GOVT 2306 413 - TEXAS GOVERNMENT (TX CONST TOPICS)

Introduction

GOVT2306.413

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT: (T) 6:30 pm -9:25 pm

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306

Section Number: 413

Semester: Spring 17

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

COR 190

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:

·         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

·                     Supporting Books

·                     Dictionary-Recommended

·                     Tannahill, N. (2011). Texas Government: Policy and Politics. (11, ed). Pearson and Longman. (Available in the College Library for Reference)

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Moses Omane-Boateng

Campus/Office Location:

Econ & Govt. Dept.: Corinth (RM 331)

Office Hrs.: 5:00 pm-6:00 pm

Telephone Number:

Corinth: 940-498-6295

E-mail Address:

momane-boateng@nctc.edu/kwadwo@yahoo.com

 

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

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.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Points Values

3

Three Exams

300 Points

3

Three Pre-Exam Quizzes: Quiz# 1-33 points; Quiz# 2-33 points; and Quiz # 3-34 points.

100 Points

2

Case Study Analysis: One National  Constitutional and the State of Texas Civil Cases

100 Points  50/50

2

 

 

 

10

 

 “Leaders for Tomorrow’s Project”: I- Select a Community Leader and develop 5 Interview Questions-25 points. Preferred, A Local Government Leader-The Mayor or Any Government Institution-A School, A Church, and The Police Department and Develop Five Questions-25 points. II- Final Interview Report-75 points.

Post Chapters Presentations Quizzes- 10 points per Chapter

Canvas Computed Attendance Grade

100 points

 

 

 

100 points

100 points

Course Expected Aggregate Points-800 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

 

TOTAL POINTS EARNED MEASURED BY PERCENTILE LEVEL ARE:

100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-0=F

Students will make corrections on homework assignments for extra credit to reinforce chapter’s power point presentations and substance.

·         Late Assignments will be subject to a 5-points deduction.

·         Don’t submit your assignment through the web-site.

Make-Ups

·         Rare instances are make-ups given. If you know in advance you will be absent on a test date, you may make a special arrangement with your professor for the Make-Up Quizzes/Exams.

 

TENTATIVE CALENDER

COURSE OUTLINE AND OUTCOMES

TEST 1- Feb 28-Learning Outcomes

  • Syllabus Review and Questions
  • The Stages of the Policymaking Process: Introduction-Tannahill (2011) and Public Policy in Texas-Textbook Chapter 12
  • The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas: Chapter-1
  • The Texas Constitution-Chapter-2.
  • Texas and the Nation- the Federal System-Chapter-3 Structure and types of the system: Dual, Cooperative, Devolution, Vertical, and Horizontal Federalism classification
  • Case Study: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954).Champagne & Harpham (2015), pp. 25 & 346. See Case Study Written Assignment Guidelines: Due: Jan 17.
  • Pre-Exam Quiz 1 Due: Feb 21. Prepare for matching of terms, multiple choices, short essays, and fill-in-the-blanks questions.
  • Complete End of Chapter Practice Quizzes 1-pp. 35-36, 2-pp.75-77, & 3-pp.101-103 by Feb 21.

 

 

Semester’s Project: “Leaders for Tomorrow”

Stage One 25 points: Select a community leader for example, a City Manager, a City Mayor, an Agency Director, a Fire Department Director, a Banker, a Judge, and an Attorney for an interview.

Prepare five questions based on your project objective to reflect the interviewee’s: (1) Family, (2) Education, (3) Occupation, (3) Community service, (4) Hobbies and future goals, and (5) Your perception of his or her personality. Due: Jan 24.

Stage Two and Final Project Report Due-April 18.

TEST 2— Apr. 4-Learning Outcomes

  • City Government, Counties, School Districts, and Special Districts-Chapter 10
  • Case Study: Ruiz v. Estella (1972) 62, 395 & 397- Tannahill (2011 & 2013) and Champagne and Harpham (2015), pp. 436-438. See Case Study Assignment Guidelines: Due: Mar 7.
  • Pre-Exam Quiz 2 Mar 28. Prepare for matching of terms, multiple choices, short essays, and fill-in-the-blanks questions on Chapters 11 and 12-Tannahill (2011 & 2013) and Champagne & Harpham (2015)-Chapter 10.
  • Complete End of Chapter Practice Quizzes 2-pp. 343-345- Mar 28

The second mid-term exams will include all the quizzes, the above four topics, and a guest lecturer’s presentation.

Final Exams-May 9-Learning Outcomes-

Tele-Cast DVD Presenting “Last Man Standing, Politics, Texas Style.” Documentary Featuring: Politics and Elections, Political Parties, and Political Campaigns.

  • Political Parties-Chapter 4
  • Interest Groups-Chapter-6
  • The Texas Legislature-Chapter-7
  • The Executive Branch of Texas Government-Chapter-8
  • The Texas Judiciary, Courts System, and Justice-Chapter-9
  • The Criminal Justice System and Policy of Texas State Government-Chapter-13
  • Public Finance, Fiscal and State Budget Policy Texas-Chapter-11
  • Complete End of Chapter Practice Quizzes 3-pp. 230-233, pp. 271-273 due: Apr. 25
  • Pre Final Exam Quiz 3-Pre-Final Quiz Due: Apr. 25. Prepare on all the above six chapters 6, 7, 8, 9. 11, & 13. Prepare for definitions of the key principles, multiple choices, and matching of the chapter's terms. Use your exams study guides to prepare for this final quiz.
  • Please Note: Spring Break Is Scheduled For March 13-16

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

 

 

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 persona contact me on my office phone Corinth: 940-498-6295_ or my NCTC email address: momane-boateng@nctc.edu or kwadwo@yahoo.com.  Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account.  Any student who cheats on any course material (exams, assignment, and posttests) 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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______________________________

 

         Communication

         Mathematics               

         Life and Physical Science

         Language, Philosophy & Culture

         Creative Arts

 

         American History

  • Government/Political Science

         Social and Behavioral Sciences

         Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

  • Critical Thinking
  • Communication

         Empirical and Quantitative

 

         Teamwork

  • Personal Responsibility
  • Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

         Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

  • Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

         WECM Course

 

 

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

 

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.