COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
DR. U. LYNN JONES
Spring Semester, 2016
COURSE NUMBER:
COURSE TITLE:
GOVT 2306
Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Origin and development of the Texas Constitution,
structure and powers of the state and local government, federalism and inter-governmental
relations, political participation, the election process, and the political culture of Texas.
COURSE CREDIT HOURS: 3 Lecture Hours: 3
PREREQUISITE: Placement in ENGL 1301; College-Level Reading
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
State Mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be
able to do the following:
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.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
The last day to withdraw with a grade of “W” for the Spring,
2015 semester is March 18. A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade,
including “W”. Note also that Texas law now limits a student to a maximum of six withdrawals
during a four-year college career. If a student chooses to drop a course by the census date
(February 1), it is not recorded as an official withdrawal. Students are responsible for officially
withdrawing themselves from the course, should it be necessary. Faculty are not allowed to
initiate withdrawals on your behalf.
COLLIN COLLEGE ACADEMIC POLICIES: Under the current Collin College Student
Handbook the policies concerning academic dishonesty are as follows:
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the submission as one's own work material
that is not one's own. It may also involve cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts
or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.
Plagiarism is the use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving credit
to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an
examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet
files, using someone else's work for assignments as if it were one's own, or any other dishonest
means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty,
including but not limited to providing a paper or project to another student, providing an
inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination;
removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
A determination by the Dean of Student Development that a student has committed one or
more of these acts may result in a disciplinary penalty, such as academic probation, suspension
or expulsion from the college. You will also receive a grade of zero on the assignment.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT: Collin College will adhere to all
applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing
reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal opportunity. It is the student’s
responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-D140 or (972) 881-5898 (V/TTD:
972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student
Handbook for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR’S INFORMATION:
Name:
Dr. U. Lynn Jones
Office:
Springcreek, L208
Office Hours: 7:30-9:00 MWF, 10:00-11:00 MW, 7:30-8:30 TR, 6:00-7:00 T or by
appointment
Office Phone: (972) 881-5841
Email:
ljones@collin.edu
CLASS INFORMATION:
Section S71
7:00 T
L250
TEXTBOOK: Champagne, Anthony and Harpham, Edward, Governing Texas: An
Introduction to Texas Politics, 2ND Edition, New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2015
SUPPLIES:
None
ATTENDANCE POLICY: It is expected that you will attend all classes and exams are
based upon that assumption. You are responsible for acquiring class notes if you have to
miss. Ultimately you will find that regular attendance is essential to a satisfactory grade
performance. In addition, borderline grades are adjusted based on class attendance and
performance.
Class will begin promptly at the scheduled time. During
class cell phones are to be
turned off and stored in pockets, purses or packs. Do not place a cell phone
on your desk at any time. Lap tops, electronic notebooks etc. are not
permitted. If you have a special need to utilize a computer, you will need to obtain
supportive documentation from the Access Office.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The grade in this class will be based upon four examinations and the required semester
project. Exams and the project are worth 100 points each. Letter grades are assigned
according to the following scale:
(Grades will not be "curved".)
90-100..........A
80-89............B
70-79............C
60-69............D
Below 60......F
Exams will be based upon both class notes and the text. I will provide you with a list of
terms and questions to help you prepare for the exams.
COURSE CALENDAR
I.
Introduction: Constitutionalism and the State in the Federal System
Text: Ch. 2
II.
The State Constitution
Text: Ch. 3
III.
Voting and Political Participation
Text: Ch. 5, pp.138-146
FIRST EXAM
IV.
V.
Political Socialization and Public Opinion
Political Parties, Campaigns and Elections
Text: Ch. 4, Ch. 5
VI.
Interest Groups
Text: Ch. 6
SECOND EXAM
VII.
The Legislative Process: The State Legislature
Text: Ch. 7
VIII.
The Chief Executive: The Governor and the Administration
Text: Ch. 8
THIRD EXAM
IX.
X.
XI.
The Judicial Process: The State Court System
Text: Ch. 9
Public Policy: Crime and Corrections
Text: Ch. 10
Local Government
Text: Ch. 13
FINAL EXAM
COURSE PROJECT:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETING
You will attend a public meeting of a local governing body. This will include a city council (It
does not matter which city.), County Commissioners Court, Collin County Community
College Board of Trustees, or any independent school district board. After you attend the
meeting you will write a minimum three page essay describing your experience. Did the
meeting fulfill your expectations of the operation of such a body? Did the participants
dress and behave as you expected? What business transpired? Did this experience fit your
concept of democracy? When you turn in your essay, include a copy of the official agenda
of the meeting, signed by an official at the meeting, to confirm your attendance.
This assignment should be in essay format and a minimum of three pages, typewritten,
double-spaced. It will be graded on content, organization and grammar. It is worth a
maximum of 100 points and is due no later than 5:00 Friday, April 8. Late papers will
receive a maximum of ½ credit. Please include your class section number on your
assignment.
PAPERS MAY BE TURNED IN AS FOLLOWS:
a)
In class
b)
At the Social Science Office, B240
c)
As a Microsoft Word Attachment to an email. Be sure to
put your name and section number on the paper, not just
the email.
d)
Do not slide papers under my office door