GOVT 2306 0409 - TEXAS GOVERNMENT (TX CONST TOPICS)

Introduction

Syllabus Spring 2020

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

 

Course Title:

Texas Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2306

Section Number: 

409

Semester/Year:

Spring 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:

The State of Texas Government, Politics, and Policy; 4th Edition; Sherri Mora; ISBN 978-1-259-91241-2 (bound edition)

 
             

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Holly Bell

Campus/Office Location:

Corinth

Telephone Number:

940-498-6293

E-mail Address:

hbell@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

GOVT 2305-403

11:00-12:20

GOVT 2305-409

9:30-10:50

 

GOVT 2306-409

11:00-12:20

GOVT 2305-403

11:00-12:20

GOVT 2305-409

9:30-10:50

 

GOVT 2306-409

11:00-12:20

 

GOVT 2305-403

11:00-12:20

GOVT 2305-409

9:30-10:50

 

GOVT 2306-409

11:00-12:20

GOVT 2305-403

11:00-12:20

GOVT 2305-409

9:30-10:50

 

GOVT 2306-409

11:00-12:20

 

 

 

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.

 

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 Point Values

3

Exams

100

1

Research Project

100

17

Quizzes/Chapter Assignments

100

3

Exams

100

 

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

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE  

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Week 1-6:

Pre-Test (Due: January 26, 2020)

Introduction Assignment (Due: January 26, 2020)

 

Ch 1   Introduction to Texas History and Politics

Ch 13 Public Policy in Texas

Ch 8   Public Opinion and the Media in Texas

Ch 2   The American Federal System and the Texas State Constitution

In-class quizzes per chapter will be given at the end of each chapter and will be announced the week prior.

______________________Exam 1 (Thursday, February 27, 8 am-Friday, February 28, 11:59 pm)

 

 

Week 6-10

Ch 11  Political Parties in Texas

Ch 9    Voting and Political Participation in Texas

Ch 10  Campaigns and Elections in Texas

Ch 12  Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas

In-class quizzes per chapter will be given at the end of each chapter and will be announced the week prior.

_______________________Exam 2 (Thursday, March 5, 8 am-Friday, March 6, 11:59 pm)

 

***RESEARCH QUIZ  DUE SUN,  March 29 at  11:59 pm

***RESEARCH PROJECTS  DUE SUN, April 5 at 11:59 pm

***RESEARCH DISCUSSION POST DUE SUN, April 12 at 11:59 pm

 

 

Week 11-17:

Ch 7 Local Governments in Texas

Ch 3 The Texas Legislature

Ch 4 The Texas Executive Department and the Office of the Governor of Texas

Ch 6 The Texas Justice System in Texas

Ch 5 The Court System in Texas

Special Lecture: Death Penalty PowerPoint

In-class quizzes per chapter will be given at the end of each chapter and will be announced the week prior.

_______________________Exam 3 (Thursday, May 7, 8 am-Friday, May 8, 11:59 pm)

***Makeup Exam (Monday, May 11, 11:00)

                           

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 _____04/03/2020__________.

 

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

o           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)]”. 

 

[Instructor-specific Academic Dishonesty Policy:

 

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

 

Syllabus File(s)

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