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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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0310
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Semester/Year:
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Fall 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.
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
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Name of Instructor:
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Dr. David R. Smith
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Campus/Office Location:
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Corinth Campus: Suite 313
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Telephone Number:
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E-mail Address:
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dsmith@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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1-3pm &
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1-3pm &
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1-3pm &
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1-3pm &
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By Appt WebEx
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By Appt WebEx
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By Appt WebEx
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By Appt WebEx
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By Appt WebEx
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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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4
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Exams
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280
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14
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SmartBooks
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400
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14
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Quizzes
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140
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14
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Assignments
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400
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3
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Intro Assignments
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300
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4
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Discussion Boards
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80
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COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)
Module #1: SmartBook, Assignments, Quizzes (Chapters 1, 2, 7, 8) Due Sept 22nd
Exam: Sept 23-Sept 24th.
Module #2: SmartBook, Assignments, Quizzes (Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12) Due Oct 20th
Exam: Oct 21-Oct 22nd.
Module #3: SmartBook, Assignments, Quizzes (Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6) Due Nov 21st
Exam: Nov 22-Nov 23rd.
Module #4: SmartBook, Assignments, Quizzes (Chapters 13 & 14) Due Dec 4th
Exam: During Final Exam Period
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 November 1st.
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
Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)
X Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course
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)]”.
COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Fall 2021
Syllabi statement regarding potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19 or other health related crisis, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 27, 2021 and are subject to change as conditions change.
Syllabi Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students are not required to wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. In May, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released an Executive Order prohibiting Government entities from mandating the use of masks. As a political subdivision of the State of Texas, NCTC will follow the Governor’s Executive Order for Government entities and effective immediately NCTC is no longer mandating the use of masks while on campus. This order does not mean that you cannot choose to wear a mask, rather it is no longer allowed to be mandated. These policies and procedures were updated on May 19, 2021 and are subject to change.
Return to Standard Attendance Protocol for Face-to-Face Meetings: In spring 2020, we faced an unprecedented situation in which all of us had to be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.
Faculty will:
- Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.
Students should:
- Provide notification to campus officials if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.
- Notify instructors in advance of the absence.
- Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.
- Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.
- Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.
- Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.
- Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.
During the fall 2021 semester, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website.
Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html
QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS
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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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