Texas Government Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Phone

Office Location

Office Hours

 

 

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.

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-2306-006 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

Gibson/ Revel Government and Politics in the Lone Star State w/access card, 

ISBN 

Please check the announcements in this class. There are links for a free book (10th edition - I'm totally good with that) and a link where you can access the online book for $44.00.  You only need 1 access point.  

Supplies

Paper and writing utensils.  Access to a reliable computer is necessary.

Student Performance

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.

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

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.

Grading Criteria


There are 598 total points available  I drop 1 quiz grade that is already programed in:


A = 598 - 538

B = 537 - 478

C = 477 - 418

D = 417 - 358

F = 357 or below

 

 

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.

 

Attendance

INSTRUCTOR ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Class Participation:  Class participation is mandatory. You will receive a grade for attendance.

Calendar

Texas Gov fall 1 2021   T/R 10:30am – 11:45  2306 - 006 Quizzes due Friday 10:00pm

Aug 24

 

Introduction    Syllabi, Debates assigned

 

Aug 26

Chapter 1: The Social & Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Quiz 1 due Aug 27 10:00pm

NOT DOING THIS QUIZ WILL RESULT IN YOU BEING DROPPED FROM THIS CLASS DUE TO LACK OF PARTICIPATION

 

Aug 31

 

Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution Quiz due Sept 3  10:00pm

 

Sept 2

 

Chapter 8 : The Judicial System in Texas 

Discussion 1 due 10pm Sept 3,

Quiz 8 due Sept 3 10:00pm

 

Sept 7

 

Chapter 12: The Mass Media in Texas Politics  Quiz 3 & 12 due Sept 10   10:00pm

Read on own: Chapter 3: Texas Govt & Politics in the Federal system

 

Sept 9

Debate – group 1 and Just the Basics help day

Sept 12 Sunday

Appendix (Just the Basics) is due by 11:55 p.m.  Sept 12, Sunday

Extra Credit Paper Due 11:55 p.m

Sept 14

 

Chapter 13  Interest Groups & Political Power in Texas  Quiz 13 due Sept 17 10:00pm

 Read  Chapter 4: Local Government in Texas  Quiz 4 due Sept 17  10:00pm

 

 

Sept 16

 

Active Shooter training

 

 

Sept 19 Sunday

 

 

Sept 21

Ethical Dilemma papers due by 10:00pm

 

 

 

Debate 2

 

 

Sept 23

 

Debate 3

Read Chapter 5: The Texas Legislature Quiz 5 due Sept 24 10:00pm  

 

Sept 28


 

Debate 4

Read Chapter 6: The Texas Executive  Quiz 6  due Oct 1   10:00pm 

Read Chapter 7: The Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation Quiz 7 due Oct 1 10:00pm      

 

Sept 30

Debate 5

 

Oct 5


 

Debate 6

Last day to withdraw 

 

Oct 7

Class Exercise

Read on your own: Chapter 10: The Party System in Texas Quiz 10 Oct 8 10:00pm

Discussion 2 Due Oct 8, 10pm

(skip chpts 9 & 14)

 

Oct 12

Read on your own: & Chapter 11  Elections, Campaigns & Political Behavior Quiz 11 due Oct 12 10:00pm

10/14 – 15

Finals week

Census 8/30

 

Additional Information

****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.

Syllabus Created on:

08/04/21 12:50 PM

Last Edited on:

08/04/21 1:04 PM