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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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404
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Semester/Year:
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SP 2019
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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 or
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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Ben Vail
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Campus/Office Location:
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North Central Texas College – Corinth
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Telephone Number:
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E-mail Address:
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bvail@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS: 15 min before class begins
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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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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Attendance
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40%
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2
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Term Paper
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40%
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3
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Midterm Examination
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10%
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4
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Final Examination
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10%
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5
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Extra Credit
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Up to 10%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE
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Week of:
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Subject
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Assignment
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1/20
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Intro - Texas Political Culture
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Chapter 1
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1/27
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Texas Constitution
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Chapter 2
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2/3
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Ideology and Political Parties
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Chapter 4
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2/10
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The Texas Legislature
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Chapter 7
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2/17
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The Texas Executive
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Chapter 8
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2/24
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The Texas Judiciary
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Chapter 9
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3/3
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Midterm Exam
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Online
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3/10
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Spring Break
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No Class
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3/17
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Local Government
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Chapter 10
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3/24
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The Texas Budget and Finance
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Chapter 11
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3/31
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Education in Texas
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Chapter 12
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4/7
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Energy / Environment in Texas
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Chapter 12
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4/14
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Healthcare in Texas
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Chapter 12
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4/21
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Papers Due!
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4/28
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Immigration in Texas
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Chapter 12
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5/5
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Criminal Justice in Texas
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Chapter 13
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5/11 – 5/16
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Final Exams – view Final Exam Schedule
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Online
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5/17
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Term ends – all grades must be submitted
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Ben Vail’s Absence Policy: If you are sick, or have to care for a sick family member, don’t come to class. You should send me an email to let me know, stay home, and feel better.
NCTC 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 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)
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 4, 2019
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)_______
Communication
Mathematics
Life and Physical Science
Language, Philosophy & Culture
Creative Arts
X Government/Political Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Component Area Option
American History
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
X Critical Thinking
X Communication
Empirical and Quantitative
Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
X Social Responsibility
Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
WECM Course
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
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: If you cheat in my class I reserve the right to assign you an F for all course work. You will be reported to the dean’s office. All work must be your own. I take this policy very seriously.
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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