Texas Government Syllabus for 2013-2014
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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-2306-010 Texas Government

Prerequisites

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

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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Gibson, L. Tucker and Clay Robinson. Choices: Custom Resources for Political Science. Eighth Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2011

 

Supplies

\ Note taking paper, ink pens, No. 2 pencils and 4 green Scantron forms (Form No. 882-E) for the exams.

Student Performance

\ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

\

\  

\

\ 1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.

\

\ 2. Describe 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.

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 will be expected to follow the guidelines listed in the Amarillo College Handbook. Disruptive behavior is unacceptable and not allowed. In order to produce an environment conducive to learning one must be tolerant of different views, opinions, and perspectives from others. Treat people as you would want them to treat you.  The following is expected as well:

\

\ Cell phones: Cell phones are NOT allowed in class. 

\

\ Electronic Devices: All devices must be turned off during class. No texting, no Tweeting, no message checking, and no camera use.

\

\ 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.

Grading Criteria

\ Exams: There will be three major examinations during the semester plus a final examination. Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures. Exams are worth 30% of the final grade. The final exam in worth 20% of the final grade. Exams and the Final Examination will be online. The opening and closing dates for each exam will be announced by the instructor.

\

\ Makeup Exams: There are no makeup exams

\

\ 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.  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.

\

\ Chapter Quizzes

\

\ Prior to covering each chapter in class the students will be expected to take an online quiz covering the chapter. The quiz will be taken online. The quiz will open on Wednesday and remain open until Sunday at 11:00 pm. Each chapter quiz will be 15 questions with a 60 minute time limit. The students may use the reading material as a reference while taking the quiz. The Chapter Quizzes will be 15% of the final grade.

\

\ Chapter Tests

\

\ After each chapter the students will take a chapter test. The test will be online. The chapter test will open the day after the chapter is covered in class and will be open until Friday at 11:00 pm. Each chapter test will be 30 questions with a 60 minute time limit. The text and class notes may be used during the test. Chapter Tests will be 25% of the final grade.

\

\ 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 \
\ \ Exams \	\ \ 30% \
\ \ Final Exam \	\ \    20% \
\ \ Class Participation Grade \	\ \ 10% \
\ \ Chapter Quizzes \	\ \ 15% \
\ \ Chapter Tests \	\ \ 25% \
\ \ Total \	\ \ 100% \

\

\  

Attendance

\ 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. 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.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ The objective of this class is to instill an understanding of the essential facts that our state and local governments are based upon. They are presented in a framework to help the student organize and analyze the broad data necessary to formulate views about our government, politics, and their role in the Texas political system.
\
\ Our societies depend upon an informed and engaged citizenry that gives attention to the actions of our leaders. As individuals we function in terms of our self-interests. But, a democratic republic depends on our willingness to subordinate ourselves to the interests of the common good is necessary to balance and control the power of government.
\
\ The objective here is to present information to help students formulate their own views of government and to inform them of the political processes available to all citizenry. It is not our objective to convert a student to a particular political or partisan position, but to encourage them to grapple with the materials presented and engage in the assessments drawn from this work.