NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Texas Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2306

Section Number: 

0200

Semester/Year:

May-Mester 2020

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:

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

ISBN 978-1264031993  **  Must have Connect Access**

             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Donna (Hooper) Smith

Campus/Office Location:

COR 209

Telephone Number:

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

** I prefer students email me using the Canvas Course Email—Secondary is dhooper@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

9:30-10:50 AM

9:30-10:50AM

9:30-10:50 AM

9:30-10:50AM

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

4

Exams:  Unit I, II & III Exams & Research Assignment

40%

26

Class Assignments (CA):  Chapter Learn Smarts (MCGRAW HILL); Lecture Reviews;  learning activities and various chapter assignments

25%

9

Analysis Assignments (AA):  Research based chapter assignments

35%

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria--All due dates will be maintained in the Canvas Course Calendar.  This schedule provides a tentative layout of the course; however, changes can be made at any time to ensure the best learning environment.  As this is a government class, there are always current events that can guide the course.  Students are expected to be in class and to monitor the Canvas Calendar throughout the semester.)

** Detailed Course Calendar is posted at the end of the syllabus **

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 extra credit.

LearnSmart (Connect/McGraw Hill)-  For each chapter, students will be required to access the ebook and complete a series of questions from the reading to show mastering of learning outcomes of each chapter.

Exams:  The exam category will consist of three unit exams and a research assignment.  Make-up exams are not given; therefore, if a student misses an exam without making prior arrangements to take the exam early, a zero will be given.  Students need to make sure to be in class on scheduled exam days.

Late Work –Late assignments will not be accepted.  No assignments, research paper, quizzes, etc. will be re-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.  Students are free to make unlimited corrections and/or resubmission before the due date; however, after the due date has expired, no resubmissions/corrections will be accepted.

All Assignments must be typed and uploaded as a doc or docx document.  I will not grade assignments that have been handwritten.  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.

Announcements:  All course information will be posted as announcements.  I will post several announcements each week to remind you what is coming due and I will also give more details and suggestions on assignments.  It is very important that students read all announcements in full.  Students are encouraged to set the notifications to receive announcements as they are posted.

** I have posted the instructions on setting Notifications.  I strongly suggest you set those up for better success.

CONNECT ACCESS-  The textbook, Learn Smart, Chapter Quizzes, 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 through Canvas.  Temporary access can be used directly from Connect McGraw Hill from the first day of class.  Students must be enrolled within the first week of class, as assignments are due immediately.  Students who do not properly enroll in Connect will be dropped from the course.  Students will be given a warning by email and then dropped from the Course if the required materials are not purchased.

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).

Attendance will be taken daily Monday through Friday.  Students will be required to read the daily announcement and sign-in.  As this is a mini-mester course, students must be online daily during the week.  Attendance counts as an Analysis Assignment (AA) Grade.

 

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is June 1, 2020.

 

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

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

 

May-Mester 2020 * Course Calendar

Date

Chapter

Assignment

Due Date

Week 1

 

 

 

May  18 (Mon)

Classes Begin

Intro Unit

May 19th at 10am

 

 

Complete Intro to the Course Week 1 Module

CA:  Connect Orientation Videos

**AA:  Intro to the Course Quiz

** Students who do not meet Intro Module requirements by May 19th at 10am**

 

 

AA:  Student Intro Essay

May 19 at 11:59 pm

          19 (Tue)

Ch 1 Intro to Texas History & Politics

CA:  Chapter 1 LearnSmart

 

CA: Lecture/Chapter Review

 

**AA:  State Rep Assignment (Ch 2)

 

May 19 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 20  at 11:59pm

 

 

May 20  at 11:59pm

          20 (Wed)

Ch 2 Amer Federal System & Tx State Constitution

CA:  Chapter 2 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

**AA:  Texas Bill of Rights Assignment

May 20 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 21 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 24 at 11:59pm

 

          21 (Thur)

Chapter 3 The Texas Legislature

CA:  Chapter 3 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

**AA:  TX State House Member Inventory (Ch 3)

May 21  at 11:59 pm

 

 

May 22 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 27 at 11:59pm

          22 (Fri)

Chapter 4 The Executive Branch

CA:  Chapter 4 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

**AA:  Governor Veto Assignment (CH4)

May 22 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 23 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 24 at 11:59pm

Week 2

 

 

 

May  25 (Mon)

Exam I

**Exam I (Ch 1-4)

Exam opens Sunday 5/24 at 1am and closes on Monday 5/25 at noon

 

Chapter 5 The Court System

CA:  Chapter 5 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

May 25 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 26 at 11:59pm

 

 

          26 (Tue)

Chapter 6 The Criminal Justice System

CA:  Chapter 6 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

**Research Assignment:  Texas Exoneration

May 26 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 27 at 11:59pm

 

 

June 4 at 11:59pm

          27 (Wed)

Chapter 7 Local Governments

CA:  Chapter 7 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

**AA:  **Local Reps Assignment (Ch 7)

May 27 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 28 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 31 at 11:59pm

          28 (Thur)

Ch 9 Voting & Political Participation

CA:  Chapter 9 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

           

 

May 28 at 11:59pm

 

 

May 29 at 11:59pm

 

 

          29 (Fri)

Ch 10 Campaigns & Elections

CA:  Chapter 10 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

**AA:  ** Elections & Campaign Assign (Ch 9-12)

May 29 at 11:59pm

 

 

June 1 at 11:59pm

 

 

June 3 at 11:59pm

Week 3

 

 

 

June    1 (Mon)

Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”

 

 

 

Exam II

**Exam II (Ch. 5-7 & 9)

Exam opens Sunday 5/31 at 1am and closes on Monday 6/1 at noon

 

Ch11 Political Parties in Texas

CA:  Chapter 11 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

June 1 at 11:59pm

 

 

June 2 at 11:59pm

            2 (Tue)

12 Interest Groups & Lobbying in TX

CA:  Chapter 12 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

June 2 at 11:59pm

 

 

June 3 at 11:59pm

            3 (Wed)

13 Public Policy

CA:  Chapter 13 LearnSmart

June 3 at 11:59pm

            4 (Thur)

Chapter 14 Financing State Govt

CA:  Chapter 14 LearnSmart

 

CA:  Lecture/Chapter Review

 

June 4 at 11:59pm

 

 

June 4 at 11:59pm

            5 (Fri)

Final Exam

** Unit III - Final Exam (Ch 10-12 & 14)

Exam opens at 1am on 5/5 and closes at 11:59 pm

There are no Handouts for this set.