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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
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Course Title:
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Texas Government
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Course Prefix & Number:
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GOVT2306
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Section Number:
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690
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 20 8wk Hybrid
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Semester Credit Hours:
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3
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Lecture Hours:
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3
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Lab Hours:
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0
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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.
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Course Prerequisite(s): None
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Required Course Materials:
Mora, Sherri. The State of Texas. 4th edition. McGraw Hill Publishing.
ISBN 978-1264031993
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Jeremy Brannon
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Campus/Office Location:
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DNX. Office hours will be held online due to COVID-19
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E-mail Address:
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jbrannon@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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2-4PM
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2-4PM
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STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)
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At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.
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Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
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Analyze the state and local election process.
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Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
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GRADING CRITERIA
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# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Percentage or Point Values
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2
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Exams
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200
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2
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Pre-Test & Post-Test
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20
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14
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Textbook Quizzes
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280
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1
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Paper
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200
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1
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Attendance
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100
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1
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Legislative Simulation
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50
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1
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Constitution Project
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50
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1
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Group Policy Project
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100
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
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Week
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Topics
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Assignments
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1: Oct 21
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Ch. 1 Introduction to Texas
Ch. 2 Texas Constitution
Federalism
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Pre-Test
Ch. 1 Quiz
Ch. 2 Quiz
Constitution Project (in-class)
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2: Oct 28
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Ch. 3 Texas Legislature
Ch. 4 Texas Executive
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Ch. 3 Quiz
Ch. 4 Quiz
Leg. Simulation (in-class)
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3: Nov 4
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Ch. 5 Texas Judiciary
Ch. 6 Texas Criminal Justice System
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Ch. 5 Quiz
Ch. 6 Quiz
Exam 1
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4: Nov 11
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Ch. 8 Public Opinion & Media
Ch. 9 Voting and Participation
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Ch. 8 Quiz
Ch. 9 Quiz
Debate (in-class)
Papers
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5: Nov 18
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Ch. 11 Texas Political Parties
Ch. 10 Texas Elections
Ch. 12 Interest Groups
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Ch. 11 Quiz
Ch. 10 Quiz
Ch. 12 Quiz
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6: Nov 25
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Thanksgiving Break
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7: Dec 2
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Ch. 14 Public Finance
Ch. 13 Public Policy
Ch. 7 Local Government
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Ch. 14 Quiz
Ch. 13 Quiz
Ch. 7 Quiz
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8: Dec 9
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Final Exam
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Post-Test
Exam 2
Group Policy Project Presentations at 7PM Wed
All late work is due by the end of the day on Dec 9th
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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 _____Nov 23, 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
o Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
o WECM Course
Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and published online.
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)]”.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Adam Ramsey
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 814
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-7731, ext. 4925
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E-mail Address:
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aramsey@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Dr. Bruce King
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Office Location:
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316 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201
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Telephone Number:
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940-380-2504
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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