NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course title: Texas Government

Course prefix, number, and section number: GOVT2306-0384

Semester/Year of course: Fall 2022: 1st 8 Week Session

Semester start and end dates: 8/22/2022 – 10/15/2022

Modality: Asynchronous online

Class meeting location, days, and times: All work is completed online.  We do not have scheduled meetings.

Lab meeting location, days, and times: 0

Semester credit hours: 3

Course description: 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 prerequisites: 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.

Name of instructor: Peter G. Doas, B.S., I-M.B.A., M.A., Ed. D (ABD)

Office location: Corinth Campus

Telephone number:

E-mail address: pdoas@nctc.edu

Office hours for students: 9:00 PM-10:00 PM (Online) Monday through Friday

SYLLABUS CHANGE DISCLAIMER

The faculty member reserves the right to make changes to this published syllabus if it is in the best interest of the educational development of this class. Any such changes will be announced as soon as possible in person and/or writing.

SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

List of graded assignments:

Course Outline Quiz, Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3, Exam 4, Final Exam, Thirteen Chapter SmartBook Assignments, Research Assignment, Twelve (12) Video Analysis Assignment Quizzes, Pre-test, Post-test, and four (4) Discussion Topics,

Final grade scale: 

(90% to 100%)  = A                        

(80% to 89.9999%)  = B

(70% to 79.9999%)  = C

(60% to 69.9999%) = D

Anything below 60% =F

Late work policy:  Late work and make-up work is not accepted with the work in the course.

Every Exam, Chapter SmartBook Assignment, Video Analysis Assignment Quiz, Research Assignment, Discussion Topic, Pre-test, and the Course Outline Quiz was opened on the first day of the semester for students to complete.  Each Exam, Chapter SmartBook Assignment, Video Analysis Assignment Quiz, Pre-test, Discussion Topic, Research Assignment, and Course Outline Quiz has a specific due date and time.  The class has been provided plenty of time to complete the work.  Do not wait until the due date to complete course work.  The dates for the Post-test are determined by NCTC.  The Post-test will be open for the class to complete towards the end of the semester.  The Post-test is the only assignment that was not opened on the first day of the semester.  Late work and make-up work is not accepted with the work in the course. 

[Although we have twelve Video Analysis Assignment Quizzes, only 10 of the twelve will be used towards the calculation of the course grade.  Please remember that although we have thirteen SmartBook Assignments, only 11 of the thirteen will be used towards the calculation of the course grade.  Please remember that although we have Five Exams (Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3, Exam 4, and the Final Exam), only four of the five will be used towards the calculation of the course grade.  As you are completing the work during the semester, Canvas will automatically be calculating your course grade based on these criteria.  Please read the Course Outline for more information.]

SEE THE COURSE OUTLINE IN CANVAS FOR THE COMPLETE COURSE CALENDAR, OUTLINE, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GRADED WORK, AND OTHER RELATED REQUIREMENTS AND MATERIAL.

COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy: 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)]”. 

Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please make certain that all assignments and examinations are completed individually.  If I find evidence of academic dishonesty, students will be given a failing grade.  Collaboration with others in the class is not permitted.  If a student works with others in the completion of the coursework, a failing grade will be given to all those that collaborated.  Plagiarism is also considered academic dishonesty. Please review the information in our Canvas class to make sure you understand what is meant by plagiarism.  Any form of plagiarism will result in a grade of zero.

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)

Although we are not in a classroom environment, by completing all required course work, you will fulfill the attendance requirements.  Attendance is based on the completion of this work.  By not completing the work you will be recorded as not attending for the day that work was required.

Withdrawal Policy

A student may withdraw from a course on or after the official date of record. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and complete a Withdrawal Request Form.

Last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” is: 9/26/2022

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:

1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas Constitution.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
6. Analyze the state and local election process.
7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.

Core Objectives: Critical thinking, Communication, Personal Responsibility, Social Responsibility

COLLEGE POLICIES

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the Student Handbook.

ADA STATEMENT

NCTC will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office for Students with Disabilities to arrange appropriate accommodations.  See the OSD Syllabus Addendum.

STUDENT SERVICES

NCTC provides a multitude of services and resources to support students.  See the Student Services Syllabus Addendum for a listing of those departments and links to their sites.

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS