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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Texas Government
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2306
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Section Number:
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391
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Semester/Year:
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Fall-2018
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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 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
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Charles Cooper
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Campus/Office Location:
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Online
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Telephone Number:
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214-621-5914
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E-mail Address:
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ccooper@nctc.edu
@Thrasymachus on Twitter
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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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2-4 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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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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8
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Exams *Any discussions, debates, or issues presented “in class” may be included in an exam.
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50%
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2
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Graded Written Assignments – The two assignments will all be written and submitted into Canvas. There will be at least one research paper. Please take care to cite your sources.
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15%
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13
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Chapter Quizzes - The quizzes will open on Mondays and will be due by midnight Friday. Quizzes will review that particular chapter's content only. Quiz contents will likely show up in the Unit Exams.
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20%
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13
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Weekly Discussions – Two posts due per chapter: one is your original reflection with citations from the textbook or a reputable online news source and the second is a response to another student’s reflection.
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15%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
Exams - All exams will be online. They will be multiple choice exams. Your exam average will constitute 40% of your final course grade. There will be no extra credit (on the exam or elsewhere) and no make-up test dates. You will get two chances per exam and the grades will be averaged. You do get a grade you're happy with on the first attempt, you DO NOT have to take the exam a second time.
GWAs - Your graded written assignments (GWA) average will constitute 25% of your final course grade. Any graded written assignment not completed (ie. Not submitted in the appropriate manner) will be calculated as a zero. Whether the assignment (any assignment) has been completed on your side does not matter if it is not submitted before the due date. No make-up grades or extra credit grades will be offered for any missed GWA’s.
Discussion Forums - Discussion will being in class in this hybrid course and conclude online... Your discussion board participation grade average will constitute the remaining 15% of the final course grade. If you do not participate in the discussion boards a zero will be placed in the grade book for that particular “absence” for that particular assignment. No make-up grade or extra credit grades will be offered for these missed assignments. To get full credit for discussion forums you will need to complete two tasks: First, fully address the prompt at the top of the forum (this will be due by midnight each Wednesday). You will need to either cite a page number in the textbook or add a link to a reputable online news site that supports your statement or comment. Second, you will need to reply to another student’s initial post (this will be due by midnight each Sunday). In your reply to another student (your second post), your reply will need to be as academically sound as your first post. In other words, you will need to build upon another students first post, not simply “agree” or “disagree” with them. Please email me with questions if this is unclear. I will also clarify further in my first video post to the class. Each of these tasks is worth 50% of the 100% possible points. Posting only once will get you 50% of the total points. All students are expected to participate in each discussion forum. Your first post will be due before midnight Wednesday of each week. Your second post will be due before midnight Sunday of each week.
Chapter Quizzes - Chapter quizzes open up Monday morning and are available until Friday night at midnight. Chapter quizzes will make up 20% of your semester grade. They also help prepare you for the Unit Exams. Chapter quizzes are not cumulative... they will only cover the content in that particular chapter. They will be taken online and will be timed. You will have two opportunities to take the chapter quizzes and the grades will be averaged if you choose to take them twice. You must take each chapter quiz at least once.
Calendar
August 27th to September 2nd
- Chapter 1 - Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 1 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due October 8th
September 3rd to September 9th
- Chapter 2 - The Texas Constitution
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 2 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due October 8th
- Unit I Exam - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
September 10th to September 16th
- Chapter 3 - Texas in the Federal System
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 3 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due October 8th
September 17th to September 23rd
- Chapter 4 - Political Parties
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 4 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due October 8th
- Unit II Exam - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
September 24th to September 30th
- Chapter 5 - Campaign Elections
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 5 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due October 8th
October 1st to October 7th
- Chapter 6 - Interest Groups and Lobbying
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 6 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Assigned... Due October 8th
- Unit III Exam - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
October 8th to October 14th
- Chapter 7 - The Legislature
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 7 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 1 - Due October 8th
- Graded Written Assignment 2 - Assigned... Due December 2nd
October 15th to October 21st
- Chapter 8 - The Executive Branch
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 8 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 2 - Assigned... Due December 2nd
- Unit IV Exam - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
October 22nd to October 28th
- Chapter 9 - The Judiciary
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 9 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 2 - Assigned... Due December 2nd
October 29th to November 4th
- Chapter 10 - Local Government
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 10 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 2 - Assigned... Due December 2nd
- Unit V Exam - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
November 5th to November 11th
- Chapter 11 - Public Finance
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 11 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 2 - Assigned... Due December 2nd
November 12th to November 18th
- Chapter 12 - Public Policy
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 12 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 2 - Assigned... Due December 2nd
- Unit VI Exam - The exam will open Friday morning and close midnight Sunday. Unit exams cover content from multiple chapters.
November 19th to November 25th
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 26th to December 2nd
- Chapter 13 - Crime and Corrections
- Discussion Forum (will be done face to face and online) - Opens Monday and closes midnight Sunday
- *Two posts are due each week! The first post is due by Weds. (midnight) and the 2nd post is due by Sunday (midnight). Please read the assignment description above!
- Chapter 13 Reading Quiz - Opens on Monday and closes midnight Friday.
- Graded Written Assignment 2 - Due December 2nd
December 3rd to December 9th
5 minute reflection video (Exam Grade)
- Portofolio Submissions and reflection video
December 10th to December 13th
Cumulative Final Exam (Exam Grade)
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:
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 8th.
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)]”.
[Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy:
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. Bruce King
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Office Location:
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1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6464
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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