Faculty Syllabus
GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government
Denis Berlinger
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
GOVT-2306-032 (16971)
LEC MW 1:30pm - 2:50pm RRC RRC1 1218.00
GOVT-2306-035 (16974)
LEC MW 10:30am - 11:50am RRC RRC1 1218.00
GOVT-2306-087 (48838)
LEC MW 6:00pm - 7:20pm RRC RRC2 2312.00
Course Requirements
Students are expected to attend class regularly and to complete assigned readings in accordance with the course outline.
Withdrawing from the class is the student's responsibility and must be done officially with ACC Admissions and Records. Remaining on the class roster while not taking tests and completing assignments will result in an F for the class.
Make-up tests will be given only under extraordinary circumstances, such as a medical emergency with doctor's note.
Grades will be determined in part on students' performance on four tests, which typically consist of multiple choice, true/false, and short essay questions. The test component of the final grade is worth 70%. It is mandatory to take all four tests to pass the class. Students, however, will be allowed to drop their lowest test score.
Students will also write two reaction papers, worth 30% of the final grade.
Course Subjects
This course begins with a brief review of the principles, structure, and problems of US government.
In tackling the Texas case, we'll look at some of the milestones in the states's historical experience that have had an important influence in its political development, including its political culture.
We'll examine the constitutional history of Texas, paying particular attention to the differences between the often more familiar US Constitution and the current state document.
We'll then look at the institutions and mechanisms linking citizens to the state government, including the state's party system, elections, and interest groups.
We'll then proceed to an examination of the state legislature, including the role played by its presiding officers.
This is followed by the study of the state's executive branch, with special focus on the challenges facing its governors.
In evaluating the Texas judiciary, we'll devote considerable attention to the problem of judicial selection and its consequences.
We'll cover local government in Texas, including the differences between municipalities and counties, their relative functions, as well as the typical problems that they face.
Finally, we'll look the state's economic history and development, the state's tax structure, as well as the budgetary process.
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
It is hoped that students will gain a deeper understanding of the underlying forces influencing the state's political development, become familiar with the state's governmental and political institutions, and thus obtain the ability to better assume their responsibility as informed participants in the political process.
Office Hours
M W 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM RRC 1204
NOTET Th 11:30 AM - 12:00 AM HLC
NOTEM W 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM RRC 1204
NOTEPublished: 01/20/2026 09:01:50