopt a “democratic”
approach to learning through the use of small group and plenary discussions.
 At the outset, the class will be divided into permanent discussion groups. Each
discussion group is responsible for “nursing” the topic/s assigned to / chosen by them.
 Oral and written, individual and group exercises shall be employed as tools of
assessment. There will be a short written quiz and/or oral recitation each meeting to
ensure readiness for the day’s discussion.
 Each meeting, the class shall commence with a brief oral presentation from the group/s of
the day.

2.  The class shall promote problem-posing and problem-solving approaches to learning.
 Independent research/study for groups and individuals is highly encouraged.
 The study of the constitution will be issue-oriented and infused with both local and global
perspectives.
CLASROOM PROTOCOLS:
Basic classroom decorum (see Student Handbook)
Absences beyond 7 mean WP.
Three counts of tardiness are equal to one absence.
Special quiz or recitation is given only on exceptional cases.
REQUIREMENTS:
Recitation
Group activities
Quizzes
Major exams
Paper
GRADING SYSTEM:
Class standing 50%
Major exams (prelim / final) 30%
Major paper 20% (10% oral + 10% written)
The Government of the Philippines, also known as the Philippine National Government is
the national government of the unitary state of the Republic of the Philippines. It is
a presidential, representative, and democratic republic where thePresident of the Philippines is both
the head of country and the head of governmentwithin a pluriform multi-party system. The government
has three interdependent branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.
The powers of the branches are vested by the Constitution of the Philippines in the following: Legislative
power is vested in the two-chamber Congress of the Philippines—the Senate is the upper chamber and
the House of Representatives is the lower chamber. Executive power is exercised by
the government under the leadership of the President. Judicial power is vested in the courts with
the Supreme Court of the Philippines as the highest judicial body.