North Central Texas College Syllabus Spring 2021
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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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0346
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Semester/Year:
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Spring 2021
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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’s “The State of Texas” (4th ed.). With Connect Access
LINK ACCESS
https://connect.mheducation.com/class/k-stewart-texas-government-2306-winter-term-2020_1 (Links to an external site.)
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Follow the link to the Online Book The Online Content is Mandatory |
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Name of Instructor:
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Karen Stewart
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth Room 201
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6295 Personal 940-597-9110
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E-mail Address:
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kstewart@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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Virtual 1-2
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Virtual 1-5
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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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1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.
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2. Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
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3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
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4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
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6. Analyze the state and local election process.
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7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens
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8. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
GRADING CRITERIA
Final Exam 100 Points Governors Paper 75 Points
10 Quizzes 120 Points Attendance Up to 20 Points
10 Discussions 135 Points Pre & Post Test must be taken they are worth 5 each!
Issues Facing Texas Worksheet 25 Points Powers of the Texas Govt. 25 Points
Class is worth 500 Points
Grades are Based on the Following
500-450= A 449-399=B 398-348=C 347-297=D
Below 296=F
Attendance for the class is based on the following:
Time logged into class, I can run a report and see how much time each student has been in the class shell in Canvas.
10 Hours and above =20 Points
7-9 Hours = 15 Points
4-6 Hours= 10 Points
Anything below 4 = 5 Points
There is no face to face time required. I will set up a Zoom call in the future, but those are strictly volunteer
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 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:
As an online student you are expected to spend time in class everyday. Because this is a quick semester, a few weeks, things will move quickly.
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” March 20.
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
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)]”.
Grades
It is your responsibility to keep up with your grades through CANVAS. Know where your grade stands at all times in the class.
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
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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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1500 North Corinth St, Corinth, TX 76208-5408
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6464
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E-mail Address:
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bking@nctc.edu
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Tentative Course Calendar: The instructor has the right to amend when needed
Week 1
January 19
Module 1
Chapter 1 Intro to Texas History and Politics
Chapter 2 American Federal System
Quiz Chapter 1 Online 15 Points Due Jan 24th
Discussion Post 15 Points Due Jan 24th
Week 2
January 25
MODULE 2
Chapter 3 The Texas Legislature
Discussion Post 15 Points Due Jan 31
Week 3
Feb 1st
Module 3
Chapter 4 The Executive in Texas
Powers of Texas Govt. 25 Points Due Feb 7th
Week 4
Feb 8
Module 4
Chapter 5 The Court System in Texas
Quiz Chapter 5 Online 15 Points Due Feb 14th
Discussion Post 15 Points Due Feb 14th
Week 5
Feb 15th
Module 5
Chapter 6 The Criminal Justice System
Issues Facing Texas 25 Points Due Feb 21
Week 6
Feb 22nd
Module 6
Chapter 7 Local Governments
Punishment for the Crime Worksheet 20 Points Due Feb 28th
Discussion Post 15 Points Due Feb 28th
Week 7
March 1st
Module 7th
Chapter 8 Public Opinion and the Media
Quiz Chapter 8 Online 15 Points Due March 7th
Discussion Post 15 Points Due March 7th
Week 8
March 8
Module 8
Governors of Texas 75 Points Due March 14th
Week 9
March 22nd
MODULE 9
Chapter 9 Voting and Political Participation
Quiz Chapter 9 Online 15 Points Due March 28th
Discussion 15 Points Due March 28th
Week 10
March 29th
Module 10
Chapter 10 Campaigns and Elections
Quiz Chapter 10 Online 15 Points Due April 4th
Week 11
April 5th
Module 11
Chapter 11 Political Participation
Discussion Post 15 Points Due April 11th
Week 12
April 12th
Module 12
Chapter 12 Interest Groups
Quiz Chapter 12 Online 15 Points Due April 18th
Week 13
April 19th
Module 13
Chapter 13 Public Policy
Discussion Post 15 Points Due April 25th
Week 14
April 26th
Module 14
Chapter 14 Financing State Government
Discussion 15 Points Due May 2nd
Week 15
May 3rd
Module 15
Review Week
Week 16
May 10th
Module 16
Final Exam 100 Points Due May 12th