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-2306-0020 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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Governing Texas, 4th edition, Champagne, Harpham & Casellas, W.W. Norton & Co. ISB 978039644302

Supplies

You will need access to a computer that is hardwired to an internet connection. The computer should have speakers so you can hear the audio of recorded lectures and audio playing during video and animation exams.

Student Performance

SEE BELOW

Students 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

Please conduct yourself as an adult. Cheating on exams, tests, or quizzes will not be tolerated.  Lying to the instructor will not be tolerated.

You are expected to complete tests,quizzes and exams on Blackboard on time. NO MAKE UP EXAMS,  MAKE UP TESTS OR MAKE UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN!!!!

 You must read the textbook and view the lectures to pass this course.

THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS!

Grading Criteria

Video & Animation Quizzes are each 2% of the total grade or 26% of the total grade together as a group.

Chapter Tests are each 15% of the total grade or 60% of the total grade together as a group.

The Final Exam is 14% of the total grade.

Attendance

Since this is an online course no attendance can or will be take as in a lecture/classroom class.

You will be required to send me an email on the first day of the online class to let me know you are "Present" and intend to be a student in this course. Your attendance from that point forward will be based on your viewing of the video lectures and the taking of the tests and quizzes. 

We may have some Zoom Meetings during the course. You will receive an e-mail as to the date and time.

Calendar

Additional Information

NO MAKE UP TESTS OR QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN. IF YOU FAIL TO TAKE OR COMPLETE A TEST OR QUIZ WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED YOU WILL RECEIVE A "ZERO" OR "F" FOR THAT TEST OR QUIZ.

All tests or quizzes should be taken on a computer with a hard-wired internet connection.

Using a wireless internet connection runs the risk of being disconnected during the exam since wireless connections are NOT as stable.

Please do not try to take tests or quizzes on wireless devices (cell phones or tablets) for the same reasons stated above.

Please check your AC email at least twice daily and the "Announcements" section of Blackboard at least twice daily to stay current on what is happening in this course.