Instructor: Prof. Marsha N. Lindsay
Govt. 2306: Practicing Texas Politics
Govt. Chair: Evelyn Ballard
Email: marsha.lindsay@hccs.edu
Course: Govt. 2306 CRN: 75225
Email: evelyn.ballard@hccs.edu
Mobile: 281.804.4888
Day: Saturday Time: 9am-12pm
Phone: 713.718.2490
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 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. This particular survey of the Texas state
system of government includes the fundamental principles of political science, the study of the Texas state constitution, the state
legislative, executive and judicial branches, local governments, methods of participation, and analysis of contemporary policies. This
course is fully transferable to all Texas State colleges and universities.
Required Texts: Lyle C. Brown, Joyce A. Langenegger, Sonia R. Garcia, Ted A. Lewis, Robert E. Biles. 2016. Practicing Texas
Politics, 15th Edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Loose Leaf Edition (HCC Bookstore): ISBN# 978-1-285-85310-9;
www.cengagebrain.com
Recommended: Study Guides are available on-line to accompany the required texts. Students are also encouraged to follow current
political events by reading newspapers and following media news reports.
Course Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
6. Analyze the state and local election process.
7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
Student Notification Statements:
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 the 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 attend 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 beginning of each
semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Ability Services Office. At Southwest College,
students should contact Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7909. Students who are requesting special testing accommodations must first
contact the appropriate (most convenient) DSS office for assistance:
Disability Support Services Offices:
System: 713.718.5165; Central: 713.718.6164 – also for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services and Students Outside of the HCC District
service areas. Northwest: 713.718.5422; Northeast: 713.718.8420; Southeast: 713.718.7218; Southwest: 713.718.7909
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EGLS3: At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and
learning. During a designated time near the end of the term, 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 department 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.
HCC Course Withdrawal Policy: The State of Texas imposes penalties on students who 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.
Student Services: DISTANCE EDUCATION ADVISING AND COUNSELING SERVICES: Much DE student information can be found
on the DE Student Services website: de.hccs.edu. Advising or counseling can be accomplished through our online request form
AskDECounseling. Counselors and Student Services Associates (SSA) can assist students with admissions, registration, entrance
testing requirements, degree planning, transfer issues, and career counseling. In-person, confidential sessions, can also be scheduled to
provide brief counseling and community referrals to address personal concerns impacting academic success.
International Students: International Students are restricted to ONLY ONE online/distance education class per semester. Please
contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have additional questions about your visa status.
Due Dates for Assignments: All work is to be submitted to your instructor upon arrival to class (unless otherwise noted in syllabus). If
unanticipated and extraordinary circumstances prevents you from attending class and you are unable to submit an assignment on time,
you are responsible for making arrangements with the instructor as soon as possible. All written assignments are based up reading or
activities known well in advance, so a learner is expected to plan in advance the completion of assignments considering events like
holidays, travel or vacations. Effective time management will enable students to prioritize family, work and school responsibilities.
Oral Presentation/Group Presentation: You will select a political figure from Texas that has or is currently serving either on a local, state
or federal level. After which, you will begin researching that persons political career. You will then prepare a presentation on your topic.
Acceptable visual aids are as follows (PowerPoint, recorded interview, poster boards, brochures, newspaper articles, etc.). I will share
an example of a presentation with you in class. However, you may be as creative as you wish, as it relates to the presentation. You will
also prepare a paper demonstrating your research as it relates to your respective topic. The presentation should be at least 7 minutes,
not to exceed 15 minutes. A grading rubric will be distributed for you to know in advance how you will be graded. You are STRONGLY
encouraged to begin collecting newspaper articles for the purpose of class discussions and the newspaper article assignment.
Group Assignments: The class will be divided into 4 to 5 groups and each week, you will be given a discussion question to discuss and
summarize. The group lead will be responsible for compiling the information for grading. Each group member is responsible for
contributing articles, or other supportive documentation for the group assignments. Group and individual grades will be awarded.
Critical Thinking Responses & Newspaper Article Summaries: The critical thinking questions are designed for you to develop your
personal perspective on topics related to American Government. You are required to complete 4 critical thinking questions. Each
response should be no more than one page. You will also collect 10 newspaper articles, magazine stories, or any other print media of or
relating to an issue of local, state, national or foreign government. Articles cannot be printed from the internet. Prepare at least a one
paragraph summary of the article. (Specific guidelines for articles will be discussed in class and an example provided for article
submissions).
Quizzes: Quiz # 1 (Chapter 1); Quiz # 2 (Chapter 2-3); Midterm; The midterm will cover chapters 1-5; Final: The final is not
comprehensive. It will cover chapters 6-12.
Feedback Schedule: Students are expected to read and participate in discussions every week. Assignments will be graded and
feedback given back to students within one week.
Grading:
A=90 -100
B=80– 89
C=70 – 79
D=60– 69
Class participation/ Attendance
Critical Thinking Response Journal (150 points) & Newspaper Articles and Summary (150 points)
Group Presentation & Paper
Quizzes (multiple choice, true/false, short answer essay)
Midterm (multiple choice, true/false, short answer essay)
Final (multiple choice, true/false, short answer essay)
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F= 59 and below
10%
20%
30%
10%
20%
10%
Tentative Instructional Outline: Due Dates for Assignments: All work is to be submitted to your instructor the beginning of class, unless
otherwise noted. THE WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTORS DISCRETION. IF THIS
OCCURS, A REVISED COPY OF THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED. The following due dates apply for all graded and reading
assignments. You are expected to have read the weekly assignments prior to class in order to be prepared for discussion. The lectures
and class discussions will be based on the reading material assigned.
Class Schedule and Assignments
Week & Date
WK 1: 08/29
Reading Assignments
Daily Activity
Government overview. What do you know about government? How can
your participation change the landscape of government?
Complete student contact sheet,
Introductions; distribute syllabus.
WK 2: 09/05
Chapter 1: The Environment of Texas Politics (pages 1-35); Students
should begin thinking about a political figure for their presentations.
WK 3: 09/12
Quiz # 1; begin Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution (pages
41-72); Group Activity: Chapter 1 & 2 (bring newspaper articles).
WK 4: 09/19
Conclude Chapter 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution (pages 4172); Begin Chapter 3: Local Governments (pages 77-112).
Conclude Chapter 3: Local Governments: (pages 77-112); Chapter 4:
Political Parties (pages 121-148); Quiz # 2
Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections: (pages 157-191); Chapter 6: The
Media and Politics (pages 198-230)
All the President’s Men or Nothing But the Truth
Instructor lecture and class discussion;
independent study; assignment is due on
09/12.
Instructor lecture and class discussion;
divide into groups; and distribute group
assignment.
Instructor lecture and class discussion.
WK 5: 09/26
WK 6: 10/03
WK 7: 10/10
WK 7: 10/17
WK 9: 10/24
WK 10: 10/31
WK 11: 11/07
WK 12:
WK 13:
WK 14:
WK 15:
11/14
11/21
11/28
12/05
WK 16: 12/12
Instructor lecture and class discussion;
Group Newspaper articles due 10/10.
Distribute midterm exam study guide.
Midterm Exam: Chapters 1-6- You must arrive and be in the classroom by
9am. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted into class to take the
exam. (1 hour); 10 min break and resume lecture for Chapter 7: The
Politics of Interest Groups (pages 238-266).
Quiz # 3 (30 min); 10 min break; resume lecture for Chapter 8: The
Legislative Branch Executive: (pages 273-310); Chapter 9: The Executive
Branch (pages 318-350).
Once you complete the exam, you may
gather your things, and leave quietly.
Chapter 10: Public Policy & Administration: (pages 357-427); 10 min
break; Movie or documentary.
Chapter 11: The Judicial Branch (pages 403-427)
Chapter 12 : The Criminal Justice System (pages 436-458) ; Quiz # 4
Group Presentations/Group debates
Group Presentations/Group debates
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – 11/23-11/28
Conclude presentations/group debates.
Instructor lecture and class discussion;
critical thinking responses (CTR’s due).
Instructor lecture and class discussion;
FINAL EXAM (CHAPTERS 6-13)
Instructor lecture and class discussion;
distribute schedule and grading rubric for
presentations.
Instructor lecture and class discussion.
Instructor lecture and class discussion.
Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving…
Distribute graded presentation rubrics;
class wrap up; review for final.
The final will begin promptly at 9:15am. If
you arrive late, you will not be permitted to
enter the classroom.
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Critical Thinking Questions
You are welcome to select from these chapter questions. However, I will be sharing critical thinking questions throughout the semester on current events. You are
required to submit 4 critical questions on or before 10/31/15. No exceptions. Papers should be 1-2 typed, double-spaced and confirm to the approved academic writing
format (MLA). If you need assistance, please contact student services, academic writing lab.
Chapter 1:
1.
Describe how political culture has shaped Texas’s politics, government and public policy.
Chapter 2:
2.
Explain and analyze how the basic sections of the Texas Constitutions.
Chapter 3:
3.
For years, Texas has had one of the highest proportions of people in poverty in the nation. If you were a political figure, what
programs/policies would you support to assist with eradicating poverty?
Chapter 4:
4.
Which political party do you perceive will have the greatest impact overall? And why do you perceive the independent party has not been
successful with gaining momentum in the presidential elections?
Chapter 5:
5.
Describe the role that race and ethnicity play in politics. And explain the importance of minority voters?
Chapter 6:
6.
Describe the roles of the media in modern day Texas election campaigns. In your opinion does the media help or hurt the campaigns?
Chapter 7:
7.
What kinds of activities do interest groups utilize to influence Texas government? And given what you know about interest groups, is there
one in particular that has influenced you? If so, why?
Chapter 8:
8.
Would unicameral legislature benefit or harm Texas? Which is the only state to currently have a unicameral legislature?
Chapter 9:
9.
Explain the checks and balances on the executive powers of the governor.
Chapter 10:
10. Analyze the major challenges faced by the Texas Education System? Given what you know, and understand, what innovative programs
would you implement to change some of the many deficiencies within the educational system in Texas?
Chapter 11:
11. Compare the functions of all participants in the judicial system.
Chapter 12:
12. Analyze issues of the death penalty in Texas. What would you do to oversee the disproportionate number of minorities currently sitting on
death row?
Chapter 13:
13. Describe the sources of Texas’s state revenue? And which one(s) do you feel could be reallocated to the Education system?
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