GOVT2306_0404_Texas Government

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

August 26-December 14

 

 

Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT: (MW) 2:00 PM-3:20 PM

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306

Section Number: 404

Semester: Fall 19

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

COR-R364

Lab Hours: Tutoring Case Study Analysis And Semester’s Simulation Project:4:00 pm-6:00 pm (MW: RM364)

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:

Mora, Sherri.  The State of Texas.  4th edition (2019). McGraw Hill Publishing.

ISBN 978-1264031993

  • Supporting Books
  • Dictionary-Recommended
  • Champagne-Harpham. Governing Texas. Third edition. Norton. paperback w/eBook folder
  • ISBN: 9780393283679 (Available in the College Library for Reference)
  • Tannahill, N. (2011). Texas Government: Policy and Politics. (11, Ed). Pearson and Longman. (Available in the College Library for Reference)

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Moses Omane-Boateng

Campus/Office Location:

Econ & Govt. Dept.: Corinth (RM 313)

Office Hrs.: (MW): 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Special Library/Classroom 364- Tutoring HOURS 4-pm-6:00 pm

Telephone Number:

Corinth: 940-498-6295 Ext. 6256

E-mail Address:

momane-boateng@nctc.edu/kwadwo@yahoo.com

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

 

Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.

 

Describe the 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.

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

Percentage or Points Values

3

Three Exams

300 Points

3

Three Pre-Exam Quizzes: Quiz# 1-33 points; Quiz# 2-33 points; and Quiz # 3-34 points.

100 Points

2

Case Study Analysis: One National Constitutional and State of Texas Civil Cases-Research Study

100 Points 50/50

2

 

 

 

 

10

 

10

“City Form Of Government And Organizational ChartExample- City of Denton: The Semester’s Mixed Qualitative and Quantitative Research Project.

  1. Selected City Form of Government with Organizational Chart-25 points

II- Final Report on the (1) The City’s Election System and Process; (2) The Mayor and The Council’s Roles in The City Government and (3) The Recent Capital Project-75 points. See The Modules Rubric File

 Post Chapters Presentations Homework Assignments- 10 points per Chapter

Canvas Computed Attendance Grade

 

Random In Class Readiness Quizzes

100 points

 

 

 

 

100 points

100 points

100 points

 

Course Expected Aggregate Points-900 points

 

 

  • NOTE: THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS-NOVEMBER 27-30-Best Wishes

 

 

 

 

GRADING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

 

TOTAL POINTS EARNED MEASURED BY PERCENTILE LEVEL ARE:

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

NOTE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES CAREFULLY

Students will make corrections on homework assignments Chapters 1-7 for extra credit to reinforce the chapter’s fundamental power points presentations CONCEPTS.

  • Late and Missing assignments will be subject to a 10-point Penalty deduction-After The One Day (1) Grace Period
  • You have One (1) Day Grace Period to Complete All Late and Missing Assignments. Please, Tardiness is Unacceptable
  • Please do not submit your assignments per the web-site/Internet.
  • All Assignments MUST Be Typed and submitted in class

Make-Ups

  • Rare instances are make-ups given. If you know in advance you will be absent on a test date, you may make a special arrangement with your professor for the Make-Up Quizzes/Exams. All Make-Up Exams without Prior Permission Are subject To the Department Chair’s Endorsement or a Physician’s Official Note. Arrange With Your Professor For Readiness Make-Up Quizzes.

TENTATIVE CALENDER

COURSE OUTLINE AND OUTCOMES

TEST 1-Oct. 2: Learning Outcomes

  • The Stages of the Policymaking Process: Introduction-Tannahill (2011) and Public Policy in Texas-Textbook Chapter 13
  • Introduction To Texas History And Politics-Chapter 1
  • The American Federal System And The Texas State Constitution-Chapter 2
  • Public Opinion And The Media In Texas-Chapter 8
  • Case Study: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), Champagne & Harpham (2017), pp. 27, 100 & 407. See Case Study Written Assignment Guidelines: Due: Sept. 18
  • Pre-Exam Quiz 1 Due: Sept. 25 Prepare for matching of terms, multiple choices, short essays, and fill-in-the-blanks questions.
  • Post Chapter Assignments Sept. 25

Readiness Quizzes: Q1.-Chap. 1-Sept 4, Q2.-Chap. 2-Sept. 11, Q3.-Chap. 3-Sept 18

  • Semester Project: “City Form Of Government And Organizational Chart

Stage One 25 points:My City Hall Trip-City Form of Government and Organizational Chart” See the Module Unit 2 Rubric for Guidelines-Sept. 11th.

Stage 2 and Final Project Report-Due: Nov. 18 Drop Box 1-Before Editing

See Module Unit 3 for Rubric Guidelines: Nov. 20 Drop Box 2 After The Final Edited Paper

TEST 2—Oct. 30-Learning Outcomes

  • City Government, Counties, School Districts, and Special Districts-Chapter 7
  • Case Study: Ruiz v. Estelle (1972) pp. 62, 395 & 397- Tannahill (2011 & 2013) and Champagne & Harpham (2015) pp. 436-438. See Case Study Assignment Guidelines: Due: Oct. 16.
  • Pre-Exam Quiz 2 Due: Oct. 23. Prepare for matching of terms, multiple choices, short essays, and fill-in-the-blanks questions on Chapters 11 and 12-Tannahill (2011 & 2013) and Mora, Sherri (2019), Chapter 7, p. 231.
  • Post Chapter Assignments Oct. 23
  • The second mid-term exams will include all the quizzes, practice assignments, Textbook Chapter 7 and Tannahill’s Chapters 11 and 12 Presentations.
  • Readiness Quizzes: Q4.-Chap. 7-City Govt.-Oct. 2; Q5.-Chap. 7-City Govt.-Oct. 28; Q6.-Chap. 7-Counties, Schools, and Special Districts Due: Oct. 30-Take Home

Final Exams-College Final Exams Schedule

  • Tele-Cast DVD Presenting “Last Man Standing, Politics, Texas Style.” Documentary Featuring: Politics and Elections, Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Political Campaigns-Nov. 7-Midterm 2018 Elections-Congress, States, and Local Governments Due: Nov.16
  • Voting and Political Participation-9
  • Political Parties In Texas-Chapter 11
  • The Texas Legislature-Chapter-3
  • The Executive Branch Department And The Office Of  The Governor Texas-Chapter-4
  • The Texas Judiciary, Courts System, and Justice-Chapter-5
  • The Criminal Justice System and Policy of Texas State Government-Chapter-6
  • Financing State Government of Texas-Chapter-14
  • Pre-Final Exam Quiz# 3 Due: Dec. 4- On all the above four chapters 6, 7, 8, 9. 11, & 13
  • Post Chapter Assignments Nov. 25
  • Prepare for definitions of the key principles, multiple choices, and matching of the chapter's terms. Use your exams study guides to prepare for this final quiz.
  • Readiness Quizzes: Q7.-Chap. 3-Nov. 11; Q8.-Chap. 4-Nov 18; Q9.-Chap. 5-Nov. 25; Q10.-Chap. 6-Dec. 4.

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

 

 

Academic Dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course.  You are not to give any person (which includes parents, spouses, friends, etc.) access to your Canvas account at any time during the semester.  If you do, you are putting the integrity of the course work completed in question.  Do not ask someone to email me on your behalf in Canvas.  If you have an emergency and cannot contact me yourself, it is best to have an alternative persona contact me on my office phone Corinth: 940-498-6295_ or my NCTC email address: momane-boateng@nctc.edu or kwadwo@yahoo.com.  Again, do not give anyone access to your Canvas account.  Any student who cheats on any course material (exams, assignment, and posttests) will immediately fail the course and academic dishonesty papers will be filed with the Dean and VP of Instruction.

 

  1. Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” Nov. 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

 

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered 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)

Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

Absence does not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

 

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA


         Communication

         Mathematics               

         Life and Physical Science

         Language, Philosophy & Culture

         Creative Arts

 

         American History

  1. Government/Political Science

         Social and Behavioral Sciences

         Component Area Option

 


REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES


  1. Critical Thinking
  2. Communication

         Empirical and Quantitative

 

         Teamwork

  1. Personal Responsibility
  2. Social Responsibility


COURSE TYPE

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

  1. Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

         WECM Course

 

Disability Services (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability.  A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction-reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

 

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration (100) Building or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

 

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx  

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook

Support Services

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

 

 Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO, which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

 

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

 

EEOC Statement

Counseling and Testing staff offer a variety of services to current and prospective students, such as College 101, placement testing, academic advising and course registration, transfer assistance, and College Success seminars (Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration), and much more.  http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/CounselingTesting.aspx

 

 Student Success offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, free 24/7 online tutoring through Grade Results and assist new students acclimate to college by providing computer lab services for prospective students.   First generation students can also participate in TRIO, which offers specialized support services.

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices.aspx

 

Financial Aid offers financial resources for students that qualify, visit the financial aid offices for more information.  http://www.nctc.edu/FInancialAidHome.aspx

Specific Conduct Regulations/Restrictions as found in NCTC Catalog 2017-18, page 266-267

 

Violations of the Student Code of Conduct shall include aiding, abetting, conspiring, soliciting, inciting of, or attempting to commit the following:

1. Academic Dishonesty:

a. Cheating:

 (1) Copying from or reviewing another student’s examination prior to or during the examination.

(2) Copying from another student’s paper, laboratory report, presentation, computer program, or other assignment.

(3) Using or possessing unauthorized notes, books, test materials, electronic devices, or other aids in any academic exercise or activity.

(4) Submitting the same paper, report, or other assignment for more than one course without the expressed permission of the faculty member.

(5) Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.

(6) Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of a paper, another assignment, or test, whether it has been administered or not.

(7) The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of a test, whether it has been administered or not.

(8) Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.

(9) Bribing another person to obtain a test or information about a test, whether it has been administered or not.

b. Plagiarism:

(1) Appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it into one’s own written work.

(2) Copying or using the ideas, writings, paraphrases, data, reports, graphic designs, or computer codes of published or unpublished work of another person without appropriate citation or acknowledgments.

(3) Reproducing or using the ideas, materials, works, paraphrases, data, reports, graphic designs, or computer codes prepared by another person or agency without authorization, permission or acknowledgment.

c. Collusion: Unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements including a presentation, laboratory report, quiz, homework, take-home examination, project, or other work expected to be completed as an individual or independently.

d. Academic Falsification:

(1) Providing false, altered, or fabricated information or documentation in the context of an academic assignment, examination, or obligation, such as creating a false source for an assignment or citing a source one did not use.

(2) Altering grades on an assignment, examination, laboratory report, quiz, or other academic work and submitting such to a faculty member or College District employee.

(3) Using false or altered information, data, or identification in the context of an academic obligation.

e. Intellectual Property Dishonesty:

(1) Altering, removing, or defacing College District library or educational materials.

(2) Selling, electronically posting, publishing, or distributing course lecture notes, handouts, recordings, or other materials or information from the faculty member of the course without the expressed permission of the faculty member.

(3) Removing or intentionally damaging the academic property of a faculty member or another student, including projects, books, papers, notes, laboratory assignments, clinical forms, or electronic hardware or software.

(4) Obtaining or using the password of a faculty member or another student to access course hardware or software.

(5) Taking credit on a group assignment when one did not contribute toward completion of the assignment.

(6) Violating the ethical standards of practices in professional programs (i.e., health sciences, nursing, emergency medical assistance, and the like).

f. Academic Dishonesty Facilitation: Assisting any person in the commission of academic misconduct, including but not limited to:

(1) Aiding, abetting, or attempting to commit an academic misconduct violation.

(2) Allowing another student to copy or use one’s answers during an examination or in the completion of an assignment.

 (3) Taking, completing, or attempting to take an examination or complete assignment for another student.

(4) Listing another student on a group assignment when the student did not contribute in any manner toward completion of the assignment.

 

 

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS8                                                                                                   

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:

1525 W. California St., Gainesville, Texas

 

Telephone Number:

940-668-4267

 

E-mail Address:

bking@nctc.edu

 

 

 

 

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