Faculty

GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government

Russell Gardner

Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

GOVT-2306-034 (16973)
LEC MW 12:00pm - 1:20pm RVS RVSG 9117

GOVT-2306-053 (16982)
LEC MW 3:00pm - 4:20pm RVS RVSG 9117

Communications

Contacting the Professor The preferred means of contact is E-mail and will be answered as soon as possible.To set up a zoom meeting, request that specifically in an email and arrangements will be made.

All e-mail must include “ACC” in the subject header. This will ensure that the message is filtered into a folder that is read several times daily.

Options:
Email: rwgardne@austincc.edu
Use Blackboard email.
Text only: 210-646-4165

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 2306-034 immediately after class and for 2306-053, immediately prior to class. Also by appointment or via Zoom. Make appointment requests via e-mail at least 24 hours prior and then look for an email confirmation from the professor.

Course Requirements

Course Description

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. (credit hours: 3)

Competencies

Students will need good reading, writing, critical thinking, and study skills to succeed in this course. Students will be expected to read and learn from a textbook, complete out-of-class assignments, navigate the Web in a search for information, write essays on exams, and, depending on the instructor, submit research papers or book reviews or policy analyses or other such work. Students will be expected to follow grammar and spelling rules in all elements of the course, as well as observe MLA accepted citation style in completing research-based course work. Although students will be provided with test dates and general learning outcomes, they will be expected to manage their class materials, learn from the textbook and from recorded video lectures, and study information in detail to prepare for the tests.

Text: Texas Government 2.0

Course Requirements

Attendance: This is a lecture course, and as such, is based on lecture, discussion boards, assigned readings, and exams. Become Blackboard Ultra competent ASAP.

Students may be dropped from class by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to gauge their progress and withdraw from class if it is warranted.

Incomplete Grades: An Incomplete grade MAY be considered if a documented long-term emergency is presented to the instructor. Under no circumstances will this be possible if the event in question was planned, chosen, or scheduled in advance.

Examinations: There will be 3 exams given within the semester. In general, the questions will be focused upon the learning objectives provided below but all reading material and lecture material will be eligible for testing. Regular exams may consist of true-false, multiple choice, and short answer. Make-up exams will be discussed on a case by case basis. No make-up exams will be entertained for anything other than a documented emergency.

Online Quizzes / Extra Credit: The quizzes (multiple-choice format) are being provided as the only extra credit for the class. Additionally, the extra credit is only earned on the first attempt only. You can work through the quizzes multiple times but again only your first attempt receives extra points. It is up to you to take them. They will be available beginning with the Unit start date until the day before the corresponding Unit exam starts. So, you’ll need to work those into your semester calendar. The quizzes are timed and will auto-submit when time expires. The length of time is based on the number of questions. You need to study before you take the quiz. DO NOT expect to be able to take the quiz and look up answers in your notes as you quiz. You will run out of time.

Research Paper: You will choose a paper topic from a provided list of topics. The paper will be worth 100 points. A specific Blackboard section will address the specifics of the paper.

Discussion Board: There will be three Discussion Board exercises worth 20 points each. Total points are available for an initial response to the discussion board prompt (10 points) and a second entry as a response to a student's primary response (10 points). Each discussion will be organized around the corresponding Unit. Discussion 1 will be over material covered for Unit 1. The discussion prompts will be provided in te discussion board.

Grading Scale: There are a total of 598 points available for the class. There are 438 total exam points available, 100 points for the paper, and 60 points for the Discussion Boards.

Grade	Total Points
A	538-598
B	478-537
C	418-477
D	358-417
F	57 or less

Scholastic Dishonesty:

Action prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered includes scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarism (using another author’s words or arguments without attribution), and collusion (the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement).

Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to, tests, quizzes (whether taken electronically or on paper), projects (either individual or group), classroom presentations, papers, and homework. If a student commits any of the above actions, the instructor will seek disciplinary action in the form of an academic penalty (which will include a zero on the academic work in question and may include a course grade of “F”). Such disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the instructor following College procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.

Use of Artificial intelligence: No use of generative AI is permitted. Meaning a student’s class assigned work and work content should be generated by the student and should reflect the students own original ideas. This policy covers any generative AI tool, such as ChatGPT; Grammarly, Elicit, etc. Using AI to generate any of your class assigned work will be considered an act of plagiarism and will be subjected to the Academic Dishonesty process of ACC. This includes but is not limited to text, audio, visual, graphics and artwork.

Academic Freedom: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, particularly about political ideas, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is the instructor’s hope that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn from each other. Therefore, be assured that the students’ grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Student Accessibility Services on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to complete this three weeks before the start of the semester.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities. Students requesting accessibility accommodations must request those accommodations through the Office for Student Accessibility Services on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester. If that is not completed prior to class, the student must complete this within the first week of the semester. it is the student's responsibility to visit the SAS Office and arrange these accommodations.

Concealed Handgun Policy
The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999.

All e-mail must include “ACC” in the subject header. This will ensure that the message is filtered into a folder that is read several times daily.

Options:
Email: rwgardne@austincc.edu
Use Blackboard email.
Text only: 210-646-4165
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 2306-034 immediately after class and for 2306-053, immediately prior to class. Also by appointment or via Zoom. Make appointment requests via e-mail at least 24 hours prior and look for an email confirmation.

Readings

Textbook Readings see corresponding Units in Course subjects for schedule.

Chapter 1 Texas History and Culture

Chapter 2 Texas' Constitution & Federalism

Chapter 3 The Legislative Branch

Chapter 4 The Executive Branch

Chapter 5 The Judicial Branch

Chapter 6 Local Government

Chapter 7 Voting & Political Participation

Chapter 8 Elections and Campaigns

Chapter 9 Political Parties

Chapter 10 Interest Groups

Chapter 12 Criminal Justice

Chapter 14 Public Opinion and Media

Course Subjects

Class Schedule (Bold indicates due date) 1/20 - 5/17

Unit 1 1/21 - 2/27
Read Chapters 1-4 Texas History, Constitution/Federalism, Legislature, and Executive
Respondus Qualification Quiz, Introductory Discussion, and Course Contract email: Due 1/30 11:59PM
Political Compass Due Date 2/2 11:59PM
Discussion for Unit 1 Due Date 2/25 11:59PM
Quizzes for Unit 1 available from 1/21 12AM thru 2/25 11:59PM
Exam #1 Via Blackboard Respondus 2/26-2/27

Unit 2 2/28 - 4/10
Read Chapters 5-8 Courts, Local Govt, Voting, and Elections
Paper Due 4/3 11:59PM 10% deduction per each day turned in late. After 4/12 = automatic 0.
Discussion Due Date 4/8 11:59PM
Quizzes for Unit 2 available from 2/28 12AM thru 4/8 11:59PM
Exam #2 Via Blackboard Respondus 4/9 - 4/10

Unit 3 4/11 - 5/15
Read Chapter 9,10,12, & 14 Parties, Interest Groups, Criminal Justice, and Public Opinion/Media
Discussion Due Date 4/13 11:59PM
Quizzes for Unit 3 available from 4/11 12AM thru 5/13 11:59PM
Exam #3 Via Blackboard Respondus 5/14 - 5/15

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Common Course Objectives

Faculty in the Government Department offer course work that ensures that students learn, in both general and specific ways, the material included in the Department’s general learning outcomes for GOVT2306, listed below.

Context of Texas Politics

Analyze the context of Texas Politics

Constitutional Foundations

Analyze separation of powers in Texas government
Describe the legacy of the Texas Constitution
Describe the nature and characteristics of the 1876 Constitution.
Discuss the nature of the relationship between national and state government.

Linkage Institutions

Analyze the political and policy-making impact of the media in Texas
Analyze the political and policy-making impact of interest groups in Texas.
Analyze the political and policy-making impact of political parties in Texas.
Analyze the process and impact of elections and campaigns in Texas.

Political Learning

Evaluate how political values, attitudes, and behaviors are learned.

Campaigns and Elections

Describe elections and voting in Texas Government.

Institutions of State Government

Analyze the functions and operations of the legislative branch and its role in policy making today.
Analyze the functions and operations of the executive branch and its role in policy making today.
Analyze the functions and operations of the judicial branch and its role in policy making today.

Institutions of Local Government

Analyze the structure, functions, and operations of local government.

Public Policy in Texas

Describe education policy in Texas.
Describe health and human services policy implementation in Texas.
Describe environmental policy implementation in Texas.
Describe criminal justice policy in Texas.
Describe emergency management and border security policy implementation in Texas.

Fiscal Policy in Texas