Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

 COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Texas Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2306

Section Number: 

503

Sem/Year:

Spring 2019

Semester Credit Hours:

3

Lecture Hours:

48

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 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:

Paul Coraccio

Campus/Office Location:

Flower Mound, Room 107

Telephone Number:

940-280-1923

E-mail Address:

pcoraccio@nctc.edu (preferred contact method)

 

OFFICE HOURS**

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

 

3:20 – 4:20 PM

 

3:20 – 4:20 PM

 

**Office hours for this course signify the times that the Instructor is available immediately after each class; however, students may use official school email (via Canvas) or schedule a meeting outside of these times. 

 

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:

LO-1.

Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.

LO-2.

Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

LO-3.

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

LO-4.

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

LO-5.

Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

LO-6.

Analyze the state and local election process.

LO-7.

Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens

LO-8.

Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.

LO-9.

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

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Point Values

Total Point Values

5

Unit Exams (4) & Research Assignment (1)

100 pts ea.

500

2

In-Class Participation Assignment/Activities

50 pts ea.

100

13

Textbook Chapter Post Tests

20 pts ea.

260

13

Class Assignments

20 pts ea.

260

4

Course Pre/Post Tests & Surveys

5 pts ea.

20

 

 

 

1140

 

Letter Grade Equivalents:

 

A

B

C

D

F

90% or higher

80-89.99%

70-79.99%

60-69.99%

59.99% or less

†Grades are not rounded up in this course—students will receive the grade earned. 

 

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

Unit

Week

Class Dates

Assignments

Points

Due Dates

I

 

 

Government’s Foundational Basis (i.e. guiding principles)

 

 

1

22 Jan, 24 Jan

Course Introduction & Orientation

 

 

 

 

Student Intro Survey

5

26 Jan

 

 

Course Pre Test

5

3 Feb

 

 

Chapter 1. The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

0

23 Jan

 

 

Ch 1 Post Test (Quiz)

20

26 Jan

 

 

Census Assignment

20

26 Jan

2

29 Jan, 31 Jan

Chapter 2.  The Texas Constitution 

0

28 Jan

 

 

Appendix – The [Texas] Declaration of Independence (1836)

0

28 Jan

 

 

Ch 2 Post Test (Quiz)

20

2 Feb

 

 

Texas Constitution Assignment

20

2 Feb

3

5 Feb, 7 Feb

Texas Constitution:  Student Presentations

50

In-Class

4

12 Feb, 14 Feb

Chapter 3: Texas in the Federal System

0

11 Feb

 

 

Ch 3 Post Test (Quiz)

20

16 Feb

 

 

State Representatives Assignment

20

16 Feb

 

 

Unit I Exam

100

16 Feb

II

 

 

Who Operates within the Government (i.e. the players)

0

 

5

19 Feb, 21 Feb

Chapter 4. Political Parties

0

18 Feb

 

 

Ch 4 Post Test (Quiz)

20

23 Feb

 

 

Political Parties Assignment

20

23 Feb

 

 

Research Paper/Essay:  State Policy Issue and Party Platform Analysis

100

13 Apr

6

26 Feb, 28 Feb

Chapter 5. Campaigns and Elections

0

25 Feb

 

 

Ch 5 Post Test (Quiz)

20

2 Mar

 

 

Campaign and Elections Assignment

20

2 Mar

7

5 Mar, 7 Mar

Chapter 6. Interest Groups and Lobbying

0

4 Mar

 

 

Ch 6 Post Test (Quiz)

20

9 Mar

 

 

Interest Groups Assignment

20

9 Mar

 

 

Unit II Exam

100

9 Mar

III

 

 

How the Government Works (i.e. the rules of the game)

0

 

8

12 Mar, 14 Mar

NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK

0

NA

9

19 Mar, 21 Mar

Chapter 7. The Legislature

0

18 Mar

 

 

Ch 7 Post Test (Quiz)

20

23 Mar

 

 

State Legislative Assignment:  Draft Bill for Class Legislature

20

23 Mar

10

26 Mar, 28 Mar

Class Legislature:  Committees & Floor Debate

50

In-Class

 

 

Research Paper/Essay Topic Only Submitted

0

30 Mar

11

2 Apr, 4 Apr

Chapter 8. The Executive Branch

0

1 Apr

 

 

Ch 8 Post Test (Quiz)

20

6 Apr

 

 

Executive Branch Assignment

20

6 Apr

12

9 Apr, 11 Apr

Chapter 9. The Judiciary

0

8 Apr

 

 

Ch 9 Post Test (Quiz)

20

13 Apr

 

 

Judiciary Assignment

20

13 Apr

 

 

Unit III Exam

100

13 Apr

IV

 

 

State Issues (i.e. the results)

0

 

13

16 Apr, 18 Apr

Chapter 10. Local Government

0

15 Apr

 

 

Ch 10 Post Test (Quiz)

20

20 Apr

 

 

Local Government Assignment

20

20 Apr

14

23 Apr, 25 Apr

Chapter 11. Public Finance

0

22 Apr

 

 

Ch 11 Post Test (Quiz)

20

27 Apr

 

 

Public Finance Assignment

20

27 Apr

15

30 Apr, 2 May

Chapter 12. Public Policy

0

29 Apr

 

 

Ch 12:  Post Test (Quiz)

20

4 May

 

 

Public Policy Assignment

20

4 May

16

7 May, 9 May

Chapter 13. Crime and Corrections Policy

0

6 May

 

 

Ch 13 Post Test (Quiz)

20

11 May

 

 

Crime and Corrections Assignment

20

11 May

 

 

Course Post Test

5

12 May

 

 

Student Outbrief (Survey)

5

12 May

 

 

Course Evaluation

0

12 May

17

14 May, 16 May

Unit IV / Final Exam

100

14 May

 

 

 

Final Grades Posted (Instructor)

1140

18 May

* Assignments are due by 11:59 PM on the respective DUE DATE.

** Instructor may change this schedule and assignments to better the learning experience.

 

Unit Exams.  Unit exams and a comprehensive final will be given.  There are no makeup exams.  If a student misses an exam, he/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 assignments may be given.  Students who are absent will not have the opportunity to make up the point. 

 

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

 

Chapter Quizzes (i.e. Post Tests).  Students will complete a post test for each chapter, which is designed as a study tool, so the due date is just before the unit exam.  All quizzes must be completed on or before the due date, but students have unlimited attempts until the due date.  Post tests will not be reopened for any reason.  Students are free to use the book/notes/assignments information to complete the post tests.

 

Extra Credit.  From time to time, students may have a chance to earn extra credit points. Each properly completed extra credit is worth one or more points, which will be added to the course grade; however, no student’s grade may exceed 100%.  Extra credit opportunities are at the Instructor’s discretion and will be announced in class and/or posted on Canvas.  If an extra credit opportunity is given, it will be given to all students. 

 

CONNECT ACCESS.  The textbook, LearnSmart®, and Connect activities are all maintained within the McGraw Hill Connect System. Students need to be enrolled immediately in Connect, which can be purchased at the bookstore or online directly from McGraw Hill.  Temporary access can be used directly from Connect McGraw Hill for 12 days from the first day of class.  Students should be enrolled by the end of day 1 as assignments are given immediately.  Students who do not properly enroll in Connect will be dropped from the course. 

 

CANVAS ACCESS.  Canvas is the NCTC online forum used by students and faculty.  All students must have complete access to Canvas for the entire semester.  It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the Internet and all needed programs to complete assignments.  Students are not to give any other person access to his/her Canvas account.  Students can be removed from the course immediately if found to be in violation of this rule.  Once a student has given another person access to his Canvas account, the credibility of completed work 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)

Additional Instructor-Specific Absence Policy:

**Attendance will be taken during each class.  Students will be considered absent if he/she is not in class when attendance is taken.  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.  Students who miss more than half the class period will be considered absent.  Any student who fails to sign in will be counted 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 4, 2019.  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)_______       


          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


COURSE TYPE

          Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

X          Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

          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. 

 

Communication.  The instructor answers emails during the week within 24 hours of receiving them.  The Instructor will not discuss specific grade questions by phone or email, nor discuss grade issues with anyone other than the student.  Please be aware that FERPA (Federal Privacy Laws) prevents the Instructor from discussing a student’s enrollment, grades, attendance, etc. with anyone but that student.  The Instructor will not speak with parents, spouses, siblings, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc. regarding enrollment and/or performance in this course.

 

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)]”. 

 

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:

1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408

Telephone Number:

940-498-6464

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

 

 

 

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