Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2306

Section Number:  412

Semester:

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:

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

Name of Instructor:

William Hargrove

Department Office Location:

Corinth #331  Office Hours 2:30 – 3:30 PM T & TH

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295

E-mail Address:

whargrove@nctc.edu

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.

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

1

Research Paper

12 points

1

Group Project

10 points

20

Chapter Exercises (0 – 2 per chap)

4 points total

4

Exams (3 – 4 chapters each)

12 points/ea.

13

Chapter Quizzes

2 points/ea.

A – 90-100, B – 80-89, C – 70-79, D – 60-69, F – below 60

Total 100

Grading Policy & Procedures

All chapter exercises, post-tests and exams are administered online via CANVAS.  The computer will grade each of these immediately (stored in the CANVAS gradebook) for student to view.

Chapter post-tests are available after lecture/discussion is complete and are due by 3 PM the day a new chapter lecture/discussion begins (there are no make-ups on chapter post-tests).  Exams are available during the regular class period (80 minutes, except the final), normally on the Tuesday of the week listed in the tentative schedule below.  Exams, except the final, may be made up within 5 – 7 days following the exam date (depending on which day of the week the exam was given).  Contact me ASAP to set a makeup time.  A student who knows they will not be available during the exam period should contact me prior to the exam to establish an alternate time to take the exam.  Final exam cannot be made up.

The Research Paper and Group Project are submitted electronically, via CANVAS, and are graded and returned (electronically) to the student.  See the CANVAS Module describing these papers for a detailed description.

Tentative Course  Schedule

Each chapter will include a lecture/discussion and chapter quiz.  Prior to each lecture, there may be either a team-challenge quiz (for extra-credit points) or a discussion of current news topics.

Week 1

Syllabus/Course Guide/Tentative Schedule/Course Pre-Test

Chapter 1

Week 2

Chapter 2

Week 3

Chapter 3/Team/Group organization and initial discussion of assignment.

Week 4

Exam 1 (Ch. 1 – 3)/Chapter 4

Week 5

Ch. 4 cont’d/Chapter 5/Research Paper due Feb 16, before midnight.

Week 6

Chapter 6

Week 7

Exam 2 (Ch. 4 – 6)/Chapter 7

Week 8

Ch. 7 cont’d/Chapter 8/Time for team meetings.

Week 9

Chapter 9

Week 10

Chapter 10

Week 11

Exam 3 (Ch. 7 – 10)/Final team meeting (in class).

Week 12

Chapter 11/Group project due by Apr 13, before midnight.

Week 13

Group Project Presentations

Week 14

Chapter 12

Week 15

Ch. 12 cont’d/Chapter 13/Course Post-Test

Week 16

Final Exam (Ch. 11 – 13)

Other Pertinent Information

v  Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  You are not to give any person (which includes parents, spouses, friends, etc.) access to your Canvas account at any time during the semester.  If you do, you are putting the integrity of the course work completed in question.  Do not ask someone to email me on your behalf in Canvas.  If you have an emergency and cannot contact me yourself, it is best to have an alternative person contact me on my office phone _________ or my NCTC email address:_whargrove@nctc.edu.  Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account.  Any student who cheats on any course material (e.g., exams, assignments, post-tests) will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.

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

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

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  

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

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

 Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

EEOC Statement

  North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

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