Austin Community College

Fall 2015

Dr. Edward J.  Mullen

Section 36598/016

Pinnacle 403

MW 10:30 – 11:50 A.M.

 

 

TEXAS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

24 August – 13 December 2015

GOVT 2306

Section 36598 - 016

 

Required reading:  Maxwell, Crain, Santos, Texas Politics Today, 2015-2016 17th edition with MindTap printed access card, Cengage, ISBN 9781305701083 (this package is at the ACC bookstores and is the best price you will find for the loose-leaf text and access code).  NOTE:  MINDTAP IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.  IT IS A STUDY OPTION.

 

An alternate option is to purchase MindTap online for $70 (this is an all-digital product that includes the full eBook and access to additional study aids, but not the printed book).  To purchase MindTap online, click on the following

and follow the prompts to create an account, or log in with your current Cengage login if you already have an account. Student Registration URL: http://login.cengagebrain.com/course/MTPP-RG7P-Z1X1

 

*Firefox is the best browser to use for MindTap and you can download for free at www.mozilla.com

**You will also need to disable pop-up blockers in order for the MindTap reader to display

 

If you need help registering, watch the following self-training video:

http://services.cengage.com/dcs/mindtap/start/prepare/register/#/selftraining-videos/registration-and-log-in   

 

Grading criteria: There will be four essay examinations and one oral presentation. A research paper may be substituted for the final exam.  There will also be frequent topical quizzes.

á      Each examination (4)

22.5%

á      Presentation

10%

á      Quizzes & assignments

Extra Credit


 

The essay exams are based on the methodology outlined in the paper  ÒHow to Write the Essay AnswerÓ found on the main page.  As we will discuss frequently in class, I will grade on the completeness of your answer, the accuracy of your answer and your adherence to the writing format specified.  I will give you written feedback after each exam to help you to improve your writing ability.  The purpose of this is to teach you to write in the descriptive manner, to answer the question asked, and to provide full and complete information. One of the great skills needed in a college education is the ability to write well.  By writing these four essay exams and additional ad hoc quizzes during the semester, your writing skills will improve.

 

Quizzes and assignments are extra credit topical short writing exercises based on the news of the day.  They are designed to give you writing practice.  You will receive feedback on each in order to improve your writing skills for the exams.

 

The oral presentation is designed to assist your presentation skills, another critical skill to be learned in college.  The requirements are outlined in the link in the main page.

 

Research paper requirements are in the link on the main page.

 

 

Testing: There are no Make-Up exams.  You must take each exam on schedule.

 

Office hours

Virtual Office

ejmullen@austincc.edu

 

 

http://www.austincc.edu/ejmullen/

 

 

Pinnacle 415;
telephone 223 8136

 

PINNACLE OFFICE:

MW       9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

MW         1:20 PM – 3:30 PM

Virtual anytime

 

 

Th & F by appointment

 

 

Home telephone: (254) 698 2304

 

Attendance Policy    Beginning with your fourth absence, one percentage point will be deducted from your final grade for each absence.

 

Withdrawal Policy    The instructor will not withdraw you. If you wish to drop the course, you must take action. The last day to withdraw from this course is 19 November  Incompletes will be approved only for the most dire reasons.  See Dr. Mullen before the withdrawal date.

 

Academic Freedom

"Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical writing, particularly about political ideas, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics.  It is my hope that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions."

 

Scholastic Dishonesty:  As described in the ACC Student Handbook, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of college rules and regulations and is punishable according to the procedures outlined in the Handbook. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an exam (either providing answers to or stealing answers from another student), plagiarism, and collusion.  Plagiarism includes use of another author's words or arguments without attribution.  Collusion is defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement. If a student commits any of the above actions, the instructor may seek disciplinary action in the form of an academic penalty, which may include a course grade of 'F'. Such disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the instructor."

 

Goals and Objectives: This course is an introduction to Texas state and local government.  It consists of learning through discussion and readings. The course includes an introduction to a framework for analyzing Texas government and politics, and the constitutional basis, the processes, and the institutions of Texas government and politics.  It studies procedural aspects of Texas government with particular attention to current issues and problems.  It emphasizes methods by which citizens can affect processes on all levels of government.  The objective is to compare the intent of the original Constitution with the realities of modern economic and political life.  The student will analyze the effects of government structure and regulation on our society, compare those effects with the original intent, and determine why differences exist and how they affect the studentÕs world.

 

Student Accessibility Services:

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Student Accessibility Services on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the course.

 

 

 

My Sympathy Policy:

 

(We are all solely responsible for our own results.)

"It seems a shame,' the Walrus said

 

'To play them such a trick.

 

After we've brought them out so far,

 

And made them trot so quick!"

 

"I weep for you,' the Walrus said:

 

'I deeply sympathize.'

Lewis Carroll

 

 


COURSE SCHEDULE

DATE

DAY

CLASS #

Chapter 

 

24 Aug

Monday

1

1

Introduction/ Orientation

How to Succeed in this class.

26 Aug

Wednesday

2

1

Texas Political Roots

31 Aug

Monday

3

1

Texas Political Roots

2 Sep

Wednesday

4

2

Texas in the Federal System

9 Sep

Wednesday

5

2

Texas in the Federal System

14 Sep

Monday

6

1&2

FIRST EXAM

16 Sep

Wednesday

7

4

Voting & Elections

21 Sep

Monday

8

4

Voting & Elections

23 Sep

Wednesday

9

5

Political Parties

28 Sep

Monday

10

5

Political Parties

30 Sep

Wednesday

11

6

Interest Groups

5 Oct

Monday

12

6

Interest Groups

7 Oct

Wednesday

13

6

Interest Groups

12 Oct

Monday

14

4,5,6

SECOND EXAM

14 Oct

Wednesday

15

7

The Legislature

19 Oct

Monday

16

7

The Legislature

21 Oct

Wednesday

17

7

The Legislature

26 Oct

Monday

18

8

The Executive Branch

28 Oct

Wednesday

19

8

The Executive Branch

2 Nov

Monday

20

8

The Executive Branch

4 Nov

Wednesday

21

9

Texas Judiciary

9 Nov

Monday

22

10

Law and Due Process

11 Nov

Wednesday

23

7,8,9,10

THIRD EXAM

16 Nov

Monday

24

12

Public Policy in Texas

18 Nov

Wednesday

25

12

Public Policy in Texas

23 Nov

Monday

26

12

Public Policy in Texas

25 Nov

Wednesday

27

12

Public Policy in Texas

30 Nov

Monday

28

12

Public Policy in Texas

2 Dec

Wednesday

29

11

Local Government

7 Dec

Monday

30

11

Local Government

9 Dec

Wednesday

31

11

Local Government

14 Dec

Monday

32

11, 12

FOURTH EXAM