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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: GOVT 2306
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Section Number: 344
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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:
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
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Dr. David Smith
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Campus/Office Location:
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Online, no physical office
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6295 (Department Admin: Melissa Roberts)
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E-mail Address:
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dsmith@nctc.edu or via Canvas
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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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Pre and Post Test Questions and Intro Quiz
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25
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3
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Exams (3 x 70 points per exam)
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210
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13
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Chapter Post Tests (@ 10 points per)
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130
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3
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Discussion Board Posts (2@ 40 points)
(1@ 45 points)
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125
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Course Assignments
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510
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Possible Total Points in the Course
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1000
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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
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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
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas
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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. (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
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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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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