Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Course Prefix & Number: Govt 2306 Texas Government

Section Number: 340 (Online)

Semester: Spring 2018

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:

• Governing Texas by Champagne & Harpham, Norton, 3rd edition, paperback w/ebook folder, ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-393-63040-4   

OR

• Governing Texas by Champagne & Harpham, Norton, 3rd edition, 3-hole punch w/ ebook folder, ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-393-61647-7

OR

• Students can also purchase the ebook at a lower price directly from Norton using the following link

M/W/F

11:00am – 1:00 pm,  Room 313 (Corinth) or other times by appointment.

T/TH

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Room 313 (Corinth) or other times by appointment.

8:00 – 11:00 am @ Ponder HS (before /after class)

Online

Anytime using the message utility in your Canvas account.

Name of Instructor:

Richard Huckaby

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 313

Telephone Number:

940-498-6204

E-mail Address:

rhuckaby@nctc.edu

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1.

Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.

2.

Describe the state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

3.

Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.

4.

 Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.

5.

Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups and political parties in Texas. Analyze the state and local election process.

6.

 Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.

7.

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

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

6

Exams

70%

4

Written Graded Assignments (GAs)

20%

13

Discussion Boards (DBs)

10%

Examinations

There will be a total of six (6) exams. Exams will be a combination of objective multiple choice and True/False questions (primarily multiple choice). Each exam will cover only material covered in class activities, reading assignments, and exercises covered or assigned since the last exam. Each exam will be graded on the basis of 100 points. Your instructor, at his discretion, may change the format of the exam. Exams not taken are assigned a grade of zero and are included in the exam average. The exam average represents 70% of the consolidated course grade.

Online exams are interactive timed exams. Students will be given a window of time to open the exam, but once open -- the exam will be timed. Once the exam is started you must finish -- you cannot start, stop, and restart the exam.

Written Graded Assignments

There are four (4) written graded assignments. They may involve the use of the Internet, the textbook and/or other resources. Graded assignments are a course requirement and not a student option. Written graded assignments not submitted are assigned a grade of zero and are included in the graded assignment average. The graded assignment average represents 20% of the consolidated course grade.

Discussion Boards

There are 13 discussion boards (one for each chapter). Every student is expected to actively participate in all Discussion Board assignments.

Active participation is posting to the appropriate chapter discussion board forum and responding to questions and/or comments.

You meet the participation requirement when you post your original comments to the designated discussion board and make at least one comment on another student's post. A single entry receives half credit. Students will lose 8 points out of 100 for each unexcused absence from an assigned Discussion Board assignment. Posting to the discussion board within the prescribed times is particularly important because it is intended to be a student exchange. There is no credit for posting after the assigned deadlines.

All posts should address the assigned topic and students should respect the opinion of others even though different from their own. Improper postings by a student are grounds for removal from the course.

Tentative Course  Schedule

Government 2306.340– Texas Government (Online)

Spring 2018  (Subject to Change w/o Notice)

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 theCollege 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. 

Cheating on exams or the other graded assignments is not tolerated. The instructor has the authority to give a student an "F" in the course when there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that cheating occurred. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  Plagiarism is defined as any of the following: 

• Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
• Copying words, ideas, or images from someone else without giving credit;
• Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;
• Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation or image;
• Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
• Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not.
• Students will receive an F on the first documented instance of plagiarism and a warning from NCTC. A second instance of plagiarism will result in the student's suspension from all classes for the remainder of the semester. 

Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  You are not to give any person (which includes parents, spouses, friends, etc.) access to your Canvas account at any time during the semester.  If you do, you are putting the integrity of the course work completed in question.  Do not ask someone to email me on your behalf in Canvas.  If you have an emergency and cannot contact me yourself, it is best to have an alternative person contact me on my office phone 940-498-6295 or my NCTC email address: rhuckaby@nctc.edu.  

Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account.  Any student who cheats on any course material (exams, written assignments, discussions) may immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.

 Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Online Content

Students are expected to login to their Canvas account frequently and meet all assigned deadlines. It is a good idea to check for announcements and emails daily -- that is how you can stay advised and/or reminded of course activity and deadlines.

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

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). 

Office for Students with Disabilities

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook.  

Student Handbook

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.

Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO which offers specialized support services.

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information. 

Support Services

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Name of Chair/Coordinator:

Crystal Wright

Office Location:

Gainesville

Telephone Number:

940-668-7731, ext. 4320

E-mail Address:

cwright@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Dr. Bruce King

Office Location:

Gainesville

Telephone Number:

940-668-4267

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu