Texas Government Syllabus for 2015-2016
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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-2306-008 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

** This is an E Book.  The Access Card will provide the text, the quizes, and assorted media. I will no     longer use a paper copy of the text.  **

REVEL for Lone Star Politics, 2014 Elections and Updates Edition – Access Card, 2/e

Benson, Clinkscale & Giardino

Supplies

Reliable internet access !    Should you need to locate an alternate internet location, you are entitled to use

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

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 are expected to comply with Amarillo College policies and procedures listed in the student handbook on your Amarillo College website.  You may contact the instructor prior to the beginning of any class for questions regarding a deviation from these policies.

No sleeping or laying down on the desks during class.  No working on / reading for another course during my class.

Students are required to be "E-Free" during this class except for personal computers which may be utilized for note taking ONLY.  No game playing on the personal computers during class.  Internet use on the personal computers during class is forbidden unless under the direction of the instructor.  Use of the following (andy any others which may not be either remembered by the instructor or invented at the time of this syllabus) is forbidden in this class:  ;ipds, mp3 players, iphones, blckberrys, ipads, cell phones of any kind and anything remotely close to these descriptions.  NO TEXTING, NO TWEETING, NO PHONE CALLS, NO MESSAGE CHECKING, NO CAMERA USE, NO NOTHING WITH YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICE DURING THIS CLASS.  ALL DEVICES MUST BE IN THE SILENT POSITION DURING CLASS TIME.  ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE AWAITS THOSE WHO DISREGARD THIS POLICY.  All students are urged to enroll in the AC alert system located on the Amarillo College homepage.

Anyone with a legitimate exception to the above may contact the instructor after class with their plea.

Grading Criteria

Students will actively utilize their AC Online account to receive class assignments, class announcements and to contact the instructor.  Students without personal internet access are free to use the computer internet terminals in the Amarillo College Lynn Library located on the Washington Street Campus.

Grading Criteria:
90  – 100 = A

80   – 89  = B

70   -  79 = C

60  -   69 = D

Below 60 = F

Weekly textbook assignments:  35% of semester grade

Weekly internet assignments:    35% of semester grade

Attendance and Classroom participation:  15% of semester grade

Final:  15% of semester grade

Make up work is is accepted at the discretion of the Instructor during specified times only.

Attendance

Tentative HYBRID CLASS MEETING DATES…….Subject to change by instructor.

Wednesday, January 20

Wednesday, January 27

Wednesday, February 10

Wednesday, February 24

Wednesday, March 9

Wednesday, March 23

Wednesday, April 6

Wednesday, April 20

In Class portion of FINAL

Wednesday, May 11

Both Attendance and Class Participation are vital.  There are 8 “in person” classes PLUS the Final.  You will receive an attendance grade for each of the 8 regular classroom meeting times. You must be present for at least 1 hour of the class to receive a grade other than 0 for attending that particular class.

Cell phone Use:  Please step out of the classroom if you need to text or receive/send a text/email.

Please do not use your cell phone during class for anything at all.

Please step into the hall to respond to emergency messages.

Calendar

Additional Information

1. The assignment calendar is based on a "Wednesday through Tuesday" schedule.
2.   Assignments will open at 12:05 a.m. on Wednesdays and will close at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.