Texas Government Syllabus for 2018-2019
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Instructor Information

Office Location

The Instructor is an Adjunct (part time) with no on – campus office.

Office Hours

The instructor is an Adjunct (part time) with no on-campus office.  The instructor may be reached via email regarding an on-campus appointment.

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

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.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-2306-003 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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The Texas Politics Project 
978-0-9984578-5-7

Supplies

Textbook listed above

Reliable Internet Access

Student Performance

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.

This course will follow the definition given by the Amarillo College Department of English:  Plagiarism is defined as the following:  the use of someone else’s exact words that are neither quoted nor cited; paraphrasing someone else’s words without citing them; or using someone else’s research without citing it. 

Any plagiarized work submitted as your own without following the criteria listed above will not be accepted and the submitting student will receive a zero for that particular assignment. 

Any work copied and pasted from another student will likewise not be accepted.  In this case, both students will receive a zero for that particular assignment and will be referred to the Department Chair for possible academic discipline.

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

Students are expected to comply with the Amarillo College Student Handbook regarding student behavior.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria:
90  – 100 = A

80   – 89  = B

70   -  79 = C

60  -   69 = D

Below 60 = F

Weekly textbook assignments:  50% of semester grade

Weekly internet assignments:     40 % of semester grade

Final:  10% of semester grade

 * 10 point penalty for all EBOOK assignments submitted late

Attendance

n/a

Calendar

Week 1:  August 20 - August 26

          Chapter 1 :  THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION

Week 2: August 27 - September 2

          Chapter 2:  THE LEGISLATURE

Week 3:  September 3 - September 9

          Chapter 3:  THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

Week 4:  September 10 - September 16

          Chapter 4:  THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Week 5: September 17 - September 23

          Chapter 5:  THE GOVERNOR

Week 6:  September 24 - September 30

          Chapter 6:  INTEREST GROUPS

Week 7:  October 1 - October 7

          Chapter 7:  LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FINAL:  October 1 -10  (yes, this is correct)

            Chapter 8:  Elections, Voting, and Campaigns

            Blackboard Assignment

Additional Information

The instructor reserves the right to make any schedule changes and will notify students immediately if this occurs.

Syllabus Created on:

07/13/17 2:24 PM

Last Edited on:

08/01/18 10:28 AM