texas government

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GOVT 2306: TEXAS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT - SPRING 2013 - ONLINE SECTIONS

Professor Sylvia Manzano, PhD Office Hours: Academic Bldg 270H - Wed 9a-2p; TTh 12p-12:25p Office Phone: 281.618.5598 Website: http://my.lonestar.edu/ use LSC username/password Email: use direct link embedded in course website. Alternate address: [email protected]

IMPORTANT ONLINE COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Basic computer skills, adequate equipment, and internet access are required. 2. All assignments will be submitted, evaluated, and returned online. 3. Contact tech support (not the instructor) to report and resolve technical problems: http://lonestar.edu/lsc-online/student-support.htm 4. Regularly check the course website to remain current and complete all requirements. 5. Complete all assignments and follow course procedures as stipulated in the syllabus.

REQUIRED MATERIALS • We The People, 8th TEXAS Edition 2011. Benjamin Ginsburg, Theodore Lowi, Margaret Weir.

ISBN-978-0-393-93525-7 Study site: www.wwnorton.com/college/polisci/we-the-people8/texas/ Hardcopy or ebook is fine. If interested in ebook option, it is available at: http://books.wwnorton.com/nortonebooks/BuyChoice.aspx?SiteId=wtp8_texas_ebook

• Texas Politics: The TxP Multimedia Book (online text and interactive source, not a physical book) http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/index.html

OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introduction to Texas state and local government. The course evaluates the state constitution, institutions, policies and politics with attention to unique demographic, geographic, and historical elements. Prerequisites: Must meet college level scores: ENGL 305 or ENGL 316 and ENGL 307 or 326, OR higher level course, or placement by testing.

IMPORTANT AND USEFUL RESOURCES FOR ALL LSCS STUDENTS • Tutoring Center: http://lonestar.edu/tutoring-nharris.htm • Writing Center at North Harris: http://lonestar.edu/4074.htm • Counseling Center: http://www.lonestar.edu/counseling-services.htm • Disability Services: http://www.lonestar.edu/disability-services.htm If you have a disability

that requires accommodation to participate in this course, contact LSC-NH Disability Services as soon as possible at 281-765-7940,Winship 120. Disability Services will provide you with documentation I need to make accommodation(s). Failure to handle this in a timely manner may delay accommodations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Evaluate impact of political culture on state politics and policy. • Identify the defining elements in the state constitution, institutions and their major functions. • Explain how Texas demography, history and geography are unique relative to other states. • Distinguish between various forms of local government and their duties. • Specify how and why state politics and policy vary across states.

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GRADING AND EVALUATION

WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS 50% • Ten short assignments vary in format including multiple choice, online simulation exercises,

short research projects, short answers and other kinds of work. You may use books and notes, but some are time-sensitive assignments. All homework details will be posted online in the appropriate Module folder. No extensions or make-ups. The average of all ten accounts for 50% of the class grade

PROJECTS 20% • Two short research projects that mix of online research, data collection, and analysis. Details,

templates, and online sources will be posted two weeks prior to the due date. These are NOT research papers. Rather, they are short projects (2-3 pages) where you demonstrate applied understanding of course concepts using examples in Texas and other state institutions and policies. Research projects will be submitted via ANGEL using a designated Drop Box. Each is worth 10% of the course grade.

o Project 1: State policy; Project 2: Texas local governments EXAMS 30%

• Midterm and Final Exams are multiple-choice online assessments available only via ANGEL. The final is not cumulative. Tests are 60-70 minutes long and consist of 60-70 multiple-choice questions. Exams are not available outside of the designated time period. Once tests are submitted, they are graded. In the interest of preserving academic integrity, there is no option to save a partially complete exam, make multiple submissions, or “undo” the test. Just like in- person tests – students take tests all at one time and submit the test only once. No extensions or make-ups. Each test is worth 15% of the course grade.

Grade Scale: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F<= 59

Do NOT ask for an extension. I have very generously provided at least a week -- sometimes more -- for students to complete assignments . Because this is a very student-friendly and flexible schedule, there are absolutely no extensions beyond the set dates. Anyone who cannot complete the work by the deadlines should drop the class. It is best to submit work well before the deadline so that last- minute problems do not keep you from meeting your deadlines.

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EIGHT ONLINE COURSE PROCEDURES TO KNOW AND FOLLOW

If you are unable to comply with these requirements, drop the class immediately. LSC offers many sections of GOVT 2306 (in person and online) each semester, students can easily schedule a class to fit personal time constraints.

1. READ FIRST, THEN ASK Refer to this syllabus, memos, and other materials I post before emailing with questions. I am glad to clarify anything that is unclear, and answer questions about subject content. However, if I have already addressed the matter in writing (syllabus, course procedures, memos or otherwise posted to the class) I will not write it out again in response to individual emails.

2. CONTACT Email is ALWAYS the best and quickest way to reach me. I will respond within 24 hours. If your email arrives on Friday night or Saturday, I will respond by Monday at noon. You are strongly encouraged to contact me to discuss academic performance and course related matters at any time of the year. You are always welcome to sit in any of my 2306 lectures at North Harris, Thursdays Rm 273 at 9a, 10:20a or 12:30p. (Tuesdays are computer lab sessions, probably not as useful for a visit)

3. MODULE FOLDER ORGANIZATION The class is organized in three folders aptly named: Module 1, Module 2 and Module 3. Each module folder corresponds with the topics, reading and assignments specified in the syllabus. Module Folders will post the day before the Module begins because this is not a course where students work at their own pace. There are set assignments that correspond with specific topics, and deadlines. Each module folder includes several folders that correspond to individual weeks. For example, Module 1 Folder includes a folder named "Week 1, January 14 - Course Intro". The weekly folders will have specific information, instructions and items that are relevant to that week.

4. MEMOS A "REQUIRED READING MEMOS" is included in each week's folder. The memo will include comments related to required reading, assignments, and feedback on submitted work. They are, as the title indicates, required reading.

5. DROP BOXES Assignments must be uploaded to designated Drop Boxes. Emailed work and attachments NEVER count as completed work. Attachments sent via email frequently do not open properly and for that reason, Drop Box is the sole location for submitting work. (Note: Multiple-choice assignments automatically post to the grade book and do not require Drop Boxes.)

6. DEADLINES All assignments are time sensitive; Drop Boxes, Quizzes and Exams will not accept work after designated deadlines. You will always have more than 24 hours to submit work. It is better to submit a bit early than to find you cannot meet the deadline at the last moment for whatever reason. In this class there are no extensions, extra credit or make up assignments.

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7. INSTRUCTIONS AND GRAMMAR Work that does not follow instructions is, by definition, done incorrectly. Use correct grammar and spelling in all class work and correspondence with the instructor. Our online course format makes written communication especially important. I cannot overstate how important these very basic skills (spelling, use capital letters and punctuation correctly and correct word usage) are in college, the job market, and workplace. For the purposes of this class, your writing is evidence of your seriousness about the course. It is a presentation of who you are as a student. Email and class work writing should be befitting of the college environment in which we operate.

8. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY The policy regarding academic dishonesty for this class is clearly described here, and non-negotiable. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable in any form. No exceptions. Students earn a grade of “F” when they engage in any academic dishonesty in this class. Copying text from online sources and pasting them into your assignments is cheating. More information about what constitutes cheating is here: http://www.lonestar.edu/documents/curriculuminstruction-cs/academic_integrity_brochure.pdf

READING AND ASSIGNMENTS ALL ASSIGNMENTS DUE BY END OF WEEK - SATURDAY AT 7PM

MODULE 1: POLITICAL CULTURE AND INSTITUTIONS Week 1: January 14th - Course Intro

Read: Syllabus and Course Introduction Materials, TxP Online Intro Due: Homework/Quiz 1

Week 2: January 21st - Political Culture Read: WTP 19 and TxP Online Political Culture Due: Homework/Quiz 2

Week 3: January 28th - Texas Constitution Read: WTP 20 and TxP Online Constitution Due: Homework/Quiz 3

Week 4: February 4th - State Executive Branch Read: WTP 24 and TxP Online Executive Branch Due: Homework/Quiz 4

Week 5: February 11th - State Legislatures Read: WTP 23 and TxP Online Legislative Branch Due: Homework/Quiz 5

Week 6: February 18th - Judicial Branch Read: WTP 25 and TxP Online Justice System Due: Homework/Quiz 6

Week 7: February 25th - Midterm Exam Due: Midterm Exam

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MODULE 2: ELECTIONS, INTEREST GROUPS, AND POLICY Week 8: March 4th - Political Parties

Read: WTP 21 and TxP Online Political Parties Due: Homework/Quiz 7

Week 9: March 18th - Campaigns, Voting and Elections Read: TxP Online Voting, Campaigns, Elections and WTP 21 Due: Homework/Quiz 8

Week 10: March 25th - Interest Groups Read: WTP 22 and TxP Online Interest Groups Due: Homework/Quiz 9

Week 11 April 1st - State Policy Read: WTP 27

Week 12 April 8th - Political Economy Read: TxP Online Political Economy and WTP 27 Due: Project 1

MODULE 3: BUREAUCRACY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Week 13: April 15th - Bureaucracy Read: TxP Online Bureaucracy Due: Homework/Quiz 10

Week 14: April 22nd - Local Government Read: WTP 26 Due: Project 2

Week 15: April 29th - Catch Up and Final Review Due: Final Exam Closes May 9th, 7pm