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Texas and Local Government
GOVT-2306-IMS3
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: Monday and Tuesday 11-1, virtual and by appointment
The course is worth THREE college Credits.
A Reading and Assignment Calendar will be provided to the 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.
3. PRE-REQUISITES/CO-REQUISITES COURSES
DIRW 0310 or ENGL 0310 & READ 0310
4. TEXTBOOK INFORMATION
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Practicing Texas Politics 2013-2014 Ed (15Th) Brown et al ISBN 978-1-1336-1060-1
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Required
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. I
am most likely to respond very quickly to an ACC email.
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. 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.
c. 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.
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d. Students may receive assessments in any/all of these areas during the course:
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2
3
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Writing
Critical Thinking
Personal Responsibility
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 three exams is multiple-choice, covers ONE particular module, and is worth
up to 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 of grade is 75%
(three exams worth 25 percent each).
11. GRADING SUMMARY
Assignment
Points
Exam 1
100
Exam 2
100
Exam 3
100
Social Responsibility Project 50
Personal Responsibility Project 50
_____________________________
Total
400
I will explain discussion projects early in the semester. Jointly, they make up another 100 points
or 25% of the grade.
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Points Needed
360-400
320-359
280-319
240-279
<240
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Your grade is based on the TOTAL of the points you received on all course assignments and
activities divided by five (note that two of this assignments are worth up to 50 points, not 100).
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 MAY 26, 2015.
12. CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND HONESTY
Alvin Community College students are members of an institution dedicated to the pursuit of
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.
13. 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.
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14. 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
15. COURSE OUTLINE
A. The Environment of Texas Politics
i. Political Behavior Patterns
ii. The Land
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
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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
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
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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
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
16. 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
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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.
17. 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
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.
18. 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.
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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). Please call 281-756-3566 for more information.
MyBlackboard
∗Support for MYBlackboard 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. 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.
20. 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
___________________________________
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______________________________________
Signature
Date
___________________________________