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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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412
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Semester/Year:
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F/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 or Recommended Course Materials:
Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas Norton 3rd edition paperback w/ebook folder
ISBN: 978-0-393-28367-9
Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas. 3rd edition. Norton. 2 hole punch w/ebook folder
ISBN: 9280-393-61647-7
Students can purchase the ebook directly from Norton using the link within the course module.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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William Hargrove
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Campus/Office Location:
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COR201 Note: This is a shared area, not a private office.
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6295
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E-mail Address:
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whargrove@nctc.edu or use CANVAS email for course
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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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2:30 – 3:30 PM
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2:30 – 3:30 PM
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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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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
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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1
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Research Paper
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12 points
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1
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Group Project
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8 points
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30
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Chapter Exercises (1 – 3 per chapter)
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6 points total
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4
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Exams (3 – 4 Chapters each)
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12 points/ea.
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13
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Chapter Post-Tests
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2 points/ea.
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A – 90-100, B – 80-89, C – 70-79, D – 60-69, F – below 60
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Total 100 points
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Grading Policy & Procedures
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All chapter exercises are included within their CANVAS modules and are due before the class period when that chapter's lecture is scheduled to begin. They are graded within CANVAS, but may require instructor attention if discussion questions are included. No make-up allowed.
All chapter post-tests and exams are administered online via CANVAS. The computer will grade each of these immediately (stored in the CANVAS gradebook) for students to view.
Chapter post-tests are available after lecture/discussion is complete and are due by 3:30 PM the day a new chapter lecture/discussion begins (there are no make-ups on chapter post-tests). Exams are available during the regular class period (80 minutes, except the final), normally on the Tuesday of the week listed in the tentative schedule below. Exams, except the final, may be made up within 5 – 7 days following the exam date (depending on which day of the week the exam was given). Contact me ASAP to set a makeup time. A student that knows they will not be available during the exam period should contact me prior to the exam to establish an alternate time to take the exam. Final exam cannot be made up.
The Research Paper and Group Project are submitted electronically, via CANVAS, and are graded and returned (electronically) to the student. See the CANVAS Module describing these papers for a detailed description.
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Tentative Course Schedule
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Each chapter will include a lecture/discussion and chapter post-test. Prior to each lecture, there may be either a team-challenge quiz (for extra-credit points) or a discussion of current news topics
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Week 1
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Syllabus/Course Guide/Tentative Schedule/Course Pre-Test
Chapter 1
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Week 2
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Chapter 2
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Week 3
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Chapter 3/Team/Group organization and initial discussion of assignment.
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Week 4
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Exam 1 (Ch. 1 – 3)/Chapter 4
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Week 5
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Ch. 4 cont’d/Chapter 5/Research Paper due Sep 28, before midnight.
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Week 6
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Chapter 6
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Week 7
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Exam 2 (Ch. 4 – 6)/Chapter 7
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Week 8
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Ch. 7 cont’d/Chapter 8/Time for team meetings, if possible.
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Week 9
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Chapter 9
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Week 10
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Chapter 10
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Week 11
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Exam 3 (Ch. 7 – 10)/Final team meeting (in class).
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Week 12
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Chapter 11/Group project due by Nov 16, before midnight.
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Week 13
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Group Project Presentations
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Week 14
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Chapter 12
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Week 15
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Chapter 13
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Week 16
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Course Post-Test & Final Exam (Ch. 11 – 13)
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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)
A roll sheet will be passed around each class period for students to acknowledge their presence in this class. The attendance will be recorded in CANVAS as well. Students should note that extra-credit quiz points, based on in-class team challenge quizzes, will not be award to students who are absent.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Nov 9, 2017 .
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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