NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	TEXAS GOVERNMENT
Course Prefix & Number:		GOVT2306	Section Number:	402, 407, 408 &414	Semester/Year:	Spring 2018
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	0
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.
Course Prerequisite(s): None
Required or Recommended Course Materials: 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 ** eBook only can be purchased directly through the Norton website (link posted in Canvas)

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Donna Hooper Smith
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth 209
Telephone Number:	940-498-6266
E-mail Address:	dhooper@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9:30-10:50am	11am-12:20pm	9:30-10:50am	11am-12:20pm	By Appt
2-3:30pm	2-3:30pm	2-4pm	2-3:30pm

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
	Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.
	Demonstrate an understanding of 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.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
5	Exams & Research Assignment	40%
13+	Chapter Post Tests & Class Participation Assignments	20%
8	Class Assignments	40%
** Class Participation Assignments can be given in class at any time**

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

 

Unit	Scheduled Assignment
I	Student Intro Essay
	Texas Bill of Rights Analysis
	Census Assignment
	State Representatives Assignment
	Political Party Research Assignment** will count as an exam grade
	Chapter Post Tests (1-5)
	Unit I Exam (Chapters 1-5)
II	State House Member Assignments
	State Constitutional Comparison Assignment
	Chapter Post Tests (6-8 & 11)
	Unit Exam II (Chapters 6-8 & 11)
III	Local Govt Assignment
	Exoneration Assignment
	Chapter Post Tests (10, 12, 13 & 9)
	Unit III Exam (Chapters 10, 12, 13 & 9)
	Final Exam (Comprehensive
	*** in class assignments can be made at any time
	****This is a tentative schedule and always subject to change

 

Points                   Letter Grade Equivalent

90% or higher          A

80-89.99%               B

70 -79.99%              C

60 – 69.99%            D

59.99% or less         F

** Grades are never rounded up in this course.  The student will receive the grade earned.  Every student has the ability to increase his/her grade with attendance extra credit, as well as local government & community service.

Unit Exams- Three unit exams and a comprehensive final will be given. There are no makeup exams.  If a student misses an exam, he or she will take an extended Final exam that will count twice, to make up for the missed exam.

In Class Assignments:  At any time during the semester, in class activities/assignments may be given.  Students who are absent will not have the ability to make up the points.

Late Work – Late assignments will not be accepted.  All assignments and post tests are submitted online, so even when a student cannot make it to class, assignments can still be submitted on time.  Please manage your time wisely, and leave enough time to deal with any computer problems that might arise and keep you from completing your course work as required.

Chapter Post Tests- Students will complete a post test for each chapter, which is designed as a study tool.  All post tests must be completed on or before the due date.  Post tests will not be reopened for any reason.  Students are fee to use the book/notes/assignments information to complete the post tests.

CANVAS ACCESS:  All students must have complete access to Canvas for the entire semester.  It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the internet at all times, as well as having all needed programs to complete an online course.  Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas account.  Students can be removed from the course immediately up violating this rule.  Once a student has given another person access to his/her canvas account, the credibility of any work completed becomes questionable.    

 

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)

*Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class with a sign in sheet.  If a student comes in tardy, it is his/her responsibility to stay at the end of class and request to be changed from absent to tardy.  Any student who fails to sign in will be counted absent.  Attendance will count as an assignment grade, which will be a cumulative grade for the entire semester.  Students are either present or absent.  There are no excused absences, except those listed in the catalog where specific requirements have been met.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 5, 2018.  Dropping the course is the sole responsibility of the student.

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

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 and published online.

**Electronics Policy- Students are permitted to use electronic devices, such as computers, tablets, etc. for class purposes only, which includes accessing Canvas, note-taking, or class participation assignments in class.  Students should not be using phones, computers, tablets for texting, social media, homework for other classes, etc.  Inappropriate use of electronic devices will cause the student to be banned from bringing such devices and/or removal for the class and or/course at the discretion of the instructor. 

**Students who display inappropriate or disrespectful behavior will be immediately removed from the course and reported to the Dean of Students. 

 

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)]”. 

 

**Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  All students will be held responsible for plagiarism, cheating and/or collusion.  Students who do not follow the conditions of the instructor regarding scholastic dishonesty will have the appropriate documents filed with the appropriate Dean and may automatically receive an “F” in the course.

**Falsified Information- Any student who submits falsified information in this course, including community service/local government extra credit information will be given an automatic “F” in the course and scholastic dishonesty documents filed with the appropriate Dean.

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Chair/Coordinator:	Crystal R.M. Wright
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room 824
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731, ext. 4320
E-mail Address:	cwright@nctc.edu
Name of Instructional Dean:	Dr. Bruce King
Office Location:	1525 W. California St, Gainesville, TX
Telephone Number:	940-668-4267
E-mail Address:	bking@nctc.edu