GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government

Vanessa Faz

Credit Spring 2023

Section(s)

GOVT-2306-092 (56401)
LEC COH ONL DIL

Course Requirements

COURSE ELEMENT

***ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE TYPED, TIMES NEW ROMAN OR THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All assignments are to be uploaded as a word, doc, docx, or powerpoint***

Discussion Boards

        worth 15%

  • Forum discussion showing community talk 3d illustration. Forum discussion icons showing community talk 3d illustration. | CanStockYou will be required to participate in discussion boards on Blackboard.
  • You will need to support your assumption with a parenthetical citation. IT MUST be correctly cited and according to MLA format. I will grade hard if this citation is incorrect in any way.
  • Do NOT use citation maker, easy bib, or any citation maker website.
  • There will be 8 discussions boards that you will have to participate in.
  • For your response to my questions, your entry should be 200 words maximum. For a response to another student your answer will need to be 100 words minimum. IT WILL NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR REQUIRED WORD COUNT.
  • YOU MAY NOT COPY/PASTE, REPEAT, or COPY/PASTE from another student or from my responses.
  • Dates when these are due are listed below for your review.
  • Grading rubric will be reflected on Blackboard

 

     Legislative Letters

worth 15% (7.5 % per  each one HOR/Senator)

Each of you is expected to complete the following assignment.

 Contact your legislators: the week of Feb 3, 2022

  • DUE FEBRUARY 3, 2021 by 11:59p.m. Identify     your Texas State Senator and your Texas State             House of Representative. (Hint: these are by districts)

 

  • If you fail to complete this assignment, it can affect                            your ability to pass my class.

 

  • All assignment details are posted to blackboard on how best to complete this assignment and pass with a successful grade.

 

  • Please be cordial in your letter to these elected

officials and refrain from submitting a foul

language letter. No credit will be given for a

disrespectful letter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEST

are worth (3 x 20%each). 60%

We have three tests remaining this semester. The tests will consist of the following:

  • 100 questions varying from True/False, multiple choice, and fill in the      blank.
  • Each question will be worth 1 point each.  All of this will be done      online on blackboard on the assigned date and within an assigned time      frame of 1 hour and 35 minutes (this is the length of the class).
  • The test will force you to complete in that setting so make sure you are      connected at that time. Please DO NOT exit out of the exam due to      low speed of upload. Stay in the exam and give it a minute a two.
  • Should you encounter an unfortunate circumstance, you will need to      contact me as soon as possible to make accommodations.
  • Please send me a screen shot to validate your issue in the event ACC      needs to fix an error with blackboard.
  • You must make sure you have a steady connection and bandwidth to      complete the exam.
  • I will reset the exam one (1) time if you have connectivity issues.
  • Unfortunately, If I have to reset the test you will be given an      alternate/makeup exam with a whole new set of questions.
  • If you have issues with this exam, then you will get a zero or the exam.
  • This does not include test 3 as that is a final and there are no makeups      for Test 3. Please note I am not responsible if you do not email me      should you encounter technological difficulties.
  • If you are having wifi connectivity issues, please make sure that on test      days you are at optimal bandwidth to complete the exam in one sitting.
  • If you are having internet trouble or trouble accessing the test on test      day, YOU MUST EMAIL ME IMMEDIATELY in order to consider      alternatives and problem solve. If you do not reach out to me      immediately, then the grade will reflect as a zero with no makeups.
  • Since the 3rd exam is at the end of the semester, this exam cannot be      made up, taken early or have accommodate any other circumstances.

            A grade of zero (0) will be given if this exam is missed regardless of excuse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A picture containing text, clipart Description automatically generated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extra Credit

Extra Credit (Voluntary basis at your discretion)

If you miss more than the required amount of days allowed for this course, you will not be eligible to turn in any additional extra credit from from the date of your 5th excuse.

For assignments that are due after the 5th absence, extra credit will not apply.

 

 

 

 

Makeup Exams

  • Text Description automatically generatedMake up exams are neither retests nor retakes. Only true documented situations beyond the yous control, extenuating circumstances, and at the discretion of the instructor will the opportunity for make-up exams be reviewed. NO EXCUSES!!!
  • The make up exams are all essay (two essays worth 50 points each). If you miss one of three (3) exams scheduled exams (excluding the 3rd exam), for whatever reason, your only alternative is to schedule a make up.
  • You must inform me, in writing via ACC EMAIL that you intend to make up one of the three exams prior to APRIL 24, 2023. Once I receive your written request, I will send an email to your ACC email address indicating that the exam was placed at the nearest testing center.
  • You will have one (1) week from the day I email you that your exam was placed in the testing center to complete it. If you have not completed the exam within that week, I will collect the exam and a grade of zero (0) will be given for the missed exam. You can only make up one (1) missed exam!!!
  • No you may not make up the 3rd exam. If you miss the third exam for whatever reason, you will not be allowed to make it up as it is the end of the semester.

 

*** Please note that this is an Austin Community College Class and Extra Curricular activities are not considered excused absences to constitute any makeup work or exams****

Readings

Course Calendar

These dates are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor

Day

Date

Agenda/Topic

Due on this Date

Week 1

Jan 16 – Jan 20

INTRODUCTION-----------Syllabus Review

Review of Countries Project and  Legislative Letters

Week 2

Jan 23 – Jan 27

Introduction to Texas History and Politics

Lessons 1-10

Read Unit 1

Discussion Board #1 Due on Jan. 27, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 3

Jan 30 – Feb. 3

The Texas Constitution and American Federal System

Lessons 1-14

Read Unit 2

 LEGISLATIVE LETTER DUE at 11:59p.m on February 3, 2023

Week 4

Feb. 6 – Feb. 10

Local Government in Texas

Lessons 1-5

Read Unit 6

 

Week 5

Feb. 13 – Feb. 17

Public Policy in Texas

 

Lessons 1-5

 

Unite 11

Discussion Board #2 Due on

Feb. 17, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 6

Feb. 20 – Feb. 24

Financing State Government 

Lessons 1-5                                              

                             Unit 13

Test 1: Units 1, 2, 6, 11,13

**Your test will be online and will go live  on Februay 24, 2023 at 8:00a.m. until 11:59p.m.*

Week 8

Mar. 6 – Mar. 10

The Texas Legislature

Lessons 1-7

Unit 3

Discussion Board #3 Due on

March 10, 2023 at 11:59p.m

 

Mar. 13 – Mar. 17

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SPRING  BREAK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Week 9

Mar. 20 – Mar. 25

The Executive Department and Office of the Governor

Lessons 1-7

Unit 4

Discussion Board #4 Due on

March 25, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 10

Mar. 27 – Mar. 31

The Court System in Texas

Lesson 1-5

Unit 5

Discussion Board #5 Due on

March 31, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 11

Apr. 3 – Apr. 7

The Criminal Justice System in Texas                                                     Lesson 1-6

Unit 12

Test 2: Units 3, 4, 5, 12

**Your test will be online and will go live on April 7, 2023 at 8:00a.m. until 11:59p.m.*

 

 

Week 12

Apr. 10 – Apr. 14

Voting and Political Parties in Texas

Lesson 1-5

Unit 7

Discussion Board #6 Due  on

April 14, 2023at 11:59p.m

Week 13

Apr. 17 – Apr. 21

Elections and Campaigns in Texas

Lesson 1-6

Unit 8

Discussion Board #7 Due on

April 28, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 14

Apr. 24 – Apr. 28

Political Parties in Texas

Lesson 1-6

April 24, 2023---------LAST DAY TO DROP

Unit 9

Discussion Board #8 Due  on

April 28, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 15

May. 1 – May. 5

Public Opinion and Media in Texas

Lesson 1-4

Unit 14

Week 16

May. 8 – May. 12

Test 3:  Chapters 9,10,12, 11, 14

**Your test will be online and will go live on May 12, 2023 at 8:00a.m. until 11:59p.m.*

Course Subjects

Course Calendar

These dates are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor

Day

Date

Agenda/Topic

Due on this Date

Week 1

Jan 16 – Jan 20

INTRODUCTION-----------Syllabus Review

Review of Countries Project and  Legislative Letters

Week 2

Jan 23 – Jan 27

Introduction to Texas History and Politics

Lessons 1-10

Read Unit 1

Discussion Board #1 Due on Jan. 27, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 3

Jan 30 – Feb. 3

The Texas Constitution and American Federal System

Lessons 1-14

Read Unit 2

 LEGISLATIVE LETTER DUE at 11:59p.m on February 3, 2023

Week 4

Feb. 6 – Feb. 10

Local Government in Texas

Lessons 1-5

Read Unit 6

 

Week 5

Feb. 13 – Feb. 17

Public Policy in Texas

 

Lessons 1-5

 

Unite 11

Discussion Board #2 Due on

Feb. 17, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 6

Feb. 20 – Feb. 24

Financing State Government 

Lessons 1-5                                              

                             Unit 13

Test 1: Units 1, 2, 6, 11,13

**Your test will be online and will go live  on Februay 24, 2023 at 8:00a.m. until 11:59p.m.*

Week 8

Mar. 6 – Mar. 10

The Texas Legislature

Lessons 1-7

Unit 3

Discussion Board #3 Due on

March 10, 2023 at 11:59p.m

 

Mar. 13 – Mar. 17

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SPRING  BREAK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Week 9

Mar. 20 – Mar. 25

The Executive Department and Office of the Governor

Lessons 1-7

Unit 4

Discussion Board #4 Due on

March 25, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 10

Mar. 27 – Mar. 31

The Court System in Texas

Lesson 1-5

Unit 5

Discussion Board #5 Due on

March 31, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 11

Apr. 3 – Apr. 7

The Criminal Justice System in Texas                                                     Lesson 1-6

Unit 12

Test 2: Units 3, 4, 5, 12

**Your test will be online and will go live on April 7, 2023 at 8:00a.m. until 11:59p.m.*

 

 

Week 12

Apr. 10 – Apr. 14

Voting and Political Parties in Texas

Lesson 1-5

Unit 7

Discussion Board #6 Due  on

April 14, 2023at 11:59p.m

Week 13

Apr. 17 – Apr. 21

Elections and Campaigns in Texas

Lesson 1-6

Unit 8

Discussion Board #7 Due on

April 28, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 14

Apr. 24 – Apr. 28

Political Parties in Texas

Lesson 1-6

April 24, 2023---------LAST DAY TO DROP

Unit 9

Discussion Board #8 Due  on

April 28, 2023 at 11:59p.m

Week 15

May. 1 – May. 5

Public Opinion and Media in Texas

Lesson 1-4

Unit 14

Week 16

May. 8 – May. 12

Test 3:  Chapters 9,10,12, 11, 14

**Your test will be online and will go live on May 12, 2023 at 8:00a.m. until 11:59p.m.*

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Analyze the context of Texas Politics.
  • Analyze separation of powers in Texas Government
  • Describe the legacy of the Texas Constitution
  • Discuss the nature of the relationship between national and state government
  • Analyze the political and policymaking impact of interest groups in Texas
  • Analyze the political and policymaking impact of political parties in Texas
  • Analyze the process and impact of elections and campaigns in Texas
  • Evaluate how political values, attitudes, and behaviors are learned
  • Describe elections and voting in Texas Government
  • Analyze the functions and operations of the legislative, judicial and executive branches and its         role in policymaking today
  • Analyze the structure, functions, and operations of local government
  • Describe health and human services policy implementation in Texas
  • Describe criminal justice policy in Texas
  • Describe education and fiscal policies in Texas Government
  • Describe how budgets are developed and managed in Texas government.

Office Hours

M W F 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM online

NOTE

T Th 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM vandegrift

NOTE

Office Hours

M W F 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM online

NOTE

T Th 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM vandegrift

NOTE

Published: 02/12/2023 08:26:13