Syllabus

GOVT 2306 0502 - TEXAS GOVERNMENT

Introduction

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

TR 11am – 12:20pm in Room #202

Course Title:	American State & Local Government
Course Prefix & Number:		GOVT2306	Section Number:	502	Semester/Year:	Fall 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 or Recommended Course Materials: Mora, Sherri. The State of Texas: Government, Politics & Policy. 4^th edition. McGraw Hill Publishing, with CONNECT Access code. ISBN 978-1264031993

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Kevin Davis
Campus/Office Location:	Flower Mound / Room #107 – Cubicle #4
Telephone Number:	972-899-8410
E-mail Address:	kdavis@nctc.edu

OFFICE HOURS

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9am to 10:30am	1pm to 3pm	9am to 10:30am	1pm to 3pm	1pm to 4pm
(online)	(online)	(online)	(online)	(online)
3pm to 4pm		3pm to 4pm
(online)		(online)

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide 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
14	Smart Books Chapter Reviews	5 pts / 70 pts
10	Weekly Participation Assignments	10 pts / 100 pts
1	Debate	50 pts
2	Pre Test & Post Test	5 pts / 10 pts
2	Research Papers	50 pts / 100 pts
2	Midterm Exams	100 pts / 200 pts
1	Final Exam	100 pts

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

Completed Smart Book Chapter Reviews will get full credit IF you spend the time to complete them by due date. Quiz grades will depend on how well you know the chapters. Combined, this is about 20% of your grade, so DON'T ignore it! There are no make-ups for Smart Books!

Participation Assignments are due every week and are pretty much all or nothing. If you are late, it is two points off every day.

Debates will occur most weeks, except for weeks with exams. There will be a choices posted, and you can email me your top three choices and if you want to participate in an extra debate for Extra Credit. More info below.

Three short research papers will be due. More info below.

Exams will be 100 points each and count for just over one-third of your grade!

These are multiple choice exams of 50 questions. There will be a few extra questions for extra credit, but it will all come out of your book, which is what the notes are from, and the questions from the Study Guide. Any question left blank will be wrong, so make your best guess if you don’t know the answer.

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.

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)

Regular attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered. 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.

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 2, 2020.

This is a TENTATIVE Schedule which is subject to change W/O notice due to inclement weather, power outages, or other unforeseen events.

August 24^th – First Day of Class

September 7^th – Labor Day Holiday – All Campuses CLOSED

September 25^th – Smart Books Unit #1 - Due by 11:59pm

September 29^th – First Midterm Exam - Module #1 – Introduction & Chapters 1-4

October 2^nd – Research Paper #1 due through CANVAS by 11:59pm.

October 30^th – Smart Books Unit #2 - Due by 11:59pm

November 3^rd – Second Midterm Exam - Module #2 - Chapters 5-9

November 2^nd – Last Day to Withdraw from Course.

November 6^th – Research Paper #2 due through CANVAS by 11:59pm.

November 25^th – 29^th – Thanksgiving Holiday – All Campuses CLOSED

December 4^th – Research Paper #3 due through CANVAS by 11:59pm.

December 6^th – Final Smart Books Unit #3 - Due by 11:59pm

December 8^th – Final Exam - Module #3 - Chapters 10-14

If you cannot meet these dates/deadlines, then drop this course.

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)]”.

Smart Books is due by the Due Date and no late work is accepted, since it is hosted off site.

Participation Assignments can be accepted late through CANVAS, but there will be a 2-point penalty for every day that it is late.

Research papers can be accepted late through CANVAS, but there will be a loss of 5 pts per day.

Debates are an individual grade except for the last 10 points, which is assigned by secret ballot for the whole group. Whoever “wins” the debate gets the last 10 points.

Exams are administered in class on the dates assigned. If you cannot make that date, we can make other arrangements, depending. open for 2 days, there will be no make-ups, except for some sort of technical malfunction, or serious medical problem, and even then, ONLY with a Doctor’s Note.

E-mail your instructor IMMEDIATELY if there are any problems with anything.

DO NOT send e-mails asking to turn in your work, attach it to your e-mail and send it ASAP. The longer you wait, the more points you lose.

Grades will post within 3 days of assignment closing, except for research papers, which can take up to 7 days, assuming there is no intervening factor that occurs.

STUDENT 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

Completion Center offers academic coaching, tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab 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

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

Name of Division Chair:	Adam Ramsey
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus, Room 814
Telephone Number:	940-668-7731, ext. 4925
E-mail Address:	aramsey@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:	Dr. Bruce King
Office Location:	Gainesville Campus
Telephone Number:	940-498-6464
E-mail Address:	bking@nctc.edu

Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

Temporary COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

Faculty will:

Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

Students should:

Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During this period, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.

Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?

DONALD TRUMP: I've been told by my many sources, good sources - they're very good sources - that the chicken crossed the road. All the Fake News wants to do is write nasty things about the road, but it's a really good road. It's a beautiful road. Everyone knows how beautiful it is.

JOE BIDEN: Why did the chicken do the...thing in the...you know the rest?

SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because, gosh-darn it, he's a maverick!

BARACK OBAMA: Let me be perfectly clear, if the chickens like their eggs they can keep their eggs. No chicken will be required to cross the road to surrender her eggs. Period.

AOC: Chickens should not be forced to lay eggs! This is because of corporate greed! Eggs should be able to lay themselves.

HILLARY CLINTON: What difference at this point does it make why the chicken crossed the road?

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road or not. The chicken is either with us or against us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken.

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he is acting by not taking on his current problems before adding any new problems.

ANDERSON COOPER: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: To cross the road or not cross the road… THAT, is the question.

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

[Copied from another source.]

Debates:

Every student should participate in at least one debate. (Students may elect to participate in a second debate for extra points, but points will only be added if their side “wins” the debate.) We will register for debates the first week of classes, and each student can choose which side to represent on the debate; Pro or Con. (Debate slots are filled based on first-come, first-serve. Extra credit sign-ups will be available after everyone has had a chance.)

The debate is worth 50 points towards your final grade, and points are assigned as follows:

10 points – Argued your own side and gave at least five valid responses.

12 points – Cited facts/research during debate from 4 or more sources.

6 points – Did not “bait” or ask direct questions of your opponents.

12 points – Opened/Closed or was especially vocal.

10 points – Won debate according to secret ballot election results.

(At the end of each debate, the electorate (those in class) will vote on which team did the better job defending their topic. Winner of the secret ballot election gets 10 points, the losers do not. A tie will result in BOTH sides receiving 5 points.)

Students can sign up and participate in a second debate for extra credit. If you are on the winning side, you are awarded an extra 10 points. Those on the losing side, who try, get 1 to 5 points, depending upon your participation. Those who lose, and do not try, get no points.

GOVT 2305 – Research Papers – Fall, 2020

Here is your chance to practice writing formal Research Papers, which will consist of two 1000 to 1200-word essays from the assigned topics listed below. Please choose your words carefully and make sure your paper is no longer than 1400 words with your citations. Put your name at the top, skip a line and then start writing. Be sure to focus on relevant information and not extraneous personal information like exact birth dates, siblings, pets, mother’s/father’s occupation, etc.

Here is a good place to find source material: https://www.nctc.edu/library/research-help/subject-guides/government.html

Make sure your discussion is significant to the topic at hand and researches/discusses both sides of each issue. In your conclusion, discuss your own opinions on the subject; for or against, etc. and justify that conclusion!

Make sure to cite ALL your quotes and use APA or MLA format for citations/sources. Failure to cite your quotes is plagiarism, and you will be counted off for that. Also, do not cite more than 10%, or 100 words, of your paper. Using encyclopedias and encyclopedic websites (about.com or wikipedia.com), or grade school websites, will count against you! Do NOT quote your instructor or textbook. This is supposed to be OUTSIDE research, so make good use of the books, magazines, journals, reports, and government/education websites.

Each paper or project is worth 50 points towards your final grade, and paper points are assigned as follows:

5 points – Is the length correct?

12 points – Covered subject matter w/o grammatical, spelling, or sentence errors?

10 points – Is there a conclusion? Was it a high-quality conclusion?

8 points – 4 or more “good” sources? (You will lose points for using wikipedia.com, about.com, or any encyclopedic site, as a source. You also lose points for using your textbook or instructor as a source.)

15 points – Quality of your paper. (Answers the questions, sticks to subject, no excessive quoting, no awkward spots, and has good flow?)

Papers will be submitted through Canvas by 11:59pm on the day it is due. If you miss the deadline, you can e-mail it to me, but I will deduct 5 points for EVERY day that it is late. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure YOUR paper is submitted by the deadline.

Paper #1 Due October 2^nd – Governor Abbott has mandated that Elementary, Junior High and High Schools open as scheduled? Do you think public schools should open back up with face-to-face classes, or do you think on-line is best? What precautions are being taken? Do you think those precautions will be effective and keep students and teachers safe? What will they do if students or teachers come down with COVID-19?

Do you think opening up the schools again is a good idea? Why or why not?

Although your conclusion is your opinion, be careful NOT to use “I” or “we.” Personal pronouns are not to be used in a formal research paper, which this is, even though it is a bit short. Just say it like you mean it, and it is a fact.

Paper #2 Due November 6^th – We have a Presidential Election this year, but we are also voting for a U.S. Senate seat. John Cornyn, the Republican incumbent is up against M.J. Hegar, the Democratic challenger. What do you know about these two? What issues are they passionate about, and what is their stance on those issues?

Look at both candidates, and even a Third Party candidate, then tell me which do you think will serve Texas best, and why? There is no wrong answer here as long as you justify that answer.

Paper #3 Due December December 6^th – What are your thoughts about Mail-In Voting, and voting in general? President Trump says mail-in voting would lead to “massive voter fraud.” Do you think it can be done without massive voter fraud, or is he correct? Everyone agrees there is always some voter fraud. I guess the real question is how much fraud is acceptable? What is the definition of “massive voter fraud?”

Governor Abbott searched for Voter Fraud for 8 years as Attorney General, but found less than 10 cases of voter fraud, and only 2 of those cases would have been stopped by Voter ID. Yet he still contends that voter fraud is running rampant in Texas.

Should we tighten up restrictions to prevent 10 fraudulent votes, even if those tightened restrictions prevent thousands of legal Texas voters from voting? Is that the right way to do it? What are the current rates of voter fraud? Are they bad enough that we need more restrictions? What is an acceptable rate of voter fraud?

Texas Leaders have said NO to mail-in voting due to COVID concerns, so Texans will have to physically show up at the polls. Will this affect if you vote, or how you vote? Discuss…

If you have any questions, please ask!

Grading Scale: 680 total points possible

A = 606+ pts B = 605 – 538 pts C = 537 – 470 pts D = 469 – 402 pts F = 401 or less

Helpful Phone #’s for Flower Mound:

Admissions: 972-899-8430

Business Office: 972-899-8403

Counseling: 972-899-8412

Financial Aid: 972-899-8400

FM Director: 972-899-8408

Library: 972-899-8413

Testing: 972-899-8335

Technical Problems?

- The Connect website address: http://connect.mheducation.com (shortcut: mhhm.com)
- The Customer Experience Group: The Customer Experience Group is your “just in time” contact for tech support and one-off questions that need immediate attention. This team can address questions such as how to extend a due date, how to view a student’s grade, how to change assignment policies, etc.

- - https://mhedu.force.com/CXG/s - You will find the Platform Status Center here, which lets you know if there is a Connect disruption and when/for how long it occurred.
  - 800-331-5094
  - Their hours of operation [Eastern]:

Sunday 12pm – 12am
Mon-Thurs 24 hours
Friday 12am - 9pm
Saturday 10am - 8pm

Kevin Davis: 972-899-8410

Email: kdavis@nctc.edu

Address:

NCTC – Flower Mound
Attn: Kevin Davis

1200 Parker Square
Flower Mound, Texas 75028

Syllabus File(s)

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