Course Syllabus-- State Mandated

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306

Section Number:  331

Semester: Summer III (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:

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

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Donna Hooper

Campus/Office Location:

COR 209

Online Office Hours:  TBD (class survey will be done during the first week)

Appts can be made to meet face to face at the Corinth Campus

Office Phone

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

Please use Canvas to email, in cases of Canvas not working use : dhooper@nctc.edu

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

3

Exams (3 X70 each—4 exams, lowest grade dropped)

210 pts

12

Class Assignments

245 pts

13

Chapter Post Tests

130 pts

2

Discussion Boards (40pts)

80 pts

 

TOTAL

665 PTS

 

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.

 

Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

At a minimum, students must login once per week and complete a minimum of one assignment.  Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  Late work and make up work is not permitted, there are no excused absences other than those supported by the NCTC catalog.   While the instructor always has the right to drop a student for excessive absences, dropping a course is the student's responsibility.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (June 5 - August 10)

      DUE 6/7:  *Intro to the Course Unit/Quiz (10 pts)

Unit I

      DUE 6/11 *Student Intro Essay (20 pts)

Chapter 1: The Political Culture, People, & Economy of Texas

      DUE 6/11: *TX Population Assignments (4.5 pts) 

                         *CH 1 Post Test (10 pts)

Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution

       Due 6/18:  CH 2 Post Test (10 pts)     

       Original Post Due 6/23: *Discussion Board:  Texas Bill of Rights

Chapter 3: Texas and the Nation

     Due 6/25: *Federal funds Assign (6pts)

                       *CH 3 Post Test (10pts) 

     Due 6/26: *State Representatives Assign (30 pts)

 Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas

     Due 6/25: CH 4 Post Test (10pts)

     Due 7/2: *Party Platform Assign (30pts)

Chapter 5: Elections in Texas

     Due 6/25: *Voting In Texas (10pts)

                        CH 5 Post Test (10pts)

Due 6/26: **Exam I (70pts)          

Unit II

Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying

     Due 7/2: CH 6 Post Test (10pts)

     Original Post Due 7/14: *  Discussion Board:  Campaigns, Lobbyists, Ethics (40pts)

Chapter 7: The Texas Legislature

     Due 7/9: CH 7 Post Test (10pts)   

     Due 7/17:  *State Legislator Assign (30pts)

Chapter  8: The Texas Executive Branch

     Due 7/18: CH 8 Post Test (10pts)  

     Due 7/23: *State Constitutional Comparison (30pts)

Chapter 9: The Texas Judiciary

     Due 7/16: * Civil Cases Disposed of by Texas Courts (3pts)

                        CH 9 Post Test (10pts)

Due 7/17: Exam II

 Unit III

Chapter 10:  Local Government in Texas

     Due 7/23: *Local Reps (30 pts)

                       CH 10 Post Test (10pts)

Chapter 11: Public Finance in Texas

     Due 7/30:  *Taxes in Texas (4.5pts)

                        CH 11 Post Test (10pts)

Chapter 12:  Public Policy in Texas

      Due 8/6: CH 12 Post Test (10pts)

Chapter 13:  Crime & Corrections Policy in Texas

      Due 8/8: CH 13 Post Test     

      Due 8/9: * Exoneration Assign (40pts)

 Due 8/9: Exam III

Due 8/10: Final Exam (optional to replace lowest test grade) 

 **Tentative schedule is subject to change as needed**

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is August 2, 2017

 

 

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.)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

 

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Larry Gilbert

Office Location:

Corinth 305

Telephone Number:

940-498-6216

E-mail Address:

lgilbert@nctc.edu

 

There are no Handouts for this set.