NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2306

Section Number: 344

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:

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

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

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

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Dr. David Smith

Campus/Office Location:

Online, no physical office

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295 (Department Admin: Melissa Roberts)

E-mail Address:

dsmith@nctc.edu or via Canvas

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

3

Pre and Post Test Questions and Intro Quiz

25

3

Exams (3 x 70 points per exam)

210

13

Chapter Post Tests (@ 10 points per)

130

3

Discussion Board Posts (2@ 40 points)

(1@ 45 points)

125

 

Course Assignments

510

 

Possible Total Points in the Course

1000

 90-100% of points: A; 80-89.99% of points: B; 70-79.99% of points: C; 60-69.99% of points: D; 0-59.99% of points: F.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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. (This policy also applies to ONLINE COURSES AS WELL.) 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

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Unit I 

Chapter 1: The Political Culture, People, & Economy of Texas

      **Census Assignment

Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution

       **Discussion Board:  Texas Bill of Rights

Chapter 3: Texas and the Nation

 Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas

Chapter 5: Elections in Texas

        

Unit II

Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying

     **  Discussion Board:  Campaigns, Lobbyists, Ethics

Chapter 7: The Texas Legislature

     **State Legislator Assign

Chapter  8: The Texas Executive Branch

     **State Constitutional Comparison

Chapter 9: The Texas Judiciary

 

 Unit III

Chapter 10:  Local Government in Texas

Chapter 11: Public Finance in Texas

Chapter 12:  Public Policy in Texas

    **Discussion Board: Education in Texas

     Chapter 13:  Crime & Corrections Policy in Texas

     ** Exoneration Assign

 *Each chapter has a Chapter Post Test in addition to the **Discussion Boards/Class Assignments

There are no Handouts for this set.