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Unit
2 Federalism, Civil Rights and Electioneering
Learning Outcome: The student will understand how the
U.S. Federal System of government affects Texas.
The student will understand Civil Liberties and Civil rights as it
applies to Texas
government. The student will
understand elections and campaigns as conducted in Texas.
Learning Objectives: After completing this section of the
course, the student should be able to:
1.
define federalism.
2.
distinguish among the confederal, federal and unitary forms of
governments.
3.
describe the form of government exercised in the sovereign State of Texas.
4.
describe the evolution of federalism.
5.
describe the advantages and disadvantages of the federal system of
government.
6.
describe how changes in federalism affect Texas state and
local government.
7.
distinguish between category and block grants received in
Texas.
8.
describe recent U.S. court rulings and their
effect on the national/state relationship of our federal system.
9.
define political party.
10.
describe the evolution of the party system in Texas.
11.
compare and contrast the issue positions of the two major parties in Texas today.
12.
distinguish between a parties formal and functional organization.
13.
describe the three components of political parties.
14.
compare party identification and ideology in Texas and describe its significance.
15.
describe the changes in the distribution of partisan attachments in Texas over the last
fifty years.
16. describe the impact of
party realignment on the Texas
political system.
17.
distinguish between a political party and a special interest group..
18.
define interest group.
19. describe the types of
interest groups in Texas
today and their political goals.
20.
distinguish between primary and secondary goals.
21.
describe the resources and tactics used by interest groups to
influence public policy in Texas.
22.
describe the political role of the media in Texas.
23.
describe the process of lobbying (direct and indirect) on politics
and government in Texas.
24.
describe political action committees (PACs) and their significance.
25.
distinguish between primary elections and general elections.
26.
describe the type of primary used in Texas.
27.
describe the purposes of special elections and local elections in Texas.
28.
describe what’s involved and most important in a modern Texas campaign for
public office.
29.
describe the factors that affect voters decisions in elections in Texas.
30.
define the key terms: mandates, Peoples Party of Texas, state party
conventions and the “Last Man Standing”.
Unit 3 Public Policy
Process and Institutions of Local Government
Learning Outcome: The student will understand the public
policy process and the operations of local government in Texas.
Learning Objectives: After completing this section of the
course, the student should be able to:
1.
describe
the policy-making process in Texas.
2.
describe
the constitutional balanced-budget process of Texas government.
3.
describe
the sources of revenue and major expenditures of state government in Texas.
4.
describe
the types of taxes levied by the State of Texas.
5.
distinguish
between progressive and regressive taxes.
6. describe the regulatory policymaking
process in Texas
and its impact.
7.
describe
the efforts to further the quality of public education in Texas.
8. describe the efforts to ensure equality
in funding of public education in Texas.
9. describe health and welfare policies in Texas.
10. describe how many people in Texas are without
health insurance.
11. compare Texas spending on welfare with other
states.
12. describe the focus of Texas transportation policy.
13. describe public opinion in Texas regarding
public policy issues.
14. describe the impact of Hurricane Rita on
local governments.
15.
describe
the powers and functions of county government in Texas.
16.
describe
the organization of county government in Texas.
17.
describe
the criticisms of county government in Texas.
18.
describe
the major proposals for reform of county government in Texas.
- distinguish between general-law and
home-rule cities.
20.
distinguish
among the forms of city government in Texas and their strengths and
weaknesses.
21.
distinguish
among the methods of selecting city councils in Texas and their effects.
22.
define
extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and describe its impact.
23.
define
zoning and describe its significance.
24.
describe
the laws concerning municipal annexation in Texas.
25.
describe
the various types of special districts in Texas.
26.
describe
how special districts are created in Texas.
27. describe the sources of revenue and major
expenditures of local governments in Texas.
28.
define the
key terms: Texas Public Policy Foundation, Center for Public Policy
Priorities, budget execution authority, Rodriguez
v. San Antonio ISD, charter schools, TANF, Harris
County, Loving County.
Unit 4 Institutions of State Government
Learning Outcome: The student will understand the
structure, functions, and operations of the institutions of state
government in Texas.
Learning
Objectives: After completing this section of the course, the student
should be able to:
1.
describe the constitutional powers of the Texas governor.
2.
describe the constitutional qualifications to become governor.
3.
describe changes in constitution term requirements for Texas governors.
4.
describe the formal and informal roles of the Texas governor today.
5.
describe the impeachment process in Texas.
6.
describe the veto power of the governor and how various governors
used that power.
7.
define bureaucracy.
8.
describe the key functions and responsibilities of the elected
positions within the plural executive of Texas.
9.
describe the primary appointed positions within the bureaucracy in Texas state
government.
10.
describe the responsibilities of the Texas Secretary of State and the
Public Counsels office.
11.
describe the primary boards and commissions within the Texas bureaucracy.
12.
describe sunset review and its impact.
13.
describe the most recent reorganization within the Texas bureaucracy.
14.
describe the roots of the Texas
legislature, including disenchantment with Mexican legislative
representation for Texas.
15.
describe the constitutional qualifications to be a member of the
Texas Legislature.
16.
describe the bicameral structure, make up and
operation of the Texas Legislature.
17.
describe the organization of the Texas Legislature, including its
leadership structure and committee system.
18.
describe the impact of incumbency.
19.
describe the powers and functions of the Texas Legislature.
20.
describe redistricting and gerrymandering and their effects.
21.
describe the legislative (law making) process.
22.
describe the influences on the voting behavior of members of the
Texas Legislature.
23.
describe why CBS thinks justice is for sale in Texas.
24.
describe the sources and types of laws in Texas.
25.
distinguish between original and appellate jurisdiction in Texas courts.
26.
describe the structure and operations of the Texas courts.
27.
describe the types and conduct/phases of trials in Texas.
28.
describe the qualifications to become a Texas Supreme Court justice.
29.
describe the process for selecting judges in Texas and its impact.
30.
describe the criticisms of the judicial selection process in Texas.
31.
describe the types of judicial reforms recommended in Texas.
32. describe the alternative
methods of judicial selection and their effects.
33.
describe the criminal justice system in Texas.
34.
define the key terms; Father’s day massacre, clemency, senatorial
courtesy, Administrative Procedures
Act, revolving door, special sessions, 2/3rd rule, joint
resolutions, filibuster, trials de
novo.
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