Texas Government Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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-2306-014 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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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Choices:  Custom Resources for Political Science, 2013, ISBN # 1256620238

 

 

Supplies

\ Scantrons, #2 Pencils, pen and paper for note-taking.  Small tape recorder if you wish to record lectures.

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Student Performance

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

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

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2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.

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3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.

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4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.

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5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.

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6. Analyze the state and local election process.

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7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

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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

\ 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 3 assignments. Each is worth a possible 100 points, for a total possible homework grade of 100. The total homework grade will constitute 20% of your total semester grade. There will be a 10 point deduction for each class day a homework assignment is turned in late. Assignment #1 will involve solving an ETHICAL DILEMMA. Instructions for all Assignments are found in the student class page menu under “Student Documents.” 

CHAPTER TESTS: There will be four (4) CHAPTER TESTS each covering approximately 3-4 chapters. The average of your 3 highest Chapter Tests will constitute 60% of your semester grade, UNLESS you are exempted from taking the Final exam, in which case the average of your 3 highest chapter tests will count 80% of your semester grade. If Dates of Testing vary from the course calendar they will be announced two class periods prior to the test.

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 proof of DIRE circumstances, and then you will be given a different Form of the exam from the rest of the class.

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.

 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 have an EXEMPTION from taking Final Exam if you meet ALL THREE (3) OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

1.Missed 2 or less class days for classes that meet only once a week.

2. The average of your 3 highest chapter tests is at least a 90, and you actually took all 4 Chapter Tests

3. You turned in all Homework Assignments on time and made at least 80 points on each of them.

WARNING: If you choose to take the Final when you are exempt, the Final Exam grade cannot be dropped, but must be counted.

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. Refer to the student handbook for the corresponding letter/numerical grading scale used at Amarillo College for this department.

DAILY COURSE WORK: We will be covering approximately one or more chapters per week in the text. The student is responsible for reading all the material in the assigned text and any class handouts. It will be important to success that the student take notes on class lectures and on current events class discussions. Students will NOT have access to instructor's lecture notes for class days missed.  The Instructor will prepare Chapter Outlines of the Lecture material for students to use to guide their note taking during class.  These will be posted on the AC Connect site for this class prior to each chapter lecture.  Look for them on the course page under “Student Documents.”

Attendance

Regular attendance is required for satisfactory achievement in this class. Attendance shall be taken at each class meeting. It is important that you get good class notes in order to do well on the tests.

Calendar

Additional Information

DROPPING THIS CLASS: YOU MUST SEE THE INSTRUCTOR IN ORDER TO START THE PROCESS 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.

TAPING: Lectures may be tape recorded by any student.