Texas Government Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Course

GOVT-2306-003 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

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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. ISBN 9-780786-425853

Supplies

Something to take notes with whether electronic or a writing instrument and paper.

Student Performance

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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

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Grading Criteria

Course requirements/grading:

Exams:  There will be three major examinations during the semester plus a final examination on Thursday, December 10, 12:00-1:30. 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 in Library 400. 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 PearsonÂ’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 Friday, December 4.

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 Friday, December 4.

 

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

 

 

Attendance

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Calendar

Additional Information

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