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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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American State & Local Government
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2306
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Section Number:
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311; 370; 371; 373
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Semester/Year:
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Fall
2017
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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3
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Lab Hours:
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0
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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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
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Kathy Corley
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Campus/Office Location:
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Bowie 130
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Telephone Number:
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940-872-4002 ext. 5216
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E-mail Address:
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Kcorley@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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10-noon online
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10-1:00 Bowie
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10-noon online
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4-6 pm online
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2:30-4:30 Bowie
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Tuesday in office on Bowie, online the rest, Thursdays is my appointment days, Fridays are for college meetings. I usually check for emails sometime after noon.
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I schedule my appointments for Thursdays, I will still check with you during the evening of those days I have doctors’ appointments. It might be very late in the evening. I do not guarantee being online over the weekend, but I usually check with you if there is an upcoming assignment. It is best to look over the assignment the week before it is due and ask any questions before Friday noon.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.
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Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
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Analyze the state and local election process.
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Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens
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Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
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Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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13
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Animation Quiz
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51
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13
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By the Numbers
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40
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13
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Video Exercise
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52
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8
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Discussions
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80
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3
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Essays
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30
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13
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Tests
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260
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1
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Final
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77
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1
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Post Course Quiz
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10
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE Tentative until First Day of Class
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Open Date - Due Date
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28-Aug-17
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Class Begins
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August 28-Sept. 5
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Sign in and complete Pre Course Quiz
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If not completed by
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Sign Course Agreement
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Sept. 5 at 11:59 pm
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Discussion Board Intro of Self
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Student will be
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Flashcards will be open for Student Study purpose
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dropped from course
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Chapter Outline - Student Study purpose
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Sept. 5-Sept. 11
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Animation Quiz: The Texas Population
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3 points
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By the Numbers: Oil Production in Texas
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Falling Oil Prices
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4 points
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Discussion: Immigration in Texas
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10 points
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Chapter 1 Test
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20 points
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Sept. 12 - Sept. 18
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Animation Quiz: The Texas Constitution
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Amending the Texas Constitution
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Voters Decide on Constitutional Amendments
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4 points
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Discussion: Proposition 2 and Same-Sex Marriage
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10 points
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Chapter 2 Test
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20 points
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Sept. 19-25
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Animation Quiz: Rederal Funds to Texas
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Federal Funds Received by States
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Supreme Court Strikes Down Texas Abortion Law
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4 points
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Discussion: Voting Rights and Redistricting
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10 points
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Chapter 3 Test
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20 points
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Sept. 26-Oct. 2
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Animation Quiz: The Republican Party in Texas
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Teas Party support in Texas
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Texas Republican Officials Push Large Turnout
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4 points
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Discussion: Should the Tea Party Movement Launch a Third Party?
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10 points
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Chapter 4 Test
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20 points
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Oct. 3-Oct. 9
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Animation Quiz: Voting in Texas
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5 points
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By the Numbers: Campaign Contributions in Statewide Executive Offices
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Early Voting Numbers Show Big Growth in Republican Voters
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4 points
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Essay: Voter Identification Laws
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10 points
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Chapter 5 Test
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20 points
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Oct. 10-Oct. 16
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Animation Quiz: Interest Groups in Texas
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Measures of Texas Civic Health
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Metro Lobbyist Meets with Judge on Pending Case
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4 points
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Chapter 6 Test
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20 points
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Oct. 17-Oct. 23
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Animation Quiz: The Texas Legislature
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Ideological Differences in the Texas House of Representatives
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Bill to Legalize Recreational Marijuana Use in Texas Clears House Committee
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4 points
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Discussion: A Full-Time or Part-Time Legislature?
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10 points
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Chapter 7 Test
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20 points
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Oct. 24-Oct. 30
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Animation Quiz: The Texas Governor
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Governors of Texas and Their Terms of Offices since 1874
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Confusion Surrounds Gov. Abbott's Order on Syrian Refugees
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4 points
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Discussion: A Plural or Single Executive?
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10 points
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Chapter 8 Test
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20 points
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Oct. 31-Nov. 6
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Animation Quiz: Texas's Judges
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3 points
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By the Numbers: Civil Cases Disposed of by Texas Courts
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2 points
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Video Exercise: Illegal Campaign Tactics in Galveston Judicial Race
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4 points
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Chapter 9 Test
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20 points
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Nov. 7-Nov. 13
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Animation Quiz: Texas Local Government
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4 points
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By the Numbers: The Largest Home-Rule Cities
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4 points
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Video Exercise: McKinney ISD Passes Bond with New Stadium
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4 points
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Essay: Houston's Bathroom Ordinance
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10 points
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Chapter 10 Test
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20 points
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Nov. 14-Nov. 20
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Animation Quiz: Taxes in Texas
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4 points
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By the Numbers: State Tax Revenue Sources
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3 points
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Video Exercise: Texas Lawmakers May Face Budget Problems This Year
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4 points
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Discussion: What to Do with a Budget Surplus?
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10 points
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Chapter 11 Test
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20 points
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Nov. 21-Nov. 27
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Animation Quiz: Texas Public Policy
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Water Usage by Sector
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3 points
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Video Exercise: 25 percent of Texas Children Live in Poverty
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4 points
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Essay: Abortion Policy in Texas
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10 points
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Chapter 12 Test
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20 points
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Nov. 28-Dec. 4
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Animation Quiz: Texas's Criminal Justice System
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4 points
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By the Numbers: Texas Inmate Population
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4 points
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Video Exercise: Death Row Inmate Released After Convicted of Killing Officer
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4 points
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Essay: Would Norway's Prison System Work Here
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10 points
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Chapter 13 Test
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20 points
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Dec. 5-Dec. 10
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Post Course Quiz
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10 points
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Dec. 9-Dec. 11
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Final due Dec. 11 at 11:59pm
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77 points
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A=90% of total points; B=80% of total;
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600 points
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C=70%; D=60%; F<60
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ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member. Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence. Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam. Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)
Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy: If you fail to complete the First Week of Class Module by September 5 at 12:00 midnight, you will be dropped from the course.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 9, 2017. Failure to drop the course may result in an “F” for the course.
DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).
Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.
For support, please contact the counselors at (940) 498-6207 or (940) 668-4321. Alternatively, students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)_______
o Communication
o Mathematics
o Life and Physical Science
o Language, Philosophy & Culture
o Creative Arts
X Government/Political Science
o Social and Behavioral Sciences
o Component Area Option
o American History
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
X Critical Thinking
o 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 and published online.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation and collusion. Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Crystal R.M. Wright
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 824
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-7731, ext. 4320
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E-mail Address:
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cwright@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Dr. Larry Gilbert
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Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 305
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6216
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E-mail Address:
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lgilbert@nctc.edu
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