Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Texas Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2306

Section Number: 

599

Semester/Year:

Spring 2019

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 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

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Kelly Waltman-Payne

Campus/Office Location:

Not on campus

Telephone Number:

The best way to contact me is in person before/after class or by email

 

E-mail Address:

kapayne@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

 

 

 

5-6 pm

 

 

 

 

8-9 pm

 

Other hours via email or by appointment

 

 

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.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Point Values

8

Attendance Points

   10x8 =  80

3

Exams

   3x 100 =  300

4

Current Event Discussion Board

4 x 55 =   220

1

Socratic Seminar

   1 x 100 = 100

Total

Total points

700 points possible

 

            700 – 630 points = A

            629 – 560 points = B

            559 – 490 points = C

            489 – 420 points = D

            419 –      0 points = F

 

 

 

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

Discussion Board #1

March 31 11:00 pm on Canvas (50 points)

April 7 11:00 pm on Canvas: Reply to one student (5 points)

 

55 points

Exam 1

April 11 in class

 

100 points

Discussion Board #2

April 14 11:00 pm on Canvas: post (50 points)

April 21 11:00 pm on Canvas: Reply to one student (5 points)

 

55 points

Exam 2

April 25 in class

 

100 points

Discussion Board #3

April 28 11:00 pm on Canvas: post (50 points)

May 5 11:00 pm on Canvas: Reply to one student (5 points)

 

55 points

Discussion Board #4

 

May 5 11:00 on Canvas: post (50 points)

May 12 11:00 pm on Canvas Reply to one student (5 points)

 

55 points

Exam 3

May 9 in class

 

100 points

Socratic Seminar

May 16 in class

  • Last class day

100 points

Calendar subject to change. Instructor will notify students of any changes, both in class and on Canvas.

 

Late work policy: Any work turned In past the due date will receive a 50% reduction in the points possible. Late work can be turned until the last day of the course, but will incur this penalty. No exceptions.

 

If you know you will miss an exam, please let me know in advance. Please let me now via email. You will be allowed to take a make-up exam, but it is your responsibility to make the arrangements with your instructor.

 

The Socratic  Seminar on final exam day (May 16)  cannot be made up.

 

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)

Course Absence Policy: You will receive 10 points toward your total course points for every class you attend. You must attend the entire class to receive the 10 points. Class will meet eight times (possible 80 points from attendance)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is  April 25, 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)_______        


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.

 

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)]”. 

 

Students who are caught cheating or plagiarizing will be given a 0 on that assignment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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