Summer I 2019 Syllabus
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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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310 & 311
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Semester/Year:
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Spring 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 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)
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Donna Hooper Smith
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth 209
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6266
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E-mail Address:
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dhooper@nctc.edu
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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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8-9AM
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8-9AM
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8-9AM
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8-9AM
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By Appt
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** Students can schedule individual appointments in the Online Conference Room as needed, which does include evening appointments. Online students can also have face to face meetings, based on availability and campus operating hours.
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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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4
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Exams & Research Assignment (EX)
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40%
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20
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Chapter Post Tests & Class Participation Assignments (CP)
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20%
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10
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Discussion Board & Class Assignments (CA)
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40%
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments and Grading Criteria)
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Unit
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Scheduled Assignment
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Points
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Category
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Due Date
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For Students
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View required documents: Ebook Info, Textbook Info, Summer I calendar, Course Syllabus, Welcome to the Course Message, How to Contact E Learning with Canvas Problems, How to view Grading, How to set Notifications, etc.
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CP
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6/12** students who do not meet this deadline will be dropped from the course**
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Intro to the Course Quiz
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100
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CP
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6/12** students who do not meet this deadline will be dropped from the course**
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GOVT 2306 Course Pre Test
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100—will be changed to a completion grade after the assignment closes
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CP
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Unit I
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Student Intro Essay
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100
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CP
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6/16
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Chapter 1
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Read Chapter 1 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Chapter 1 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/16
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Census Assignment
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100
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CA
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6/21
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Chapter 2
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Read Chapter 2 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Analysis of Tx Bill of Rights & Gun Laws
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100
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CA
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6/21
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Chapter 2 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/16
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Chapter 3
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Read Chapter 3 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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State Representatives Assignment
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100
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CP
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6/20
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Chapter 3 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/20
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Chapter 4
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Read Chapter 4 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Ch. 4: The Republican Party in Texas
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100
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CP
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6/20
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Chapter 4 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/20
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Chapter 5
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Read Chapter 5 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Ch. 5: Voting in Texas
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100
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CP
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6/20
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Chapter 5 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/20
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Unit I Exam (Chapters 1-5)
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100
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EX
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June 21
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Unit II
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Chapter 6
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Read Chapter 6 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Chapter 6 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/23
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Follow the Money Assignment
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100
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CA
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6/30
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Chapter 7
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Read Chapter 7 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Chapter 7 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/30
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Research Assignment: Texas House Member ** Counts as a Test Grade
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100
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EX
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** 7/8
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Chapter 8
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Read Chapter 8 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Ch 8: Gov of Texas
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100
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CP
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6/30
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Chapter 8 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/30
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Chapter 9
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Read Chapter 9 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Ch 9: The Judiciary
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100
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CP
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6/30
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Chapter 9 Post Test
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100
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CP
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6/30
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Unit Exam II (Chapters 6-9)
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100
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EX
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7/1
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Unit III
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Chapter 10
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Read Chapter 10 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Local Govt Assignment
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100
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CA
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7/7
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Chapter 10 Post Test
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100
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CP
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7/7
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Chapter 11
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Read Chapter 11 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Chapter 11 Post Test
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100
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CP
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7/9
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Ch 11: Public Finance
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100
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CP
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7/9
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Chapter 12
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Read Chapter 12 & Review Power Point Lecture
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Ch 12: Texas Policy
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100
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CP
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7/9
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Chapter 12 Post Test
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100
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CP
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7/9
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Chapter 13
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Read Chapter 13 & Review Power Point/Audio Lecture
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Exoneration in Texas: Discussion Board
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100
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CA
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Original Post:
7/7
Response Post:
7/10
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Chapter 13 Post Test
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100
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CP
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7/9
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Course Post Test
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100
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CP
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7/10
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Unit III Exam (Chapters 10-13)
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100
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EX
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7/10
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Make-Up Exam (Comprehensive)
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** Any Student who misses an exam or would like to attempt to replace one lower exam
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7/11
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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 will be given. The student has from 1 am on the day the exam opens until 11:59 pm that evening to complete each exam. Each exam has 80 questions, where each question will lock after the answer is submitted; students are allowed 1 minute per question to answer.
**A comprehensive make-up Exam will be given on the final day of the semester during finals week and can be used to replace the student’s lowest test grade. As students are eligible to use the final exam to replace one test grade, there are no make-up exams for any reason. Students who take all three unit exams can either take the make-up exam to attempt to replace a lower test grade, or opt out of the make-up exam. The comprehensive make-up exam has 100 questions.
**The Research Assignment: Texas State House Member (Chapter 7) will also count as an exam Grade and cannot be replaced with the comprehensive make-up exam. Any student who fails to submit this assignment will receive a zero.
Late Work – All assignments will be due before the Unit Exam opens for each module, unless a special due date has been stated. The student has the ability to complete all chapter readings, assignments, and chapter post tests in the order the student chooses. Late assignments will not be accepted. No assignments or post tests will be opened for any student for any reason. 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. Submitting early is the best rule of thumb.
All Assignments must be typed and uploaded as a doc or docx document. I will not grade assignments that have been handwritten and submitted as pdf. In Canvas I can only use the grading function if the document is a doc or docx. If you are using a Mac, it is your responsibility to make sure the document has been submitted correctly. Canvas will not recognize files uploaded as .pages, which will lead to the student receiving a zero. I highly recommend that you use Google Chrome as your browser. Safari should never be used with Canvas.
Post Tests & Class Participation Assignments- Students will complete a post test and class participation assignments for each chapter, which are designed as a study tool for exams. All post tests and class participation assignments must be completed prior to the opening of the Unit Exam within the Module. Late assignments are not accepted for any reason. Students are allowed two attempts on Post Tests and Class Participation assignments, with unlimited time. Students are free to use the book/notes/assignments information to complete post tests and class participation assignments..
Discussion Boards- This summer course will consist of only one discussion board, which can be found in Unit III, but will open earlier. Students must post an original post at least three days before the assignment closes and one response post before the assignment closes. Late discussion posts will receive a deduction of 3 points per each day late. While students can include opinion in discussion board posts, this should always be secondary to incorporating the sources in to the discussion, as well as cite to where the sources are used. Students are expected to behave in a professional manner at all times. Standard grammatical rules apply, use complete sentences and paragraphs.
Availability: While this class is online and available at your convenience 24 hours a day (except when IT maintenance occurs), I am not available 24 hours a day. Please remember that in a face to face class students do not have access to the instructor all day, every day. You should not expect that in an online class either. During the work week, Monday through Friday, I will attempt to check my email several times a day. However on the weekends I will check emails only during the times that I am available. Additionally, if it is a holiday or spring break, do not expect that I will be online at all. Therefore, it is my suggestion that you take a look at all assignments ahead of time to see if you need any clarifications before the weekend begins. I do not check emails after 9pm in the evening.
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)
**Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is June 26th. Dropping the course is the sole responsibility of the student.
** The Instructor has the right to drop any student who has become inactive in the course; which is defined as failing to complete an entire unit or missing two exams.
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.
**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 should first be directed to the instructor, then:
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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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1525 W. California St, Gainesville, TX
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-4267
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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