STUDENT SYLLABUS
Course Name/Section Number:
GOVT 2306-6, TR 9:25-10:40 Academic 110
Texas Government (Texas Constitution & Topics)
Instructor Name:
Nacona Nix
Division/Dept:
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Office Hours:
MW 2:00-3:30, TR 11:00-12:00, or by appointment
Office Number:
Language Building 102A
Office Phone:
(361) 582-2533
Instructor Email:
nacona.nix@victoriacollege.edu
Course Description:
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.
Prerequisite(s):
Texas Success Initiative complete in Reading and Writing
Required Textbook(s), Supplies, and Materials:
Maxwell, William Earl, Ernest Crain and Adolfo Santos, et al. Texas Politics Today, 2015-2016
edition. Boston: Wadsworth, 2016.
Perkinson, Robert. Texas Tough: The Rise of America’s Prison Empire. New York: Picador,
2010.
Incendiary: The Willingham Case. Directed by Joe Bailey Jr. and Steve Mims. 2011. DVD.
Frontline: Justice For Sale. Produced by Stephen Talbot and Sheila Kaplan. 1999. Vimeo.
Last Man Standing: Politics Texas Style. Directed by Paul Stekler. 2004. DVD.
The Revisionaries. Directed by Scott Thurman. 2012. DVD.
Learning Outcomes and Assessments:
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
1. comprehend the origins and evolution of U.S. and Texas political systems, with a
focus on the growth of political institutions, the constitutions of the U.S. and Texas,
federalism, civil liberties, and civil and human rights. (Benchmark Exam)
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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2. analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces
on the area under study. (Benchmark Exam)
3. analyze, critically assess, and develop creative solutions to public policy problems.
(Research Paper)
4. recognize and assume one's responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by
learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public discourse and by obtaining
information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about
politics and public policy. (Benchmark Exam)
5. identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures.
(Benchmark Exam)
6. explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution. (Final Exam)
7. describe state and local political systems and their relationships with the federal
government. (Final Exam)
8. describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice
in Texas. (Final Exam)
9. demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of federal
and state government. (Final Exam)
10. evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
11. analyze the state and local election processes. (Final Exam)
12. identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. (Final Exam)
13. analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. (Final Exam)
Course Requirements:
Class sessions provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and
competency through oral communication. For the sake of this class it is crucial that you learn to
speak confidently, intelligently, and respectfully before a small group. To provide you with the
incentive to demonstrate a sincere interest in learning and growing personally and
intellectually, I have made thoughtful participation worth 5% of your final grade. I realize that
some students are shy, and I will make every effort to draw those students into the
conversation. To this end, I may engage in polemic directed at students’ classroom comments.
This is not solely to irritate, insult, or confuse you but to encourage counter argument and hone
your ability to think self-critically. Students who have read, summarized, and begun to question
the ideas contained within the readings assigned for each week will be best prepared for the
intellectual demands of a college course in political science. I hope that we will have an open
and lively class discussion every session, and one that is also respectful of differences of
opinion and always civil and polite.
Most importantly, you must accept responsibility for your own intellectual development
and scholastic achievement. Only you can ensure the timely reading of assigned materials, the
taking of good notes, and the development of good study habits. You may wish to avail yourself
of the resources provided by the Tutoring Center if you feel you are having trouble adapting
your study habits to the college setting.
Criteria for Grading:
You will be required to write four multiple-choice exams (50 questions each) * that assess
your knowledge and understanding of the key concepts, historical perspectives, statistical and
demographic information, and controversial issues that define American politics. Exam
materials will be culled from in-class lectures and the textbook, the contents of which you are
*
Answers must be supplied on an 882 scantron form using a #2 pencil.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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responsible for in their entirety—including the inset vignettes, charts, and tables. The final exam
will be cumulative, drawing sparingly on information covered during the first few weeks of class,
but much greater emphasis will be placed on material introduced after the third exam.
You will also be required to write a five to eight-page position paper (double-spaced, 12
pt. Times New Roman font, 1” margins all around) in response to questions or prompts that I
provide based on Robert Perkinson’s Texas Tough: The Rise of America’s Prison Empire and
other supplementary readings on the history of race, punishment, incarceration, and
rehabilitation in the United States and around the world. Because curbing criminal activity is a
controversial and complex problem that admits of many different and sometimes conflicting
policy solutions, you will have to develop and defend an argument based on a solid
understanding of the issues at hand and a familiarity with the evidence that the various authors
marshal for their respective positions. Papers are due in class on the assigned day and will only
be accepted via e-mail with my permission. Late papers will be accepted at the penalty of one
letter grade for every day after the due date. More detailed information regarding the structure
and content of the position papers will be made available later in the semester via the course
website.
Numerous unannounced extra credit opportunities will be provided throughout the
semester at the discretion of the instructor. Earned points will be applied to each exam grade
and reported on the scantron form. Your final grade will be determined as follows:
Assignment
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4 (Final)
Paper
News/Documentaries
Participation
% of Final Average
15%
15%
15%
20%
20%
10%
5%
Attendance:
In general, attendance is defined as being physically present in a face-to-face class
and/or a hybrid class at the time attendance is taken. For online classes, attendance is defined
as activity in the class a minimum of 1 time per week. A student is considered as having
attended an online class prior to the Official Reporting Date (ORD) if that student has logged
into the class at least one time prior to the ORD.
Attendance will be taken for every class meeting. The method by which attendance is
taken will be determined by the faculty member and clearly outlined in the class
syllabus. Attendance records will be submitted electronically to the appropriate division dean on
the last day of the course. Regular and prompt class attendance is expected of every
student. A student’s absence means that the student is not able to participate in the class.
While it is the final responsibility of the student to drop a class that she/he is no longer
attending, instructors
1. must drop a student who has not logged into an online class or physically attended a
face-to-face or hybrid class prior to the ORD. Instructors must initiate ORD drops by
the published deadlines.
2. cannot drop a student with an average of D/UD or better.
3. may at their discretion drop students without consultation with the student when
absences exceed 20% (7) of the scheduled class meetings. For classes that include
a separate laboratory, a student may be dropped when absences exceed 20% of the
laboratory meetings or 20% of the lecture meetings.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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4. must drop a student when absences exceed 40% (13) of the scheduled class
meetings unless said excessive absences accrue after the 65% drop date.
5. cannot drop a student after 65% of class instruction has been completed.
This practice applies to all modes of instruction.
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is a responsibility of all college faculty and students. Faculty
members promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instruction on the components
of academic honesty, as well as abiding by university policy on penalties for cheating and
plagiarism.
Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is
not limited to (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better
grade on a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including
citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of
cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is representing the words or ideas of another person as if
they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are (1) submitting an assignment as if it were
one’s own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that
has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3)
incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one’s paper without giving the author due
credit.
Acceptable Student Behavior:
The instructor has an obligation to maintain order in the classroom and to preserve the
integrity of the learning environment. If the instructor feels that the behavior of a student is
disturbing or otherwise interfering with instruction, then the student may be asked to leave the
class. The student may be allowed to return for the next class meeting after consultation with
the instructor and/or appropriate college administrator.
Students must not abuse the use of cellular phones in class. Text messaging and web
browsing are absolutely prohibited and offenders will have their participation grades lowered
accordingly. All phones should be muted or set to vibrate before class begins. In the rare
instance that there is a legitimate need to check for or receive a text message or call (e.g., a
parent with a child who is sick or has special needs), the student must inform the instructor in
advance that he/she may need to excuse himself/herself from class.
Make-up Exam Policy:
As college students you are of course expected to make every effort to accommodate
your work, parenting, travel, and leisure schedules to the exam dates listed in the syllabus.
However, recognizing that one cannot plan to avoid or reschedule a bout of illness or a death in
the family, make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. It is the sole
responsibility of the student to contact the instructor in person or via e-mail to make
arrangements for a make-up exam. Make-up exams must be taken within one week of the
regularly scheduled exam date, barring special circumstances. The instructor reserves the right
to alter the format of make-up exams to include short-answer and essay questions in addition to
the standard multiple-choice questions.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Contacting Me:
Please feel free to meet with me during office hours to discuss any problems that you
may be having with the material covered in lectures. If my office hours do not accord with your
academic or work schedule, I will make every effort to accommodate you with an
appointment. Contact me via e-mail at nacona.nix@victoriacollege.edu if you think you need to
make arrangements.
Tentative Class Calendar:
The schedule provided is a general guide. Coverage of the material may be
accelerated, decelerated, rearranged, augmented, or truncated at the discretion of the
instructor.
Tuesday, January 19th
Syllabus
Introduction to the course
Thursday, January 21st
Tuesday, January 26th
Texas Culture and Diversity
Maxwell, Ch. 1 (pp. 1-27) [27 pp.]
Thursday, January 28th
Tuesday, February 2nd
Texas in the Federal System
Maxwell, Ch. 2 (pp. 28-54) [27 pp.]
Thursday, February 4th
Tuesday, February 9th
The Texas Constitution in Perspective
Maxwell, Ch. 3 (pp. 55-77) [23 pp.]
Thursday, February 11th
EXAMINATION #1
Tuesday, February 16th
Thursday, February 18th
Film: Last Man Standing: Politics, Texas Style (2004)
Tuesday, February 23rd
Thursday, February 25th
Voting and Elections
Maxwell, Ch. 4 (pp. 78-112) [35 pp.]
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Tuesday, March 1st
Thursday, March 3rd
Political Parties
Maxwell, Ch. 5 (pp. 113-137) [25 pp.]
Tuesday, March 8th
The Legislature
Maxwell, Ch. 7 (pp. 164-198) [34 pp.]
Thursday, March 10th
EXAMINATION #2
Monday, March 14th –
Friday, March 18th
NO CLASS – Spring Break
Tuesday, March 22nd
Thursday, March 24th
The Texas Executive Branch
Maxwell, Ch. 8 (pp. 199-231) [33 pp.]
Friday, March 25th
NO CLASS – Good Friday
Tuesday, March 29th
Thursday, March 31st
Film: Justice for Sale
Tuesday, April 5th
Thursday, April 7th
Texas Judiciary & Law and Due Process
Maxwell, Chs. 9 & 10 (pp. 232-285) [54 pp.]
Tuesday, April 12th
Thursday, April 14th
Film: Incendiary: The Wilingham Case
Discussion of Texas Tough and the Death Penalty
Tuesday, April 19th
EXAMINATION #3
Thursday, April 21st
Public Policy in Texas
Maxwell, Ch. 12 (pp. 313-356) [44 pp.]
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Tuesday, April 26th
Thursday, April 28th
Film: The Revisionaries
Tuesday, May 3rd
Thursday, May 5th
Local Government
Maxwell, Ch. 11 (pp. 286-312) [27 pp.]
TBD
FINAL EXAMINATION
(See Victoria College Final Exam Schedule)
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Services office.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.