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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT
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Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306
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Section Number: 101
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Semester: Spring 2017
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Semester Credit Hours: 3
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Lecture Hours: 3
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Lab Hours: N/A
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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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
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Steve Sorensen
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Campus/Office Location:
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Gainsville Campus
Office Hours: By appointment 8–9:30 am and 2–3:30 pm TTH
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Telephone Number:
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E-mail Address:
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ssorensen@nctc.edu
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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3
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Exams
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75%
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1
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Term Paper
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15%
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10
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Quizzes
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10%
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
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Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal
government.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in
Texas.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas
government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups and political parties in Texas. Analyze the state and local election process.
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Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
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Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
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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
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Donna Hooper
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Office Location:
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Corinth 209
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6266
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E-mail Address:
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dhooper@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Dr. Larry Gilbert
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Office Location:
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Corinth 305
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6216
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E-mail Address:
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lgilbert@nctc.edu
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