NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT
Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306	Section Number:  232	Semester: 153S
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:   GOVT2306      Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas. 3rd edition. Norton. paperback w/ebook folder ISBN: 9780393283679   Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas. 3rd edition. Norton. 2 hole punch w/ebook folder 9280393616477 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:	Teri Houchin
Campus/Office Location:	COR 209
Office Phone	317-626-2235
E-mail Address:	thouchin@nctc.edu (prefer students to email in Canvas)

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
1 1 1 3	PreTest   (5 points)  Student Essay   Student Intro Quiz                                                                  Exams (3 X70)	5  pts 20 pts 10 pts   210 pts
7	Class Assignments (60 points)	420 pts
13	Chapter Post Tests (10 points each)	130 pts
3 1   1	Discussion Boards (40 points) Final exam   Post Test (10 Points)	120 pts 70 pts.   10 pts
	TOTAL                                                                          865

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.

 

OFFICE HOURS

Office hours are 7:00-9:00 AM Tuesday, Thursday. Other hours are available by appointment.

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.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 Course Pre-Test

Unit I 

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

      **Census Assignment (60pts)

Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution

      **Discussion Board:  Texas Bill of Rights(40pts)

Chapter 3: Texas and the Nation

       **State Representatives Assign(60pts)

Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas

         ** Political Parties in Texas Assignment (60 points)

Chapter 5: Elections in Texas

        **Update to Voter ID Law Discussion Board (40 points)

 Unit I Exam- 70 points

Unit II

Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying

     **  Discussion Board:  Campaigns, Lobbyists, Ethics(40pts)

Chapter 7: The Texas Legislature

     **State Legislator Assign(60pts)

Chapter  8: The Texas Executive Branch

     **State Constitutional Comparison(60pts)

Chapter 9: The Texas Judiciary

 Unit II Exam -70 Points

 Unit III

Chapter 10:  Local Government in Texas

     **Local Reps(60pts)

Chapter 11: Public Finance in Texas

Chapter 12:  Public Policy in Texas

Chapter 13:  Crime & Corrections Policy in Texas

       **Capital Punishment Assignment (60 points)

Unit III Exam- 70 points

Final Exam-70 points

Post Test- 10 points

 

 *Each chapter has a Chapter Post Test in addition to the **Discussion Boards/Class Assignments. Each Chapter Post Test is worth 10 points (13 Chapter Post Tests x 10 points = 130 points)

 

**I do not accept late assignments, post tests, or exams for any reason.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is September 28, 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 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