Texas Government Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p><big>Dutton Hall, # 202J</big></p>

Office Hours

Office Hours: I'm available in my office on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 - 12:00am and by appointment.
If a student needs a guaranteed office visit or zoom, please reach out and make an appointment with me directly.
If you email me, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

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 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-2306-005 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

Tucker, Gibson, et. al.,   Government and Politics in the Lone Star State       

REVEL Access Code ONLY - 12th Ed.  2023

ISBN# 9780136902461

This book is cheaper to purchase through the link in Blackboard, but if you are using financial aid, you may need to purchase this in the bookstore.

We will also utilize a simulation from www.statecraftsims.com a link for which will be provided in class. The sim code is also available in the bookstore for those receiving financial aid, but is also available for purchase through a link in class.

Supplies

Access to a phone/computer and reliable internet for reading.

Notebook and pen OR something else to take notes with.

Student Performance

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

Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

During discussions in the course students are expected to be professional and follow common courtesy. The discussions in this class are meant to bring up various positions and sometimes the arguments presented can be challenging. In short, be respectful of other's opinions. When stating a claim, be prepared to defend it with evidence and facts.

Please never forget that we don't know who is in the room with us and what their experiences in life have been. That being said, all opinions that are voiced should always protect the safety of the learning environment for ALL students.

Grading Criteria

A = 89 - 100
B = 79 - 88
C = 69 - 78
D = 59 - 68
F = 0 - 58

Discussions - 30%

Assignments - 30%

Exams - 30%

Course Paper  –  10%

Makeup exams and discussions at professor's discretion.

Attendance

Students who do not participate in discussions cannot receive participation credit.

Calendar

Welcome to Texas Government: Chapter Assignments, Main Exams, Ethical Dilemma, and Class Discussions

REVEL assignment due dates (this is work that is to be done online using the REVEL website):

Due January 21 – Chapters 1 and 2

Due January 28 – Chapters 3 and 4

Due February 4 – Chapters 5 and 6

Due February 11 – Chapters 7 and 8

Due February 18 – Chapters 9 and 10

Due February 25 – Chapters 11 and 12

Due March 3 – Chapters 13 and 14

 

Test Openings and Due Dates (These will be done online using the Blackboard website and require a Lockdown Browser:

Mid-term Exam - Due between February 11-13 - Chapters 1-8

Final Exam- March 3-5 - Chapters 9-14

 

Course Paper due date:

Due February 25

The Common Assessment Paper assignment will be accessed through Blackboard and turned in through the drop box on its assignment page. You will need to click on the button located on the left hand side of our course’s Blackboard site titled “Common Assessment” to access this assignment, as well as how to turn it in.

Additional Information

The Instructor reserves the right to change dates and content around as necessary to meet the needs of the students and the curriculum.

All students should read and understand ALL of the information that is contained on our course announcements page (where I post factual commentary over simulation driven ideas, in class discussions, the REVEL button link and Syllabus page.

http://www.actx.edu

Syllabus Created on:

01/11/24 11:02 PM

Last Edited on:

01/12/24 10:47 AM