GOVT 2306 0580 - TEXAS GOVERNMENT (TX CONST TOPICS)

Introduction

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

March 30-May 16

 

 

Course Title: TEXAS GOVERNMENT: (MW) 9:30 AM-12:20 PM

Course Prefix & Number: GOVT2306

Section Number: 0580

Semester: Sprig 2020

Semester Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

FLM208

Lab Hours:

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

Recommended NOT REQUIRED

  • Supporting Books
  • Dictionary-Recommended
  • 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 209- Tutoring HOURS 6-pm-8:00 pm-Voluntary

Telephone Number:

Corinth: 940-498-6295 Ext. 6256

E-mail Address:

momane-boateng@nctc.edu

 

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

3

Post Chapter Selected Short Essay Discussions Written Assignments

100 Points

3

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

10

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

  1. Selected City Form of Government with Organizational Chart-15 points
  2. First Draft Drop In VeriCite 40 Point

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-45 points. See The Modules Rubric File

 Post Chapters Presentations Assessment Homework- 10 points per Chapter

 

Canvas Computed Attendance Grade

 

 

Random In Class Readiness Quizzes

 

Pre-Test-Non-Scoring Measures Students Knowledge I

Post-Test-Non-Scoring Measures Course Outcomes

100 points

 

 

 

 

 

100 points

 

100 points

100 points

 

Course Expected Aggregate Points-900 points

 

 

  • Spring Break March 16-March 29-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 don’t submit your assignments per the web-site/Internet. Except SEMESTER’S SIMULATION PROJECT WHICH WILL BE SUBMITTED ONLINE PER VERICITE DROP BOX LOCATED IN MODULES UNIT 2
  • 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 A Physician’s Official Note. Arrange With Your Professor For Readiness Make-Up Quizzes.

TENTATIVE CALENDER

COURSE OUTLINE AND OUTCOMES

Weekly Activities And Learning Outcomes

            Due Dates                              Activities

            Week 1

  • Wk. 1: Mar. 30-Syllabus Preview- See Home-page- Module Unit 1
  • Wk. 1:  Mar. 30-Public Policy Making Process in Texas-Textbook Chapter 13-Mora (2019)-Module Unit 2 Power Point Resource
  • Wk. 1:  Apr. 1-Readiness Quiz: Q1.-Chap. 13
  • WK. 1: Apr. 1-Mandatory Pre-Test-Go to Connect e-Book

Week 2

  • Wk. 2: Apr. 6-The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas: Chapter-1-Mora (2019)-Module Unit 2 Power Point Resource
  • Wk. 2: Apr. 8-Readiness Quiz 2.-Chap. 1
  • Wk. 2: Apr. 8-One Page Typed Written Assignment: LO-Explain U.S and Texas Political Cultures (Mora, 2019, pp.27-32). See Modules Unit 6 For Short Essay Rubric Guide

       Week 3

  • Wk. 3: Apr. 13-The Texas Constitution American Federal System-Chapter 2-Mora (2019) Dual, Cooperative, Devolution, Vertical, and Horizontal Federalism classification-Mora (2019) Module Unit 2 Power Point Resource
  • Wk. 3: Apr.  13-Readiness Quiz 3 on Chap. 2
  • Wk. 3: Apr.  15 Pre-Exam Quiz one Prepare for matching of terms, multiple choices, short essays, and fill-in-the-blanks questions. See Module Unit 3
  • Wk. 3: Apr. 15-Semester Project: “City Form Of Government And Organizational Chart” Outline-See Module Unit 5
  • Wk.  3: Apr.  15  Stage One 25 points: “My City Hall Trip-Visit Your Selected City and Collect Information on The Form of Government and Organizational Chart” See Module Unit 5 Rubric For The Outline Rubric City Government, Counties, School Districts, and Special Districts-Chapter 7- Mora (2019) Module Unit 2 Power Point Resource

Week 4

  • Wk. 4:  Apr. 20- - City Government, Counties, School Districts, and Special Districts-Chapter 7- Mora (2019) Module Unit 2 Power Point Resource
  • Wk. 4: Apr. 20- Readiness Quiz 4 on Chap. 7
  • Wk.  4: Apr. 22 Assessment-Chaps 1, 2, 8, 13 Go to Connect e-Book
  • Wk. 4:  Apr. 22-Exam 1 Learning Outcomes

         Due Dates                                 Activities

        Week 5

  • Wk. 5: Apr. 27- City Government, Counties, School Districts, and Special Districts-Chapter 7- Mora (2019) Module Unit 2 Power Point Resource
  • Wk. 5:  Apr. 27-Readiness Quiz 5-Chap. 7-Mora (2019) City Government
  • Wk. 5:  Apr. 27 -Stage 2 and Final Project Report-Unit 4 Drop Box 1-Before Editing
  • Wk. 5:  Apr. 29- Project Final Edit-See Module Unit 4 For Rubric Guidelines for Drop Box 2
  • Wk. 5: Apr. 29-Readiness Quiz 6-Chap. 7-Mora (2019) Counties, School Districts, and Special Districts
  • Wk. 5:  Apr. 29- Pre-Exam Quiz Two- Prepare for matching of terms, multiple choices, short essays, and fill-in-the-blanks questions.

Week 6

  • Wk. 6: My. 4- Exam 2- Learning Outcomes
  • Wk. 6: My. 4- Assessment-Chapt. 7
  • Wk. 6: My. 4- Public Opinion and the Media in Texas-Chapter 8 - Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 6: My. 4-Voting and Political Participation-Chapter 9 - Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 6: My. 6-Tele-Cast DVD Presenting “Last Man Standing, Politics, Texas Style.” Documentary Featuring: Politics and Elections, Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Political Campaigns
  • Wk. 6: My. 6-The Texas Legislature-Chapter 3- Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 6: My. 6- Readiness Quiz 8-Chap. 3-Texas Legislature Mora (2019

Due Dates                              Activities

Week 7

  • Wk. 7: My. 11-The Texas Legislature-Chapter 4- Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 7: My. 11- Readiness Quiz 8-Chap. 3-Texas Legislature Mora (2019
  • Wk. 7: My. 11-The Texas Executive Branch-Chapter 4- Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 7: My.  11- The Texas Judiciary, Court System and Justice-Chapter 5 Mora (2019
  • Wk. 7: My. 11-Readiness Quiz 9-Chap. 4-Mora (2019
  • Wk. 7: My. 11-Pre-Final Exam Quiz# Three- On chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 Mora (2019

Prepare for definitions of the key principles, multiple choices, and matching

  • Wk. 7: My. 13- Readiness Quiz 10-Chap. 5-Judiciary Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 7: My. 13- The Criminal Justice System and Policy of Texas State Government-Chapter-6 Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 7: My. 13-Post-Test-Mandatory
  • WK. 7: My. 13-Assessment-Chapt. 3, 4, 5, 6 Mora (2019)
  • Wk. 7:  My.  13-Final Exam-Learning Outcomes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

  • Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” Nov. 9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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)

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

  • Government/Political Science

         Social and Behavioral Sciences

         Component Area Option

 

 

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

 

  • Critical Thinking
  • Communication

         Empirical and Quantitative

 

         Teamwork

  • Personal Responsibility
  • Social Responsibility

 

COURSE TYPE

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

  • Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

         WECM Course

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Syllabus File(s)

Handouts list view Handouts card view