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: ccollins@kilgore.edu

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”

window you have opened. Be sure to identify the title of the essay where prompted. Keep in

mind that Turnitin.com only accepts Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, PostScript,

PDF, HTML, RTF, OpenOffice (ODT), Hangul (HWP), Google Docs, and plain text.

Step 5: For uploading documents, simply click from where to choose your document and select

your document as you would for an email attachment.

● For “cut and paste,” highlight your document, right click the mouse and select “copy.”

Then, right click the mouse and select “paste” while the curser is in the “cut and paste”

window in turnitin.com. Step 6: Once you have provided the chosen document, the program will let you see what you are

submitting and ask you to confirm. Once you have confirmed the document you wish to submit,

click the “confirm” button on this page.

● After step 6 above, Turnitin.com will display and may send to your email a digital

receipt. This is not the document I need. The receipt is to show you that Turnitin.com

has your essay and is working on it. Step 7: Log out of turnitin.com, and give the program some time to review your essay. This may

be as short as 30 seconds or as long as 24 hours depending on website traffic.

● These steps are repeated with pictorial examples at the following URL in the “Help”

menu: http://turnitin.com/en_us/support/help-center

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:

http://turnitin.com/en_us/support/help-center Reminders:

● You must re-enter Turnitin.com to retrieve the originality report. It will not be sent to

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

essay. You can turn in your report the next day. ● Essays will not be graded until a corresponding originality report is submitted to the

instructor. ● Do not worry about low percentages of matching. You will not be penalized for

incidental matching of text. Realize the turnitin.com does not match materials you paraphrase (reword), but

paraphrasing borrowed information without documentation is considered plagiarism.