Texas Government Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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-2306-004 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Custom Resources for Politial Science, 9th edition-Custom Edition for Amarillo College, Pearson,

9781259509329

Supplies

Paper and writing utensils.  Access to a reliable computer is necessary.

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

1.  Come to Class prepared.

2.  Listen when others are speaking.

3.  Avoid side conversations.  They are distracting to me and to others who sit close by.

4.  Arrive on time for class and stay for the whole class period.

5.  Take care of personal needs before class.  Movement about the room is disrupting.  If this poses a problem for you please talk to me.

6.  Do not bring food or drinks into the classroom.

7.  Cell phones should be turned off before class begins.  If you feel you have an exception, see me.

Grading Criteria

There are 579 total points available (not including extra credit assignment) ( I drop 1 quiz grade that is already programmed in):

A = 546 – 491

B = 490 – 436

C = 435 – 382

D = 381 – 327

F = 326 or below

 

Class Participation:  Class attendance is very important and I hope that you will make the choice to be in class on a regular basis. There is no doubt that student who attend class do better than those who do not.   Students will receive 3 pts per class attendance for a possible 39 pts. If you are late/tardy, you will receive 1pt.

 

It is your responsibility to see me on break or after class to let me know you have arrived.  If I take role after the break or at the end of class and you are not there, you will be absent.

Lack of attendance, means lack of participation. Not only will you NOT get the points for attendance but you may LOSE points for NOT participating.

 

Extra Credit Assignment: 

Read the book, “Just The Basics Please! Book 1: Money. Write a 1 page, double spaced, 12 font, standard margin, paper regarding what you learned from this book. (10 pts) (There is an Appendix / Worksheet from this book that is MANDATORY and is a separate assignment.)

Make up Policy:  None - all quizzes are online with due dates. There is no exception to work not being completed on time (sick, kid sick, work, computer problems, etc. Note: AC Online goes down each night from 2 - 4 a.m. You will be kicked off if you try to and take quizzes then.)

NO EXCUSE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

GRADING POLICY:

This is a new policy – please read carefully.

THIS APPLIES TO ALL PAPERS THAT ARE SUBMITTED.

IF I have to email you because I cannot open your paper, which can happen if they are NOT submitted in docx or rtf format, or for any other reason – ie: it’s blank, then you will lose 5 points off the paper. Your paper still needs to be resubmitted in the assignment area before the due date and time to be accepted.

IF I have to GRADE your paper via email for any reason you will lose another 5 points.

IF you do NOT send the paper INSIDE the class email, you will lose another 5 points.

For some assignments – this means you potentially are starting with an 85 out of 100 points. For other assignments, you may be starting with 35 out of 50 points! If the assignment is worth 200 points, I will be DOUBLING all the deductions.

I will NOT take late papers any longer. The due dates are posted from day 1 of the class.

Bottom line – you submit a paper not in docx or rtf and I cannot open it. I email you – you lose 5 points. Deadline has passed, the assignment is closed, you now have to get approval from ME to even submit it late. But, you now have to send it via email, You lose 5 more points. You don’t send it from inside the class email, you lose another 5 points. (or 10 points on each if assignment is worth 200 pts).

My suggestion is to go to the dollar store, buy a $1.00 calendar, and take a couple of hours with different color pens at the beginning of each semester, and mark every assignment due for all your classes on this calendar. Hang in a place you can look at every day. If the assignment is going to take a few days or weeks to do – make a note of it a week or two ahead of the due date so you can get started! 

IF you have trouble understanding how to attach, or copy/paste into the assignment area, you need to contact me DAYS before the assignment is due, not hours! Or call the ACTX help desk for help!  There is also student help found in the library.

Attendance

INSTRUCTOR ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Class Participation:  Class attendance is very important and I hope that you will make the choice to be in class on a regular basis. There is no doubt that student who attend class do better than those who do not.   Students will receive 3 pts per class attendance for a possible 30 pts. If you are late/tardy, you will receive 1pt.

It is your responsibility to see me after class to let me know you have arrived.  If I take role at the end of class and you are not there, you will be absent

Lack of attendance, means lack of participation. Not only will you NOT get the points for attendance but you will LOSE points for NOT participating, up to a full grade OFF.

Calendar

Additional Information

****The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus if circumstances warrant****

All communication with me should be done through the Class email link.  My responses to you will be found in your AC gmail account. It is recommended that you check your AC gmail on a regular basis. All College emails are sent to you AC Gmail Account. If you do not know how to access it - call the AC help desk - 371-5000.