1 GOVERNMENT 2306-5TC01 Texas and Local Government CRN 7553 1 st Summer Session, 2015 June 8-July 8, 2015 ACC at Turner-Pearland M-R: 1:00-3:25 p.m. RTCC 1601 K. Elizabeth McLane, M.A., M.S., Political Science Professor Department Chair, Government and Economics E-MAIL: emclane@alvincollege.edu PHONE: 281-756-3742/ Emergency only: 832-567-1057. OFFICE: G 164 OFFICE HOURS: M-R, 3:30-5, online or by appointment (includes tutoring). This course is worth THREE college Credits. Reading and Assignment Calendars will be provided in class early in the semester. 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION The course focuses on Texas state government and local governments in Texas. Central to the course is the constitutional basis of the legislative, executive and judicial branches as well as their powers and duties. The role of the various types of local government: County, municipal and special district as well as the property tax will be discussed. Additionally, information on voting, elections, campaigns, public opinion and media regarding Texas state government will be described and analyzed. 2. COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government. 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government. 5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas. 6. Analyze the state and local election process. 7. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
2 3. PRE-REQUISITES/CO-REQUISITES COURSES DIRW 0310 or ENGL 0310 & READ 0310 4. TEXTBOOK INFORMATION Practicing Texas Politics 2013-2014 Ed (15Th) Brown et al ISBN 978-1-1336-1060-1 Required - If you want to succeed in this class, get this book: For most current information on the textbook and other course materials, visit the ACC College Store's Web page at: http://www.alvinccstore.com/. 5. COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR The preferred method of communicating with your instructor is through e-mail, messages on Blackboard or you may call me at 281-756-3742 during my office hours. Explain what you need to discuss with me and leave your first and last name, a phone number or e-mail address/bb message where I can contact you. PLEASE TELL ME WHICH COURSE YOU ARE ATTENDING. I will normally respond within 24 hours Monday-Thursday and by the next business day on Friday-Sunday. 7. LATE COURSE WORK POLICY Students are expected to have their assignments completed by the due dates. Late work will not be accepted. 8. EXPECTATIONS a. Students are expected to obtain a textbook ASAP. b. Students are expected to allocate a minimum of three (3) hours per week on textbook readings, interacting with other course materials, participating in class discussions, and completing any other assignments and exams.
3 c. This class has a Blackboard component to provide support for the student. Students are expected to have a workable computer to access Internet and the course website (Blackboard). Technical problems such as a slow computer or no Internet connection at home WILL NOT be an acceptable excuse for late work, since students will have access to computers at ACC and high schools. d. Students may receive assessments in any/all of these areas during the course: 1 Writing 2 Critical Thinking 3 Personal Responsibility 4 Social Responsibility 9. CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY You work at your own pace, but the due dates for each item on the Assignment Schedule will still apply. The more you come to class, the better you will do. 10. EXAM POLICY Each of the two exams is multiple-choice, covers a particular module/s, and each is worth 100 points each. Exams are given according to the course schedule. There are no make ups for tests, without written documentation regarding why you were absent. The exam percentage in this class is 2/3 of the course grade. Any exam make-up will be an essay exam. 11. RESEARCH/WRITING ASSIGNMENT and Other Assignments In order to improve written communications skills generally, critical thinking skills specifically, it is required that every class taught at ACC contains a written assignment. Topics will be announced early in the semester. This assignment will meet the following criteria: - It must be at least 750 words long; please do not write over 1,000 words. - It must contain at least five valid references; Wikipedia and the course textbook are not acceptable references. I require that a majority of sources come from print or database sources. - It must be 12 point, Times Roman font, with one inch margins. - It must be double spaced. - MLA style must be used. - Each essay will consist of an introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a
4 conclusion. - Remember to run spell and grammar check on your paper, follow the outline provided, and have a family member or friend review it for readability and issues you may have overlooked. 12. GRADING SUMMARY Assignment Points Exam 1 100 Exam 2 100 Written Research/Critical Thinking Project 100 Total 300 I will explain projects early in the semester. Grade Points Needed A 270-300 B 240-270 C 210-240 D 180-210 F <180 Your grade is based on the TOTAL of the points you received on all course assignments and activities divided by three. Always notify me if you are concerned about your grades or your status in the class. I...Incomplete. No Incompletes or I grades will be given for this course except under extreme circumstances. W...Withdrawal. It is recommended that the student talk to the instructor before withdrawing. Current course withdrawal information can be found in the printed version of the ACC Schedule for this semester or online at ACC Course WITHDRAWAL INSTRUCTIONS. Students who file withdrawal requests by the published deadline and have not exceeded the withdrawal maximum will receive a grade of W. The last day to withdraw from this class this semester is June 30, 2015. 13. CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND HONESTY Alvin Community College students are members of an institution dedicated to the pursuit of
5 knowledge through a formalized program of instruction and learning. At the heart of this endeavor, lie the core values of academic integrity which include honesty, truth, and freedom from lies and fraud. Because personal integrity is important in all aspects of life, students at Alvin Community College are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity both in and out of the classroom. Incidents of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and students guilty of such conduct are subject to severe disciplinary measures. 14. CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE AND NETIQUETTE It is the right of each student to participate in his or her learning, and it is the responsibility of each student to not interfere with the learning of other students. It is the expectation of the college that each student assumes the responsibility to follow college policies and procedures governing campus and classroom/online classroom conduct. This information is published in the ACC Student Handbook: http://www.alvincollege.edu/resources/pdfs/student_handbook.pdf. Students who repeatedly violate one or more of these policies will be subject to disciplinary action. Students are expected to treat everyone in the class with respect at all times. Being respectful includes being attentive to the class. Your cell phone should be silenced and put away during class time. When you communicate with your instructor via e-mail or post anything in Blackboard, you should also observe basic netiquette the conventions for courteous and professional electronic communication. Netiquette involves using standard capitalization and punctuation, avoiding slang and text speak, and clearly identifying yourself and the section you are in. 15. CLASSROOM PROTOCOL It is the right of each student to participate in his or her learning, and it is the responsibility of each student to not interfere with the learning of other students. It is the expectation of the college that each student assumes the responsibility to follow college policies and procedures governing campus and classroom conduct. This information is published in the ACC Student Handbook at: http://www.alvincollege.edu/resources/pdfs/student_handbook.pdf 16. COURSE OUTLINE A. The Environment of Texas Politics i. Political Behavior Patterns ii. The Land
6 iii. The People iv. Searching for New Economic Directions v. Meeting New Challenges: Social and Economic Policy Issues B. Federalism and the Texas Constitution i. The American Federal Structure ii. The Texas Constitution: Politics of Policymaking iii. Constitutional Amendments and Revision iv. The Texas Constitution: A Summary C. Local Governments i. Local Governments in Context ii. Municipal Governments iii. Counties iv. Special Districts v. Metropolitan Areas D. Political Parties i. Party Structure ii. Political Ideology iii. An Overview of Texas Political History iv. Electoral Trends E. Campaigns and Elections i. Political Campaigns ii. Racial and Ethnic Politics iii. Women in Politics iv. Voting
7 v. Primary, General and Special Elections F. The Politics of Interest Groups i. Interest Groups as Political Process ii. Types of Interest Groups iii. Interest Group Activities iv. Power and Regulation in Interest Group Politics G. The Legislature i. Organization ii. Operations iii. Influences H. The Executive i. Overview ii. Informal Powers iii. Executive Power iv. Legislative Powers v. Judicial Powers vi. Plural Executive I. Public Policy and Administration i. State Agencies and State Employees ii. Education iii. Health and Human Resources iv. Economic, Environmental and Homeland Security Policies J. Laws, Courts, and Justice i. State Law in Texas ii. Courts, Judges, Lawyers, and Juries
8 iii. Judicial Procedures iv. Problems and Reforms K. Finance and Fiscal Policy i. Fiscal Policies ii. Revenue Sources iii. Budgeting and Fiscal Management iv. Future Demands 17. ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND SUPPORT SERVICES: Americans with Disabilities Act ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services, A 136, and (281)756-3533. Instructors are not able to provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed. Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Letting someone know The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at Alvin Community College is committed to improving community safety. College faculty, staff, students and community members may communicate safety concerns to the BIT team by email, bitcore@alvincollege.edu or through the electronic reporting option located on the BIT page of the college website. Conflict Resolution Students are expected to first work together with the instructor to resolve any problem they encounter. If a satisfactory solution is not reached, students may contact the Chair of the Government/Economics Department in an attempt to find a resolution. You can reach the Chair, Professor Elizabeth McLane, by email at emclane@alvincollege.edu. 18. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Texas Open Records Act are federal and state laws which provide for the review and disclosure of student educational records. Individuals are informed of their rights under these laws through this policy. Alvin Community College will not permit access or release of personally identifiable information contained in
9 student education records to any party without the written consent of the student unless: 1. Alvin Community College personnel have a legitimate educational need. 2. Officials of other colleges which the student seeks to enroll, upon request of these officials, and upon the condition that the student be notified and receives a copy of the record if requested. 3. Federal, state, or local officials as authorized by law. 4. Required to process student financial aid. 5. Dual Credit: Parents have been given rights by their dependent student who has signed a FERPA Release form. 19. Other Resources: The ACC Library website: http://www.alvincollege.edu/library.aspx. The ACC Library is an excellent source. For assistance for writing the required research paper. The database site can be accessed at: http://www.libraryoftexas.org/service-proxy/texshare/?orgid=203 The ACC Learning Lab, http://www.alvincollege.edu/tutoringlearninglab.aspx, located upstairs in building A, provides students with a variety of services including tutoring (math, writing papers, and other disciplines); computers and printers; a testing facility; and tables/carrels for studying. Learning Lab hours are: M-TH 8:00am 9:00pm and F 8:00am 4:00pm. Testing hours are M-TH 10:00am 7:30pm (Tests must be completed by 8:30pm) and F 10:00am 12:00pm (Tests must be completed by 1:00pm). Call 281-756-3566 for more information. My Blackboard Support for My Blackboard can be obtained by completing the Online Support Form on the Blackboard site. WEBACCESS, Passwords or ACC Computer Lab Information - Help Desk Website or contact the IT Dept. Help Desk at 281-756-3544. 19. COLLEGE CLOSINGS:
10 None. 20 Dual Credit Handbook Link: http://www.alvincollege.edu/dualcredit.aspx 21. DISCLAIMER The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as needed and will notify the students of any changes using e-mail or Blackboard. 22. COURSE CONTRACT (To be filled in at class during the second day for classes meeting face-to-face and to be sent back to me by online classes through Blackboard messages). I have read or will read the syllabus for this course including attendance policies, late work policies, and other policies that govern this course. I understand that I will be subject to these policies throughout the semester. I am also aware that my instructor discussed these policies during the first week of class. He or she may have elaborated on the policies in this syllabus or explained how certain policies will be applied within this particular section of the course. If I was late or absent during the class period when the syllabus was discussed, I am aware that I may have missed important information crucial to my success in this course. Printed Name Course / Section / Semester Signature Date
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