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:
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 |
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Pinnacle 415; |
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PINNACLE OFFICE: |
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Th & F by appointment |
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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.
"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: |
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(We are all solely
responsible for our own results.) |
"It seems a shame,'
the Walrus said |
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'To play them such a trick. |
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After we've brought them
out so far, |
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And made them trot so
quick!" |
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"I weep for you,' the
Walrus said: |
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'I deeply sympathize.' |
Lewis Carroll
COURSE
SCHEDULE
DATE |
DAY |
CLASS # |
Chapter |
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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
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THIRD
EXAM |
16 Nov |
Monday |
24 |
12
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Public Policy in Texas |
18 Nov |
Wednesday |
25 |
12
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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
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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 |