GOVT 2306 Summer 2009 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: UNIT I

Transcription

1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: UNIT I After reading Chapters 1 and 2 in the Keith and Haag textbk and attending the lectures, the student shuld be able t: Lectures: Unit I Explain hw a framewrk facilitates an understanding f plitics and gvernment. Distinguish between plitics and gvernment. List and define the five ideas f the American Creed. Describe the imprtance f the American Creed. Describe hw individualism, liberty, and equality relate t the analysis f plitics. Describe hw demcracy and cnstitutinalism relate t the analysis f gvernment. Describe the fur cnditins f demcracy: plitical equality, deliberatin, participatin, nntyranny. Describe the tw frms f demcracy: majritarian and pluralist. Describe the nndemcratic pssibility: elitism. Describe the institutinal arrangements and prcesses that prmte each frm f demcracy. Describe Huntingtn s paradigm f American plitics. Describe the IvI gap. Describe the respnses t the IvI gap and the factrs that prduce them. Describe the lgical prgressin f respnses t the IvI gap. Describe the factrs that prduce perids f creedal passin r mralism in American plitics. Chapter 1: Ideas, Peple and Ecnmics in Texas Plitics Describe hw the face f Texas is changing and the effects f thse changes. Describe the rigins f Texas plitics and gvernment. Describe the ethnic gups f Texas Native Americans Hispanics African Americans Asian Americans Angls Describe the plitics f Native American gambling in Texas (Plitics Nw). Describe the cntemprary ppulatin f Texas. Describe the ppulatin prjectins fr Texas frm 2005 t 2040 (Analyzing Visuals).

2 Describe the urbanizatin f Texas. Describe hw Texas's histrical experiences have shaped the five ideas f the Texan Creed: Individualism Liberty Cnstitutinalism Demcracy Equality Describe the battle fr Texas (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Describe the hw the Texas ERA has affected plitics (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the fur plitical idelgies in Texas: libertarian, ppulist, cnservative, and liberal. Describe the evlutin f the civics educatin requirement fr Texas clleges and universities (On Campus). Describe the evlutin f the Texas ecnmy frm cttn t cattle and frm cattle t petrleum. Describe the cntemprary ecnmy f Texas. Describe wealth and pverty in Texas. Describe the distributin f incme in Texas (Analyzing Visuals). Define the key terms at the end f the chapter. Chapter 2: Cnstitutinalism Describe the attempts t revise the Texas Cnstitutin f Describe the rigins f the current Texas Cnstitutin: 1836 Cnstitutin 1845 Cnstitutin 1861 Cnstitutin 1866 Cnstitutin 1869 Cnstitutin Describe Gvernr Cke s influence n the 1876 Texas Cnstitutin (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Describe the Delegates wh attended the Cnstitutinal Cnventin f Describe the reasns fr the 1876 Cnstitutin. Describe the structure f the 1876 Cnstitutin. Describe the patterns f vter turnut in Cnstitutinal amendment electins (Analyzing Visuals). Describe hw the increasing rate f adptin f cnstitutinal amendments has affected the current Texas Cnstitutin (Analyzing Visuals). Describe hw the curts have interpreted Article 7, sectin 1 f the Texas Cnstitutin (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the prcess fr amending the 1876 cnstitutin and its effect. Describe the cnsequences and dilemmas f a statutry cnstitutin. Describe the piecemeal cnstitutinal revisin effrts in Texas.

3 Describe the early cmprehensive cnstitutinal revisin effrts. Describe the 1974 Cnstitutinal Cnventin and its failure t prduce a cnstitutin. Describe the failed amendments f Describe the 1999 cnstitutinal revisin effrts. Describe the prvisins f the Angel State University students Texas Cnstitutin (On Campus). Describe the rigins and adptin f the Texas Marriage Amendment (Plitics Nw). Discuss whether Texas shuld adpt the initiative prcess (Jin the Debate). Define the key terms at the end f the chapter.

4 Learning Objectives: Unit II After reading Chapters 3 and 4 in the Keith and Haag textbk and attending the lectures, the student shuld be able t: Chapter 3: Vting and Participating: Plitical Parties, Interest Grups, and Electins Describe the gvernr's race f 2006 invlving Rick Perry, Chris Bell, Carle Keetn Strayhrn, and Kinky Friedman. Describe the develpment f plitical parties, interest grups, campaigns, and electins. Describe the three parts r cmpnents f plitical parties. Distinguish between the frmal rganizatin and the functinal rganizatin f a plitical party. Describe the cnventins that make up the plitical parties' temprary rganizatins: Precinct cnventins Cunty r senatrial district cnventins State cnventins Describe the elements that make up the plitical parties' permanent rganizatins: Precinct chairpersn Cunty chairpersn Cunty executive cmmittee State executive cmmittee Describe the functinal rganizatin f the plitical parties in terms f: Demcratic Party unity Republican Party unity Party effectiveness at each level f party rganizatin Describe the Republican and Demcratic Party Platfrms (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Describe the party in the electrate in terms f: The distributin f party attachments The Demcratic and Republican party calitins Describe the changes in party identificatin in Texas between 1952 and Describe the changes in the Demcratic and Republican Party calitins that ccurred in the 1980s and 1990s. Describe hw plitical parties effect plitical change thrugh critical electins and realignments. Describe hw the party in gvernment perates in each f the three branches f Texas gvernment. Describe the types f interest grups. Business and Trade Assciatins Prfessinal Assciatins Labr Grups Racial and Ethnic Grups

5 Public-Interest Grups Describe the plitical activities f interest grups. Lbbying Electineering Litigatin Describe the effects f limiting medical liability (Plitics Nw). Describe the types f electins in Texas Primary electins Special electins General electins Lcal electins Describe the influence f mney, media, and marketing n cntemprary plitical campaigns in Texas. Describe the creatin and develpment f the burntrangereprt.cm blg (On Campus). Describe the factrs that influence vter turnut and the effect f each factr. Describe limits n the right t vte in Texas (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the advantages and disadvantages f electrnic vting (Jin the Debate). Describe vter turnut in Texas frm 1958 t 2006 (Analyzing Visuals). Describe the three factrs that influence the vte chice. Cmpare the 1986 and 2002 gubernatrial electins in terms f the relative imprtance f parties, issues, and candidates n the vters' chices. Define the key terms at the end f the chapter. Chapter 4: The Legislative Branch Describe the effrts by Huse Demcrats t prevent cngressinal redistricting in Describe the functins f the legislative branch. Describe the rigins f the legislative branch. Describe the histrical basis fr representatin in the Texas Senate (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the structural characteristics f the Texas legislature. Differentiate between regular and special sessins f the legislature. List and describe the cnstitutinal requirements fr membership in the legislature. Describe the redistricting prcess and its significance. Describe the arguments fr and against nnpartisan legislative redistricting (Jin the Debate). Describe recent reelectin rates and turnver rates fr members and leaders in the legislature. Describe key persnal and plitical characteristics f cntemprary Texas legislatrs and cntrast thse with characteristics f Texas legislatrs f the past. Describe the idelgies f members f the Texas Huse in 2005 (Analyzing Visuals). Describe the rise f partisanship in the Texas Huse (Plitics Nw).

6 Describe the fllwing legislative leaders' pwers, duties, selectin: Senate president Huse speaker Cmmittee chairpersns Describe the different types f cmmittees in the legislature. Describe the rle f cmmittees in the legislative prcess. Describe the "Speaker's Race" and explain its significance. Cmpare and cntrast the pwers f the Senate president and the Huse speaker. Describe the party and nn-party caucuses in the legislature and their rles. Describe the rle and prcedures f the Huse Calendars Cmmittee and the Senate Tw-Thirds Rule. Describe the debates in the Texas legislature n HJR 6 (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Describe the steps in hw a bill becmes a law and hw a cnstitutinal amendment is prpsed. Describe the budgeting prcess in Texas. Describe the rle f staff in the legislative prcess and the battles ver the cntrl f staffing and infrmatin. Describe the rle f utside actrs such as the gvernr and lbbyists in legislatrs' decisin making. Describe hw student interns learn abut legislative plitics (On Campus). Describe the 1993 ethics refrms and their rigins. Define the key terms at the end f the chapter.

7 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: UNIT III After reading Chapters 5 and 6 in the Keith and Haag textbk and attending the lectures, the student shuld be able t: Chapter 5: The Gvernr and Executive Branch Describe battle between Gvernr Perry and Cmptrller Strayhrn. Describe the develpment f the executive in Texas. Describe the cnstitutinal prvisins pertaining t the gvernr: tenure salary impeachment successin Describe the fllwing rles f the gvernr: Chief f state Cmmander-in-chief Chief executive fficer Chief budget fficer Chief law enfrcement and judicial fficer Chief legislatr Party leader Describe the develpment f gubernatrial pwer. Cmpare the Texas gvernr s pwer with the pwers f ther gvernrs. Describe the Texas gvernr s pwers t appint executive fficials. Describe the values relating t gender, race, and mney in gubernatrial appintments (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Describe the pwer f staff and the budget f the gvernr s ffice. Describe the arguments fr and against the Texas gvernr having a cabinet (Jin the Debate). Describe the gvernr as plicy maker and as plitical leader, including: Public pinin leadership. Relatins with the legislature. Describe the idelgy f Texas gvernrs (Analyzing Visuals). Describe the Texas gvernr s vet pwer (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the plural executive in Texas. Describe the functins f the fllwing executive ffices: Attrney general Cntrller f public accunts Land cmmissiner

8 Agriculture cmmissiner Railrad cmmissiners State Bard f Educatin Describe the develpment and activities f student regents (On Campus). Describe the mdern Texas bureaucracy and its rganizatin: Tw basic patterns f rganizatin Secretary f State Public Utility Cmmissin Texas Cmmissin n Envirnmental Quality Insurance cmmissiner Health and Human Services Cmmissin Public cunsels Bards and cmmissins Describe hw the agencies are made accuntable. Describe the sunset prcess in Texas. Cmpare state emplyment and cmpensatin in Texas with that in ther states. Describe the Texas Residential Cnstructin Cmmissin and its rle (Plitics Nw). Define the key terms at the end f the chapter. Chapter 6: The Judicial Branch Describe the decisin by Chief Justice Tm Phillips t resign his psitin n the Texas Supreme Curt. Describe the develpment f the Texas Judiciary Describe the structure f the Texas judiciary. Describe the tw supreme curts in Texas (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the jurisdictins and functins f the curts: lcal trial curts f limited jurisdictin cunty trial curts f limited jurisdictin district curts intermediate appellate curts supreme curts Describe the judges and judicial selectin in Texas. Describe the arguments fr and against the electin f Texas judges (Jin the Debate). Describe the actins f Texans fr public Justice (TPJ) t refrm judicial selectin in Texas (Plitics Nw). Describe the criticisms f the judicial branch in Texas. Describe the battle ver methds f judicial selectin (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Describe the cartn depicting justice as fr sale in Texas (Analyzing Visuals).

9 Describe the criminal justice prcess in Texas. Describe the activities f the Texas Center fr Actual Inncence (On Campus). Describe the civil justice prcess in Texas. Define the key wrds at the end f the chapter.

10 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: UNIT IV After reading Chapters 7 and 8 in the Keith and Haag textbk and attending the lectures, the student shuld be able t: Chapter 7: Lcal Gvernments Describe the effrts f lcal gvernments t deal with the effects f Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Describe the develpment f lcal gvernment in Texas. Describe the patterns f ppulatin change in Texas cunties (Analyzing Visuals). Describe the prblems encuntered in establishing hme rule fr Texas cunties (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the structure f cunty gvernment, including the fllwing fficials' functins: cunty judge cmmissiners curt cunty cmmissiners district attrney cunty attrney sheriff tax assessr-cllectr district clerk and cunty clerk treasurer cunty auditr Describe the authrity f cunty gvernments. Describe the finances f cunty gvernments. Cmpare and cntrast general-law cities and hme-rule cities. Describe the frms f city gvernment: mayr-cuncil cuncil-manager city cmmissin Describe the type f gvernment and electin systems in Texas s ten largest cities, Describe the authrity and functins f city gvernments. Describe the battle ver frm f city gvernment in Dallas (Plitics Nw). Describe the finances f city gvernments. Describe the arguments fr and against phtgraphing red-light runners (Jin the Debate). Describe the annexatin pwers f cities and their limitatins. Describe the methds f electing city cuncil members and their effects. Describe the emergence f strng Hispanic leaders in San Antni (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Describe students and their attempts t win lcal ffice (On Campus).

11 Describe special districts in terms f their: types. gvernance. surces f revenue. Define the key terms at the end f the chapter. Chapter 8: Public Plicy in Texas Describe the Texas Public Plicy Fundatin and its plitical activities. Describe the evlutin f public plicy in Texas. Describe the stages in the public plicy prcess. Describe the plicy actrs in public plicy. Describe plicy utcmes, including David Osbrne s tw primary rles f gvernment. Describe budgeting and brrwing in Texas. Describe the majr surces f revenue in Texas: taxes federal funds ther revenue surces Describe the evlutin f the cnstitutinal cap n welfare in Texas (The Living Cnstitutin). Describe the level f taxatin in Texas. Describe the effects f Texas's tax system n individuals. Describe tax incidence in Texas Describe state spending in Texas: expenditures by plicy areas spending cmparisns with ther states Describe public educatin plicy in Texas: structure f elementary and secndary educatin schl finance educatinal quality Describe the fight fr equity and chice in Texas schls (Texas Values/Texas Vices). Analyze Ben Sargent s cartn n Gvernr Perry s plan fr funding public schls (Analyzing Visuals). Describe higher educatin in Texas: funding surces access t higher educatin Describe Texas s Tp Ten Percent Law and effrts t amend r eliminate it (On Campus). Describe health and human services plicy in Texas: the partnership between gvernments

12 welfare prgrams health-care prgrams Describe the arguments fr and against privatizing public assistance (Jin the Debate). Assess the adequacy f health and human services prgrams in Texas. Describe the cntrversy surrunding the creatin f tll rads in Texas (Plitics Nw). Define the key terms at the end f the chapter.