NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	Texas Government
Course Prefix & Number:		GOVT2306	Section Number:	311	Semester/Year:	Fall 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.    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:	Holly Bell
Campus/Office Location:	Corinth/339
Telephone Number:	940-498-6293
E-mail Address:	hbell@nctc.edu: Please indicate that you are in GOVT 2306-311. This identifies the class quickly and can handle your problems expeditiously. *I will check emails periodically during my office hours.  I am happy to get back with you in 24 hours; however, email will not be checked over the weekend, holidays, or after 5 pm on any weekday.  Although Canvas is available to students 24/7, it is unrealistic to expect that the instructors will be.   *Be mindful of the tone that is presented in emails.  I can help students better if frustration in emails are set aside. *Communicate any issues to the instructor immediately before they interfere with student grades.

 

 

OFFICE HOURS

 

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:30 am-12:00 pm	11:20 am-12:20 pm	8:30 am-12:00 pm	11:20 am-12:20 pm	none
1:20 pm-2:30 pm		1:20 pm-2:30 pm

 

 

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	Percentage or Point Values
	3	Exams	100 points each
	15	Various Quizzes and Assignments	5-10 points each
	1	Research Project	100 points
550-495		A
494-440		B
439-385		C
384-330		D
329-0		F

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE

 

ASSIGNMENTS

 

PRE/POST TEST (5 POINTS EXTRA CREDIT)

This is state requirement.  We as a department also need to measure growth in the class.  Please take this so we can be sure to get the appropriate data to compare from year to year. Due to the default point setting, once the class has completed the assignment, I will go back and change grades to five points extra credit.    

SYLLABUS QUIZ (5 POINTS)

This will become proof that you read the syllabus and acknowledge due dates, assignments, and other pertinent information. 

 

INTRODUCTION ASSIGNMENT (5 POINTS)

The point of this discussion post is to allow me to meet each student each semester and discuss a political event that took place on your birthday…not so much the year; you can include it if you would like.  It is important not only to meet you but to have others engage with you too.  You can look at mine, the template, then build off that.

 

SMARTBOOK ACTIVITIES (0 POINTS)

Your textbook and access code provides extra activities to enhance learning.  Although I do not have them as a grade, I have tailored them to be very specific to each exams.  Treat these and the assignments as study guides.  Take advantage of them!

 

END OF CHAPTER QUIZZES (10 POINTS EACH)

Once we are done with each chapter students will be responsible for taking the quiz.  Quizzes ideally prep students for the exams.  There will be extra credit opportunities should students miss a quiz opportunity. 

 

EXAMINATIONS(100 POINTS)

EXAM I:              EXAM II:      EXAM III:

Ch 1, 13, 8, 2      Ch 11, 9, 10, 12         Ch  7, 3, 4, 6, 5 and Death Penalty

All three mandatory examinations will consist of approximately 50  questions. These will be given as online exams that will be open for 50 minutes.  The final exam will NOT be cumulative. 

Exam 1 and 2 will launch on Mondays at 8:00 am and close on Tuesdays at 11:59 pm.  Exam 3 will launch one day earlier and close one day earlier to get you a head start on your finals week.  So exam 3 will open Sunday and close Monday of finals week. At no point can you save your work.  Opening and closing exams are final, so be mindful of this when accessing any exam.

 Collaborating in ANY WAY is strictly prohibited and cannot be done due to the time restriction.  I can pull IP addresses and other data if scores look too similar and will email students with similar logon times/scores.  

Makeup Exam: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor to be eligible to take the makeup exam before the semester closes.  It will be administered during finals week during the final exam scheduled.  This only applies to people who miss any of the exams.  It does not apply to those who want to increase their overall point total or research grade.  THIS EXAM WILL CONSIST OF 50 PUBLISHER TEST BANK QUESTIONS and may be found through Connect.

 

RESEARCH PROJECT (100 POINTS)

It is important to have one component of elementary research within an earlier class at the collegiate level.   The idea behind this research project is to get you to research, analyze, and give your opinion on a current issue that affects Texas.  Most of the topics we will cover briefly in one or more chapters so attendance will be somewhat necessary to get a baseline on the subject.   Each student will select a topic listed within the instructions.  If you have a strong passion to do something other than what is listed, please contact me so I can assure that there is enough academic material for you to use.  All of the information will be available within the Research Project Module once the semester gets underway. 

No late work will be accepted not if only by one minute.  If students fail to do an adequate job or turn it in, students are not permitted to take the makeup exam to replace this grade.  Additionally, I spend hours grading and placing comments on the projects themselves.  See comments!

Research Project Discussion Post (10 points):

In college I was made to do several research projects all to find that I spent many hours on researching THEN writing to just deliver the project to the instructor. Students will share what they learned with the class.  Give five bullet points that you felt particularly interesting or perhaps it was information you didn’t know before.  In addition, include how your vision has changed on the issue or has been broadened in any way.  If this is underdeveloped, points will be deducted. 

EXTRA CREDIT (? POINTS)

There is embedded extra credit to help accommodate students should they miss points on an assignment or an exam.  They are the pre-test, post-test, and a few small extra credit activities accessible throughout the semester.

 

GRADING TIMELINE:

 

Pre/Post-test: Change to extra credit after it is due.

Introduction Discussion Post: @ two weeks

Quizzes and Exams: Immediate

Research Project: By finals week (140 students and only one of me)

 

LATE WORK: Every assignment is turned in via Canvas will automatically close at 11:59 of the due date.   Deadlines are not flexible because:

      -all assignments will be open for several weeks. 

      -it keeps all students on a level playing field.

 

MEDICAL / DEATH: Should there be a medical emergency or a death and you cannot complete your work, there will be a plan of action to complete assignments with documentation.  It takes just a few seconds of your time to send me a quick email from your phone.  I cannot work with students who have no documentation.

 

ROUNDING GRADES:   Rounding will not be done.  If you earn an 89.9% in this class, this is what you will receive.  If your paycheck is $899.90, your employer will not likely round it up and give you $900.00.  HOWEVER, there will be an extra credit assignment at the end of the semester that students can do to help boost their grade up to ten points.  EVERYONE should do this so to increase their grade or at the very least to secure it.  

 

Tentative Schedule

Tentative Schedule: Week 1-6: Pre-Test (Due: September 29) Syllabus Quiz (Due: September 29) Intro Discussion Post (Due: September 29)   Ch 1   Introduction to Texas History and Politics Ch 13 Public Policy in Texas Ch 8   Public Opinion and the Media in Texas Ch 2   The American Federal System and the Texas State Constitution Quizzes (Due: September 26). ____________Exam 1 (Monday, September 27 at 8 am-Tuesday, September 28, 11:59 pm)   Week 6-10 Ch 11  Political Parties in Texas Ch 9    Voting and Political Participation in Texas Ch 10  Campaigns and Elections in Texas Ch 12  Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas Quizzes (Due: October 24). ____________Exam 2 (Monday, October 25 at 8 am-Tuesday, October 26 at 11:59 pm)   ***RESEARCH PROJECTS  DUE SUN, November 14 at 11:59 pm ***RESEARCH DISCUSSION POST DUE SUN, November 21 at 11:59 pm    Week 11-17: Ch 7 Local Governments in Texas Ch 3 The Texas Legislature Ch 4 The Texas Executive Department and the Office of the Governor of Texas Ch 6 The Texas Justice System in Texas Ch 5 The Court System in Texas Special Lecture: Death Penalty PowerPoint Quizzes (Due: December 5) Post-test (Due: December 5- 6) ____________Exam 3 (Sunday, December 5 at 8 am-Monday, December 6, 11:59 pm)  ***Makeup Exam (Tuesday, December 7 only)

                           

 

 

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 1_________.

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

 

X            Critical Thinking

X            Communication

o           Empirical and Quantitative

 

o           Teamwork

X              Personal Responsibility

X              Social Responsibility