Houston Community College
Social Science Division
Government 2306
Spring 2014
TEXAS GOVERNMENT
DR. SANDERS ANDERSON, JR.
Office Hours: By Appointment
Telephone: (713) 718-6063
sanders.andersonjr@hccs.edu
3 Hour lecture course/48 hours per semester/16 weeks
TEXTBOOK
The textbook for this course is Charldean Newell, David F. Prindle, and James W.
Riddlesperger, Jr., Texas Politics, 12th Edition (Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning,
2013), ISBN 978-1-111-83306-0. You can purchase e-book access directly from the publisher
for less than $50. The book can also be rented.
This course focuses on Texas Government. The following topics will be covered:
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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
Purpose of the Course: Government 2306 is one of two courses designed to introduce students
to the study of the origin and development of the U.S. Government and Texas Government. The
course goals are to develop an understanding of the institutions and political processes of Texas
political system; encourage critical thinking about political events; and introduce students to the
discipline of Political Science and how political scientists study politics scientifically. This
course is fully transferable to all Texas State colleges and universities.
Course Prerequisites: Must be placed into college-level reading and college-level writing
Student Learning Objectives: After completing GOVT 2306, students will be able to do the
following:
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Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution;
Describe State and local political system and their relationship with the federal
government;
Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in
Texas;
Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas
government;
Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas;
Analyze the state and local election process;
Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens;
Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas;
Analyze the role of socio economic factors in Texas Politics
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw themselves
prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor for excessive absences
or be assigned the final grade of “FX” at eh end of the semester. Students who stop attending
classes will receive a grade of “FX”, compared to an earned grade of “F” which is due to poor
performance. Logging into a DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending.
Please note that HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never
attended class. Students who receive financial aid but fail to addend class will be reported to the
Department of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of “FX” is treated exactly
the same as a grade of “F: in terms of GPA, probation, suspension, and satisfactory academic
progress.
ADA Statement: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric,
vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Ability
Services Office at the respective college at the begging of each semester. Faculty is authorized
to provide only the accommodations requested by the Ability Services Office. Students who are
requesting special testing accommodations must first contact the appropriate (most convenient)
DSS office for assistance. Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are
encouraged to call 713-718-6164 to make necessary arrangements.
There will be five (4) examinations including the final examination all of equal value. The
formal examination is not comprehensive. If factors intervene to alter the number of
examinations the adjustments will be made.
Make up Policy:
Missed exams can be taken with legitimate written excuse and at the discretion of the professor.
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Grading Scale
Examination 4 = 400 points
360 – 400
320 – 359
280 – 319
240 – 279
Below 240
=A
=B
=C
=D
=F
If there are fewer examinations given because of circumstances, the scale will be adjusted. The
use of electronic devices including cell phones will not be allowed during examinations and their
use discouraged in class.
Course Attendance and Withdrawal Policy: Attendance will be taken on a daily basis. A
student may officially drop at the registrar’s office anytime up to the official date of withdrawal.
Withdrawing is the responsibility of the student. Students who take a course for the third time or
more face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and
universities. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing
grades, confer with your instructor or a counselor as early as possible about your study habits,
reading and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and
opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available. The final date to withdraw
this system is March 31, 2014 at 4:30.
Beginning Fall 2007, the State of Texas imposes penalties on students who withdraw/drop
courses excessively. Students are limited to no more than SIX total course withdrawals
throughout their educational career at a Texas public college or university. Students are
encouraged to review the HCC 6 Drop Policy.
How to Drop
If a student decides to withdraw from a class upon careful review of other options, the student
can withdraw online prior to the deadline through their HCC Student Center.
HCC and/or professors may withdraw students for excessive absences without notification (see
course attendance policy above).
International Students: Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa.
Once a W is given for the course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa
consideration. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any
questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
HCC Policy Statement: Academic Honesty: A student who is academically dishonest is, by
definition, not showing that the coursework has been learned, and that student is claiming an
advantage not available to other students. The instructor is responsible for measuring each
student’s individual achievements and also for ensuring that all students compete on a level
playing field. Thus, in our system, the instructor has teaching, grading, and enforcement roles.
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You are expected to be familiar with the University’s Policy on Academic Honest, found in the
catalog. What that means is: If you are charged with an offense, pleading ignorance of the rules
will not help you. Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity
in fulfilling course requirements. Penalties and/or disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by
College System officials against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. “Scholastic
dishonesty”: includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
Cheating on a test includes:
 Copying from another students’ test paper;
 Using materials not authorized by the person giving the test;
 Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization
 Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part
the contents of a test that has not been administered;
 Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered.
Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged incorporation of
that work in one’s own written work offered for credit.
Collusion mean the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work
offered for credit. Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F
in the particular assignment, failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probation or
dismissal from the College System. (See the Student Handbook)
EGLS3: At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to
answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous
results of the survey will be made available to your professors and division chairs for continual
improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College
Student System online near the end of the term.
Discussion Topic:
I. Introduction, Overview of the Texas Constitution
Required Readings:
Texas Government (Hereafter simply Text)
Chapter 1 and 2
II. Politics
A. Interest Groups
B. Political Parties
C. Voting and Elections
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Required Readings:
Text
Chapter 3, 4 and 5
Test I
III. Political Institutions
A. The Texas legislature organization and process
B. The Texas Executive
C. The Texas Court System
D. Criminal Justice
Required Readings:
Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10
Test II
IV. Local Government
A. City Government
B. City Government and Politics
C. County Government
D. Special Districts
Required Readings:
Text
Chapters 11
Test III
V. Economics and Social Policies of Texas
A. Economy of Texas
B. Financing State Government
C. The Budgetary Process
D. Social Welfare and Education Policies
E. Resources
Required Readings:
Text
Chapters 12, 13 and 14
Final Exam
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