Texas Government Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-2306-009 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

The State of Texas: Government, Politics, and Policy, 6th Edition

Authors: Sherri Mora and William Ruger

ISBN10: 1265522766 | ISBN13: 9781265522766

Students need access to either a hard copy of the book or the e-book.  Connect assignments will not be utilized in this course. 

Supplies

Textbook or e-book

Reliable internet service 

Student Performance

1. Define and describe federalism and other ways of organizing government and know the status of the American states within the federal system and the changing character and development of the Federal relationship.
2. List and describe three branches of government in Texas.
3. Know the Constitutional powers and limitations of political actors in Texas.
4. Identify and define the rights of Texas Citizens.
5. Evaluate the public policies of the government of Texas in comparison to ideals.
6. Explain the protection of the individual through the limitations on government power through federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, the Bill of Rights, and democracy.
7. Explain the structures and functions of political participation including parties, interest groups, and elections.
8. Explain the historical development of constitutionalism as a basis for political society and the historical development of the Texas Constitution and the Political system that has developed under that Constitution.
9. Explain local government structures, functions, and organization in Texas.

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This is an online class. This is not a self-paced class. We will have due dates every single week. 

Remember to participate in the first week's discussions, Introduce Yourself Discussion & Amending Texas Constitution discussion, on time as these discussions will be used to verify your presence in the course.  Students who fail to participate in the first week's discussions within the time frame specified in the course schedule will be marked as "never attended" and will be dropped from the course.

Submitting class assignments on time is essential for success in this course.  Even though you have multiple days window to submit each exam or discussion posts, I highly recommend that you do not wait until the last minute to complete the item that is due that week.  All the due dates are listed below in the course schedule.

To study for the exams, you are expected to read the chapters, and review the PowerPoints provided for each chapter.

There are (4) major exams to complete this semester, one exam for each unit,  Each exam is made of 50 multiple choice or true/false questions.  You have 90 minutes to complete each exam.  You are also allowed two attempts for each exam, and the higher attempt grade will be recorded.  The lowest exam grade will be dropped, and each of the remaining exams is worth 20% of your final grade.

There are (3) discussion questions in the course. Each discussion is worth 10% of your final grade.

The common assessment is available to students from the first day of class and is worth 10% of your final grade.  Details about this assignment are available in the common assessment folder in Blackboard.  The due date for this assignment is found in the course schedule.

 

 

Artificial Intelligence:

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is strictly prohibited in this course. Students must complete all academic work without relying on artificial intelligence tools. The use of AI, including but not limited to language models, chatbots, or other similar technologies, to generate or complete assignments, quizzes, discussions, or exams is considered a form of academic misconduct and will result in disciplinary action.

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

 

Exams: 4 – 1 = 3 X 20 Points Each = 60% (The lowest exam grade will be dropped)

Discussions: 3X 10 Points Each = 30%

Common Assessment: 10%

90  – 100 = A

80   – 89  = B

70   -  79 = C

60  -   69 = D

Below 60 = F

 

Late Work Policy

Make-Up Exams:  Since the lowest exam grade will be dropped, make-up exams may be made up only if you can provide proof of a demonstrated incapacity to take the exam as scheduled.  If no excuse is given, a 10% grade deduction will be applied to all make-up exams.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact me to make arrangements for missed work.

Late Discussion Board Posts:  Late discussion posts will be accepted up to (7) days after their due dates. However, these will be assessed a 10% grade deduction.  Late submissions will be accepted via email.  If you miss a discussion, you can send your original response and 2 replies to email.  Please indicate the names of the students you are replying to.  Discussions will not be accepted after (7) days after the initial deadline.

Common Assessment:  Late submissions will be accepted for this assignment.  However, a 10% grade deduction will be applied to all late submissions.  It is the responsibility of the student to contact me to request submission of this assignment after the deadline.

Attendance

Regular attendance by logging into this class on a very regular basis is a necessity for success. Being organized, logging in to the class and completing work, and being responsible for all due dates is imperative for student success in this class.

Calendar

Additional Information

Instructor reserves the right to amend this Syllabus at any time BUT will notify students ASAP of any changes.