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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: 347
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Semester: 152S
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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:
v Governing Texas by Champagne & Harpham, Norton, 2nd edition, paperback w/ebook folder, ISBN: 978-0-393-28731-8
v Governing Texas by Champagne & Harpham, Norton, 2nd edition, 3-hole punch w/ ebook folder, ISBN: 978-0-393-28752-3
v 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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Donna Hooper
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Campus/Office Location:
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COR 209
Online Office Hours: Monday: 7pm-8pm
Wednesday: 7am-8am
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs: 9:30am-2:30pm
*** or by appointment
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Office Phone
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940-498-6266
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E-mail Address:
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dhooper@nctc.edu (prefer students to email in 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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Exams (3 X70 each—4 exams, lowest grade dropped)
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210 pts
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22
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Class Assignments
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318 pts
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13
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Chapter Post Tests
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130 pts
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3
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Discussion Boards (40pts)
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120 pts
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TOTAL
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778 PTS
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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
Unit I
Chapter 1: The Political Culture, People, & Economy of Texas
**Census Assignment; TX Population Assignments
Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution
** The Texas Constitution
**Discussion Board: Texas Bill of Rights
Chapter 3: Texas and the Nation
**State Representatives Assign; (2) Federal funds Assign
Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas
**Hispanic Voters Assign
Chapter 5: Elections in Texas
**Voting In Texas
Unit II
Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying
** Discussion Board: Campaigns, Lobbyists, Ethics
** Interest Groups in Tx Assign
Chapter 7: The Texas Legislature
**State Legislator Assign; Talking Against the Clock
Chapter 8: The Texas Executive Branch
**State Constitutional Comparison
Chapter 9: The Texas Judiciary
**Waiting on the Courts; Civil Cases Disposed of by Texas Courts
Unit III
Chapter 10: Local Government in Texas
**Local Reps; Larges Home Rule Cities
Chapter 11: Public Finance in Texas
**Taxes in Texas
Chapter 12: Public Policy in Texas
**Discussion Board: Education in Texas
Chapter 13: Crime & Corrections Policy in Texas
** Exoneration Assign; Texas Inmate Population
*Each chapter has a Chapter Post Test in addition to the **Discussion Boards/Class Assignments
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6, 2016..
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 (Links to an external site.)
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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