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 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.
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
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.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
GOVT-2306-013 Texas Government
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
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.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Online Course
Required Books:
TEXTBOOK
GOVT 2306 – Mora, State of Texas 6th edition
Regular access to a computer with Internet is necessary. Students also have access to significant Virtual help from the Textbook publisher’s web site and often may use an E-Book instead of the more traditional printed version. See AC Distance Education web site for computer hardware and software guidelines.
Computer Requirements:
Regular log-on is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to keep track of their assignments. Students must have regular access to a computer and a reliable Internet connection to enroll in this course. I repeat, these are minimum requirements for all students in every online course.
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.
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".
Withdrawing From A Course: NOTE: AC withdrawal procedures are listed above. It is the responsibility of the student to officially Drop or Withdraw from a course prior to the Date set by the College and listed on both the College Master Calendar and under the Course Schedule for this class. Students are also now REQUIRED to contact their Professor and discuss the choices available to them. If completion of the Course is not an option, students MUST obtain all appropriate Paperwork signed by each Professor to initiate the Drop process. Failure by the student to Withdraw may result in a grade of “F” for the course. A grade of “W” will be assigned for student-initiated Withdrawals that are correctly submitted on or before the posted Drop Date.
PLEASE PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THIS PART!!! Students who do not attend and participate in the class on or prior to the Census Date will be administratively dropped without any recourse by either the student or Professor. Effective Fall, 2016, students will be automatically dropped by Amarillo College after the Census Date and will NOT be allowed to re-enroll under any circumstances. Please understand that this includes accidents, computer failures, family emergencies or any other circumstance. Any failure to participate prior to the Census Date will lead to automatic removal of the student from the class under an administrative drop---period. This Census Date is vital to you so be sure that you have not only logged-in but have actively participated in some assignment for credit, otherwise you WILL BE DROPPED and the Professor has no way to prevent or reverse the action so please be sure you are aware of and understand it.
REMEMBER---Simply logging into Blackboard, AC Connect, the Course Webpage or any other contact such as an E-Mail to your Professor is NOT accepted by either the AC administration nor the State of Texas as “attendance,” and will not count as “participation.” You Have Been Warned!!
OVERVIEW & INFORMATION
GRADING CRITERIA
I promise to do my absolute best to grade your work in a timely manner. Typically speaking, I grade all assignments within 72 hours of the due date. If you have any questions or concerns about a particular grade, feel free to shoot me an email and explain the situation; I promise I’ll look at it (I can’t promise I’ll agree with you, but I do promise to hear you out).
* Keep in mind, that you'll do great in this class if you set aside time to study and to do the work.
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 – 59
Quiz Average – 40%
Assignments Avg. – 30%
Discussion Questions - 20%
Course Paper – 10%
LATE WORK POLICY:
There are no make-up exams and assignments and no extra credit or "do-over" assignments in this class, nor do I accept late work assignments. To offset this, Beginning with week 3, you can work two weeks ahead in McGraw-Hill. Also, you will have two weeks to complete the Common Assessment writing assignment. Should you know you are going to be absent for an emergency, please contact me in advance.
NO on-campus meetings are required. This course is conducted entirely Online. Regular attendance and logging into this class is a necessity for success.
NOTICE: BE WARNED -- This is fast-paced 8-week course. Time management is the key to success.
COURSE SCHEDULE
3-18 Week One - First Day of Class
3-24 Chapter 1 Assignments and Discussion 1
3-24 Discussion Question 1 due.
3-24 Connect Orientation Videos- Smartbook Overview due
3-24 All Chapter 1 assignments and quizzes due.
3-25 Week Two Begins
3-31 Chapter 2 & 3 Assignments
3-31 Chapter 2 & 3 Assignments due.
4-1 Week Three Begins
4-7 Chapters 4 & 5 Assignments and Discussion Question 2
4-7 Chapters 4 & 5 Assignments Due
4-7 Disccussion Question 2 Due
4-8 Week 4 Begins
4-14 Chapter 6 & 7 Assignments and Discussion Question 3
4-14 Chapter 6 & 7 Assignments and Quiz Due
4-14 Discussion Question 3 Due
4-15 Week Five Begins
4-15 Begin Common Assessment Writing Assignment
4-21 Chapter 8 & 9 Assignments
4-21 Chapter 8 & 9 Assignments and Quiz Due
4-22 Week Six Begins
4-28 Chapter 10 & 11 Assignments
4-28 Chapter 10 &11 Assignments and Quiz Due
4-28 Common Assessment Writing Assignment Due
4-29 Week Seven Begins
5-5 Chapter 12 & 13 Assignments and Discussion Question 4
5-5 Discussion Question 4 due
5-6 Week Eight Begins
5-8 Chapter 14 Assignments
5-8 Chapter 14 Assignments and Quiz Due
5-8 Week 8 Ends
5-9 GRADES SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY
03/09/24 4:47 PM
03/09/24 5:06 PM