NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Texas Government
Course Prefix & Number:		GOVT2306	Section Number:	0323	Semester/Year:	Summer II 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

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Travis Cooper
Campus/Office Location:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	tacooper@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1:00-2:30PM		1-2:30PM

 

 

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
14	Quizzes	280 pts
10	Discussion Boards	100 pts
1	Pre-Paper Assignment	50 pts
1	Research Paper Assignment	100

 

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

 

 

Class Conferences:

Class conferences will be held in the Canvas Virtual Conference Room on Monday-Thursday at 1:00pm.  These conferences will be recorded and available at the end of the conference.   If students are unable to attend the conferences, they may email to schedule an alternative web conference which may be attended by other students as needed.

 

Modules:

Each module must be completed in order.  Modules will not open until students have completed the proceeding module.  Some modules will include required homework assignments to pass through them modules.  These assignments can be taken as many times as necessary to pass through the module.  Homework grades do not count towards the final course grade.

 

Module Quizzes:

There are 14 module quizzes each worth 20 points. 

 

Module Discussion Board Posts:

There will be a total of 10 discussion board posts.  Each discussion post must be at least 200 words in length and fully address the discussion prompt.  Students must also submit a substantive response of at least 50 words to at least one other student.   Each discussion board assignment is worth 10 points

 

 

Paper Assignment:

Students must submit a 5 page written assignment.  Research a current political/government issue in Texas.  Provide background information to explain the importance of the chosen topic, explain why it is important for citizens to care about this topic, and provide a possible resolution that works within current legal and political limitations in Texas.

 

The students will submit their topic, thesis, and at least three sources they intend to use by July 31^st.  Final papers are due August 17^th.  All papers must be at least 5 complete pages and include and additional works cited page.  Papers should include at least 5 credible sources and in-text citations.  Citations may be in MLA, APA, or Chicago style.

 

Thesis assignment is worth 50 points.

 

Final paper is worth 100 points.

 

 

 

FINAL EXAM      

                                                                    

Online Assignment Due Dates: August 19^th

 

 

 

 

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)

Additional Instructor-specific Absence Policy:

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is _______________.

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

 

X            Critical Thinking

X           Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

X              Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility