NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Texas Government
Course Prefix & Number:		GOVT2306	Section Number:	383	Sem/Year:	Spring 2021 / S2
Semester Credit Hours:		3	Lecture Hours:	48	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   NOTE:  Students must purchase the McGraw-Hill Connect version of this textbook (required) and may optionally obtain any other form (as long as it's legal) to supplement learning.

 

COURSE TIMES/LOCATION:   Online (8-Week)

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Paul Coraccio
Campus/Office Location:	Adjunct/No permanent office.
Telephone Number:	940-280-1923
E-mail Address:	CANVAS email system (primary) or pcoraccio@nctc.edu.

 

INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS*

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
By appointment	By appointment	By appointment	By appointment	By appointment
* Office hours for this course signify the times that the Instructor is available on campus or online; additionally, meetings can be scheduled outside of these times and through official school email.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO) (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog)

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
SLO-1.	Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.
SLO-2.	Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
SLO-3.	Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
SLO-4.	Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
SLO-5.	Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
SLO-6.	Analyze the state and local election process.
SLO-7.	Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens
SLO-8.	Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
SLO-9.	Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements*	Point Values	Total Point Values
	McGraw-Hill ‘Connect’ Textbook Readings & Quizzes:		0
13	Smartbook® (CONNECT) – 1 per chapter	15 pts ea.	195
13	Chapter Post Tests (Quizzes) (CONNECT) – 1 per chapter	5 pts ea.	65
2	Chapter Modules (CONNECT) – varies per chapter	5 pts ea.	10
4	Unit Exams – There are four logical groupings of chapters/lessons (i.e., units).  There is one exam per unit. Any discussions, debates, or issues presented “in class” or in discussion boards may be included in an exam. Exams are cumulative so prior information may be on any exam.	50 pts ea.	200
1	Writing Assignment / Research Paper – There will be one properly cited and formatted research paper demonstrating critical thinking on a course-relevant topic.  This paper is required to pass the course.	100 pts	100
6	Pre-Writing Assignment Components – There are pre-writing steps  due at various stages prior to the final paper’s due date.  This is done to incentivize working towards the final paper over many weeks--increasing the chances of a better-quality, college-worthy product.	5-15 pts ea.	50
7	Class Assignments – Class assignments augment learning by requiring students to reflect on the lesson by typically writing an essay on a relevant topic.	15 pts ea.	105
4	Forum Discussions (Discussion Boards) – A minimum of three posts are due per discussion; one is your original reflection with citation(s) from the textbook and/or a reputable source(s) (due mid-week) and a response to at least two other student’s post (due end-of-week).  It’s also expected that you answer other students’ replies to your initial post to carry on a meaningful discussion.	25 pts ea.	100
1	Class Participation Activities – These are special group activities conducted as a class, such as a class congress/legislature, class court, or other group activities.  Students earn participation credit based on their genuine and meaningful participation.	2x 25 pts ea.	50
3	Current Events Assignments – Students are expected to stay informed on emerging issues/events relevant to the course, and will at various times be assigned to write, present to the class, take a quiz, or otherwise demonstrate knowledge of current events.	15 pts ea.	45
1	Course Project – Throughout the course, students will spend time working on a course project.  The central theme of the overall project is for students to demonstrate and apply what they are learning by producing a workable "political" or "civic" decision-making guide useful to the student after course completion. There are various times throughout the course to improve/enhance the product.	4x 10 pts ea.	40
			960

*There are no weighted assignment groups, so what you see is what you get--the overall point values effectively inform you of the "weight" of that assignment(s), for example, 200 points for unit exams from about 1000 points total for the entire course is about 20% of overall course grade. 

 

Letter Grade Equivalents:†

A	B	C	D	F
90% or higher	80-89.99%	70-79.99%	60-69.99%	59.99% or less

†Grades are not rounded up in this course--students will receive the grade earned.  Your individual effort determines your grade in this course. It is your responsibility to complete assignments, meet deadlines, and contact the instructor if you have any questions. No assignments or low scores are dropped.

 

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

Unit	Week	Assignments	Points	Due Dates
0		Course Introduction & Orientation	0
	1	Course Introduction & Orientation	0	-
		Discussion Forum #1:  Student Introductions	25	24/27 Mar
		Introduction to Government	0	27-Mar
		Course Introduction Quiz	0	28-Mar
		Course Pre-Test	0	28 Mar
I		Government’s Foundational Basis (i.e., guiding principles)	0
	1	Smartbook® Ch 1:  Intro to Texas History & Politics	15	25 Mar
		Assignment #1:  Texas Political Culture	15	27 Mar
		Ch 1 Quiz	5	27 Mar
		Current Events Assignment #1	15	27 Mar
		Research Paper:  REVIEW INSTRUCTIONS	5	28 Mar
		Project:  Political Decision-Making Guide (Part I)	10	28 Mar
	2	Smartbook® Ch 2:  American Federal System & TX State Constitution	15	30 Mar
		Ch 2 Module #1:  Texas Declaration of Independence (1836)	5	30 Mar
		Ch 2 Module #2:  U.S. & Texas Constitutions	5	30 Mar
		Discussion Forum #2:  Texas Constitutional Amendments	25	31/3 Apr
		Ch 2 Quiz	5	3 Apr
		Assignment #2:  Texas Constitution	15	3 Apr
		Research Paper:  TOPIC ONLY	5	4 Apr
		Unit I Exam (Chapters 1-2)	50	3 Apr
II		Government’s Structure, Institutions, Organization (i.e., rules of the game)	0
	3	Smartbook® Ch 3:  The Texas Legislature	15	6 Apr
		Class Legislature (Group Activity):  Committees & Floor Vote	0	-
		Assignment #3:  Draft Bill for Class Legislature	15	5 Apr
		Class Legislature:  Committee Chairs Selection	0	4 Apr
		Class Legislature:  Committees (Discussion Forum)	25	7/10 Apr
		Class Legislature:  "Floor" Vote (Assignment)	25	17 Apr
		Ch 3 Quiz	5	10 Apr
		Research Paper:  THESIS STATEMENT	5	11 Apr
		Project:  Political Decision-Making Guide (Part II)	10	11 Apr
	4	Smartbook® Ch 4:  The Executive Branch & Governor's Office	15	13 Apr
		Discussion Forum #3:  Executive Powers	25	14/17 Apr
		Ch 4 Quiz	5	17 Apr
		Current Events Assignment #2	15	17 Apr
		Smartbook® Ch 7:  Local Governments	15	13 Apr
		Assignment #4a:  State/Local Representatives (Part I)	7.5	14 Apr
		Assignment #4b:  State/Local Representatives (Part II)	7.5	17 Apr
		Ch 7 Quiz	5	17 Apr
		Research Paper:  ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY	15	18 Apr
	5	Smartbook® Ch 5:  The Court System	15	20 Apr
		Discussion Forum #4:  Criminal Justice Topic	25	21/24 Apr
		Ch 5 Quiz	5	24 Apr
		Assignment #5: Texas Court System	15	24 Apr
		Research Paper:  OUTLINE & REFUTATION	5	25 Apr
		Project:  Political Decision-Making Guide (Part III)	10	25 Apr
		Unit II Exam (Chapters 3-7)	50	24 Apr
III		Government's Influencers (i.e., the players)	0
	6	Smartbook® Ch 8:  Public Opinion & the Media	15	27 Apr
		Ch 8 Quiz	5	1 May
		Assignment #6:  Public Opinion & Media Analysis	15	1 May
		Research Paper:  DRAFT  PAPER	15	2 May
		Smartbook® Ch 9: Voting & Political Participation	15	27 Apr
		Ch 9 Quiz	5	1 May
		Smartbook® Ch 10:  Campaigns & Elections	15	29 Apr
		Current Events Assignment #3	15	1 May
		Ch 10 Quiz	5	1 May
	7	Smartbook® Ch 11 Political Parties in Texas	15	4 May
		Ch 11 Quiz	5	8 May
		Smartbook® Ch 12: Interest Groups and Lobbying in TX	15	4 May
		Ch 12:  Quiz	5	8 May
		Research Paper:  FINAL PAPER DUE	100	9 May
		Unit III Exam (Chapters 8-12)	50	8 May
IV		Government's Impact & Results (i.e., public policy issues)	0
	8	Smartbook® Ch 13:  Public Policy	15	11 May
		Ch 13 Quiz	5	14 May
		Assignment #7:  Public Policy & State Financing	15	14 May
		Project:  Political Decision-Making Guide (Part IV)	10	10 May
		Smartbook® Ch 14:  Financing State Govt	15	11 May
		Ch 14 Quiz	5	14 May
		Course Post-Test	0	14 May
		Course Evaluation	0	14 May
		Unit IV (Chapters 13-14) / Final Exam	50	14 May
			960

* Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m. on the respective DUE DATE (unless otherwise noted).

** Instructor may change this schedule and assignments to better the learning experience.

 

CANVAS.  Canvas is the online learning management system used by students and faculty.  All students must have access to Canvas for the entire course.  It is the student’s responsibility to have access to the Internet and all needed programs to complete assignments.  Students are not to give any other person access to their Canvas account.  Students can be removed from the course immediately if found to be in violation of this rule.  Once a student has given another person access to his Canvas account, the credibility of all completed work becomes questionable. 

 

MCGRAW-HILL CONNECT.  McGraw-Hill Smartbook® "textbook" and Connect activities are all maintained within the McGraw Hill Connect System. Students MUST be enrolled immediately in Connect, which can be purchased at the bookstore or online directly from McGraw Hill.  McGraw Hill does offer a 14-day free courtesy period so that all students can start their coursework as scheduled.  PLEASE NOTE: The ability to sign up for a courtesy period is only available within the first week of classes.  Students should be enrolled by the end of day 1 as assignments are given immediately.  Students who do not properly enroll in Connect will be given a warning by email and then dropped from the Course if the required materials are not purchased.

 

Textbook.  Students must secure a licensed copy of the textbook in a timely manner because assignments become due immediately. See the Required Course Materials section at top of this syllabus for details on textbook and edition. 

 

Assignments & Due Dates.  Students are expected to plan ahead to effectively manage all assignments and due dates. Many assignments will be due on the same day to give students as much liberty to manage personal schedules as possible. Assignments may be added or modified to augment learning objectives at any time during the semester.

 

Writing Assignment/Research Paper.  There is one major writing assignment/research paper that is required for the course. As one of the course's major student learning outcomes, all students must submit the writing assignment/research paper to pass the course.

 

Chapter Quizzes (i.e., Post Tests).  Students will complete a post test for each chapter, which is designed as a study tool, for the exams.  All quizzes must be completed on or before the due date, but students have unlimited attempts until the due date.  Post-tests will not be reopened for any reason.  Students are free to use their own textbook and notes to complete the post tests.

 

Unit Exams.  Exams will be online through McGraw-Hill Connect via Canvas. In addition to readings and assignments, any discussions, presentations, debates, announcement, or topics presented “in class” may be included in an exam. Exams are cumulative, although mostly limited to material within the respective unit/module. There are concepts threaded throughout the entire course that students are expected to know and may be on any exam, including current events questions. There will be no extra credit on exams.  

 

Late Work.  Late assignments will not, as a rule, be accepted.  Please manage your time wisely and leave enough time to deal with any computer problems that might prevent you from completing, and submitting, your course work on time.  Students must communicate as early as possible with the Instructor to receive consideration for adjusting due dates, if circumstances warrant such. If late work is accepted, points may be deducted.

 

Extra Credit.  From time to time, students may have a chance to earn extra credit points. Each properly completed extra credit is worth one or more points, which will be added to the course grade; however, no student’s final course grade may exceed 100%.  Extra credit opportunities are at the Instructor’s discretion. Only students in good standing will have extra credit applied to their final course grade. 

 

Course "Standing." Students will be considered in good standing in this course if the student:

• Confirmed reading and agreeing to the course syllabus.
• Has not missed submitting more than three major graded course elements (i.e. 10+ point assignments).
• Participates in discussion forums, group activities and projects, to include submitting a bill for, and participating in, the Class Legislature.
• Completes all non-graded course materials, such as the pre- and post-tests.

 

Electronics Policy.  Students must secure access to technologies required to interact with the online course platform in order to be successful in this course.  Additionally, students should maintain good computer hygiene to reduce the risk of spreading computer viruses and the like, this includes proactive viruses scans prior to submitting assignments.

 

Communication.  The Instructor answers emails during the week, usually within 24 hours of receiving them. Students may request a "conference" at any time to ask questions or discuss their progress. Please be aware that FERPA (Federal Privacy Laws) limits the Instructor from discussing a student’s enrollment, grades, attendance, etc. with anyone but that student.  

 

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: 

Attendance is determined by participation (e.g. submitting assignments, participating in discussion forums) and not simply logging in.  Attendance will be taken weekly. For this course, Sunday is considered the beginning of the week and Saturday the end.  Students will be considered present if they have submitted assignments and participated in discussion forums during that week. When there is a discussion forum during a particular week, students who do not participate by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. will be considered Tardy/Late.  Also, if a student is late submitting an assignment that week, they will be considered Tardy/Late. Students who do not participate (e.g. submit any assignments) by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. will be considered Absent for that week.

 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW.   Please discuss any thoughts of withdrawing with the instructor first. The last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is April 26, 2021.  Dropping the course is the sole responsibility of the student.  If circumstances warrant it, a student may be eligible to receive an Incomplete (“I”) in this course, if the student is in good standing in the course through the last day to drop (NCTC Student Handbook, "Incomplete Grades", p. 25).

 

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)_______             

 

             Communication

             Mathematics                         

             Life and Physical Science

             Language, Philosophy & Culture

             Creative Arts

 

X              Government/Political Science

             Social and Behavioral Sciences

             Component Area Option

             American History

 

X              Critical Thinking

X              Communication

             Empirical and Quantitative

 

             Teamwork

X              Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility