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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0231
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Semester/Year:
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WM 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:
Registration in the course gives you access to the e-book needed for GOVT2306. You do not need to purchase a separate textbook.
The textbook link is included here:
https://connect.mheducation.com/class/k-stewart-govt-2306-231-december-mester-1 (Links to an external site.)
Inclusive Access is a partnership between NCTC and McGraw-Hill Education, to provide the best learning resources on the first day of class. Students can gain access to McGraw-Hill’s adaptive online platforms with the latest version of the eBook at a discount. If students would like to purchase a physical copy of the textbook, they can order a discounted loose-leaf version through the bookstore.
Students who drop before the add/drop date will have their book fees credited back to their student account, and students who remain in the course will be charged a materials fee by the school to have continued access of the online platforms. If you remain enrolled in the course but wish to opt-out of access to the book please email the NCTC Bookstore with your name and student number to 1263mgr@follett.com.
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Name of Instructor:
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Karen Stewart
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Campus/Office Location:
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Online/ Corinth Campus
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6295
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E-mail Address:
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kstewart@nctc.edu
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OFFICE HOURS
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
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Virtual
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Virtual
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8-10:00 AM
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8-10:00 AM
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8-10:00 AM
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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:
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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
# of Graded Course Elements
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Graded Course Elements
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Point Values
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12
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Chapter readings
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0
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1
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Final Exam
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100
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7
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Chapter Assessments
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185
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2
3
4
2
1
4
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Chapter Readings
Podcasts
Chapter Assignments
Pre & Post Test
Governors of Texas
Discussions x 4
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20
30
85
10
50
20
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
GRADING SCALE THIS CLASS IS BASED UPON A POINT SYSTEM-NO PERCENTAGES
500-450=A 449-399=B 398-348=C 347-297=D BELOW 296=F
Pre & Post Tests 10 Points Chapter Readings 20 Points
Chapter Assignments 85 Points Chapter Assessments 185 Points
Chapter Podcasts 30 Points Governors of Texas 75 Points
Final Exam 100 Points
500 POSSIBLE POINTS
Course Calendar
December 13 Chapter 1 Intro to Texas Politics and History
Chapter 1 Assessment 25 Points
Pre- Test Must be Taken on December 13 and 14th 5 Points
Chapter 2 The American Federal System and the Texas Constitution
Chapter 2 Assignment 20 Points
December 14 Chapter 3 The Texas Legislature
Chapter 3 Assessment 10 Points
Chapter 4 The Executive Office of the Governor
Chapter 4 Assessment 25 Points
Chapter 5 The Court System in Texas
Chapter 5 Assessment 25 Points
Discussion # 1 5 Points
December 15 Chapter 6 The Criminal Justice System in Texas
Chapter 6 Assessment 25 Points
Chapter 7 Local Governments In Texas
Chapter 7 Assignment 20 Points
Podcast: Civil Protests 10 Points
December 16 Chapter 8 Public Opinion and the Media
Chapter 8 Assessment 25 Points
Chapter 9 Voting and Political Participation
Chapter 9 Assignment 20 Points
Podcast Benefits of Legalized Gambling 10 Points
January 3 Governors of Texas Research Paper 70 Points
Chapter 10 Elections and Campaigns
Chapter 10 Assessment 25 Points
Chapter 11 Political Parties
Chapter 11 Assignment 25 Points
Discussion # 2 5 Points
January 4 Chapter 12 Interest Groups in Texas
Chapter 12 Assessment 25 Points
Chapter 13 Public Policy in Texas 10 Points
Discussion # 3 5 Points
January 5 Chapter 14 Financing State Government 10 Points
Post-Test 5 Points
Discussion # 4 5 Points
January 6 Final Exam Due 100 Points
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)
Absence Policy and Canvas Policy:
Students are expected to keep up with their grades through Canvas. It is the students responsibility to learn how to operate through Canvas, not the instructors. Late assignments will be deducted at 20 percent for everyday late!
Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is ________December 17_______.
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)_______
Communication
Mathematics
Life and Physical Science
Language, Philosophy & Culture
Creative Arts
X Government/Political Science
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Component Area Option
American History
REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES (For classes in the Core)
X Critical Thinking
X Communication
Empirical and Quantitative
Teamwork
X Personal Responsibility
X Social Responsibility
COURSE TYPE
Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
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)]”.
Instructor Academic Dishonesty Policy:
Collusion, copy and paste, cheating or plagiarism will result in an immediate failure of the class.
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
Name of Chair/Coordinator:
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Donna Smith
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Office Location:
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Corinth Campus, Room 208
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Telephone Number:
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940-498-6266
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E-mail Address:
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dhooper@nctc.edu
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Name of Instructional Dean:
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Sara Flusche
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Office Location:
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Gainesville Campus, Room 1312
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Telephone Number:
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940-668-3321
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E-mail Address:
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sflusche@nctc.edu
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