Faculty Syllabus

GOVT-2306 Texas State and Local Government

Ellen Baik


Credit Spring 2026

Section(s)

GOVT-2306-044 (34265)
LEC RRC ONL DIL

LEC TuTh 9:00am - 10:20am RRC RRC8 8303.00

Course Requirements

Course Requirements and Grading

Grading will be based on chapter quizzes, writing assignments, in-class activities, and mandatory orientation quiz. 

Readings

Required Text

The required textbook for the class is available online free of charge in the link provided below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eW_Izl2M1te67fZ3MCQXpig0_xSf8vpe/view

Optional supplementary text

Brown, Lyle C., et al. Practicing Texas Politics, 18th Edition, Cengage Learning

Course Subjects

Introduction

Federalism & Texas Constitution

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch

Public Policy 

Fiscal Policy

Political Parties

Elections

Public Opinion

Media

Interest Groups

Local Governments

Judicial Branch

Criminal Justice System

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes, Course Rationale, and Course Objectives

The Texas Education Code (51.301) mandates that “every college and university receiving state support or state aid from public funds shall give a course of instruction in government or political science that includes consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. This course shall have a credit value of not less than six semester hours or its equivalent.”

In accordance with the Texas Code, the Government Department of ACC has established GOVT 2305 and 2306 courses to provide instruction in participatory democracy emphasizing civic and cultural awareness, critical thinking, personal responsibility, and written, oral, and visual communication. This course fulfills three hours of the legislative requirements of six hours of US and Texas government.

Course Objectives for GOVT 2306

By the end of the course, the students will demonstrate their understanding of the:

1. Texas Constitution and its history.

2. Federalism and the federal-state relations, i.e. powers, rights, and duties.

3. Political institutions, i.e. three branches of government, and processes, including interest groups, media, voting, public opinion, political parties and elections, and public policy in Texas.

4. Local government’s structure, functions, and operations in the state of Texas.

Disclaimer

This is an abbreviated version of the course syllabus. Please see the course blackboard site for a complete version of the syllabus containing important course information, course policies, and course calendar.

Office Hours

F 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ONL

NOTE and by appointments via Blackboard Zoom

M W 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM NRG

NOTE

T Th 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM STP

NOTE

T Th 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM RRC

NOTE

Office Hours

F 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ONL

NOTE and by appointments via Blackboard Zoom

M W 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM NRG

NOTE

T Th 10:10 AM - 10:40 AM STP

NOTE

T Th 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM RRC

NOTE

Published: 01/17/2026 23:38:53