SAMPLE ONLY

Austin Community College Syllabus

PCM Texas Government 2306

 

Professor:                               Veronica Vega Rodriguez

Office Location:                    Riverside Campus, Building A #2270

Contact Information:            512-223-6390 vrodrigu@austincc.edu 

Office Hours:                         APPOINTMENTS VARY EACH SEMESTER

 

***This is a sample syllabus.  Each semester there may be changes to course requirements, the textbook, etc.  When students sign up for the course they will receive their current syllabus in class or via blackboard on the first day of class.***

 

Course Description – This course is an introduction to Texas state and local government.  The course includes an introduction to a framework for analyzing Texas government and politics, the constitutional basis for Texas government and politics, the processes of Texas government and politics, the institutions of Texas government and politics, and the policies of Texas government and politics.

 

Course Goals -

 

1.       To understand the nature of the Texas political systems as it relates to its citizens, interest groups, and political institutions.

2.       To understand the principles in which the Texas political system is based upon,      how these principles are expressed in the Texas Constitution, and how they guide the functioning of our institutions; specifically, the Texas Legislature and the Governor.

3.       To understand the Texas political process as it relates to governmental institutions with a basic understanding of the role of these institutions in the political process and how these institutions influence the process.  It is important that students have an appreciation for political parties, interest groups, as well as, the importance of political participation in the political process.

 

Student Prerequisites: Curiosity, initiative, adaptiveness, and a willingness to examine ideas and facts critically. Most importantly you should have self-discipline to stay on task & read every day.

You must have availability to a reliable computer that has internet connection, an email account, and word processing skills.  Computer glitches are always possible, so it is best to always have a backup plan.  Problems of students with their home computers included their computers freezing up, students sent their work to my email, but not in WORD format (which is the ONLY format I am able to take), they had some problem with blackboard….etc.  There are NO late assignments or work allowed, so the reasons above or any other technical problem that arises is not an excuse for late work.  That’s why you have a schedule that tells you in advance when items are due.  When a student chooses to work on items the day of the deadline then the student runs the risk of running into the above problems, whereas, if the student would work on assignments ahead of time then they are saving themselves.

If you have some technical problem have a backup plan – ACC computer labs, a friend or family member’s computer, public libraries, & maybe a last resource would be a Kinko’s.

Course Elements - Students are required to have one textbook. The required book is:

Kramer,Newell, Prindle. “Texas Politics.” 10th edition. Wadsworth Thomson Learning,

          2009.

 

ISBN # 978-0-495-55510-0

 

Textbooks can be purchased on-line at amazon.com, ebay.com, half.com, or allbookstores.com.  You may also go to an ACC Bookstore or a Bevo Bookstore.  Textbooks may be reserved online at http://wwwaustincc.bkstore.com and you can have them held at any ACC Bookstore location.  Make sure that you are ordering or buying the correct textbook.  The best way to do this is to use the ISBN #978-0-495-55510-0.  If you buy an older textbook it would not have the same information or the information could be old.  It is best to buy the textbook that I require.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE WILL BE AVALIABLE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

 

TESTS accounts for 45% of your total grade.

 

1. You will have 4 tests.  See the Course Schedule for test deadlines.  You will be allowed 1 extension for a test, only one test! You must contact me at least 24 hours in advance to let me know you need an extension of one test --- either email me, call me & leave me a voicemail --- explaining why you need the extension.  If you give proper advanced notice then you will have a 72 hour extension, no more. If you can not give me at least 24 hour notice you must provide documentation to show that you could not give me advance notice.  There will be NO extensions on assignments, projects, discussion boards, just on ONE TEST (& only allowed within the above guidelines).

 

 

v Your exams will consist of multiple choice questions.  When it comes to multiple choices you are to choose the best response. Make sure you do not over analyze the question because they will be straight forward.  Remember to read each question carefully; DO NOT rush through these tests.

 

v The schedule (given the first day of classes) will have your deadline for taking your test, but you may take the test within the time frame given, example if a test has the dates March 4-10, this means that the test will be available for you to take on March 4 & the last day you may take the test is the 10th.  PLEASE DO NOT WAIT till the last minute, stay on top on your work.

 

v FOR TEST #4 you CAN NOT take it at Fredericksburg or San Marcos because they take longer to get to me to grade & I will not be able to make deadline to turn in grades.  So make sure you make arrangements NOW because for TEST #4 you can not take it in San Marcos or Fredericksburg. 

IMPORTANT --- FOR TEST #4 EXTENSIONS YOU CAN ONLY HAVE 24 HOURS.  THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE

          CLOSENESS TO END OF SEMESTER.

 

v To take your test you will need an ACC photo ID.  You can get an ID from any campus Admissions & Records Office.  You should also look at the policies and procedures for ACC Testing Centers at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/policies.htm.

 

v DON'T FORGET YOUR #2 PENCIL!!  When you take the exam you will first have to fill out a “Student Test Request & Grade Form”.  Make sure you fill out all the information carefully.  When you finish the exam it will be graded by the Testing Center Personnel.  You will receive a Feedback Sheet which will include your score.  Keep these sheets for your records, this is important.  Human errors can occur, so keep your feedback form in case there is an error from the testing center or myself.

 

v Grades will be posted on Blackboard.  It will take me a few days to get to me, so don’t worry if you do not immediately see your grade.  I am working on putting test grades up faster, but REMEMBER you will already have your test grade from your feedback form.  That form is the most important, so keep it just in case there is a discrepancy.  And if there is a discrepancy (very rare) then after your test grade is posted on blackboard you may contact me immediately. 

 

You may take your exams at the Testing Centers on the Riverside, Rio Grande, Northridge, Pinnacle, Cypress Creek, Eastview, or South Austin Campuses of ACC, or you can take them at San Marcos or Fredericksburg High Schools.  There is now testing available at the Round Rock Higher Education Center.  For times and locations go to http://www.austincc.edu/testctr, each campus differs in times so please make sure you check with them first to see if it meets your needs.  If the deadline for a test is Friday, but you take it at San Marcos or Fredericksburg & the testing center is not open on that day then it is your responsibility to make sure you know the testing centers hours and days. You also do not have to take your tests at the same Campus, you can always use the one most convenient to you.  Remember TEST #4 make arrangements to take it anywhere but San Marcos or Fredericksburg.

 

Paper Project is worth 20% of your total grade

 

2.  You will be required to write a paper that is 3-5 pages in length.  You may only be penalized on the length of the paper if it is not at least 3 FULL pages long. Your paper must be 12-point font and double spaced.  As in any research paper a bibliography is required, if you do NOT include a bibliography 10 points will automatically be deducted.

 

I do have the ability to scan your papers to check for plagiarism.  Plagiarism has become a rampant problem throughout many colleges & univerisites, & ACC is no exception.  I have had to fail many students for plagiarized work.  It is very important that you put quotes & citations where it is needed.  Go to this website & read some of the FAQ’s regarding plagiarism & also click on the link to Standard Documentation Formats which will show you how to do foot notes & end notes, etc.  Here’s the website http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/plagsep.html

 

You are required to have at least 3 credible sources; WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A CREDIBLE SOURCE.   DO not throw this paper together at the last minute.  You are to treat this assignment & all others as professional college reports. You will be deducted points if I am having to correct your grammar & spelling on much of your papers.

 

I do have the ability to scan your papers to check for plagiarism.  Plagiarism has become a rampant problem throughout many colleges & univerisites, & ACC is no exception.  I have had to fail many students for plagiarized work.  It is very important that you put quotes & citations where it is needed.  Go to this website & read some of the FAQ’s regarding plagiarism & also click on the link to Standard Documentation Formats which will show you how to do foot notes & end notes, etc.  Here’s the website http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/plagsep.html

 

**YOU MUST follow the above instructions or points will be deducted. Or if you chose to plagiarize then you will fail.**

Your essay is a political issue debate over specific questions which are relevant to political controversial issues of the day. Give an overview of the history of the political issue.  You may include court cases, new articles, or any other relevant periodicals.  A good paper will look at both sides of the issue. You are welcome to give your own opinions in your paper, but keep them limited.  This is a research paper, but I believe it is a fun one because it deals with key political issues that must be examined with open dialogue.  I do not discount your own ideas, but back them up.  So, you are to give an introduction with a history or background of the issue, then answer yes to the question & no to the question, & then finally give a conclusion where you summarize all your points on both side.  This is essentially a debate on paper.

You are allowed to choose one of the following questions:

A) Does the Religious Right Threaten Our Freedoms?

B) Should Texans push the United States to Put More Restrictions on Immigration?

C) Is Justice for Sale in Texas?

D) Could Online Voting be a Means to Increase Voter Turnout?

E) Is Capital Punishment Justifiable?

 

F) Should we have allowed Gay Marriage to be made illegal in the Texas Constitution?

 

G) Should Marijuana for medicinal purposes or otherwise be legalized?

 

 

Discussion Board Forums are worth 15%

 

3. Discussion Boards will be presented on blackboard for you to respond to a particular topic I give related to the chapter or chapters you are to be reading.  The Discussion Boards are required, not optional.  You may access the Discussion Boards through Blackboard by clicking on “The Discussion Board” button on your Blackboard Course Page for this class. You are to participate in a minimum of 4 of the 6 discussion boards, the due dates will be listed on course schedule.  So, you must have responded to each discussion board by the deadline.  On the course schedule you have the dates the discussion board will be posted & when the last date is to respond.  You must give your answers ON BLACKBOARD/DISCUSSION BOARD.  I will not accept any discussion boards that you email or intercampus mail to me.  The purpose to discussion boards is to have conversations with fellow students, just like you would in a classroom setting.

 

If you choose to respond to more than the 4 required discussion boards then the one (1) of extra boards may replace your lowest grade.  So, that if you do 5 total discussion boards I will only average your 4 highest grades.

 

If you do all 6 discussion boards then I will average your 4 highest grades & will count one of your discussion boards as extra credit.  This would mean that I would not take into account your lowest discussion board grade out of all 6.  I would take your top 5 out of 6 discussion board grades.  This may sound confusing, so please talk with me if you are unsure. 

 

For each of the four units there will be several discussion boards in which you discuss various issues with your classmates.  These discussion boards may be on the unit itself or it may be over current events related to the unit.  You should keep abreast of current events; it may also help you with your paper.  Newspapers are free online; you can get the Austin American Statesmen at http://www.statesman.com/.  Here is also a website that has a list of all cities in Texas that have local newspapers, http://www.usnpl.com/txnews.php & even though this is a Texas Government course what happens in national or American politics can be crucial to Texas, so you can also rely on my favorite newspaper the New York Times.  You can get the Times free at http://www.nytimes.com.

 

Discussion board questions are already posted, except for one.  However, you will not be allowed access to them until the dates on the schedule.  Students are suppose to go through the discussion boards together, as the boards act as a conversation would in a regular lecture course.  So, you will not be allowed to skip ahead on discussion boards.

 

Discussion Boards are a great opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow classmates, without being in the classroom.  Before you respond to a blackboard you should do two things: a) read your classmates’ response and think about what you want to say BEFORE you respond; b) read your response back to yourself carefully before clicking the submit button to make sure your comments are respectable & appropriate.

Each student is required to participate in the discussion boards with thoughtful contributions.  Responding simply, example: “I agree with what he/she said”- will not be given a grade.  You are to make a valuable contribution to the discussion by adding something to what has already been said or an original idea.  Here’s how I will grade your responses:

a) Do you under the issue, so does your post on discussion board seem to reflect an understanding of the issue at hand?

b) Whether you are responsive to the issue itself.

c) Whether your postings are thoughtful, if you understand & are able to respond to your classmates’ comments & then provide a thoughtful response to them that helps to move the discussion along. Do not “beat a dead horse” with responding with “I agree”.

d) If a student posts more than once that student may receive a higher grade then a student who responds only once.  BUT substance is more important than frequency.

 

Assignments are worth 20%

4. You will have 4 assignments related to the units.  The assignments can be found in the folder marked “Assignments”.  First, click on your course & then you will see the folder on the left-hand side.  You have due dates listed in Course Schedule.  When you go into the Assignments folder you will see that for each assignment there is first a set of instructions --- make sure you read everything presented for each assignment.  Then the next bullet will have the actual assignment.  Make sure you read both bullets.

 

If there is a form for the assignment, then copy the form to your computer and complete it as your work through the exercise.  Then save the worksheet on your computer & email it to me as an attachment or simply copy the completed work into an email.  If you submit the paper as an attachment it must be in WORD 2003 format or save it save it as .rtf (rich text format).  I cannot open any “wordperfect” documents.  I will send an email reply that it has been properly received; as long as you have properly turned it in you should have no trouble.  I will look at the date stamp to verify the day it was turned in, so I will respond to you that I received it ASAP.  It is your responsibility to make sure I receive your work by the deadline.  You may also bring the work to RVS Campus & get it stamped in the Copy Room/Administration Room on the 2nd floor in Building A.  If you turn it in at RVS IT MUST BE STAMPED WITH THE DATE.  Please submit your work only ONE way.  Make sure your name is on the paper to receive credit.

 

ACC PROVIDES ME WITH MICROSOFT 2003 --- you must make sure what you send me is compatible.  If I can not open your document then you run into a LOT of problems --- what if I don’t open it till the next day, then your work would be late & that is unacceptable.

 

JUST AS WITH YOUR ONE RESEARCH PAPER --- no plagiarism will be tolerated.  You are to double space, 12 point font all your assignments.  You are to put quotes & citations when it is needed. No bibliographies are required for the assignments, unless I specifically ask for it.  However, you still must provide quotes & citations when it is needed.  Any information that you provide in your assignment that is NOT specifically yours MUST, MUST be cited. (where did you get information from, i.e. website address, book page & author, etc.)  ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS PLEASE ASK.

 

DO NOT ATTACH ITEMS to blackboard.  The only way that I will receive work is if you email it to me as an attachment, & only if necessary you can put your work in the body of an email, but these usually come out sloppy.  I REALLY PREFER ALL YOUR ASSIGNMENTS & PAPERS TURNED IN AS ATTACHMENTS!

 

I do not want you to attach your work to blackboard, I won’t accept the work!

 

I will not accept papers past the due date. If your work is due on a Sunday & you email it to me at Midnight – it is the next day (Monday), so it is late. 

 

 

To Study for this Course: One important element of this class will be your link to ACC Blackboard.  Blackboard will provide

Ø  Announcements  Which will give any immediate announcements

Ø  Course Information Here you will find your syllabus, course schedule

Ø  Study Assistance: You will find information to help you study

Ø  Assignments: Here you will find the 4 assignments for the units

MAKE SURE TO ALWAYS CHECK BLACKBOARD, DAILY!

 

To study for exams & to do well in this course you should:

v Read the entire chapter including the highlighted boxes, graphs, charts, and side notes.

v Take particular note of key terms and concepts that are set in boldfaced print and are also listed at the end of each chapter.

v Each chapter concludes with Key Terms and Review Questions.   Take time to examine these.  You may find it helpful to write out the answers.

v Take the 4 exams by their deadline.

v Complete the 4 assignments

v Participate in at least 4 discussion boards.

v Complete the assigned paper.

v Also, please feel free to contact me at any time if you need any assistance.  You should also feel free to come to my office, if needed, for one on one discussions.

v Any work that involved research, which may include but is not limited to the assignments & paper, you should have a bibliography.  A bibliography provides information as to where you received your research & without a bibliography you could be considered cheating. You should have a bibliography for research paper.  And make sure you have citations and/or end notes when needed for work that is NOT yours.

v Since we are dealing with computers there is always the likelihood that something could go wrong.  In order to make sure that you get your work in on time you should send your work off before the deadline.  I will not feel sympathy for a student who is doing work the day it is due & then has some type of computer glitch.  The longer you wait to work on items you are leaving the window open for things to go wrong. 

 

RESOURCES:

Distance Learning:  http://dl.austincc.edu/ Many questions can be answered at the Distance Learning website.  It includes information on testing centers, resources, technology support, and a host of other topics of concern to distance learning students.

Library: Students taking Distance Learning courses qualify for access to specialized library resources and services including an online library registration form and a real-time remote reference chat option.  Visit the "Library Services for Distance Learning" link on the main Library Services web page at http://library.austincc.edu.  Distance learning students also may use the standard off-campus library resources and services available to all currently-enrolled students. 

Computer Labs: http://irt.austincc.edu/collegecomputers/  and http://irt.austincc.edu/ict/computing/studentdescrip.html

Learning Labs: http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/

Distance Tutoring:  http://dl.austincc.edu/students/smarthinking.htm

Testing Center: http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

 

 

A=90-100    B=80-89      C=70-79      D=60-69      F=59 & below

I= Incomplete, these are rarely given & only used in extreme cases.

 

 

                   Assignment                              Percentage of Grade

 

                   4 Exams                                             45%

                   1 Paper                                               20%

                   4 Assignments                                   20%

                    4 Discussion Boards                           15%

 

                   Orientation                                        (2 pts towards a test if you turn it in by course schedule deadline, if turned in after

                                                                             -2 points will be deducted from a test)

 

                   Total                                                  100%

 

Scholastic Dishonesty: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty.  Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarism (using another author’s words or arguments without attribution), and collusion (the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement).

 

** I take this very seriously, as does the college!  I will not tolerate any copying & pasting.  I do have the ability to check if you have cut & pasted your work from the internet or a text.  If I find you to be cheating by cutting & pasting I will immediately report you to the college & drop you from the course.**

 

Academic Freedom: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in discussion boards freely, without prejudice from me or others.  In your writings or discussions you should always use critical thinking, particularly about political ideas, where there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.  Students may not only disagree with each other at times, but the students and Professor may also find that they have contrasting views on sensitive and volatile topics.

 

It is the Professor’s hope that these differences will enhance blackboard discussions and create an atmosphere where students and Professor alike will be encouraged to think and learn from each other.  Therefore, be assured that students’ grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed in discussions or in assignments.  Rather, we will respect the views of others when expressed in blackboard discussions.  You are free to state opinions, but remember that I must grade you on evidence & knowledge of the subject.

 

Office for Students with Disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities 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 semester.

 

Incompletes:  Incompletes are rarely given & only for extreme circumstances.  If you are in need of an incomplete I will need documented evidence that you have an extreme situation that would qualify for an “incomplete”.  I will not even consider an incomplete without documentation.  If you qualify you will have a strict deadline to complete your work.

 

Important Additional Information:

 

Ÿ The Texas State Coordinating Board of Higher Education requires that in order for an Open Campus course to be certified, instructors and students need to have AT LEAST TWO CONTANCTS with each other during the semester.  The first contact will be for your orientation, where you give me information about yourself.  Your second contact will be an evaluation of how the student feels the class is going. I will have all students contact me to see how they feel they are doing in the course.  I will give further information at a later time through announcements on blackboard.

 

Ÿ  DON’T hesitate to call or email if you have concerns or questions.  However, on the weekends I will check email less, so it is best to contact me via cellphone.

 

Ÿ  All your work --- ALL assignments --- must have your name, assignment #,  & your course synonym.  If this is not on your work, extra credit or assignments, then I will deduct 2 points.  (NOT 2306, but your course synonym)

 

Ÿ ALWAYS put your name (first & last) & PCM TX Govt. in your subject line of your emails.  This way I will know that I need to look at these emails before I look at any others.  Again, ALWAYS PUT YOUR NAME & PCM TX GOVT. IN SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAILS.  You do not need to provide the numbers after Govt, simply put PCM TX GOVT.

 

     When leaving me a message, either on my private number or work number make sure to 1st say your name (first & last) & that you are in my PCM TX Govt. course.  Again, I am asking this because my PCM students may need my immediate attention & so I will get in touch with you quickly.

 

Ÿ  It is the student’s responsibility to drop the class.  I will drop students who do not complete their orientation information by (date provided in course schedule) or if a student does not meet the requirement to contact me twice.  A student may withdraw any time during the semester until (date provided in course schedule & ACC online system).  To withdraw from a class, you must do it officially by filling out the required form at Admissions & Records.  Otherwise, the responsibility of officially withdrawing rests entirely with the student.  If you stop taking the course and do not officially withdraw you will then receive a grade of “F”.

 

Ÿ  REMEMBER THERE ARE NO LATE ASSIGHMENTS OR PAPERS ACCEPTED. YOU MAY BE ALLOWED AN

EXTENSION FOR ONE TEST, provided that you contact me 24 hours in advance & leave me a voicemail or email as to why you need extension.  If you can not contact me with at least 24 hour notice for an extenstion then in order to make it up you must have some documentation showing that you couldn’t notify me (doctor’s note, emergency room report, etc). NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!

 

Ÿ  If there is an emergency then you will need to provide some type of paperwork or documentation --- i.e. doctor’s note, hospital note, car accident report, police report, obituary from newspaper. 

 

Ÿ  BIGGEST MISTAKE THAT STUDENTS MAKE --- before you turn in any of your work please make sure you have re-read through the syllabus to make sure that you are following my directions.  I am a big stickler for following directions.  This is my biggest pet peeve: students who do not follow directions.  I may take points off for not following directions – or your work may be considered un-gradable for lack of following directions.

 

Ÿ  You have all my contact information.  You may contact me any time, through email or phone.  It is best that you call me if there is an urgent situation.

 

 

***I reserve the right to change my syllabus, schedule, or orientation information at any time.  If any changes are made students will be informed.***

 

PCM TEXAS COURSE SCHEDULE PROVIDED FIRST DAY OF CLASS