Government of Texas Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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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

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Course

GOVT-2306-009 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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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

TEXT: Government and Politics in the Lone Star State, 2011, Gibson,Jr. and Robison., Pearson Publishers, 2nd Custom Ed. for AC.

Supplies

\ Scantrons, #2 Pencils, paper and pen for note-taking.

Student Performance

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

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

Students 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

\ COURSE  ETHICS:  At Amarillo College, there are serious academic penalties for any unethical conduct on the part of any student.  The policy and penalty for such conduct is provided in the general Catalog.

Grading Criteria

HOMEWORK: There will be four (4) assignments.  Each is worth a possible 25 points, for a total possible homework grade of 100.  The total homework grade will constitute 20% of your total semester grade. there will be 5 points deducted for each class day it is turned in late. Those turned in after a regular class day, but before the next regular class, will be considered as having been turned in at the next regular class.

CHAPTER TESTS:  There will be FIVE (5) CHAPTER TESTS each covering approximately 3 chapters.  The average of your 4 highest Chapter Tests will constitute 55% of your semester grade. IFyou are exempted from taking the Final exam, the average of your 4 highest chapter tests will instead count 75% of your semester grade.  Any changes in Dates of Testing will be announced two class periods prior to the  test date.

MAKE-UP TEST POLICY:  If you miss a chapter test, this will be your one test grade that will be dropped  in calculating your chapter test average.  Exceptions made only with written proof of emergency, and then your makeup test will be a different Form of the exam.

FINAL EXAM:  The final exam is Comprehensive (over whole textbook) and MANDATORY for all non-exempted students. It counts as 20% of your semester grade.  This grade is NOT a test grade you can drop.    NOTE: In order to take the final exam at other than the pre-scheduled time, permission must be obtained from the department chair, not this instructor.

You may be EXEMPT from taking Final Exam if you

1.Missed no more than 2 classes.

2. The average of your 4 highest chapter tests is at least a 90, and you actually took all 4 Chapter Tests

3. Have turned in all Homework Assignments on time and made at least 20 points out of a possible 25 points on each of them.

If you choose to go ahead and take the Final when you are exempt, the Final Exam grade cannot be dropped.

 GRADING POLICY:  If your raw score on any test, exam, homework or final grade calculation contains a decimal amount, it will be rounded off to the nearest whole number.  In order to pass this course, a minimum grade of 60 (D) is required.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY:  Regular attendance will constitute 5% of your total semester grade.  Attendance shall be taken at each class meeting.  A significant amount of class material will be presented that supplements the textbook and on which you will be tested.

Calendar

Additional Information

DROPPING THIS CLASS: YOU MUST SEE THE REGISTRAR AND FILL OUT THE PROPER FORMS IN ORDER TO DROP THIS CLASS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER DROP PROCEDURES WILL RESULT IN YOUR RECEIVING A GRADE OF “F” AS YOUR SEMESTER GRADE IN THIS CLASS. Failure to properly drop this class may affect your eligibility for future financial aid.

TAPING: Lectures may be tape recorded by any student whether they have a disability or not. This is to assist the student in taking good class notes.
DAILY COURSE WORK:  The student is responsible for reading all the material in the assigned text and any class or posted handouts. It is important to success that the student take good notes on class lectures and on current events class discussions. Students will NOT have access to instructor's lecture notes for class days missed. Study guides or review sheets for course tests will usually be prepared for this class.  Also, making a FRIEND in this class is important so you can share notes if  you must miss a class.