2306+-+Why+do+you+have+to+take+this+class?

=Power Points=

This is a condensed version of the power point slides. I've cut some of the extraneous information in order to make all them more manageable. You might still want to look at the other set - but this should be sufficient for the quiz. I'm working on similar condensed sets for the other sections as well. I'm open to suggestions for how to make these better.

Some students tell me that they cannot open the hyperlinks in the slides. If that's the case, right click on them and then click on "open hyperlink" in the drop down box.



In case you'd rather look at these as a text file, click below. It does not have images or hyperlinks.





=Description=

I want to begin with a simple question - one you have no doubt asked yourself. Why do I have to take a class in Texas and local government? This set of power points attempt to provide an answer to that question. As you will see, American government - from top to bottom - is based on the consent of the governed. This assumes that consent is granted by rational people who have been trained to use their reason to make good decisions about what government ought to do. The two classes you are required to take on government (GOVT 2305 and 2306) are Texas' attempt to try to make sure this is the case. The point of this class is to introduce you to the main features of our state and local governments, and how they fit in the broad framework of the American system. With any luck, this information will put you in a better position to make informed and educated choices - should you choose to be a participant.

The Power Point slides (also available in outline form on the word document above) contain a more thorough outline of the argument, but here is a list of the goals of this section. These are the items you ought to be ready answer assessment questions about.

=Goals=

- What is the subject matter of GOVT 2306? - What role does education play in a democratic republic? - What is a republic and why are they inherently unstable? Give an example. - What is authority in a republic based upon? What problems does this pose? - What is the American Experiment? - Why factors did Madison believe led to the end of popular governments? - What problems do leaders pose for the preservation of republics? - How is human nature related to the survival of republics and the existence of government? - Why, according to Thomas Jefferson, must there be public education? What can an educated public spot? - What is education supposed to prepare people for? - How did the Northwest Ordinance attempt to prepare for self-government in the newliy formed states? - Has the American public demonstrated that they are fit to govern? - Did the founders trust the general public to govern? What were their views regarding who should be able to participate? - What attitude did the Anti-Federalists have about popular participation? How does this related to the founding of Texas? - Did the founders of Texas share the opinion that education was important in a republic? What arguments did they use to support this? - What does the Constitution of Texas say about education? - Where are the principle battles over education fought? - What makes the battle over curriculum so contentious?

=Key Terms=

- republic - consent - public virtue - civic education - stability - empire - tyranny - self government. - democracy. - human nature. - self interest. - ambition. - Julius Caesar. - citizenship. - Northwest Ordinance. - public square. - Texas Constitution. - Education Code. - core curriculum. - public knowledge