Government of Texas Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course Information

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Course

GOVT-2306-003 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

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Gibson, L. Tucker, and Clay Robison. Government and Politics of the Lone Star State: Theory and Practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2009. 

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\ Farmer, Brian. R. American Political Ideologies: An Introduction to the Major Systems of Thought in the 21^st Century. Jefferson, NC, and London: McFarland and Company, 2006.

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Supplies

\ Paper, pens, #2 pencils and scantrons for tests.

Student Performance

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

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1. \ 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.
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2. \ List and describe the three branches of government in Texas.
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3. \ Know the Constitutional powers and limitation of political actors in Texas.
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4. \ Identify and define the rights of Texas Citizens.
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5. \ Evaluate the public policies of the government of Texas in comparison to ideals.
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6. \ 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.
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7. \ 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.
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8. \ Explain the structures and functions of political participation including parties, interests groups and elections.
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9. \ 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.
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10. \ Explain local government structures, functions and organizations in Texas.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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

\ To the mature adults which are members of this class I apologize for the insult imposed upon you by this section of the syllabus. Unfortunately, past behavior of your fellow students has necessitated its inclusion. Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult college students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the institution. This is not junior high, elementary school, nor the Lad 'N' Lassie day care center, and I have no intention of tolerating behavior which is more stereotypical of any of them. In order to clarify my position, the following list of behaviors are included as examples of behavior which may result in permanent expulsion from this class. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement. The instructor reserves the right to assign individual seating if necessary for order in the classroom.
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\ Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:
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\ 1.banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor 

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\ 2. sleeping, head on desk

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\ 3. interrupting lecture by any unsuitable means 

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\ 4. academic dishonesty in any form 

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\ 5. disruptive talking/visiting between students

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\ 6. throwing paper wads or any other objects

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\ 7. passing notes

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\ 8. disrespect for fellow students

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\ 9. doing homework related to this class or any other.

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\ 10. wearing headphones

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\ 11. moving from desk to desk, walking around room.

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\ 12. disrespectful comments

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\ 13. eating

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\ 14. knitting, needlepoint, or any other arts and crafts.

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\ 15. any other behavior detri-mental to the class

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\ 16. Cell Phones—No Text!
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\ Contrary to what you are probably now thinking, it is not my intention to design a class which is a prison camp for college students. I am in favor of having fun in class perhaps as much as anyone; however, it must not be at the expense of an environment conducive to learning.
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\ Academic dishonesty:
\ Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.
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Grading Criteria

Course requirements/grading:

Exams: There will be three major examinations during the semester plus a final examination on Monday, May 9, 10:30AM. Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures. Each exam is worth 30% of the final grade for a total of 90% of the final grade. Students are allowed to drop their lowest exam grade other than the final exam. Students may not drop the final exam.

Las Vegas Option: Only on Exam #3, any student who has scored at least a 70% on each of the first three exams may receive a score of 100% on Exam #3 if he or she is able to answer all fifty questions incorrectly. If any questions are answered correctly when exercising this option, the grade which will be recorded for the student is the percent correct. For example, a student who inadvertently answers two questions correctly when exercising the Las Vegas Option would have a 4% entered in the gradebook, which, of course, would constitute the test grade that would be dropped.

Makeup Exams: There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor. If a student misses an exam without prearrangement with the instructor, that exam becomes the exam that the student will drop. If the student misses a second exam without prearrangement with the instructor, this becomes the course that the student should drop.

Class participation grade.

Since some portion of the readings will be presented and discussed in class during virtually every class period, all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion.  It is obviously impossible to add much to classroom discussion if you are absent, therefore, attendance is heavily considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade.  Class participation is 10% of the final grade.  Students with perfect attendance will have two points added to their final grades at the end of the semester.  Students with 1 absence will receive 1 point.  Additionally, the instructor reserves the right to deduct points from the class participation grade for behavior detrimental to the class.  Prohibited behavior which tends to result in the loss of class participation points is surveyed below under behavior policy.

Evaluation/Grade Scale
Grades for courses shall be recorded by the symbols below:

Symbol Percentage
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F below 60

Synopsis of Grading
                                                                       Total
Highest two exam scores, plus final (25% each), 30%

Class Participation Grade                                  10%

Total                                                                 100%

 

Attendance

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\ Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement; therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class. Attendance counts heavily in determining the class participation grade as discussed below. Tardies count as one third of an absence and over 20 minutes tardy counts as an absence. Leaving class early without prior arrangement with the instructor counts as a tardy. Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.
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Calendar

Additional Information

\ The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.