Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT 2306

Section Number:  321

Semester: Sum II -- 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:

• Governing Texas by Champagne & Harpham, Norton, 2nd edition, paperback w/ebook folder, ISBN: 978-0-393-93684-1

• 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 

Name of Instructor:

Richard Huckaby

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 351

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295

E-mail Address:

rhuckaby@nctc.edu

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 1.

Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.

 2.

Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

 3.

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

 4.

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

 5.

Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups and political parties in Texas. Analyze the state and local election process.

 6.

Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.

 7.

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

6

Exams

70%

2

Written Graded Assignments (GAs)

20%

13

Discussion Boards (DBs)

10%

Tentative Course  Schedule

Government 2306.321 – Texas Government (Online)

Summer II (2017)  (Subject to Change w/o Notice)

Student Rights & Responsibilities

NCTC Board policy FLB (Local) Student Rights and Responsibilities states that each student shall be charged with notice and knowledge of the contents and provisions of the rules and regulations concerning student conduct.  These rules and regulations are published in the Student Handbook published in conjunction with the College Catalog. 

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. 

Cheating on exams or the other graded assignments is not tolerated. The instructor has the authority to give a student an "F" in the course when there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that cheating occurred. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  Plagiarism is defined as any of the following: 

• Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
• Copying words, ideas, or images from someone else without giving credit;
• Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;
• Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation or image;
• Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
• Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not.
• Students will receive an F on the first documented instance of plagiarism and a warning from NCTC. A second instance of plagiarism will result in the student's suspension from all classes for the remainder of the semester.     

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 940-498-6295 or my NCTC email address: rhuckaby@nctc.edu.  

Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account.  Any student who cheats on any course material (exams, written assignments, discussions) will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction. 

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