Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306

Section Number: 101

Semester: Spring 2017

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

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. 48 lecture hours.  

Course Prerequisite(s): None

Required Materials:

• Governing Texas by Champagne & Harpham, Norton, 2nd edition, paperback w/ebook folder, ISBN: 978-0-393-28731-8

• Governing Texas by Champagne & Harpham, Norton, 2nd edition, 3-hole punch w/ ebook folder, ISBN: 978-0-393-28752-3

• Students can also purchase the ebook at a lower price directly from Norton using the link within the course module

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Steve Sorensen

Campus/Office Location:

Gainsville Campus

Office Hours: By appointment  8–9:30 am and 2–3:30 pm TTH

Telephone Number:

 

E-mail Address:

ssorensen@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

3

Exams

75%

1

Term Paper

15%

10

Quizzes

10%

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

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.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. Absence does not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence. See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Course Schedule

"In a well-run course, the high-risk student is the one who still tries to memorize without understanding." Ed Friedlander, M.D.

I.    Origins and Principles

A. Principles of American Politics

Week 1                                                                   Declaration of Independence; Texas Declaration of Independence; Lincoln: The Meaning of the Declaration; Douglas and Lincoln: Exchange of State Sovereignty and Majority Rule

Week 2                                                                          1. Small Republic       Centinel: “The Small Republic Argument”

Week 3                                                                          2. Large Republic      Madison: “The Work of the Constitutional Convention”; Governing Texas, Ch. 6

Paper Topics Due

Week 4                                                                          3. Federalism    Governing Texas, Ch. 3; Tocqueville: “The Purposes Served by Local Self-Government”; McCulloch v. Maryland

B. Constitutional History

Week 5                                                                          Governing Texas, Ch. 1, 2; Tocqueville: Democracy in America, excerpts

Paper References due

                                                                                       1. State Constitutions         Texas Constitution of 1836; Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776; Massachusetts Constitution of 1780

Week 6                                                                          Review And Exam 1

II. Texas State Politics

A. State Government                                 Texas State Constitution, excerpts: pp. 1-15, 22-24, 26-34

Week 7                                                                          1. Legislature: Governing Texas, Ch. 7

Spring Break: March 13–17

Week 8                                                                          2. Executive: Governing Texas, Ch. 8

                                                                                       3. Bureaucracy Governing Texas, Ch. 6; Horner: “The Civil Service”

B. Elections                                               Anthony King: “Running Scared”

Week 9                                                                          1. Party System Governing Texas, Ch. 4; Storing: “Political Parties and the Bureaucracy”

Rough Draft Paper Due

Week 10                                                                        2. Elections       Governing Texas, Ch. 5

Week 11                                                      Review and Exam 2

C. Judiciary

Week 12                                                                          Governing Texas, Ch. 9; Texas State Constitution, excerpts: pp. 16-21

III. Local Government

A. County Government

Week 13                                                                          Governing Texas, Ch. 10; Texas State Constitution, Article 11

B. Municipal Government

Governing Texas, Ch. 10; City Charter

IV. Public Policy

Final Draft of Paper due

A. Public Finance

Week 14                                                                          Governing Texas, Ch. 11

B. Education and Welfare

                                                                                          Governing Texas, Ch. 12 “Robin Hood” decision; Anastaplo: “The Babylonian Captivity of the Public Schools,” Adams-Jefferson letters on education

C. Crime

Week 15                                                         Governing Texas, Ch. 13; Ruiz decision; Lazar and DiIulio handouts

Week 16                                                        Review and Final Exam

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6, 2017.

 

 

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

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________ 

 

o        Communication

o        Mathematics                       

o        Life and Physical Science

o        Language, Philosophy & Culture

o        Creative Arts

 

o        American History

X         Government/Political Science

o        Social and Behavioral Sciences

o        Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

X              Critical Thinking

X              Communication

o             Empirical and Quantitative

 

o             Teamwork

X              Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

o             Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

x       Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Donna Hooper

Office Location:

Corinth 209

Telephone Number:

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

dhooper@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu

 

There are no Handouts for this set.