Syllabus

Course Syllabus

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:

Texas Government

Course Prefix & Number: 

GOVT2306

Section Number: 

0231

Semester/Year:

WM 2021

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 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.

             

 

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:

Karen Stewart

Campus/Office Location:

Online/ Corinth Campus

Telephone Number:

940-498-6295

E-mail Address:

kstewart@nctc.edu

 

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Virtual

 

Virtual

Virtual

 

8-10:00 AM

 

8-10:00 AM

8-10:00 AM

 

 

 

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:

 

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.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements

Graded Course Elements

 Point Values

12

Chapter readings

0

1

Final Exam

100

7

Chapter Assessments

185

2

3

4

2

1

4

Chapter Readings

Podcasts

Chapter Assignments

Pre & Post Test

Governors of Texas

Discussions x 4

20

30

85

10

50

20

 

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:

Donna Smith

Office Location:

Corinth Campus, Room 208

Telephone Number:

940-498-6266

E-mail Address:

dhooper@nctc.edu

Name of Instructional Dean:

Sara Flusche

Office Location:

Gainesville Campus, Room 1312

Telephone Number:

940-668-3321

E-mail Address:

sflusche@nctc.edu

 

Ungrouped