Revised Summer 2017
GOVT 2306 Texas Government
Course Syllabus
GOVT 2306. Texas Government (Texas constitution and topics) (3-3-0)
Origin and development of the Texas constitution, structure and powers of state and local
government, federalism and inter-governmental relations, political participation, the election
process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas. Prerequisite: Must be TSI complete in
Reading and English or concurrently enrolled in EIRW 0200/ENGL 1301. F, Sp, Su.
(4510025125)
Instructor: Candee Collins
Phone: 903.983.2486
Office Hours: 30 minutes before class begins and 30 minuts-1 hour after class.
Email: [email protected]
COURSE RATIONALE
One of the measures of good citizenship is a basic knowledge of and involvement in our
political system. This basic introduction to the Texas political system will provide the student
with an understanding of and an appreciation for citizen participation. This course partially
satisfies the Government requirement for A.A., A.A.T. and A.S. degrees at Kilgore College.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
Text: Governing Texas, by Anthony Champagne and Edward J. Harpham, Norton, ISBN978-0-393-60543-3
EVALUATION
Evaluation of Students: There will be 2 exams plus a final exam in the course. Students
must complete the final exam in order to pass the course. In addition, there will be a Minimum
of 4 quizzes administered throughout the semester over assigned readings. These quizzes may
be announced OR unannounced in advance. The average of these quiz grades will count as one
test grade. There will also be two written papers assigned during the summer session. One of
these papers will address of your knowledge of Civic Responsibility and one of these papers will
address Personal Responsibility. Also included will be the opportunity to attend or view on-line
a Regional or local City Council meeting. (Assignment information is included in the syllabus)
In addition, a class grade will be given for participation. It is impossible to participate
when you are not in class. This grade is given on the usual scale of 0-100.
All assignments are based on 100 points with 10-12 grades in accumulation; equal to 1000-1200
total points.
1200-1000 points = A
900-899 points = B
888-799 points = C
788-689 points = D
688- below = F
Course Outline:
Intro - Course Outline
Unit 1
What is a Texan? (history of Texas)
Political Parties (political culture and voting behavior)
Assessments: One or more quizzes and Unit 1 Exam
Unit 2
Federalism
The Texas Legislature, Executive, & Judicial Branches
Assessments: One or more quizzes, including vocabulary, text reading, and Unit 1 Exam
Unit 3
Local Government
Unit 4
Interest Groups
Public Policy
Assessments: One or more quizzes, including vocabulary, text reading, and questions from unit
and a part of comprehensive final.
Included will be TWO writing assignments; one on Civic Responsibility and the other Social
Responsibility. Due Dates will be provided.
Kilgore College Campus Carry Policy (effective August 1, 2017)
We respect the right and privacy of those who are duly licensed to carry concealed weapons in
this class. License holders are expected to behave responsibly and keep a handgun secure and
concealed. Open carry is not allowed. More information is available at
http://www.kilgorecollege.edu/campuscarry.
Evaluation of Instructor. At the end of the semester, students will be given an
opportunity to evaluate the instructor and the course. Approved evaluation forms are provided
by the Office of Institutional Research, which is also responsible for their analysis.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Attendance Policy: Kilgore College expects punctuality and regular class attendance.
An absence is defined as a student's not being in class for any reason. An instructor may drop
students when their lack of attendance prohibits them from meeting the course Student Learning
Outcomes or when students accumulate excessive absences. "Excessive absences" is defined as
the equivalent of two weeks instruction in a 16-week semester or at least 12.5% of the total hours
of instruction in any term. Some workforce programs may have more stringent attendance
requirements due to applicable external requirements and/or competencies; therefore, students in
workforce programs should check with their instructor regarding the specific number of absences
allowed. Students will be dropped for nonattendance per Federal Financial Aid requirements.
Religious Day Absence: In accordance with Texas Education Code 51.911, a student
may request and be granted an absence from classes on a religious holy day provided the student
follows college procedures for seeking such authorization. It is the student's responsibility to
make satisfactory arrangements with instructors prior to the absence for completing makeup
work. The procedure governing an absence on a religious holy day is outlined in the Kilgore
College Student Handbook.
Policy on Make Up Work: Effective communication between students and their
instructor is essential. Students are responsible for initiating any make up work regardless of the
cause of the absence. Students absent on official college business are entitled to make up any and
all missed work without any penalty attached. However, students should notify their instructors
in advance of the absence and should schedule any make-up assignments before the absence. If
the student does not submit makeup work by the prearranged time, the student forfeits the right
for further make-up of that assignment.
For a student whose absence is not official college business, the individual instructor will judge
if the student is eligible to make up work. In all cases, the instructor will determine the time for
making up work and the nature of the make-up work. Whenever possible, students should
discuss their impending absence with the instructor and schedule the make-up work prior to the
absence.
Instructor Make-up procedure. Students on official, non optional, Kilgore College
activities will be allowed to makeup missed exams, but arrangements need to be made before the
exam to be missed. All other students are allowed ONE makeup exam per semester, if prior
arrangements are made with the instructor, or due to illness if the student contacts the instructor
as soon as possible after missing the exam and has a doctor’s note. The final is required and
make ups will NOT be scheduled for it. All makeup exams, regardless of reason, will be at a
time and location of the instructor’s choosing.
Civility Statement: Students are expected to assist in maintaining an environment that is
conducive to learning. Inappropriate or disruptive or behavior that can be deemed a class
distraction is prohibited in order to assure that everyone has an opportunity to gain from time
spent in the course. Should a disruptive incident occur, the faculty member in charge may
remove the student. Students have the right to appeal through the student complaint process.
Academic honesty statement: Students are requested to read about the sanctions for
academic dishonesty outlined in the Kilgore College Student Handbook. It states in part that the
faculty member “…may recommend penalties such as withdrawal from the course, failing the
course, assignment, or in other academic work; denial of a degree and/or performing additional
academic work not required by other students in the course.”
Drop Date: As a general rule, students may drop a course until 75% of the term has been
completed. Students are requested to read the Student Initiated Drops and Withdrawals
statement of the Kilgore College Catalog which states in part: “All course drops, whether
instructor or student initiated, shall result in a “W” during the first twelve weeks of a long term
or twenty-one days of a summer term. During the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of a long
term, or the twenty-second through the twenty-fourth days of a summer term, such drops will
result in a "W" if the student is passing or "F" if the student is failing. A student may not drop or
withdraw during the last two weeks of a long semester or following the twenty-fourth class day
of a summer term; however, instructors should continue to drop students for absences until final
examinations begin. The last day to withdraw with a “W” during a two week mini semester is
day thirteen; during a four week term is day twenty; and during an eight week term is day thirty-
four.”
Student email policy: Per Kilgore College Policy, your instructor will email you only
through your official Kilgore College student email account. Your instructor will only answer
emails that originate from your official Kilgore College student email account, again per college
policy.
Course/Instructor Specific policies:
1. Attend class each time class meets
2. Be on time for class and remain for the entire session. You are inconsiderate of both the
professor and your classmates if you arrive late and leave early..
4. Without prior approval from your instructor, do not use cell-phones, pagers, iPods (or any type
of portable music player), anything with headphones, or any type of electronic device in class.
None of these items should be visible during class.
5. Cell phones in bags, backpacks, or pockets should have the ringer turned to vibrate.
6. No eating in the classroom. However, the drinking of water, soda, juice, tea, or coffee is
perfectly fine.
7. Be attentive and participate in class.
COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES
Common Core Curriculum for GOVT 2306
Government -- Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the
United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas.
Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic
engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations.
GOVT 2306 Texas Government (Texas constitution & topics) (3-3-0)
A study of the nature, organization and general principles of state and local governments
within the United States and Texas
● How will the objective be addressed? How will the objective be
assessed?
Critical Thinking
Creative thinking
Innovation
Inquiry -instructors will provide students
with instruction on finding thesis
and supporting evidence in articles,
essays, papers, etc.
-instructors will test their
capabilities on at least two articles
from readers and websites approved
by the department, common to each
section of GOVT 2306 taught at
Kilgore College, with multiple
choice questions either
administered as part of a quiz or
exam throughout the semester on at
least two different occasions.
-The department will provide a
wide-ranging list of suggested
acceptable readers, websites,
academic journals, readers, web
sites, etc from which instructors can
draw materials.
-students will be assessed this
skill on their personal
responsibility papers via
department rubric
Analysis of information -students will read either the same
articles as they do for inquiry, or at
least two new articles (instructor
discretion) and employ “CLUES”
method to analyze the article.
Instructors will present a lesson on
using the “CLUES” method of
analysis prior to readings.
-instructors will test their
capabilities on at least two articles
from readers and websites approved
by the department, common to each
section of GOVT 2306 taught at
Kilgore College, with multiple
choice questions either
administered as part of a quiz or
-students will be assessed this
skill on their personal
responsibility papers via
department rubric
exam throughout the semester on at
least two different occasions.
The department will provide a
wide-ranging list of suggested
acceptable readers, websites,
academic journals, etc from which
instructors can draw materials.
Evaluation of information
Synthesis of information
Communication
Effective development,
interpretation and expression of
ideas through
-written communication -students will attend a city council
meeting, commissioner’s court
meeting, school board meeting as a
condition of the course and write a
paper on their experience
-based on “CLUES” method of
critical thinking taught for critical
thinking, students will use their
abilities garnered from applying
this method of thinking to evaluate
one of important decision/issue
relevant to course content. The
department will provide a list of
suggested acceptable topics.
-Paper will be evaluated based
on a rubric developed by the
department
-Paper will be evaluated based
on a rubric developed by the
department
-oral communication
-visual communication
Social Responsibility
Intercultural competence
Knowledge of civic
responsibility
-students will learn about primary
and general elections, voter turnout,
voter registration requirements and
how to register, teach the effects of
voter turnout on Texas government
and politics
-multiple choice questions
testing student knowledge of
material will be administered
on at least one exam.
Ability to engage effectively in
regional communities
-students will attend a city council
meeting, commissioner’s court
meeting, school board meeting as a
condition of the course and write a
-Paper will be evaluated based
on a rubric developed by the
department
paper on their experience
-national communities
-global communities
Personal Responsibility
ability to connect choices,
actions and consequences to
ethical decision-making
-based on “CLUES” method of
critical thinking taught for critical
thinking, students will use their
abilities garnered from applying
this method of thinking to evaluate,
in a paper, one important
decision/issue relevant to course
content. The department will
provide a list of suggested
acceptable topics.
-Paper will be evaluated based
on a rubric developed by the
department
● Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and
analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
● Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and
expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication
● Personal Responsibility - to include the ability to connect choices, actions and
consequences to ethical decision-making
● Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic
responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global
communities
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
2. Describe 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. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
Disclaimer:
Your instructor reserves the right to make modifications in content and schedule as
necessary to promote the best education possible within prevailing conditions affecting this
course.
ADA Statement: Kilgore College is committed to making reasonable accommodations to assist individuals
with disabilities in reaching their academic potential. If you choose to request accommodations
for a documented disability which may impact your performance, attendance, or grades in this
course, you must first register with the Office of Disability Services. Please note that classroom
accommodations cannot be provided prior to your instructor’s receipt of an accommodation letter
from the Office of Disability Services. For more information about accommodations, please
contact the Disability Services office on the second floor of the Devall Student Center: (903)
983-8206.
Government 2306
Personal Responsibility Paper Assignment:
Rick Perry’s HPV Vaccine Decision
A core component of a well-functioning democratic society is having leaders who will be bound by ethical decision making. Your task for this paper is to evaluate and discuss Rick Perry’s 2007 executive order mandating that all girls in Texas 11 years and older receive the HPV vaccine.
Within your paper—and keeping in mind and evaluating the ethical merits of this decision—you should address the arguments in support of—and opposition to—this decision. What evidence is there that lends credence to each side of the argument? Finally, this decision had political implications. What were those implications, and how do those realities enhance your understanding of how politics works? You must draw a conclusion and justify your position.
Paper Guidelines
Minimum of 1,000 words
Minimum of 3-5 sources
For each of your sources that you select, you should carefully incorporate the CLUES method to evaluate your information and assess your sources’ reliability in constructing your arguments:
Consider the source and its author
Lay out the argument, values and assumptions of the author
Uncover the evidence, which should be based upon empirical evidence and/or sound, logical reasoning
Evaluate the author’s conclusion
Sort out the political implications, i.e., how does the source enhance your understanding of politics?
Paper must conform to the APA style format for papers.
Paper must be typed & submitted to TurnItIn.com
Other potential topics:
Texas and the State Income Tax
Texas and the Lack of Environmental Regulations (impact on the environment)
Texas and the Lack of Environmental Regulations (impact on the economy)
The Texas Picture Voter ID Law
Texas and In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants
How Students Use Turnitin.com
Step1: To sign on, go to www.turnitin.com
Step 2: If you have never used this service, FIRST click on “Create Account” (top right). DO
NOT attempt to log on until you have first completed this step. If you have used this service
before, you can simply log in, but you will still have to join the appropriate course for this
semester.
● If you already have a user profile, use your original email and password to log in, click
the “enroll in a class” link, and enter the ID and password I have provided. Step 3: When the site asks for your class enrollment ID number, type in the class id number your
instructor provides. Keep in mind that this number will only work for the section in which
you are enrolled.
Your class enrollment ID number is _____________________
Step 4: When the site asks for your class enrollment password, type in the password your
instructor provided. Pay attention to spelling, lower and upper case, numerals, and spacing.
Your class enrollment password is ______________________
Step 5: Continue to create your user profile.
Step 6: After you have created a user profile, when you log in, use your email address and the
password you chose when you created your profile.
● Do not create another user profile after doing it once. ● Do not submit essays more than one time. ● Remember your password and email address. ● Submit only completed essays, not rough drafts or partial essays. They won’t be
accepted. These steps are repeated with pictorial examples in the “Help” menu:
http://turnitin.com/en_us/support/help-center Submitting an Essay:
Step 1: Enter www.turnitin.com by clicking “Log In” and using your full email address and
password you created.
Step 2: Click on the course you wish to enter.
Step 3: Click the submit icon to the right of the name of the assignment you wish to submit.
Step 4: Choose “single file upload” or “cut and paste” from the drop-down menu in the “submit”
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Then, right click the mouse and select “paste” while the curser is in the “cut and paste”
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be as short as 30 seconds or as long as 24 hours depending on website traffic.
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Viewing an Originality Report for a Submitted Essay
Step 1: Reenter turnitin.com with your password and email address.
Step 2: Select the class for which you submitted your essay by clicking on the class name.
Step 3: To the right of the title of the essay you submitted, under the words “originality report,” a
color-coded icon (rectangle) including a percentage will appear when your originality report is
ready. Click on this icon. If the icon is ghosted (light gray), the report is not ready.
Step 4: At the bottom left of this window, click the printer icon to print the originality report to
be submitted to the instructor. You may also choose the shorter “text only” version of the report
if you click on the bottom left of the document viewer page.
● These steps are repeated with pictorial examples in the “Help” menu:
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your email. Do not turn in the digital receipt. ● Do not submit any part of your essay more than one time. If you do so, your report will
show 100% plagiarism. ● If you think you have submitted your essay, but you can’t find your report, don’t do
anything else until you see the instructor. Do not try to submit the essay again! ● If your originality report is not ready when the essay is due, go ahead and turn in the
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paraphrasing borrowed information without documentation is considered plagiarism.