Syllabus+-+GOVT+2306+-+Spring+2014


 * Government 2306**
 * Kevin Jefferies**
 * Office**: D-257 **Office**
 * Phone**: 281-756-3736
 * email**: kjefferies@alvincollege.edu. - please use this instead of the email on blackboard
 * class blog**: [|http://theweakerparty.blogspot.com]

//Sections//

GOVT 2306-01 MW 8-930am GOVT 2306-02 MW 11am-1220pm GOVT 2306-05 TTH 1-220pm GOVT 2306-IN3


 * This is the official information about the class from the ACC catalog:** GOVT 2306 Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics) (3-credits) 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. Prerequisites: READ 0310 and ENGL 0310.

Please note the prerequisites. By taking this class it is assumed that you have the basic ability to read and write at the college level. You will be expected to perform at that level in all written assignments and communications.


 * Introduction: Why is This Course Offered?** We live in a democratic republic. In such a system the people are sovereign, meaning that ultimate political authority rests with the people. This isn't necessarily good news. Overall levels of knowledge about government are quite low. The founding generation recognized this and created a governing system that placed a significant number of barriers between the people and the law. This was to ensure that the "instability, injustice, and confusion" common in democracies would not lead the new country to an early demise. Nevertheless it was understood that participation would expand and an educated population would be required to ensure that the country would survive. Public education and democratic government therefore go hand in hand. This class is not only offered, but required, in order to ensure that you become a knowledgeable participant in the American governing system. I might be prejudiced, but I happen to think that this is the most important class you will take in college, and I treat it as such.


 * Learning Objectives**: What Do I Plan to Accomplish? GOVT 2306 covers the governmental and political institutions in Texas. We look at how these are designed on the state and local level. We also look at the relationship that exists between the state and the national government.


 * Methods for Accomplishing Course Objectives:** Below (under "Calendars") you will see a series of links which take you to pages I have put together on class subject matter You will be expected to read not only the material I have assembled for you, but additional material pulled from various sources online. You'll see a lot of links, but you aren't expected to know everything I link you to. The class is designed to introduce you to the large number of additional sources of information which exist online. Your understanding of the assigned material will be assessed in two ways. The first is based on your ability to answer short answer questions while the second will be based on answering multiple choice and other similar questions. The first is subjective and is meant to force you to think critically about the subject matter while the latter tests your factual understanding of the material.


 * My Teaching Style**: Over the course of two decades of teaching government, I've come to the conclusion that the Constitution is simply a means of making decisions publicly, of non-violently reconciling the different points of view -- or interests -- that exist in society. James Madison says as much in Federalist #10: //The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.// Conflict is part of the process. I see my job as helping you understand how the constitutional system structures that conflict. While it is common for people to consider the political and governing process as hopelessly complex and confusing, it isn't. Once you properly understand the framework of the overall, while you still might get lost in the specifics, the general process make sense.


 * BlackBoard:** Much of this class (both online and lecture) will be run in Blackboard. Obviously this is no big deal for online students, but lecture students will also take their quizzes (Blackboard calls them "assessments" so that is the term I will use) and submit their written work through this site. This means that there will be no assessments in class, though my lecture students will have two in class tests, a midterm and the final (multiple choice). As you will note below, every week we will have both a 25 (or so) question multiple choice assessment and a 150 word (at minimum) short answer question. The assessments are designed to do just that, assess how well you know the material, the short answer questions are designed to force you to apply that material to current issues and debates.


 * Readings: There is no textbook for this class, but students in 16 week classes will have to purchase a book that will be the basis of the 1000 word essay described below. Students for 8 and 3 week classes will be assigned readings from an online source.**

You are required to purchase whichever of these books is assigned to your class. Use this as the basis of the 1000 word report described further below.

GOVT 2306-01: Clayson, William. Freedom is not Enough: The War on Poverty and the Civil Rights Movement in Texas. 2010. UT Press.

GOVT 2306-02: Cox, Patrick S. and Michael Phillips. The House will come to order: How the Texas Speaker became a Power in State and National Politics. 2010. UT Press.

GOVT 2306-05: Haley, James. The Texas Supreme Court: A Narrative History, 1836-1986. 2013. UT Press.

GOVT 2306-IN3: Keith, Gary, ed. Rotten Boroughs, Political Thicket and Legislative Donnybrooks: Redistricting in Texas. 2013. UT Press.


 * Why no textbook?** There is so much information regarding government and politics online that there is little reason to use a printed textbook. As much as possible I try to take you websites where you can find information relevant to the class' subject matter. Hopefully you will find some of these site to be useful to you in the future. All of the readings in this class are available online in the pages you are linked to below under "calendars." When you click on these links you will be taken to separate pages with power points slides. Here you will notice the bulk of the material that you will be assessed over in the class. Some of this is written in the slides, some you will be linked to.


 * About those Power Points:** The bulk of the information I provide to you is through power point slides. I find these convenient ways to manage access to class information. You will see that I have lots of them, this is because I treat them as book chapters. It also keep me from writing on the board. If you are a lecture students you will soon find out that this is a good thing. The slides are laden with links to different sources of additional information. In reality, this is the most important part of the class. I want you to become familiar with the wealth of information that is available to you online. More than anything else - really - that's what I want you to get out of this class (in addition to the basic info about the structure of the government). Please make sure that the links open for you as quickly as you can. I use an older version of power point so that it will work on most - hopefully all - computers. Let me know if you are having problems. Some students need to right click in order to open them. I also keep them very simple (and black and white) so you can print them out if you choose and not blow your printer cartridges. I suggest taking notes from the slides, but do whatever works for you.


 * About the blog - The Weaker Party:** You will notice that I also maintain a blog -- [|http://theweakerparty.blogspot.com] -- where I post items, usually on a daily basis, that pertain to the subject matter of the class. Everyday we will spend time discussing how current events illustrate the principles we cover in class. The blog features a large number of links to the various institutions we will come to understand in this class. In order to better communicate, I want you to go to the page and subscribe to it, you will notice a subscription widget on the right of the page. By subscribing, you will receive daily information regarding not only what we will cover in the class, but also various other notices such as whether class will be cancelled.


 * What's with the Wikipedia Links?** You will also notice that I often link to Wikipedia pages, the open-sourced web based encyclopedia. Wikipedia is often criticized as being unreliable and subject to manipulation. In some cases entries are edited by people who wish to bias the information contained in the article for self interested reasons, but the site has become increasingly reliable, especially with relatively non-controversial or historical topics. I have found the range of articles available to be impressive. There is easily accessible information available there, that simply cannot be found elsewhere. I have found it to be very useful for my purposes. Perhaps its best feature is that it records all edits and allows for discussions of controversies associated with how subjects are discussed.

Here are some links that touch on controversies associated with Wikipedia: - [|Dean's World]. - [|EDUCAUSE]. - [|Reliability of Wikipedia, from Wikipedia itself]


 * Grading**: A = 89.5 - 100; B = 79.5 - 89.5; C = 69.5 - 79.5; D = 59.5 - 69.5; F 59.5 - 0 Your grade will be based on how well you perform in the following:


 * 1 - Weekly Quizzes (25%):** You will be expected to take assessments each week for each of the sections covered that week. I want you to take them all, but will drop the lowest two - again provided you took them. The purpose is to ensure that you have familiarity with the subject matter we cover in class. These assessments will be given through BlackBoard, so once again, please get an account immediately. The assessments are intended to reinforce the principle points made in each section and assess - objectively - your retention of those points. You can use the power points available on each wiki page while answering the questions, so yes they are open note. Check below for the days and times each assessment will be opened.

**2 - Weekly Written Assignments (25%):** Each week I will also post a question designed to encourage you to think critically about that week's material. They will generally ask you about a current event that illustrates some aspect of that week's readings. These will also be presented to you in BlackBoard - though the questions will be written out in the blog - and you are to send your responses through BlackBoard as well. I'd prefer you to use the submissions box, but note that you will be timed out if you take too long to compose it there. I'd recommend writing answers out in a word processor then pasting them into the box. The assignments will be posted at the beginning of each week and you will have a full week to write at least 150 words (you should consider this to be a bare minimum) and be analytical in nature, based on the specific facts related to the subject. If you plagiarize your answer you will receive a 0, and this grade will not be replaced. I will accept late work, but all work is to be turned in by the date listed below. You are required to turn all of these in, and I will not drop any of these grades.


 * 3 - A Written Report (25%**): You will be required to turn in a 1000 word paper at the end of the semester on a topic that will be assigned at the beginning of the semester. I want the paper to be a critical review essay. I will use the weekly assignments to prod you to produce the paper promptly. Here are some links that might help you figure out what you are expected to do:

- [|How to Write a Critical Review Essay]. - [|How to Write an Essay]. - [|What is an Essay]. - [|How to Write an A+ Thesis Statement].

The paper will be evaluated base on a variety of criteria including, content, organization, grammar and spelling. The paper is to follow MLA guidelines. These can be found on the following website: []. The ACC writing center can also assist you with formatting issues. Send me your report by the date listed below. You must submit the paper in two separate places, both can be found on BlackBoard. One - the one I will be grading - can be found under "assignments" where you submit the weekly written assignments. The second is under the Writing Assessment link on BlackBoard - which you will see each time you get on BlackBoard. Here the assignment will be evaluated based on three criteria. First, did it meet the requirements of the assignment? Second, was it organized well? And third, are the mechanics of the paper (spelling, grammar, and whatever else applies) proper? Please follow the instructions provided to upload your paper.


 * 4 - A Cumulative Final (25%**): Look below for the dates of finals week. Lecture students check online for the precise day and time of your final. Online students will take their final online. It will be open for one day and you will have two hours to complete it. Each will be composed of 100 multiple choice questions.


 * Assessments**

The state of Texas has recently decided to add a variety of assessment instruments in order to ensure that college students are in fact learning what the state wants them to learn. There are four such assessments that are to be applied in government classes and these are described below. These are integrated into the class material.


 * Writing Assignment**: You've probably noticed that every class requires you to produce a written report. This is because writing is a hugely important skill - something that can distinguish you from your peers. Along with analytical skills, its the most important thing you can learn in college, and a central component of higher education. The 1000 word report covers this requirement. This will be turned in through BlackBoard.


 * Critical Thinking**: Along with analytical and communications skills, the ability to think critically is argued to be an essential component of a college education. It is expected that all ACC classes contain a critical thinking component, which are then evaluated by testing a randomly selected group of students who have finished at least 24 credit hours. You may be selected to be tested, you may not be, but we will discuss critical approaches to class issues from time to time.

In case you are wondering what critical thinking is, here are some websites which may be able to help you - and me - figure that out:

- Wikipedia: [|Critical Thinking]. - [|Criticalthinking.org]. - Coursera: [|Critial Thinking in Global Challengers]. - You Tube: [|Critical Thinking].

The Coursera link offers the following - in my opinion reasonable - definition of critical thinking: "Critical thinking is the ability to gather and assess information and evidence in a balanced and reflective way to reach conclusions that are justified by reasoned argument based on the available evidence. Critical thinking is a key skill in the information age, valuable in all disciplines and professions."

This will be assessed later in the semester with in a written assignment which presents you with an ethical dilemma. A rubric will be provided that will establish how well you understand the ethical issues posed by the question.
 * Personal Responsibility**: The state of Texas expects that by taking this class, students will be able to "demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision making." Here is another way to put this: By the end of the semester, "students will be familiar with the concept of ethical decision making in addition to its complexities, as well as the ethical dilemmas that present themselves in various disciplines taught at ACC. They will understand how decisions impact these ethical dilemmas."


 * Social Responsibility**: The state of Texas also expects that you will learn about social responsibility during the course of this class. Specifically this means that you "will understand the importance of making a personal investment in the well-being of others, the community and/or planet while showing respect for the beliefs of others." As with personal responsibility you will be presented with a written assignment later this semester that will be based on this issue question.


 * Regarding Student Behavior:** You are adults and will be expected to act accordingly. For online students this means that I expect you to do your own work. You will not ask anyone else to write papers for you, or you will not simply copy text from various sources and tell me you did it. Turnitin, and other techniques will be used to determine if you have plagiarized. Among the Founders, proper behavior was considered to be a necessary mark of a civilized person and a requirement for political participation. Read through Washington's [|Rules for Civility and Decent Behavior]. It is a great example. Consider adopting a few.

//Please Note: If you have any disabilities or other special needs that will affect your ability to learn in this class, please inform me. Appropriate steps will be taken to make reasonable accommodations and assistance with your needs.//


 * A****MERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT** - ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal access to individuals who are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services, A 136, (281)756-3533. Instructors are not able to provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed.


 * Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)** – Letting someone know - The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) at Alvin Community College is committed to improving community safety through a proactive, collaborative, coordinated, objective and thoughtful approach to the prevention, identification, assessment, intervention and management of situations that pose, or may reasonably pose, a threat to the safety and well-being to the campus community.

College faculty, staff, students and community members may communicate concerns to the BIT by email, BIT@alvincollege.edu, or through an electronic reporting option located on the BIT page of the college website, [|www.alvincollege.edu/bit.


 * Scholastic Dishonesty:** If you cheat in any way in this class and are caught, you will fail the course. Do not download items from the internet and pass them off as your own. If you do so, you will receive a zero for that paper or assignment and that grade will be final. If you do it a second time, you risk failing the course, or receiving a sanction for your actions.


 * Incompletes:** I do allow students to take incompletes provided unusual circumstances have arisen that prevent you from finishing the class in a timely manner. Unless there is an overwhelmingly good reason to take the incomplete -- such as a prolonged hospital stay -- the grading scale is will be adjusted as follows: B = 85.5 - 100; C = 69.5 - 85.5; D = 59.5 - 69.5; F 59.5 - 0. This is done to be fair to the students who were able to complete the class on time, but could have performed better if they had also been given extra time.


 * W….Withdrawal. ** It is recommended that the student talk to the instructor before withdrawing. Current information can be found online in the **Withdrawal** section of ACC Schedule. Students who file withdrawal requests by the published deadline will receive a grade of **W**.

Calendar

Note that this is likely change over the course of the semester. Not all of these sections are quite ready to go.

January 13: Classes begin

Week One: January 13 - 19 - Introduction: Why do you have to take this class? - Introduction: Government, Politics, Sovereignty, Public Policy Assessments Open January 13 Written Assignment open January 13 8 am, due January 20 8 am

Week Two: January 20 - 26 - Texas and the States within the National Governing Landscape: Federalism - Texas within the National Political Landscape: Political Culture - Alvin, Houston and cities within the National Governing Landscape: Federalism (cancelled) Assessments Open January 20 Written Assignment open January 20 8 am, due January 27 8 am

Note that I've made a few adjustments to the calendar - a few items have been pushed back a bit.

Week Three: January 27 - February 2 - The Texas Declaration of Independence - State Constitutions and the Texas Constitution (small name change) Assessments Open January 27 Written Assignment open January 27 8 am, due February 3 8 am

Week Four: February 3 - 9 - The Texas Bill of Rights - Local Governments in Texas Assessments Open February 3 Written Assignment open February 3 8 am, due February 10 8 am

Week Five: February 10 - 16 - Political Movements in Texas (there will be no assessment for this section) - Political Parties in Texas - Statutory Code on Political Parties. ( we will review this in class - but no assessment for this section) - The Transition from Democratic to Republican Control (there will be no assessment for this section) - Interest Groups in Texas. Assessments Open February 10 Written Assignment open February 10 8 am, due February 17 8 am

Week Six: February 17 - 23 - The Separated Powers - State Legislatures - State Executives - State Judiciaries Assessments Open February 17 Written Assignment open February 17 8 am, due February 24 8 am

Week Seven: February 24 - March 2 - The Legislature - Texas Constitutional Design - House and Senate Rules - Texas Bill Making - Legal Code - Local City Councils Assessments Open February 24 Written Assignment open February 24 8 am, due March 3 8 am

Note a change in the schedule below

Week Eight: March 3 - 9 - we will have a mid-semester review this week, and will also discuss your paper proposals in class; There will be no assessments or written assignments this week.

March 10-14: Spring Break

Week Nine: March 17 - 23 - Parties in the Texas Legislature. (cancelled) - The 83rd Session of the Texas Legislature (cancelled) - Texas Budgeting - The Fiscal Size Up - Taxes in Texas Assessments Open March 17 Written Assignment open March 17 8 am, due March 24 8 am

Week Ten: March 24 - April 6 - The Executive: Texas Constitutional Design - The Texas Governor (this section has been cancelled) - The Texas Bureaucracy - Local Executives Assessments Open March 24 Written Assignment open March 24 8 am, due April 7 8 am

Week Eleven: March 31 - April 7 -The Judiciary: Texas Constitutional Design - The Texas Criminal Justice System - Local Judiciary (this section has been cancelled) Assessments Open March 31 Written Assignment open March 31 8 am, due April 7 8 am

April 11: Withdrawal Deadline

Week Twelve: April 7 - 14 - State Elections. - Managing Elections in Texas - Suffrage - Municipal and County Elections (this section has been cancelled) Assessments Open April 7 Written Assignment open April 7 8 am, due April 14 8 am

Week Thirteen: April 14 - 21 - Temporary and Permanent Party Organization - Voting and Campaigns (this section has been cancelled) - Voting Rights in Texas (this section has been cancelled) - Campaigning in Texas (this section has been cancelled) - The 2014 Election (this section has been cancelled) Assessments Open April 14 Written Assignment open April 14 8 am, due April 21 8 am

Week Fourteen: April 21 - April 28 - Texas Economic Policy Making (this section has been cancelled) - Education Policy - Health and Human Services (this section has been cancelled) Assessments Open April 21 Written Assignment open April 21 8 am, due April 28 8 am

Week Fifteen: April 28 - May 3 Summary Review

May 3: Classes End

May 5 - 10: Finals Week

All Assessments due May 8 4pm All Written Assignments must be turned in by May 8 4pm 1000 Word Critical Essay Due May 8 8am

- Public Opinion in Texas - The Media in Texas