For online classes: All communication will be done through email. Email me THROUGH the class email USING THE LINK ON THE LEFT OF THE PAGE IN BLACKBOARD. (not the one listed above). This is the best way to contact me.
Emails should be done THROUGH the class email (not the one listed above). This IS the best way to contact me.
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 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.
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
The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
GOVT-2306-003 Texas Government
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
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.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Hybrid
Gibson/ Revel Government and Politics in the Lone Star State w/access card, Loose-leaf ISBN 9781323676608
Paper and writing utensils. Access to a reliable computer is necessary.
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.
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".
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.
There are 500 total points available (not including extra credit assignment) ( I drop 1 quiz grade that is already programed in):
A = 500 – 450
B = 449 - 400
C = 399 - 349
D = 348 - 299
F = 298 or below
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.)
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!
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. I cannot open it. I email you – you lose 5 points. Deadline has passed, the assignment is closed, 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.
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!
NO EXCUSE WILL BE ACCEPTED.
INSTRUCTOR ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Class Participation: Class Participation is mandatory. You will receive a grade for attendance.
Texas Gov spring 2 2020 m/w 10:30 – 11:45 2306-Quizzes due Friday 11:55pm March 23 – May 15
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Students – Welcome to the unknown! Ok – so we have been forced to go online for this class. Admin wants us to still 'meet' during normal hours. I am aware that many of you are now teaching your own children, are working outrageous hours to help where needed, taking care of elder (like I am) or have infants at home. I know this isn't what you signed up for, but we will make the best of it. Right now – this is our class. Where you see Blackboard Collaborate – we WILL be meeting at the designated time of our class. Monday and Wednesday 10:30 –11:45. I WILL be online – on blackboard collaborate every Monday and Wednesday. Where you see it highlighted, please make every opportunity to be there too. Part of your grade will be dependent on this participation. On the discussions, make your first post the night before and be prepared to respond to other students during the class time. Quizzes are due at 11:55pm on Friday nights. They are all on. You can take them whenever you need to – as long as not past the due date and time. See you on the 30th! Pearson Revel -you will be using for your book only. Come back to blackboard to take your quizzes. They offer a free 2 week sign up. If you do not have your access code from the bookstore, you can buy direct from Pearson (its cheaper!) |
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March 30 Introduction Debates assigned Using Blackboard Collaborate. We are still going to do debates. I will be posting the possible debate topics. It will be first come first serve. I will post 7 choices – you can choose to be for or against that topic. NO MORE than 3 people on each for or against position. We will try to do this on the first day through blackboard collaborate. |
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April 1 Read Chapter 1: The Social & Economic Environment Quiz 1 due April 3 11:55pm Failure to do this quiz and have participation in blackboard collaborate will result in you being dropped from the class. |
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April 6 Read Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution and Chapter 3: Texas Govt & Politics in the Federal system Quiz 2 & 3 due April 10 by 11:55pm April 8 Video on blackboard collaborate – from Cpt Acker Discussion April 13 Read Chapter 8 : The Judicial System in Texas and Chapter 12: The Mass Media in Texas Politics Quizzes due April 17 11:55pm |
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April 15 - Cpt Acker video on Blackboard Collaborate Discussion April 20 Debate – group 1 |
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April 22 . Debate – group 2 blackboard collaborate Read Chapter 4: Local Government in Texas and Read Chapter 5: The Texas Legislature Quizzes 4 and 5 due April 24 11:55pm |
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April 27 Read Chapter 13 Interest Groups & Political Power in Texas Quiz 13 due May 1 11:55p |
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April 29 Debate 3 & 4 Blackboard Collaborate May 3 / 4 Discussion 1 Due by 11:55p. Sunday May 3. Make your main post and be prepared to discuss with other students in Blackboard Collaborate. |
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May 5 Last day to withdraw May 6 Debate – group 5 and JTB work Blackboard Collaborate Read : Chapter 6: The Texas Executive Quiz due May 8, 11:55pm |
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May 10 Sunday Appendix (Just the Basics) AND Extra Credit Paper Due 11:55 p.m. |
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May 11 Debate 6 Blackboard Collaborate May 13 - Debate 7 Blackboard Collaborate Chapter 7: The Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation Quiz 7 due May 15 11:55pm May 17 and 18 - Discussion 2 – main post Due 11:55pm May 17, be prepared to discuss in Blackboard Collaborate with other students. Read on your own: Chapter 10: The Party System in Texas & Chapter 11 Elections, Campaigns & Political Behavior Quizzes 10 & 11 due May 19 Tuesday , 11:55pm (skip chpt 9 and 14) |
****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.
02/26/20 8:46 AM
03/29/20 9:32 AM