Government 2306, Texas Government, Texas Constitution and Topics
Houston Community College, North Forest Campus
Fall 2015
Instructor: Mr. Dave Marks
Fr 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., North Forest Campus, Rm. 121
CRN: 75223 0017
E-mail: david.marks@hccs.edu
Phone: (281) 745-5303
Office Hours: by appointment if necessary
First Class: Fri. Aug. 28, 2015, Last Class: Fri. Dec. 4, 2015
No class: Fri. Nov. 27, 2015, Thanksgiving Holiday
Final Exam: Fri. Dec. 11, 2015, 9:00 a.m.
Required Texts: Brown, Langenegger, Garcia, Lewis, Biles, Rynbrandt, Reyna; Practicing Texas
Politics, (with MindTap Political Science 1 term [6 months]),16th Edition, Wadsworth Cengage Learning
Course Goals:
Upon completion of this course, the student should have a good working knowledge 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 or 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 legislature,
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.
Core Objectives:
The Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) mandates that the core curriculum must ensure that
students will develop the essential knowledge and skills they need to be successful in college, in a career,
in their communities, and in life. Through the Texas Core Curriculum, students will gain a foundation of
knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world, develop principles of personal and
social responsibility for living in a diverse world, and advance intellectual and practical skills that are
essential for all learning. Students enrolled in GOVT 2306 core curriculum courses will complete
assessments designed to measure the following core objectives:
 Critical Thinking Skills—to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,
evaluation and synthesis of information
 Communication Skills—to include effective development, interpretation and expression of
ideas through written, oral and visual communication
 Personal Responsibility—to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences
to ethical decision-making
 Social Responsibility—to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to
ethical decision-making
Student assessment of proficiencies mandated by THECB may include testing, projects, or assignments.
1
Grading Policies:
There will be 13 chapter Quizzes of 20 true/false questions, three Module Exams of 20 true/false
questions, a Short Essays on topics to be discussed, and a Final Exam of 25 true/false questions. The
scores from the 13 Quizzes, three Module Exams, Short Essay, and Final Exam will be averaged and
combined with possible points for attendance, class participation, and possible extra credit assignments, to
produce a final average. Punctuality and class participation count.
Written Assignments:
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE ON THE STATED DUE DATES! LATE WRITTEN
ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!! STUDENTS MUST HAVE WRITTEN
ASSIGNMENTS PRINTED BY CLASS TIME, STAPLED, AND READY TO SUBMIT!!! ALL
WRITTEN ASSIGMENTS MUST BE TYPED AND DOUBLE-SPACED TO BE ACCEPTED, NO
EXCEPTIONS!!!!
Policy for Makeup Exams and Assignments:
Prompt, punctual and consistent attendance is expected from each student. However, in the event an
emergency arises and a student must be absent on the day of a scheduled Exam or Assignment, the
student must notify the instructor by email before the scheduled absence. A valid reason must be
included. If the reason for the absence is deemed valid and the absence is excused, the student will have
to arrange to take a makeup Exam, which will be administered as soon as possible after the student returns
to class. Efforts will be made to find a location and proctor for the Exam. It is extremely hoped that those
measures will not be necessary. Excessive absences and lateness will result in removal from the course.
Withdrawal from a Course (“W”)
It is your responsibility to officially withdraw from a class and prevent an “F” from appearing on your
transcript. When considering withdrawal from a course, remember the following information:
Last day to withdraw is Fri., Oct. 30, 2015. After that date all students MUST be given a grade. If
attendance stops after that date and no arrangements are made to make up missed work, the student will
receive an “F” for the course. Students cannot be dropped after Fri., Oct. 30, 2015.






If you withdraw before the Official Date of Record, no grade is given and your transcript reflects
no record of the course.
A “W” (indicating withdrawal) appears on your transcript if you withdraw from a course after the
Official Date of Record and before the final deadline.
College policy requires instructors to write “never attended” on the official roll sheet next to the
names of those students who do not attend class by the Official Date of Record. If you do not
attend class before the Official Date of Record, the college may automatically drop you from the
course.
To “attend class” in online distance education classes, you must log onto the course in WebCT (or
Blackboard Vista) before the Official Date of Record. If you do not do so, “never attended” will be
marked on the official roll sheet. The college may automatically drop you from the course, and
you will be denied access to your course in WebCT (or Blackboard Vista).
A “W” (withdrawal) may negatively impact your ability to receive financial aid or your visa status
if you are an international student.
Students who take a course three or more times face additional 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/counselor as early as possible about
2


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 Texas Legislature passed a law limiting first time entering freshmen to no more than SIX total
course withdrawals throughout their educational career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree. This
policy is effective beginning with the fall 2007 semester. There may be future penalties imposed.
If you MUST withdraw, visit with your instructor, a counselor or online student services associate
prior to withdrawing (dropping) the class BEFORE the “Last Day for Administrative/Student
Withdrawals” posted in the HCC Schedule of Classes. Instructors are no longer allowed to process
a “W” on their final grades—YOU are responsible for processing the paperwork in a timely
manner.
Failure of a Course (“F”)
You will receive an “F” in this class if your grade is less than 60%. Receiving an “F” (failure) may
negatively impact your ability to receive financial aid. It is YOUR responsibility to submit college-level
quality work in a timely fashion or to withdraw yourself from the course by the deadline if you cannot
complete your work satisfactorily.
Incomplete (“I”)
You will receive an “I” (incomplete) only in the event of a documented emergency situation that prevents
you from completing the last assignment, such as the final exam. You must speak with your instructor as
soon as possible in the event of such an emergency to arrange a course completion schedule. If you
receive an “I,” you must arrange with the instructor to complete the course work before the end of the
next long semester. After that deadline, the “I” becomes an “I/F.” All ”I” designations must be changed
to grades prior to graduation. The changed grade will appear on your record as “I/Grade” (ex: “I/B”).
Student Course Reinstatement Policy
Students have a responsibility to arrange payment for their classes when they register, either through cash,
credit card, financial aid, or the installment plan. Faculty members have a responsibility to check their
class rolls regularly, especially during the early weeks of a term, and reconcile the official class roll to
ensure that no one is attending class whose name does not appear on it. Students who are dropped from
their courses for nonpayment of tuition and fees who request reinstatement after the official date of record
payment of tuition and fees who request reinstatement after the official date of record (OE Date) may be
reinstated by making payment in full and paying an additional $75 per course reinstatement fee. A student
requesting reinstatement should present the registrar with a completed Enrollment Authorization Form
with the signature of the instructor, department chair, or dean who should verify that the student has been
regularly attending class. Students who are reinstated are responsible for all course policies and
procedures, including attendance requirements. A dean may waive the reinstatement fee upon
determination that the student was dropped because of a college error. The dean should note the nature of
the error in a memo to the registrar with appropriate documentation.
Disability Notification
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services (DSS)
Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the DSS Office. The DSS telephone number is (713) 718-8322.
3
Academic Dishonesty
Cheating of any type will result in removal from the course.
Notice of Students’ Responsibility to Read the HCC Student Handbook
For information about students’ rights and responsibilities, please refer to the HCC Student Handbook
(http://www.hccs.edu/students/handbook/Handbookhome2.html).
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
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.
4
Class Topics Schedule
MODULE 1: The Texas Political Landscape, the Constitution of Texas, Federalism, and Local
Governments.
1. Fri. Aug. 28, 2015, Opening and Orientation.
2. Fri. Sep. 4, 2015, Ch. 1, The Environment of Texas Politics, plus essay: What is a Texan? Am I
a Texan? is due.
3. Fri. Sep. 11, 2015, Ch. 2, Federalism and the Texas Constitution.
4. Fri. Sep. 18, 2015, Ch. 3, Local Governments.
5. Fri. Sep. 25, 2015, EXAM #1 ON MODULE #1.
MODULE 2: The Branches of Texas Government: State Legislature, Executive, State Judiciary,
and State Public Policy.
6. Fri. Oct. 2, 2015, Ch. 8, The Texas Legislature.
7. Fri. Oct. 9, 2015, Ch. 9, The Executive Branch.
8. Fri. Oct. 16, 2015, Ch. 10, Public Policy and Administration.
9. Fri. Oct. 23, 2015, Ch. 11, The Court System, & Ch. 12, The Criminal Justice System.
10. Fri. Oct. 30, 2015, Ch. 13, Finance and Fiscal Policy, plus screening of DVD: Bordertown,
featuring Martin Sheen, Jennifer Lopez, Antonio Banderas, and
Maya Zapata.
11. Fri. Nov. 6, 2015, EXAM #2 ON MODULE #2, and essay on Bordertown is due.
MODULE 3: The Role of Interest Groups and Political Parties in Texas politics, and Campaigns and
Elections in Texas.
12. Fri. Nov. 13, 2015, Ch. 6, The Media and Politics, & Ch. 7, The Politics of Interest Groups.
13. Fri. Nov. 20, 2015, Ch. 4, Texas Political Parties, & Ch. 5, Campaigns and Elections, plus
report on an Interest Group is due.
Fri. Nov. 27, 2015, NO CLASS, THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
14. Fri. Dec. 4, 2015, EXAM #3 ON MODULE #3.
FINAL EXAM, Friday, December 11, 2015, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The instructor reserves the right to modify this Syllabus and will notify the class of any changes in
a timely manner.
.
5
SPECIAL NOTICE ON ATTENDANCE
Once you have registered for this course you are expected to attend EVERY class session ON
TIME. Excessive absences and tardiness WILL NOT BE TOLERATED OR ACCEPTED!
There will only be TWO excusable absences permitted for this class for this term. This class has
only 14 scheduled sessions which meets once per week, so more than TWO absences will mean a
student has not fulfilled the state requirements for hours of instruction.
After TWO absences a student will automatically be dropped from this course. A lateness counts
as one-half of an absence, so FOUR late arrivals will equal the TWO absences which will
automatically remove you from the course.
Excessive absences affect the college’s funding negatively and CANNOT and WILL NOT be
tolerated!
6