Government 2306-Online section 42595
Houston Community College
Spring Term 2015
Instructor: Dr. Knight
E-mail: Please contact via HCC e-mail only @ aaron.knight@hcc.edu. Make sure to
include your Course Number and Section Number
Course Description. 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.
Basic Intellectual Competencies in HCC Core Curriculum.
Students in a Core Curriculum course are assessed on their ability to demonstrate all or
most of the following core objective proficiencies as mandated by the Higher Education
Coordinating Board, which are as follows:
Critical thinking skills – to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and
analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
Communication skills – to include effective written, oral, and visual
communication
Empirical and Quantitative skills – to include the manipulation and analysis of
numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions
Teamwork – to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work
effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal
Social Responsibility – to include intercultural competency, knowledge of civic
responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and
global communities
Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and
consequences to ethical decision-making
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.
Required Materials. Lyle C. Brown, Joyce A. Langenegger, Sonia R. Garcia, Ted A.
Lewis, Robert E. Biles. 2014. Practicing Texas Politics, 15th Edition. Wadsworth
Cengage Learning. Loose Leaf Edition (HCC Bookstore)
Eagle Online
Access to your online course is found at: http://eo2.hccs.edu/. Follow the login
direction. If you have difficulties contact the DE support via de.hccs.edu or contact
directly the support personnel listed in the DE orientation materials.
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.
To help you avoid having to drop/withdraw from any class, contact your DE professor regarding
your academic performance. You may also want to contact your DE counselor to learn about
helpful HCC resources (e.g. online tutoring, child care, financial aid, job placement, etc.).
After the withdrawal deadline has passed, you will receive the grade that you would have earned.
Zeros averaged in for required coursework not submitted will lower your semester average
significantly, most likely resulting in a failing grade of an “F”. It is the responsibility of the student
to withdraw from the class.
Final Withdrawal Deadline:

March 24, 2015, 4:30 pm
If you wish to drop this course without receiving a grade you must drop yourself by
this deadline. If you stay in the course past this date you will receive a grade other
than W.
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.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc)
who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the appropriate HCC Disability
Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to
provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
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
After student accommodation letters have been approved by the DSS office and submitted to DE
Counseling for processing, students will receive an email confirmation informing them of the
Instructional Support Specialist assigned to their professor.
NOTICE FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE OF HCC SERVICE AREA
Students who live or work outside the HCC service area and cannot take paper exams at one of
our HCC testing locations MUST make arrangements for a proctor. Please see the DE Student
Services Additional Resources webpage for more information.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM CONDUCT
As with on-campus classes, all students in HCC Distance Education courses are required to
follow all HCC Policies & Procedures, the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook, and
relevant sections of the Texas Education Code when interacting and communicating in a virtual
classroom with faculty and fellow students. Students who violate these policies and guidelines will
be subject to disciplinary action that could include denial of access to course-related email,
discussion groups, and chat rooms or being removed from the class.
Course Participation. It is imperative that you stay on schedule in this course. MISSED
EXAMS OR ASSIGNMENTS MAY NOT BE MADE-UP.
Make-up Policy. There are no makeups in this course. The due dates for all assignments
are given to you in this document. Plan around these dates. If you are planning to travel
during this semester you need to consider whether or not this will impact your
performance in this course. If you expect to have surgery during this semester you need
to consider whether or not this will impact your performance in this course. You will not
be permitted to submit work late or take exams on dates other than those posted on this
syllabus even if you are forced to travel on personal business or due to work. If you
travel on dates work is due it is your responsibility to arrange internet access.
Course Grading.
The resulting grading scheme will be as follows:
234 to 260 points……………..A
208 to 233 points……………..B
182 to 207 points……………..C
156 to 181 points……………..D
<156 points………………….F
Chapter Essay Assignments and Exams. Links to each assignment and exam are in
Eagle Online and available on the dates listed in the syllabus. Essay Assignments are
available now and up until 11:55pm on the due dates listed. Exams will be available all
day on the dates they are due. Each contains fifty multiple choice questions. You will
have one hour from the moment you click on the exam to complete all fifty questions.
Research Paper. You must write a 3-5 page research paper (double-spaced, typed, 12
point font.). The paper must contain at least five quality citations, not encyclopedia, not a
dictionary or private blogs. Follow the APA Style Manual. Other details for this paper
assignment will be emailed to you during the first two weeks of the semester.
Course Calendar and Assignments
Chapter One: The Environment of Texas
-Assignment One due Monday, January 26
Chapter Two: Federalism and the Texas Constitution
-Assignment Two due Monday, February 2
Chapter Three: Local Governments
-Assignment Three due Monday, February 9
Chapter Four: Political Parties
-Assignment Four due Monday, February 16
Chapter Five: Campaigns and Elections
-Assignment Five due Monday, February 23
Midterm Monday, March 2
Chapter Six: The Politics of Interest Groups
-Assignment Six due Monday, March 9
Chapter Seven: The Legislature
-Assignment Seven due Monday, March 16
Chapter Eight: The Executive
-Assignment Eight due Monday, March 23
Chapter Nine: Public Policy and Administration
-Assignment Nine due Monday, March 30
Research Paper due Monday, April 13
Chapter Ten: Laws, Courts, and Justice
-Assignment Ten due Monday, April 20
Chapter Eleven: Finance and Fiscal Policy
-Assignment Eleven due Monday, April 27
Monday, May 11
Final Exam Due