Government of Texas Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Vince Dipiazza (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

vpdipiazza@actx.edu

Phone

Office Location

Office Hours

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

GOVT-2306-006 Government of Texas

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

A study of the background, organization and functions of the State of Texas. A survey of the politics of government.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Gibson, L. Tucker, Jr. and Robison, Clay. Government and Politics of the Lone Star State. Second Custom Edition for Amarillo College, taken from Government and Politics of the Lone Star State, Seventh Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2011. Various articles from magazines, newspapers, or journals may also be used.

Supplies

Student Performance

After Studying the Material Presented in this Course of Study, the Student will be able to:

Define and describe federalism and other ways of organizing government and know the status of the American states within the federal systems and the changing character and development of the Federal relationship.
List and describe the three branches of government in Texas.
Know the Constitutional powers and limitation of political actors in Texas.
Identify and define the rights of Texas Citizens.
Evaluate the public policies of the government of Texas in comparison to ideals.
Explain the protection of the individual through the limitations on government power through federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights and democracy.
Explain state government policy making and execution as well as critique and analysis of past and present policies. The student will be able to evaluate and make independent judgments on current and past political problems faced by the State of Texas and conduct systematic inquiry through objective examination of the issues.
Explain the structures and functions of political participation including parties, interests groups and elections.
Explain the historical development of constitutionalism as a basis for political society and the historical development of the Texas Constitution and the Political system that has developed under the Constitution.
Explain local government structures, functions and organizations in Texas.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

Grading Criteria

Grading Policy

Three semester exams, 60%; final exam, 25%

Special written assignment, 5%

Class participation grade, 10%

Total 100% Optional extra credit assignment (write a paper on an appropriate topic, do a project, attend public meetings and report on them, etc.—but see me first), up to 5%

The grading scale for this course, typical for Amarillo College, is as follows: A 90-100, B 80-89, C 70-79, D 60-69, F below 60

Exam Policy

Exams. There will be three exams during the semester plus a final exam. Each semester exam is worth 20% of the final grade for a total of 60%. The final exam is comprehensive and will be taken directly from the three semester exams. All exam questions will be multiple choice, and each exam will include a short answer essay question for extra credit. Class discussion will parallel the readings, and normally, exam questions will come from those concepts or topics we’ve discussed in class. However, I reserve the right to include questions from the readings that we’ve not specifically discussed.

Makeup exams. There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with me. If you miss an exam without arranging with me in advance to take a makeup, should I decide to allow a makeup, there will be a 10 point penalty deducted from your exam grade.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. Further information can be found below under “Additional Information”.

Calendar

Tentative Schedule

23 Aug Introduction; syllabus; straw poll Appendix A, Texas Exceptionalism

30 Aug Appendix A, Texas Exceptionalism; Ch. 1, The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics

6 Sep Ch. 2, The Texas Constitution; Ch. 3, Intergovernmental Relationships

13 Sep Ch. 4, Interest Groups and Political Power in Texas

20 Sep Exam 1

27 Sep Ch. 5, The Mass Media in Texas Politics

4 Oct Ch. 6, The Party System in Texas

11 Oct Ch. 7, Elections, Campaigns, and Political Behavior

18 Oct Ch. 8, The Texas Legislature

25 Oct Exam 2

1 Nov Ch.9, The Texas Executive; Ch. 10, The Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation

8 Nov Ch. 11, The Judicial System in Texas

15 Nov Ch. 12, Local Government in Texas

22 Nov Exam 3

29 Nov Ch. 13, Contemporary Public Policy Issues in Texas

6 Dec Final exam

Additional Information

Written assignment. A special written assignment will be worth 5 points. Details later.

Class participation grade. Class participation is 10% of the final grade and is,admittedly, my somewhat subjective assessment of the quality of your participation. Since some portion of the readings will be covered during every lecture and since the classroom experience is better when there is a dialogue (not to mention that I have no desire to do all of the talking), all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion. You can’t contribute if you’re not here, therefore, attendance will also be considered in formulating the class participation grade. Factors that will affect your class participation grade other than attendance and actual participation in classroom discussion include disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior.

Attendance again. This is college—your attendance is your responsibility. While it is possible to pass this course with a poor attendance record, my experience is that attendance is directly related to performance. Also, occasionally, the course schedule may change or an exam date may need to be shifted. It helps to know what’s going on.

Additional assistance. If you are having difficulty or if you have other concerns about the class, please contact me. I live and work (my regular job) in Dumas and am fairly flexible with regard to my availability to meet or chat.

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on: