GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government
Carl Mullen
Credit Spring 2024
Section(s)
GOVT-2306-012 (82922)
LEC NRG ONL DIL
LEC TuTh 10:40am - 12:10pm NRG NRG2 2119
GOVT-2306-015 (82923)
LEC NRG ONL DIL
LEC MW 10:40am - 12:10pm NRG NRG2 2119
Course Requirements
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
UNIT EXAMS (4 EXAMS ADMINISTERED IN THE CLASSROOM #2119)
The student’s course grade will be based on the results of four (4) unit examinations administered in the classroom during the semester. (See exam dates on the class reading assignments page). Two of the four exams will consist of two parts: (1) 40 multiple-choice questions; and (2) two short essay questions. The essay questions will be provided to the students before the specifically scheduled exam. Each student will complete the essay questions in typed format, (handwritten responses will not be accepted), and return the typed written response on the day of the classroom exam. Points earned on the essay questions will be added to the students’ score on the exam multiple-choice questions. Each specific exam will have a total of 100 points in total value for the complete exam score. Failure to return the written essay questions will result in no essay points awarded for that specific exam. A maximum total of 80 points may be earned for the multiple-choice questions, and a maximum total of 20 points can be earned for the two written questions. The remaining two exams will consist entirely of 40 multiple-choice questions without an essay component.
Readings
TEXAS GOVERNMENT MONDAY & WEDNESDAY
SPRING 2024
READING SCHEDULE
Monday, March 18th -----------------Introductory Session & Review Class Procedures (Classroom)
Wednesday, March 20th -----------Chapter 1 (Environment of Texas Politics) (Classroom)
Monday, March 25th -------------Chapter 2 (Federalism & Tx Constitution) & Chapt.3 (Local Govt.) (Classroom)
Wednesday, March 27th ----------- ALL CLASSES CANCELLED COLLEGE DATA SEMINAR
Monday, April 1st ----------------------Exam 1 (Chapters 1, 2, & 3) (Classroom)
Wednesday, April 3rd ---------------Chapter 4 (Political Parties) & Chapter 5 (Campaigns & Elections) (Class conducted online)
Monday, April 8th ----------------------Chapter 6 (Media & Politics) Classroom
Wednesday, April 10th ----------------EXAM 2 (Classroom) (Chapters 4, 5, & 6)
Monday, April 15th ---------------------Chapter 7 (Interest Groups) (Online Class)
Wednesday, April 17th ----------------Chapter 8 (Texas Legislature) (Classroom)
Monday, April 22nd ---------------------Chapter 9 (The Executive) Online
Wednesday, April 24th -----------------EXAM 3 (Chapters 7, 8, & 9) Classroom
Monday, April 29th ----------------------Chapter 10 (The Judicial Branch & Chapter 11 (Finance & Fiscal Policy) (Online Class)
Wednesday, May 1st -------------------Chapter 12 (Public Policy & Administration) (Classroom)
Monday, May 6th ------------------------Chapter 13 (Criminal Justice System) (Online Class)
Wednesday, April 8th -----------------EXAM 4 SEMESTER ENDS) (Chapters 10, 11, 12, & 13) (Classroom Session)
*The above reading schedule is subject to be revised during the semester if circumstances are warranted. However, no material will be included on the exam that have not been lectured on in the classroom prior to the exam).
Course Subjects
Course Description: This is an introductory course for Texas government and politics as required by the Texas Legislature for all college students to obtain a degree from a Texas college or university. It will cover the following topics (1) an introduction to a framework for understanding Texas government and politics; (2) the constitutional basis for the state government and its politics; (3) a review of federalism and the relationship with state and local governments; (4) the role of political parties in Texas elections and politics; (5) a review of how state-level political campaigns are conducted for election to political office; (6) the role the media and interest groups play in state politics; (7) an examination of the constitutional established institutions of the Texas government; (8) a review of the state government budgetary process; (9) an examination of the major government programs that consume the majority of the state government budget expenditures.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Course Description: This is an introductory course for Texas government and politics as required by the Texas Legislature for all college students to obtain a degree from a Texas college or university. It will cover the following topics (1) an introduction to a framework for understanding Texas government and politics; (2) the constitutional basis for the state government and its politics; (3) a review of federalism and the relationship with state and local governments; (4) the role of political parties in Texas elections and politics; (5) a review of how state-level political campaigns are conducted for election to political office; (6) the role the media and interest groups play in state politics; (7) an examination of the constitutional established institutions of the Texas government; (8) a review of the state government budgetary process; (9) an examination of the major government programs that consume the majority of the state government budget expenditures.
Office Hours
T 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM NRG Room 2119
NOTE Room 2119 NRG Office hours will be conducted from 12:15 to 1:15 every Monday in room 2119. If this is not convenient, I can meet with the student on the NRG campus at a mutually agreeable alternative time.M 12:15 PM - 1:30 AM Room 2119 NRG
NOTE Office hours will be conducted from 12:15 to 1:15 every Monday in room 2119. If this is not convenient, I can meet with the student on the NRG campus at a mutually agreeable alternative time.Published: 03/22/2024 10:52:14