GOVERNMENT 2306.372 – COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Name
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American State & Local Government
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Semester & Year: Spring 2018
January 16 – May 11
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Instructor’s Name & Office #
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Joe Ialenti
Corinth, Room 200
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Phone Number: (940) 498-6295
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Office Hours
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5:30-6:30 Tuesdays
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E-Mail: through Canvas ONLY
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Catalog Description
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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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Required Texts & Material
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Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas Norton 3rd edit paperback w/ebook folder, ISBN978-0-393-28731-8
Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas Norton 3rd edit, 2 hole punch w/ebook folder, ISBN 978-0-393-28752-3
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Tentative Instructional Schedule
(Subject to Change w/o Notice)
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Assignment Dates/Blocks
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Topics, Assignments, and Exams
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Associated Chapters
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Grading
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Module/Block I:
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Policy Making Process; Texas People and Economy; Texas Constitutions; Federalism
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Chapters 1-3
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2/16-19
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1st Exam
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Chapters 1-3 /100 pts.
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100 points
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Module/Block II:
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Political Participation, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections, Texas State Government: Legislative, Executive, Bureaucracy, Boards & Commissions;
Discussion Forum: Voting (3/18)
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Chapters 4-8
Forum: 50 pts.
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Forum: 50 points
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3/23-26
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2nd Exam
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Chapters 4-8 /100 pts.
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100 points
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Module/Block III:
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Judiciary, Crime and Corrections Policy; Discussion Forum: Death Penalty (4/8)
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Chapters 9&13/50 pts
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Forum: 50 points
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4/20-23
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3rd Exam
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Chapters 9&13/100 pts.
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100 points
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Module/Block IV:
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Local Governments: Cities, Counties, School Districts
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Chapter 10
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4/15
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Topic Paper due – Gender Neutral Bathrooms
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100 pts.
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100 points
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Module/Block V:
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Policy Making: Health, Education, Budget;
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Chapters 11-12
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5/8-10
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Final Exam
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Chapters: 10/100 pts.
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100 points
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Grading Policy & Procedures
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· 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 and other class documents.
· 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 other software that is used in this class
· It is your responsibility to access and study 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 Center.
Last day to drop is April 5, 2018.
You should check Announcements and e-mail each day.
If you fail to submit each and every course requirement, you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.
Pre/Posts Tests
If you take and submit each of these, then twenty (20) points will be added to your semester point total. All or nothing.
Your Instructional Modules/Blocks
This course is made up of five (5) Modules/Blocks each of which is illustrated by the Instructional Schedule (tentative) above. Each Module/Block’s Canvas material as well as Discussion Forums and Topic Papers are available to you from the first class day so that you can study, compose, and post ahead.
Make sure that you are aware of all due dates as stated in the Instructional Schedule.
Due dates are firm.
Topic Paper
There is a Topic Paper in this class for you to submit. Paper subjects and instructions are stated in Topic Papers in Canvas.
Discussion Forums
There will be several Discussion Forums located in Discussion Forums in Canvas. Each Forum will be open from the first day of class. However, each Forum has a due date. Participation in each requires that you post your comments about the topic (See About Discussion Forums under Start Here in Canvas.
Forum posts are due by 11:59PM on their respective due dates.
These Forums will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of their topics and class material. Each Forum is worth up to 50 points.
Exams
There will be four (4) Exams. Each Exam is worth a maximum of 100 points. Exams are not comprehensive.
Should you fail to take an exam when scheduled, you will be required to come to the Corinth Campus to take a make-up exam in the Testing Center if I okay it after you explain why and I accept that explanation. Make-up exam questions, number, and type may vary from the online exam you missed. It is your responsibility to learn from the Testing Center about its processes and procedures.
Unless otherwise stated in the assignment and with the exception of Forums, all course requirements must be submitted by 11:59PM (Canvas’s clock) on their respective due dates.
Grading
To calculate your percentage grade at any point in the semester, simply divide the number of points have earned by the number of points you could have earned to that point in the semester.
90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D ; 0-59% = F
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students 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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EEOC Statement
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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.
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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 judgment 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 assignment missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to be absent when an assignment is due should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the assignment. A 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.
Participation is essential for online classes and such participation is up to you. Some students are not suited for online course success because they require a campus to drive to and a classroom to sit in with their classmates and a visible instructor to help provide motivation. Thus, it can be easy for students to procrastinate and to put off completing assignments. As a result, some students find themselves in a self-imposed time squeeze that results in their submission of a sub-par product or no submission at all.
The great majority of students do what’s required of them. To accommodate students who don’t is unfair to those who do. Well, I insist on maintaining a level playing field for all students. So, don’t put off assignments, do what you are supposed to do, learn, and achieve success.
You should check Announcements and e-mail each day. That’s how and where any class-related changes, advisories, and my comments will be posted. However, I may elect to use either Announcements or e-mail depending on certain factors. So, check them both. Remember, Canvas records all of your online activity. Conversely, it reveals your lack of activity also.
All Forums must be submitted by 11:00 PM on their due dates unless otherwise stated. Canvas has an internal clock and it is the one which I go by. So, give yourself plenty of lead time.
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.
If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321. Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.
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.
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include:
- A semester grade of F or assignment grade of F
- Expulsion from class.
This Syllabus is subject to change by the Instructor with little or no notice.