American State & Local Government - 2306.420
Summer II 2017 - 7/10-8/10
Instructor: Joe Ialenti Office Hours: as needed
Phone: 940-498-6295 Office: Room 331, Corinth Campus
Email: through Canvas
Syllabus content is subject to change with little or no notice.
Champagne, Anthony and Edward J. Harpham. Governing Texas: An Introduction to Texas Politics. W.W. Norton & Co. 2nd Edition
Students have several options to secure a textbook
- Governing Texas, paperback, with ebook folder (no additional cost) Governing Texas, three-hole punch, with ebook folder (no additional cost) Governing Texas, ebook can be purchased without markup from nortonebooks.com)
- Rentals are also available at the NCTC bookstore
The Instructor does not use any publisher supplied material other than the textbook and that which is available in Canvas and does not have any codes.
This course is intended to increase your understanding of certain aspects of Texas governmental and political systems by examining the structure and practice of their components and some of the influences that have helped to shape these systems. Much of the course’s lectures will use recent and historical events to illustrate that structure and practice. Therefore, students should maintain a familiarity with current and historical events by listening to daily TV and radio newscasts, accessing the Internet, and reading newspapers such as the Austin-American Statesman and magazines such as Time and Newsweek.
After completing this course, you should have a basic understanding of: (1) the history and substance of the Texas Constitution and the liberties expressed therein (2) the structure, funding, and operation of Texas government, and (3) the dynamics of and your role in Texas government.
Grades will not be curved. What you see is what you get; there is no “extra credit” given in this class. Grading will be based on the following exams and assignments. (due dates are subject to change as is all Syllabus content).
The only points you can earn in this class are those listed in the Syllabus plus those for Pre/Post tests.
|
Assignment Dates/Blocks
|
Topics, Assignments, and Exams
|
Associated Chapters
|
Grading
|
|
Block I:
|
Policy Making Process; Texas People and Economy; Texas Constitutions; Federalism
|
Chapters 1-3
|
|
|
TBA
|
1st Exam
|
Chapters 1-3
|
100 points
|
|
Block II:
|
Political Participation, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, Texas State Government: Legislative, Executive, Bureaucracy, Boards & Commissions;
Discussion Forum: Voting (7/16)
|
Chapters 4-8
|
Forum: 50 points
|
|
TBA
|
2nd Exam
|
Chapters 4-8
|
100 points
|
|
Block III:
|
Judiciary, Crime and Corrections Policy; Discussion Forum: Death Penalty (7/30)
|
Chapters 9&13
|
Forum: 50 points
|
|
TBA
|
3rd Exam
|
Chapters 9&13
|
100 points
|
|
Block IV:
|
Local Governments: Cities, Counties, School Districts
|
Chapter 10
|
|
|
8/4
|
Topic Paper due – Gender Neutral Bathrooms
|
|
100 points
|
|
Block V:
|
Policy Making: Health, Education, Budget;
|
Chapters 11-12
|
|
|
8/10
|
Final Exam
|
Chapters: 10-13
|
100 points
|
To calculate your grade at any point in the semester, simply divide your total accumulated points at that point in the semester by the total number of points you could have accumulated to that point in the semester. For example:
1st exam – 92
+2nd exam – 84
Total - 176/200 (the number of points you could have received) = 88%
Grades: 90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 0-59% = F
All materials, Discussion Forums, and Topic Papers are available now so that you can study ahead and begin composing your submissions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Differentiate between Democracy & elitism, and identify how the Constitution of Texas relates to these concepts.
- Identify the regions of Texas and the major cities within each region.
- Identify key political individuals in Texas Political History.
- Compare and contrast the major characteristics of Texas Constitution with other megastates and the U.S. Constitution.
- Explain the structure and powers of the county, the city and Special Districts in Texas.
- Identify and explain the processes of Texas Elections and differentiate among Texas’ Political Parties.
- Identify the leaders and explain the power and structure of bureaucracy and board commission system of Texas.
- Explain the Texas tax system and identify Texas’ priorities as reflected in the state
- Identify the courts in the Texas Judicial System and their respective jurisdictions.
10) Differentiate between the powers and responsibilities of all three branches of government & identify leaders in each branch.
- Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
The textbook, Canvas, and the Instructor will endeavor to provide a level of instruction that should accommodate most students’ level of learning if they are intent on learning.
During this class you will be exposed to three primary sources of information:
Canvas Textbook Lecture
The challenge for the student is to synthesize the information from these sources into a cogent whole. Thus, it is the individual student’s responsibility to learn course material whether from Canvas, Lecture, or the Textbook. If a student does not understand such material, the time to try and understand it is when it is presented. When studying the textbook, students should pay particular attention to those words in bold print, italics, or in the margins.
You are required to
- to complete all assignments and exams,
- access Announcements and e-mail several times each week.
Attendance in any class is the student’s responsibility. How often you access Canvas or study the textbook is up to you. However, infrequent study and putting off assignments is the usual cause of student failure.
You have signed up to take this class with the knowledge that it may conflict with other obligations such as work or child-care. It is also possible that other obligations may arise during the semester which you did not anticipate. While some students adapt to online classes with little or no problem, some students have trouble adapting because of the absence of face to face contact with an instructor and classmates.
It should be noted that illness, injury, and personal matters are not sufficient reasons that merit an exception to class requirements.
However, the Instructor reserves the right to make exceptions regarding the foregoing under the most extreme circumstances which can be verified and which the Instructor determines merit exceptions.
During this semester the last day to withdraw from a class with a "W" is August 2, 2017. Be aware that after that date you will receive an academic grade in the course. Initiating the drop procedure is the student's responsibility. If you have any questions about withdrawals, please check with the Registrar’s Office.
- By enrolling in this class, you acknowledge that you have internet access and that such access is stable and reliable.
- It is totally your responsibility to read and understand the Syllabus.
- It is your responsibility to know the Instructional Schedule
- The Syllabus is the class’s control document. However, it is subject to changes made by the Instructor.
- If you find any information which conflicts with the Syllabus, follow the Syllabus, but contact me immediately.
- It is your responsibility to know how to navigate Canvas and any software that is used in this class
- It is your responsibility to access and study the textbook, Canvas, and any other course material
- It is your responsibility to frequently access class Announcements and e-mail.
- It is your responsibility to frequently view your grades in the Grade Book and to stay abreast of exams and assignments, due dates, and submissions.
There will be several Discussion Forums in which you are required to participate. Participation in each requires that you post your comments about the topic. All Forums are open now, but they have due dates. These Forums will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of their topics through the expression of your opinion and to interact with the other students in the course in order to expand your knowledge of course material. Thus, posting just a few sentences does not constitute participation.
Keep your comments relevant to the topic and respect the viewpoint of other students even if they disagree with your own. Each Forum is worth up to 50 points.
Exams are not comprehensive. Exams will be administered in class. They will cover Canvas, Lecture, and textbook material since the last exam. There is no exam review. Examinations may include material from Canvas, Lecture, and the textbook in the form of true and false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and matching questions. All answers to exam questions should be spelled correctly. The Instructor may exercise some latitude to accept answers that are not spelled correctly.
When you fail to take an exam at the initial time designated for the exam, you must, in person, explain why to the Instructor and obtain the Instructor’s permission to take a make-up exam.
You may only make-up one exam during the semester - there is no make-up exam for the final exam. All such exams may be essay and may be given in the Testing Center.
It’s your responsibility to find out how the Testing Center operates from the Center’s personnel. If an exam or make up exam is not taken, the student will have failed to complete all course requirements and shall receive an F for the semester unless the class has been officially dropped.
You are to research and compose a Paper on Gender Neutral Bathrooms. Paper directions and the submission pathway are provided in Canvas under Topic Papers.
Early submission of the Paper is encouraged.
There are no acceptable excuses for a late Paper. If you choose to wait until the “due by” date to submit your paper, you are acknowledging and accepting that any variable(s) may prevent you from submitting your Paper by the due date. That is your choice. Nevertheless,
Late Papers will not be accepted.
Some Reason(s) for an “F” or Major Point Deduction:
- Sloppiness/Lack of overall neatness
- Incomplete sentence(s)
- Copying information
- Plagiarism
- Wrong or non-citations
- No works-cited page
- No minimum word content
- Non-MLA citations
|
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. See the Student Handbook for more information.
|
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
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
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring in the evening. The program helps students acclimate to college by providing students free interactive workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center
Tobacco-Free Campus
NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.
American State & Local Government - 2306.420
Summer II 2017 - 7/10-8/10
Instructor: Joe Ialenti Office Hours: as needed
Phone: 940-498-6295 Office: Room 331, Corinth Campus
Email: through Canvas
Syllabus content is subject to change with little or no notice.
Champagne, Anthony and Edward J. Harpham. Governing Texas: An Introduction to Texas Politics. W.W. Norton & Co. 2nd Edition
Students have several options to secure a textbook
- Governing Texas, paperback, with ebook folder (no additional cost) Governing Texas, three-hole punch, with ebook folder (no additional cost) Governing Texas, ebook can be purchased without markup from nortonebooks.com)
- Rentals are also available at the NCTC bookstore
The Instructor does not use any publisher supplied material other than the textbook and that which is available in Canvas and does not have any codes.
This course is intended to increase your understanding of certain aspects of Texas governmental and political systems by examining the structure and practice of their components and some of the influences that have helped to shape these systems. Much of the course’s lectures will use recent and historical events to illustrate that structure and practice. Therefore, students should maintain a familiarity with current and historical events by listening to daily TV and radio newscasts, accessing the Internet, and reading newspapers such as the Austin-American Statesman and magazines such as Time and Newsweek.
After completing this course, you should have a basic understanding of: (1) the history and substance of the Texas Constitution and the liberties expressed therein (2) the structure, funding, and operation of Texas government, and (3) the dynamics of and your role in Texas government.
Grades will not be curved. What you see is what you get; there is no “extra credit” given in this class. Grading will be based on the following exams and assignments. (due dates are subject to change as is all Syllabus content).
The only points you can earn in this class are those listed in the Syllabus plus those for Pre/Post tests.
|
Assignment Dates/Blocks
|
Topics, Assignments, and Exams
|
Associated Chapters
|
Grading
|
|
Block I:
|
Policy Making Process; Texas People and Economy; Texas Constitutions; Federalism
|
Chapters 1-3
|
|
|
TBA
|
1st Exam
|
Chapters 1-3
|
100 points
|
|
Block II:
|
Political Participation, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, Texas State Government: Legislative, Executive, Bureaucracy, Boards & Commissions;
Discussion Forum: Voting (7/16)
|
Chapters 4-8
|
Forum: 50 points
|
|
TBA
|
2nd Exam
|
Chapters 4-8
|
100 points
|
|
Block III:
|
Judiciary, Crime and Corrections Policy; Discussion Forum: Death Penalty (7/30)
|
Chapters 9&13
|
Forum: 50 points
|
|
TBA
|
3rd Exam
|
Chapters 9&13
|
100 points
|
|
Block IV:
|
Local Governments: Cities, Counties, School Districts
|
Chapter 10
|
|
|
8/4
|
Topic Paper due – Gender Neutral Bathrooms
|
|
100 points
|
|
Block V:
|
Policy Making: Health, Education, Budget;
|
Chapters 11-12
|
|
|
8/10
|
Final Exam
|
Chapters: 10-13
|
100 points
|
To calculate your grade at any point in the semester, simply divide your total accumulated points at that point in the semester by the total number of points you could have accumulated to that point in the semester. For example:
1st exam – 92
+2nd exam – 84
Total - 176/200 (the number of points you could have received) = 88%
Grades: 90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 0-59% = F
All materials, Discussion Forums, and Topic Papers are available now so that you can study ahead and begin composing your submissions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Differentiate between Democracy & elitism, and identify how the Constitution of Texas relates to these concepts.
- Identify the regions of Texas and the major cities within each region.
- Identify key political individuals in Texas Political History.
- Compare and contrast the major characteristics of Texas Constitution with other megastates and the U.S. Constitution.
- Explain the structure and powers of the county, the city and Special Districts in Texas.
- Identify and explain the processes of Texas Elections and differentiate among Texas’ Political Parties.
- Identify the leaders and explain the power and structure of bureaucracy and board commission system of Texas.
- Explain the Texas tax system and identify Texas’ priorities as reflected in the state
- Identify the courts in the Texas Judicial System and their respective jurisdictions.
10) Differentiate between the powers and responsibilities of all three branches of government & identify leaders in each branch.
- Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
The textbook, Canvas, and the Instructor will endeavor to provide a level of instruction that should accommodate most students’ level of learning if they are intent on learning.
During this class you will be exposed to three primary sources of information:
Canvas Textbook Lecture
The challenge for the student is to synthesize the information from these sources into a cogent whole. Thus, it is the individual student’s responsibility to learn course material whether from Canvas, Lecture, or the Textbook. If a student does not understand such material, the time to try and understand it is when it is presented. When studying the textbook, students should pay particular attention to those words in bold print, italics, or in the margins.
You are required to
- to complete all assignments and exams,
- access Announcements and e-mail several times each week.
Attendance in any class is the student’s responsibility. How often you access Canvas or study the textbook is up to you. However, infrequent study and putting off assignments is the usual cause of student failure.
You have signed up to take this class with the knowledge that it may conflict with other obligations such as work or child-care. It is also possible that other obligations may arise during the semester which you did not anticipate. While some students adapt to online classes with little or no problem, some students have trouble adapting because of the absence of face to face contact with an instructor and classmates.
It should be noted that illness, injury, and personal matters are not sufficient reasons that merit an exception to class requirements.
However, the Instructor reserves the right to make exceptions regarding the foregoing under the most extreme circumstances which can be verified and which the Instructor determines merit exceptions.
During this semester the last day to withdraw from a class with a "W" is August 2, 2017. Be aware that after that date you will receive an academic grade in the course. Initiating the drop procedure is the student's responsibility. If you have any questions about withdrawals, please check with the Registrar’s Office.
- By enrolling in this class, you acknowledge that you have internet access and that such access is stable and reliable.
- It is totally your responsibility to read and understand the Syllabus.
- It is your responsibility to know the Instructional Schedule
- The Syllabus is the class’s control document. However, it is subject to changes made by the Instructor.
- If you find any information which conflicts with the Syllabus, follow the Syllabus, but contact me immediately.
- It is your responsibility to know how to navigate Canvas and any software that is used in this class
- It is your responsibility to access and study the textbook, Canvas, and any other course material
- It is your responsibility to frequently access class Announcements and e-mail.
- It is your responsibility to frequently view your grades in the Grade Book and to stay abreast of exams and assignments, due dates, and submissions.
There will be several Discussion Forums in which you are required to participate. Participation in each requires that you post your comments about the topic. All Forums are open now, but they have due dates. These Forums will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of their topics through the expression of your opinion and to interact with the other students in the course in order to expand your knowledge of course material. Thus, posting just a few sentences does not constitute participation.
Keep your comments relevant to the topic and respect the viewpoint of other students even if they disagree with your own. Each Forum is worth up to 50 points.
Exams are not comprehensive. Exams will be administered in class. They will cover Canvas, Lecture, and textbook material since the last exam. There is no exam review. Examinations may include material from Canvas, Lecture, and the textbook in the form of true and false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, and matching questions. All answers to exam questions should be spelled correctly. The Instructor may exercise some latitude to accept answers that are not spelled correctly.
When you fail to take an exam at the initial time designated for the exam, you must, in person, explain why to the Instructor and obtain the Instructor’s permission to take a make-up exam.
You may only make-up one exam during the semester - there is no make-up exam for the final exam. All such exams may be essay and may be given in the Testing Center.
It’s your responsibility to find out how the Testing Center operates from the Center’s personnel. If an exam or make up exam is not taken, the student will have failed to complete all course requirements and shall receive an F for the semester unless the class has been officially dropped.
You are to research and compose a Paper on Gender Neutral Bathrooms. Paper directions and the submission pathway are provided in Canvas under Topic Papers.
Early submission of the Paper is encouraged.
There are no acceptable excuses for a late Paper. If you choose to wait until the “due by” date to submit your paper, you are acknowledging and accepting that any variable(s) may prevent you from submitting your Paper by the due date. That is your choice. Nevertheless,
Late Papers will not be accepted.
Some Reason(s) for an “F” or Major Point Deduction:
- Sloppiness/Lack of overall neatness
- Incomplete sentence(s)
- Copying information
- Plagiarism
- Wrong or non-citations
- No works-cited page
- No minimum word content
- Non-MLA citations
|
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. See the Student Handbook for more information.
|
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
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
Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. The center links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online tutoring in the evening. The program helps students acclimate to college by providing students free interactive workshops. For more information, please visit your nearest Student Success Center
Tobacco-Free Campus
NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on campus property.