COURSE SYLLABUS

Department of Social Sciences

GOVERNMENT 2306 WEB

STATE (TEXAS) and LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Instructor: James M. Gaddy
Office: Deaderick Hall 205
Odessa College, 201 W. University
Odessa, Texas 79764

Phone: (O) 432-335-6536 (C) 432-853-3863 (F) 432-335-6667
Hours:TBA

REQUIRED TEXT:

Maxwell, William, and Crane, Ernest. Texas Politics Today. Twelth Edition, 2005.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

This course is intended to survey certain aspects of Texas state government, local governments, political ideas, processes, and some of the major characteristics of intergovernmental relations between the two levels. The college catalog will give further details. This class is also intended as a conduit/mechanism for student convenience as they will utilize state of the art technology and the internet in their study of government and political science. This class satisfies the state requirement for teacher certification. THIS CLASS IS NOT SELF-PACED, ALL MATERIAL AND EXAMS ARE DATE SPECIFIC AND SHOULD BE FOLLOWED ACCORDINGLY!

EXAMINATIONS and GRADING PROCEDURES:

Grades will be based on four (4) scheduled examinations composed of twenty-five (25) multiple choice questions that will be answered and submitted online and one (1) essay question answered/written and submitted at the end of the exam. Each exam will count 20% of the student's final grade. Grading will be in traditional form such as 90+=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, etc.

Exams are DATE SPECIFIC and will be posted in the ASSIGNMENTS link. Should a student miss an exam date, "make-up" exams are administered through consultation with the professor (see staff information) and mutual agreement only.

EACH EXAM WILL COUNT 20% OF THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE!

WRITING/RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT:

Students will undertake a short writing assignment during the semester. The topic and format of the paper are detailed within this web site and may be accessed by clicking on the above link (writing and research assignment).

THE PAPER WILL COUNT 15% OF THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE!

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READINGS IN THE CHAPTERS AND LINKS PROVIDED IN THE SYLLABUS ON THE EXAMS!!

REACTION PAPERS: (EXTRA CREDIT ON EXAMS)

At the end of each unit which has been studied, the students will have an opportunity to write a Reaction Paper. Reacting to whatever the student chooses, for example the instructors availability, presentation of material online, or the student might include a critique of the textbooks being used. The paper can also include concerns on the technology and navigation tools of the course itself. Anything the student wishes to convey is acceptable and encouraged. I do read, comprehend and consider the information offered in the Reaction Papers. Worth 10 extra credit points, on exams.

DISCUSSION GROUPS: A discussion group is designed to involve students in critical thinking/analysis, student collaboration on special topics, and develop class cohesion and participation in a manner which should be seamless. The Discussion Board has a link on the left side of the page when you login. There you will find the topic for each unit.

DISCUSSION GROUP PARTICIPATION AND WEB ASSIGNMENTS WILL COUNT 5% OF THE STUDENT'S FINAL GRADE! IF A STUDENT DOES NOT TURN IN A WEB ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION FOR EACH UNIT, THEN 5% WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE FINAL COURSE GRADE!

WEB ASSIGNMENTS: For each unit, there will be a web assignment to be completed and turned in according to the date found in the Assignments link.

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COURSE OUTLINE and READING ASSIGNMENTS:

UNIT 1

Introduction to Texas Political Theory and Culture
Development of the Texas Constitutions (Comparison and Contrast)
Texas Executive Department (Plural Executive)
Functions of the Governor-Bureaucracy

Maxwell and Crane, Texas Politics Today, Chpts. 2, 8, 9

Discussion Group Topic Unit One: If you could rewrite the state constitution of Texas what reforms would you recommend to make the government more functional?

EXAMINATION 1 - DATE:

Reaction Paper No. 1-extra credit (10 pts.)

Web Assignment No. 1 due as posted in the Assignments link.

UNIT 2

State Legislature (House and Senate) Bi-Cameral System
Legislative Processes and Procedures (How a Bill becomes Law)

Maxwell and Crane, Texas Politics Today, Chpts. 6, 7. Discussion Topic Unit Two: Should Texas amend the state constitution (Article Three) to allow for annual legislative sessions, why or why not?

EXAMINATION 2 - DATE:

Reaction Papers No. 2 extra credit (10 pts.)

Web Assignment No. 2 due as posted in the Assignments link.

UNIT 3

County Governments
Municipal Governments (city)
Special Districts: ECISD and ECHD (Hidden Governments)
Council of Governments (COGS) Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission
Elections

Maxwell and Crane, Texas Politics Today, Chpts. 12, 14.

Discussion Topic Unit Three: Place yourself in the position of being a candidate for one of the above political/public offices. Please provide and discuss the mechanics of filing for the office, placing your name on the ballot, and the type of election e.g. single member district, at-large, or at-large by place system.

EXAMINATION 3 - DATE:

Reaction Papers No. 3, extra credit (10 pts.)

Web Assignment No. 3 due as posted in Assignments link.

UNIT 4

State Judicial System, Court Structure and Jurisdiction
Rights of the Accused
Criminal Justice System: Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Maxwell and Crane, Texas Politics Today, Chpts. 10, 11.

Discussion Topic Unit Four: Discuss whether or not Texas should continue to elect all state judges and justices or amend the Constitution and creat an appointment selection process.

EXAMINATION 4 FINAL - DATE: FINAL:

Reaction Papers No. 4, extra credit (10 pts.)

Web Assignment No. 4 due as posted in the Assignments link.

 

NOTE: If any student feels a need or thinks there is a concern to have a private conference with the instructor at any time during the semester, PLEASE feel free to let me know and we will schedule an appointment so we may talk. Additionally, you may email me or call me at home 432-368-4701. DO NOT PUT THINGS OFF until the end of the semester or it may be difficult to provide a possible remedy!!

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES GOVT 2305 WEB

Upon completion of Govt 2305 Web, the student should be able to:

Critically evaluate and interpret contemporary political issues and problems.

Demonstrate proficiency in writing on a contemporary political topic.

Demonstrate computer literacy, conduct internet-based research, and a working knowledge of the technology utilized in web based courses.

Define basic terminology associated with the discipline of political science.

Describe central aspects of the United States and Texas constitutions.

Compare and contrast federalism, unitary, and confederal systems of government.

Analyze the structures, operations, and potential reforms of local governments.

Demonstrate an understanding of the process of political socialization, and the role of public opinion and the media in American/state politics.

Discuss the role of political parties, interest groups, and lobbying in the development of policy and processes.

Analyze campaign strategies, voting procedures and elections in the national/state political processes.