Texas Government Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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-2306-017 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

 

Supplies

Access to reliable internet and a device to access the course through the internet.

Notebook and writing utensil

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.

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

Because this is a hybrid course, I will not be able to fully lecture over all chapters covered. You will need to read your textbook (online or physical copy) to get the best grade.

You will need the access code to use Revel (the publisher's online textbook and supporting materials) to complete required assignments throughout the course. The first week of class you can sign up for free digital access to the book and everything in Revel, but this free access will expire before our class is complete, so at some point, you will need to buy this access code. As chapter readings and assignments will come up quickly, please sign up for access within the first week of class, even if you are waiting on financial aid or for your order to be delivered.

During course discussions, please be aware that no one ever knows who is in the room with them and what life experiences they've had. Therefore, it is incredibly important to be respectful and kind during discussions, and speak in a manner that will always protect the safety of the learning environment for ALL students.

Amarillo College expects all students to engage in academic honesty and refrain from cheating and/or plagiarism.  I expect each students to complete their own work independently rather than copying assignments from classmates or working collaboratively. Exams should be completed independently, as should all other assignments for this class.  Penalties for cheating as well as plagiarism are outlined in the Amarillo College Student Handbook.

In our course calendar, I list due dates for all assignments. Please try to complete all assignments on time. Calendar all due dates, use phone reminders, take advantage of the tie you have, and plan ahead. All work must be turned in on time to receive full credit.  If work is submitted late, it is subject to point or percentage deductions. I will not accept work that is more than two weeks late unless you and I have discussed your need for more time and I have granted an extension.

You will need to contact me to develop arrangements for homework submissions that will be turned in late. What is a reasonable or acceptable reason for turning in work late and what the timeline will be for turning in a late assignment is at my discretion.  As soon as you know you must miss an assignment, please contact me.

 

Grading Criteria

Type	Percentage
Homework	30%
Exams	30%
Common Assessment	25%
Participation & Attendance	15%

Grades in this course are not given, they are earned.  As a student, you will be required to complete the necessary work to earn your grade.

Overall Course Grades are broken down in this manner:

Letter Grade	Numerical Grade
A	89.5-100
B	79.5-89.4
C	69.5-79.4
D	59.5-69.4
F	59.4 and below

Homework:

Chapter readings are part of the homework in this course; reading is required. Additionally, there will be homework as assigned by the instructor. All homework assignments will be provided by the instructor in Blackboard. Topic of homework assignments will vary per chapter.

Homework assignments are all open book/open note.

Due dates are listed in the calendar below.

Exams:

There will be four 50-question multiple choice exams taken online in Blackboard. I will drop your lowest exam grade. 

Exams will open at 12:00 AM on the date indicated on the course calendar and will close when indicated, at least 4 days later, at 11:59 PM.

You must complete the exam all at once within the allotted time of 90 minutes. 

Exams are open book/open note. 

Please do not wait until the last minute, when you will not find anyone to assist you with technical problems. I, and most all other AC staff, will be unavailable to answer questions after 9:00 PM each night.

Do NOT take exams on a laptop connecting to the Internet wirelessly, a cell phone, or when using an unreliable connection. Use an actual computer that has a dedicated cable for the Internet connection.

You may take each exam from any locations - from home, in an AC computer lab, at the public library, etc. 

You will be able to see your exam grade immediately, but you cannot access all of the questions/answers until after the due date has passed - at that point, you can click on the menu item My Grades in our course, click on the Exam of interest, and you will then see all of the questions/answers.

Common Assessment:

Detailed instructions and grading information on the Common Assessment can be found in our Blackboard course.

Participation:

Participation is measured through people who attend classes AND demonstrate content mastery by participating knowledgeably in discussions.  By "knowledgeably", I mean that it will be clear you have read the book and/or are familiar with the topic being discussed - beyond only offering your opinions (which are also welcome). You will receive points toward this grade simply by answering my questions in class and offering your feedback on course material. 

Because we are still dealing with COVID-19 and because I understand that life happens, participation is measured by an effort across the 8-week session.  For example, missing one class day will not decrease your grade assuming you have contributed to discussion on other days that you were present. Missing one per week, however, will be noticed and will count against your grade.

See below for information on attendance.

Attendance

Attendance is measured not only by attending in-person classes but also by way of your complete of assignments by their due dates. If you do not attend our first class, then you must complete the first assignments in this course by their deadlines or communicate with me about why you are not participating, or you will be dropped from the class altogether. Automatic withdrawals occur if non-attending students do not submit their first assignment through Blackboard during the first week of class.

Although I do not require attendance at every class, I will award participation points for knowledgeable participation in class discussions, and by attending classes, you will also benefit from my explanations of information that could be on your exams. Missing too many sessions will count against your grade.

Periodically, I will make announcements, which will be posted in our class on the "Announcements" page in our course and also sent out via email, so checking your email regularly [at least 2x a day] is also highly recommended.

NOTE: If you suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19 or any other contagion, do not come to class! Contact me, and I can make sure that you stay up-to-date. If you receive a positive diagnosis, shelter in place. Stay home, and please notify me immediately. I will let you know what steps the College required of you, before you will be able to return to campus in person. 

Calendar

Additional Information

If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, they may be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work.

Please contact me if you have questions or problems that are impacting your performance in this class. As much as possible, I will be happy to help you. My contact information is at the top of this document.