GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government

Aundra Hawkins

Credit Fall 2024

Section(s)

GOVT-2306-127 (90742)
LEC TuTh 9:00am - 10:20am DIL DLS DIL

Course Requirements

There will be assignments that are to be submitted to my email account Blackboard.  All assignments must be turned in by 11:59pm on the scheduled date. You are required to find an article from a news source or political cartoon.  No sports or celebrity news unless it relates DIRECTLY to government.  While I would prefer Texas State government sources, the article or political cartoon could relate to United States government and politics.  You will be required to submit a page describing how this source relates to government and why, in your opinion, is this source important?

There will be summaries that are to be submitted through Blackboard. Class participation and attendance is a vital portion of your overall grade.  Showing up to class doesn't count as participation.  You must actively participate to gain full credit.  Missing more than three classes could influence your final grade. If you leave class early, you will be counted as absent.

There may also be handouts that you will be required to read as a supplemental to the topic being discussed in class.  There will be a total of three exams given throughout the course and a cumulative final exam at the end of the semester.  Each exam will consist of multiple choice or matching form, with 1-3 essay questions.  The final will consists of at least 4 essay questions.

Readings

Jones, Crain, & Davis.  Texas Politics Today.  2022 Edition, 19th edition, Wadsworth, 2022 (This is what I am using)     

Student Edition ISBN: 978-0-357-50672-1;  Loose-leaf Edition ISBN: 978-0-357-50679-0  

Selected supplemental handouts

Course Subjects

  1. Texas History and Political Culture
  2. Texas Constitution
  3. Texas Local Government
  4. Political Parties
  5. Interest Groups
  6. Taxing and Budgeting
  7. Public Policy in Texas
  8. Spending and Services
  9. Social Policy
  10. Voting and Elections
  11. The Bureaucracy
  12. The Texas Judiciary
  13. The Texas Governor
  14. Texas Legislature

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

This course is an introduction to Texas state and local government. The course includes an introduction to a framework for analyzing Texas government and politics, the constitutional basis for Texas government and politics, the processes of Texas government and politics, the institutions of Texas government and politics, and the policies of Texas government and politics.  

Office Hours

T Th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Virtual

NOTE Or by appointment

M W 9:50 AM - 10:20 AM Riverside Campus Room 2277

NOTE Or by appointment

T 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM Virtual

NOTE Or by appointment

M W 11:55 AM - 12:25 PM Riverside Campus

NOTE Or by appointment

Office Hours

T Th 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Virtual

NOTE Or by appointment

M W 9:50 AM - 10:20 AM Riverside Campus Room 2277

NOTE Or by appointment

T 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM Virtual

NOTE Or by appointment

M W 11:55 AM - 12:25 PM Riverside Campus

NOTE Or by appointment

Published: 08/26/2024 17:04:22