NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Title: American-State-Local Government

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306

Section Number:  100

Term Code: 162s

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: 0

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Origin and development of the Texas constitution, structure and powers of state and local

government, federalism and inter-governmental relations, political participation, the election  process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas.

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Course Type:

o - Academic General Education Course (from Academic Course Guide Manual but not in NCTC Core)

X- Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o - WECM Course

Course Instructor:

Phillip Pierce

Campus/Office Location:

Gainesville

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295

E-mail Address:

phpierce@nctc.edu

Department Chair:

Donna Hooper

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, 209

Telephone Number:

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

dhooper@nctc.edu

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Points Values

3

Exams

300 pts

1

Research paper (3 to 5 pages)

I00 pts

10

Participation grades (5 quizzes and 5  chapter analysis)  

100 pts

Student Learning Outcome

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.

Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.

Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.

Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups and political parties in Texas.

Analyze the state and local election process.

Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.

Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.

Last day to Withdraw

The last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 3rd, 2016.

Topic

General Description of Subject Matter

State Constitution

Historical/Political development from Republic to Present

State and Federalism

State Policymaking within Federal system

Political Participation

Voting rights, political participation and types of elections

Political Parties & Interest Groups

Development within the state and policymaking powers

The Texas Legislature

Structure, Membership, Legislative Process, & Policymaking

Executive Branch

The Governor, Executive Bureaucracy & Decentralized power

Judicial Branch

The Texas Court System, Structure and Jurisdiction; Judicial Election/Appointment process; Civil/Criminal laws and punishments

Local Government

Structure, Power, and Policymaking: City, County; School; and Special Districts

State Budget Policy

Types of state revenue; expenditures; budgetary process

Student Rights & Responsibilities

NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. 

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See the Student Handbook for more information.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. 

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See the Student Handbook for more information.

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring in the evening.  The program helps students acclimate to college by providing students free interactive workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center.

Tobacco-Free Campus

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.  Click Clearinthe Air for complete details.

Week

Week Begins on

Textbook Covered

Assignments

1

August 22

Course Intro &

 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 discussions

2

August 29

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 discussion

3

Sept 5

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 discussion.

4

Sept 12

Chapter 4

Chapters 4 Discussion

5

Sept 19

Chapter 5

Discussion chapter 5

First Exam Taken

6

Sept 26

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 discussion

7

Oct. 3

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 discussion

8

Oct 10

Chapter 8

Chapter 8 discussion

9

Oct 17

Chapter 9

Subject for the paper will be discussed.

Review for Midterm Exam

10

Oct 24

Chapter 10 

Chapter 10 & 11 discussion. Subject for the semester paper is submitted and approved.

Midterm Exam

11

Oct 31

Chapter 11

Chapter  discussion

12

Nov. 7

Chapter 12

Chapter Discussion.

13

Nov 14

Work Shop

Research Paper.

14

Nov 21

Chapter 13

Chapter Discussion

15

Nov 28

Research Paper Questions

Research paper Due

Study session

16

December 5

Final Exam

REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS

Governing Texas, Champagne, 2^nd Edition, Norton, ISBN: 9780393684-1

Students have several options to secure a textbook

• Governing Texas, paperback, with ebook folder (no additional cost) -- ISBN: 978-0-393-51389-9
• Governing Texas, three-hole punch, with ebook folder (no additional cost) -- ISBN: 978-0-393-51601-2
• Governing Texas, ebook -- ISBN: 978-0-393-90423-9 ($31.25, can be purchased without markup from nortonebooks.com)

GRADING CRITERIA

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Activities, Assignments, and Grading Policy:

Requirements include completing reading assignments on time, attendance and active participation in assigned activities. Activities will include but are not limited to, participating in class discussion activities, writing a three to five page paper, particulars to be discussed later, and three tests over the semester along with quizzes and discussion papers. Cell phones are not allowed during class period. Student use of technology is limited to assigned class activity.

1. Attendance: Students are required to attend scheduled classes; participation grades will be affected by attendance.
2. Reading Assignments: Students are required to do all readings before the beginning of class.
3. Participation: Students are required to participate in group discussions of the assigned reading material, presenting their understanding of the Chapter being discussed both in discussions and also with short graded writings. Students will also participate in unannounced graded quizzes based on the required readings.
4. Paper: Students are required to complete a three to five page paper on a subject involving Texas Government. The subject for the paper must be chosen and approved by the instructor prior to the Midterm Exam.
5. Grading: Grades will be posted as they become available. The distribution of points is as follows:

            Participation                                        100 points

            Paper                                                   100 points

            First Test                                             100 points

Midterm Test                                       100 points

            Final Exam                                          100 points

Total                                                   500 points

 500 to 450 points is an                                               A

449 to 400 points is a                                                  B                                           

399 to 350 points is a                                                  C                                                      

349 to 300 points is a                                                  D

299 points or lower receive an                        F                                                             

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________ 

         Communication

         Mathematics               

         Life and Physical Science

         Language, Philosophy & Culture

         Creative Arts

         American History

X         Government/Political Science

         Social and Behavioral Sciences

         Component Area Option

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

X   Critical Thinking

X     Communication

o    Empirical and Quantitative

o    Teamwork

X     Personal Responsibility

X     Social Responsibility

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES                                                                                                          

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Tentative Calendar of Chapters & Assignments: