Texas Government Syllabus for 2014-2015
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-2306-001 Texas Government

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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

Farmer, Brian R. Choices: Custom Resources for Political Science. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions, 2013. ISBN 1-256-62023-8  

 

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.

 

Supplies

Computer with Internet Access, Writing instrument and paper to take notes

Student Performance

Student Performance/Learning Outcomes

 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 system and the changing character and development of the Federal relationship.

2.  List and describe three branches of government in Texas.

3.  Know the Constitutional powers and limitations 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 judgements 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, interest 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 that Constitution.

10.  Explain local government structures, functions, and organization 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

Behavioral Expectations/Classroom Groundrules.  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.

 

Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

 

 

1.banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor	6. throwing paper wads or any other objects	11. moving from desk to desk, walking around room.
2. sleeping, head on desk	7. passing notes	12. disrespectful comments
3. interrupting lecture by any unsuitable means	8. disrespect for fellow students	13. eating
4. academic dishonesty in any form	9. doing homework related to this class or any other.	14. knitting, needlepoint, or any other arts and crafts.

5. disruptive talking/visiting     10. wearing headphones         15. any other behavior detri- 

between students                                                                      mental to the class.

                                                                                                          

            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.  

 

Grading Criteria

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

Four exams, 100 points each                                      400

Class Participation Grade                                               50

Pearson My poliscilab                                                  100

Ethical Dilemma paper                                                   50     

Total                                                                            600

 

540=A

480=B

420=C

360=D

Below 360=F

Attendance

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.

 

Class participation grade.  Attendance is heavily considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade.  Class participation is worth 50 points.  Roll will be taken in class at least ten times for each student and students normally receive five points for every time they are in attendance when their name is called. 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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Disabiltiy Statement:  Any student, who because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangement in order to meet course requirements, should contact Accessibility Services (SSC 125, Phone 371-5436) and the instructor on the first day of class to make the necessary accommodations.

 

Course requirements/grading:

Exams:  There will be three major examinations during the semester plus a final examination on Thursday, July 2, 9:30-11:20. Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures.  Each exam is worth 100 points.  Students may not drop the any of the exams. The exams will be taken online in Blackboard during the normal class time slot. To access the exams, click on the Content Button on the left hand side of the screen, scroll down to the Exams folder, click on it and then on the exam that you want to take.  

 

Makeup Exams:   There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor.   If a student misses an exam without prearrangement with the instructor, The student must write a 4-6 page book review of a book chosen by the instructor to replace the exam.. 

 

Class participation grade.  Attendance is heavily considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade.  Class participation is worth 50 points.  Roll will be taken in class at least ten times for each student and students normally receive five points for every time they are in attendance when their name is called. 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.

 

Pearson Mypoliscilab Lab. Students will complete four online quizzes from four chapters from Pearson’s Mypoliscilab for 100 points. Each Quiz has 25 questions and all are drawn from the Choices book. Students must use the access codes from the Choices textbook that they purchased for this class to complete the quizzes in www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com. Students will complete quizzes over Chapters 1, 5, 12, and 13. The quizzes must be completed by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 1.

 

Ethical Dilemma Paper: Students will read an ethical dilemma assigned by individually by the insturctor. Individual due dates are determined by the instructor. In a one page typed paper, students will briefly identify and accurately describe the ethical dilemma. Students will use appropriate insights from two or more areas of study at AC to make connections and clarify the ethical dilemma. Students will recognize connections to their own personal values and rules, articulate the sources of their insights, and incorporate personal values in a reasoned response.  Do not include information from Wikipedia or any other web sites, articles, or books. Keep the length of your response to one page. The Historical Ethical Dilemma Paper is worth 50 points toward the final grade. No papers will be accepted after 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 1.