GOVT 2306 0341 - TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Introduction

Syllabus

GOVERNMENT 2306.341 – ONLINE COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Name

American State & Local Government

Semester & Year: Fall 2019

August 26 – December 14

Instructor’s Name & Office #

Joe Ialenti

Corinth, Room 200

Phone Number: (940) 498-6295

 

Office Hours

5:30-6:30 MTWTh

Or online

E-Mail: through Canvas ONLY

 

Catalog Description

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.     

 

 

Tentative Instructional Schedule

 (Subject to Change w/o Notice)

Assignment Dates/Blocks

Topics, Assignments, and Exams

Associated Chapters/

Power points

Grading

Module/Block I:

 

 

 

Introduction to Texas History and Politics; The American Federal System and the Texas State Constitution

 

 

Chapters 1-2

 

9/20-23

1st Exam

Chapters 1-2 /100 pts.

100 points

Module/Block II:

 

 

Public Opinion and the Media in Texas; Voting and Political Participation in Texas Voting and Elections in Texas, The Texas Legislature; The Executive Department and the Office of the Governor of Texas

Discussion Forum: Voting (9/26)

Chapters 3,4, 8,9,10

Forum: 50 pts.

Forum: 50 points

10/18-21

2nd Exam

Chapters 3.4.8.9.10/

100 pts.

100 points

Module/Block III:

 

The Court System in Texas; the Criminal Justice System in Texas; Discussion Forum: Death Penalty (11/7)

Chapters 5&6/

Forum: 50 pts

Forum: 50 points

11/14

Topic Paper due – Federalism

100 pts.

 

 

11/15-18

3rd Exam

Chapters 5&6/100 pts.

100 points

Module/Block IV:

Local Governments in Texas

 

Chapter 7

 

Module/Block V:

Policy Making: Health, Education, Budget;

Chapters 13,14

 

 12/8-11

Final Exam  (No make-up)

Chapters: 7, 13,14/100 pts.

100 points

12/8

Chapter Quizzes

10 points each

 

        

     If you fail to submit each and every course requirement, you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.

 

 

If you find any information which conflicts with the Syllabus, follow the Syllabus, but contact me immediately.

 

Grading Policy & Procedures
  • By enrolling in this class, you acknowledge that you have internet access and that such access is stable and reliable.
  • It is totally your responsibility to read and understand the Syllabus and other class documents.
  • It is your responsibility to know the Instructional Schedule
  • The Syllabus is the class’s control document. However, it is subject to changes made by the Instructor.
  • If you find any information which conflicts with the Syllabus, follow the Syllabus, but contact me immediately.
  • It is your responsibility to know how to navigate Canvas and any other software that is used in this class
  • It is your responsibility to access and study Canvas and any other course material.
  • It is your responsibility to frequently access class Announcements and e-mail.
  • It is your responsibility to frequently view your grades in the Grade Center.
  • Unless otherwise instructed, contact me only through Canvas mail.

 

Last day to drop is November 1, 2019.

 

You should check Announcements and e-mail each day.

 

If you fail to submit each and every course requirement, you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.

 

Pre/Posts Tests (not a course requirement)

 

If you take and submit both of these, then twenty (20) points will be added to your semester point total. All or nothing (Not a course requirement).

 

Your Instructional Modules/Blocks

 

This course is made up of five (5) Modules/Blocks each of which is illustrated by the Instructional Schedule (tentative) above. Each Module/Block’s Canvas material as well as Discussion Forums and Topic Papers are available to you from the first class day so that you can study, compose, and post ahead.

 

 

Make sure that you are aware of all due dates as stated in the Instructional Schedule.  

 

Due dates are firm.

Chapter Quizzes

 

There will be several quizzes in this course all due by December 8, 2019. You’ll find them under Assignments in Canvas. All quizzes are now open. Each quiz is worth 10 points and consists of 10 questions. You’ll have 20 minutes to take each quiz. Once you start a quiz you must complete it; you cannot start it, pause or exit it, and then return to it. The clock keeps running. Although these Quizzes all have a late semester due date, I suggest that you take each Quiz during their related Module/Block of study.

 

Topic Paper

 

There is a Topic Paper in this class for you to submit. Paper subjects and instructions are stated in Topic Papers in Canvas.

 

Discussion Forums

 

There will be several Discussion Forums located in Discussion Forums in Canvas. Each Forum will be open from the first day of class. However, each Forum has a due date. Participation in each requires that you post your comments about the topic (See About Discussion Forums in Canvas).

 

Forum posts are due by 11:59PM on their respective due dates.

 

These Forums will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of their topics and class material. Each Forum is worth up to 50 points.   

 

Exams

 

There will be four (4) Exams. The exams are located under the Assignments button. Exams are not comprehensive unless so noted by the Instructor. Exam questions can be generated by the textbook and Canvas material.

 

You will have four (4) days during which to access and submit each Exam and you’ll have 70 minutes to take each one. However, once you start an Exam you must complete it; you cannot start it, exit it, pause it, and then return to it. The clock keeps running.

 

Each Exam is worth a maximum of 100 points.   

 

Should you fail to take an exam when scheduled, you will be required to come to the Corinth Campus the week before final exams to take a make-up exam in the Testing Center if I okay it after you explain why and I accept that explanation. Make-up exam questions, number, and type may vary from the online exam you missed. It is your responsibility to learn from the Testing Center about its processes and procedures.

 

You must contact me no later than the day after the missed exam’s closing.

 

There is no make-up for the Final Exam

 

Unless otherwise stated in the assignment and with the exception of Forums, all course requirements must be submitted by 11:59PM (Canvas’s clock) on their respective due dates.

 

Grading

 

To calculate your percentage grade at any point in the semester, simply divide the number of points have earned by the number of points you could have earned to that point in the semester.

 

90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D ; 0-59% = F

 

If you fail to submit each and every course requirement, you will receive a semester grade of F regardless of any points accumulated.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students 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.

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

 

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

 

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 assignment missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when an assignment is due should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the assignment.  A 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.

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy: NA

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 1, 2019.

 

Participation is essential for online classes and such participation is up to you. Some students are not suited for online course success because they require a campus to drive to and a classroom to sit in with their classmates and a visible instructor to help provide motivation. Thus, it can be easy for students to procrastinate and to put off completing assignments. As a result, some students find themselves in a self-imposed time squeeze that results in their submission of a sub-par product or no submission at all.

 

The great majority of students do what’s required of them. To accommodate students who don’t is unfair to those who do. Well, I insist on maintaining a level playing field for all students. So, don’t put off assignments, do what you are supposed to do, learn, and achieve success.

 

You should check Announcements and e-mail each day. That’s how and where any class-related changes, advisories, and my comments will be posted. However, I may elect to use either Announcements or e-mail depending on certain factors. So, check them both. Remember, Canvas records all of your online activity. Conversely, it reveals your lack of activity also.

 

All Forums must be submitted by their due dates unless otherwise stated. Canvas has an internal clock and calendar it is the one which I go by. So, give yourself plenty of lead time.

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.

 

 

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, and 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. 

 

 

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

 

 

This Syllabus is subject to change by the Instructor with little or no notice.

Syllabus File(s)

There are no Handouts for this set.