GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government
Wajma Nasher
Credit Fall 2025
Section(s)
GOVT-2306-017 (21613)
LEC MW 10:30am - 11:50am RRC RRC1 1218.00
GOVT-2306-052 (21644)
LEC RRC ONL DIL
LEC W 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC1 1218.00
GOVT-2306-066 (21653)
LEC RRC ONL DIL
LEC M 12:00pm - 1:20pm RRC RRC1 1218.00
Course Requirements
For complete syllabus please visit the class blackboard page.
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.
Course Requirements
Examinations: Four examinations will be issued during the course that will be worth 100 points each. Altogether, the four examinations are worth up to 400 points of a student’s final course grade.
Assignments: Students will be required to do a few assignments. More details will be provided in class discussion and on handouts. Altogether, the assignments will be worth up to 200 points towards a student’s final course grade.
Final Course Grade Scale Calculation: Student’s final grades will be calculated using the following 600 point scale:
|
Letter Grade |
A |
B |
C |
D |
F |
|
Total Points |
600 - 540 |
539 – 480 |
479 - 420 |
419 - 360 |
359 and below |
Readings
- The required textbook for this course is Practicing Texas Politics by Brown, Langenegger, Garcia, Biles, Rynbrandt, Reyna, and Huerta.
- The publisher is Cengage
- You may use the current or the older versions of the textbook going back no later than the year 2015.
- No other supplemental materials (MindTap or online access) is required with the textbook.
Course Subjects
Unit One:
-
The Environment of Texas Politics
-
The Texas Constitution
-
Local Governments
Unit Two:
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Interest Groups
-
Political Parties
-
Voting, Campaigns, Elections, and Media
Unit Three:
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The Legislative Branch
-
The Executive Branch
Unit Four:
-
The Administration
-
The Judicial Branch
-
Financing of State Government
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
Common Course Objectives
This course will emphasize teaching students the following general learning outcomes that the Government Department of Austin Community College has adopted for all of its GOVT 2306 courses:
Constitutional Foundations:
The student will understand the foundations, development, and features on the Texas Constitution of 1876.
Linkage Institutions:
The student will understand how media, interest groups, and political parties serve as institutions to connect people to Texas state and local governments.
Political Learning:
The student will understand how political values, attitudes, and behaviors are learned, organized, and expressed.
Campaigns and Elections:
The student will understand the operation of a political campaign, types of elections, and the factors that affect election outcomes in the Texas political system.
Institutions of State Government:
The student will understand the structure, functions, and operations of the institutions of state government in Texas.
Institutions of Local Government:
The student will understand the structure, functions, and operations of the institutions of local government in Texas.
Public Policy in Texas:
The student will understand the development and implementation of public policy in Texas.
Office Hours
M 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM RRC
NOTE I have office hours Monday - Thursday and Friday by appointment. In Person: Monday (1:30pm - 3:00pm) & Wednesday (12:00pm - 1:30pm) Online: Tuesday & Thursday 10:00am – 1:00pm (Also by Appointment)Published: 06/02/2025 14:00:19