Texas Government Syllabus for 2020-2021
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

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:

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.

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-2306-013 Texas Government

Prerequisites

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

Government and Politics in the Lone Star State- Pearson

Supplies

No supplies available

Student Performance

No performance information available

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

No behavior expectations available

Grading Criteria

Grade Breakdown

Discussion postings               25%     

Discussion responses             10%

Term Paper                             20%                     

Mini Paper                              10%

Midterm exam                       15%

Cumulative Final Exam       20%

 

Mini Paper: You are required to write a short argumentative paper so that I can gauge your writing skill and how you make an argument. Basically this is a really easy assignment. You must persuade me of a topic, which are listed below. I want you to choose a side and persuade me one way or another on the issue. You MUST cite at least one credible source in the paper and the paper must have at least 1000 words. It must be formatted in MLA or APA format and be spell checked for errors, etc. This paper should be research based. Be sure to write it in third person (i.e. no I, you, we, or us).

Note: Failure to do the mini paper means I will not read your larger term paper.

Mini paper topics:

If your last name starts with

A-F   Should the Confederate flag continue to be flown and celebrated across the country?

G-M  Should TX raise the minimum wage to $15/hr?

N-S   Should TX make college free for its citizens?

T-Z   Should TX schools regulate food served in order to combat obesity?

So this will require you to do some research on the issue and focus on the government’s action here. There is no wrong answer so long as you defend your point well.

Term Paper: Students will choose a political topic (MUST BE APPROVED BY ME) to write about and will argue and defend a political point of view. This paper is expected to look and sound professional and must be thoroughly researched. You are expected to pick a side and convince me of whatever your argument is while also telling me why the other side’s arguments are wrong. The report is expected to be standard format (either Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font, 1 inch margins, double spaced) and sources must be cited in either MLA or APA format. The paper must have at least three reputable sources (WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A SOURCE and will not be allowed) and should be between 7-10 pages (not counting title page or works cited page). You MUST cite your sources if you quote something, reference something, or even mention someone’s idea. Failure to properly cite and document your sources will be considered plagiarism and will result in a grade of zero. Also, be sure to differentiate between fact and opinion in your paper and proofread your paper! I will mark down heavily if a paper is not properly proofread for errors.

Note, the topic for the term paper is due soon, see syllabus. This topic must be approved by me beforehand, every day it’s late will dock you points. Be sure to look over the Term paper topics slides, Term paper analysis slides, and example term papers to see what I am looking for.

DISCUSSIONS & RESPONSES

Discussion Postings: There are 9 Discussion postings you will write (D1-9). They are found in the discussion sections. After you read the chapters and my associated lectures/slides, go ahead and read the applicable discussion. There are multiple questions within each discussion prompt; you are required to respond to EACH question. These submissions are expected to be THOROUGHLY WELL RESEARCHED, CITED, PROFESSIONAL, and basically like a big essay. Do NOT simply just tell me your feelings; you must back up and prove any point you claim. Also, be sure to write in 3^rd person also. Your discussion posts are due at NOON (cst) on the date in the syllabus. NO LATE DISCUSSIONS ACCEPTED.  For course grading, I average your D1-9 responses.

Discussion Responses: For each Discussion posting, you are required to respond to at least TWO OTHER STUDENTS discussions (listed as R1-9). So you need to respond to two other students D1 posts, two other students D2 posts, etc. Your responses should also be well thought out and well-researched. Do NOT just post an “I agree” type statement; your response must advance the discussion. If I think your response is weak, I won’t give you credit for it. All responses are due by the “R” date in the syllabus and NO LATE RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED. For grading, you can get either 100 (at least two quality responses), 50 (one quality response), or 0 (zero quality responses). For course grading, I average your R1-9 responses.

ASSESSMENTS

Exams: There will be two exams. A midterm and a comprehensive final exam

Quizzes: Pop quizzes could occur at any point throughout the course.

Attendance

Since this is an online course, there is no set attendance. However, you are expected to check your email at least every other day for any updates. ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE DUE ON TUESDAYS OR FRIDAYS AT 12:00 (NOON) CST. You can always turn in work earlier; not always later. 

Late work policy

Exams, Discussions, Responses- NO late work accepted

Mini paper and Term paper- accepted, but entire grade deduction after each day late

Calendar

Additional Information

Contact me through the Amarillo email. If for some reason I don’t get back to you in 24-48 hours, go ahead and call or text me. 

 

To meet the expectations placed in this course, students are required to do several things.

• First, students should read through the syllabus completely and should look around and explore the online classroom, when you’re done with that, go ahead and introduce yourself in the “Introduction” discussion.
• Second, should start doing all assigned reading from the book as outlined in the syllabus as well as any lectures and applicable slides.  
• Third, There will always be something you can be working on, whether it be a term paper, a mini paper, a quiz, or a discussion, so don’t procrastinate