SYLLABUS
Government 2306-051 (41016): Texas State and Local Govt. Fall ’0916 wks
Class: TTh 12:00-1:15pm CYP1 Room 1106
Instructor: Shina Amachigh, PhD
Office: Room 1103.9
Office Hours: MW 11:50-2:20p; W 8:10-9:10; TTh 1:15-2:30; Frid 8-1pm by appointment.
E-mail:
Phone: 512-223-2144 Fax: 512-223-2046
Textbook:
G. A. Keith and S.D. Haag Texas Politics and Government: Roots and Reform. Third edition, Pearson, 2010. 978020573603 020573460X
Course Introduction.
This introductory course is designed to familiarize the student with the political and governmental systems of the state of Texas. Texas is one of the largest of the fifty states both in terms of landmass and population. Texas is also one of the more politically consequential states in the United States in many regards, for example, in US presidential politics. A grasp or understanding of Texas politics and government is therefore useful to Texans and non-Texans alike and has some utility beyond Texas’s borders-at least Texans think so!
Course Description.
This course is an introduction to Texas state & local government. The course includes an introduction to Texas state & local government, a framework for analyzing Texas state & local government, the constitutional basis for Texas state & local government, the processes of Texas state & local government, the institutions of Texas state & local government and the policies of Texas state & local government. (Government Faculty Handbook)
Course Objectives.
Students will:
-be exposed to “a comparison of the reality of Texas government and politics to the democratic ideals of participation, majority rule, minority rights, and equality before the law.”(Text intro)
-be made aware of the “increasing conservatism even in a state that has always been conservative.”(Text intro)
-be introduced to conflict as a theme in state politics: economic, ethnic and ideological
-be introduced to the workings of the official institutions of Texas politics and government eg the Executive, Legislative and the Judicial branches of government and the “unofficial” institutions such as political parties, interest groups and the media.
-become familiar with the structure of Texas state and local governmental and political institutions.
-be led to think through and examine their positions on various Texas state and local governmental and political issues with a view to “making sense” of them.
Opportunities will be provided for students to “see” government in action and to become familiar with the political process.
A major objective of this course is to encourage student participation in the political process as informed actors.
Course Requirements.
1. There will be three tests required. Test one will be over chapters 1-2.5, test two on chapters 2.5-5 and test three on chapters 6-8. Each test will have 45 multiple-choice items [objectives, True and False, Identification]. Each item will be worth two points. Also, students will be asked to respond to 1 short-answer question which will be worth ten points. This means that each test will be worth 100 points.
Test Dates: (See course outline for more details)
I. 9/29 II. 10/29 III. 12/3
“Make-up” test date for qualified takers: 12/8 (See “make-up” policy below)
2. Paper.
Students will write a research paper (not an opinion paper) on an important Texas constitutional court case many of which are
mentioned in our text. Students will describe and analyze the case, the litigants and it’s ascent to the Texas Supreme Court if
applicable. A description and analysis of one or two related cases may be included. Students will also describe the political and /or
policy impact/consequences of the case and state their reaction to it.
Research Paper Requirements
Students must use five (5)sources from at least three (3) different genres including books, articles in professional journals, news
magazines or newspapers, or internet sources. Students must document direct quotes or paraphrased information that are/is
included in the papers in the Modern Language Association (MLA) style. For information about the MLA style or how to cite
internet sources, consult the ACC Learning Resource Service’s MLA Documentation Guide at
The paper must be 5 whole pages in length (not counting either the cover page or the "works cited” page), must have one-inch
margins (top, bottom, left, and right) and must utilize a standard font size-Times New Roman 12. Papersmust also be typed,
double-spaced and stapled. Papers that are not typed will not be accepted. Papers that violate any of the above requirements will
be penalized 10 points per requirement and 20 points per page or its fractions correspondingly. Students must avoid
plagiarism and collusion. See academic dishonesty under Course Policies below. Due date for the paper isNov 10th. The paper is
worth 100 points at the rate of 20 points per page. Therefore, again, a 2-page paper can earn up to a maximum of 40 points
only, etcetera.
Final Grade Computations.
A=360-400; B=320-359; C=280-319; D=240-279; F= 0-239
Course Policies.
Academic Freedom
Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class discussions. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical
thinking, particularly about political ideas, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. Students may not only disagree with
each other at times, but the students and instructor may also find that they have disparate views on sensitive and volatile topics. It is
my hope that these differences will enhance class discussion and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be
encouraged to think and learn. Therefore, be assured that your grades will not be adversely affected by any beliefs or ideas expressed
in class or in assignments. Rather, we will all respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.
Scholastic Dishonesty
As described in the ACC Student Handbook, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of college rules and regulations and is
punishable according to the procedures outlined in the Handbook. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an
exam (either providing answers to or stealing answers from another student), plagiarism, and collusion. Plagiarism includes use of
another author's words or arguments without attribution. Collusion is defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in
preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement. If a student commits any of the above actions, the instructor will
seek disciplinary action in the form of an academic penalty (which may include a course grade of 'F').
Learning Disability
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities. Students
with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they
expect to take the majority of their classes.
Withdrawals
Students may withdraw themselves from the class anytime during the semester up to the deadline for withdrawals on Nov 23rd
without an academic penalty by filling out the required form with Admissions & Records. It is your responsibility to officially
withdraw yourself from this class if you reach that conclusion. Should the reason for your withdrawal be low performance, I hope you
will come see me before you withdraw as I may have some helpful suggestions to offer for your success. That you simply stopped
coming to class does not constitute an official withdrawal.
Class Conduct
According to the Student Handbook, “students are expected to attend classes in order to progress satisfactorily toward completion of
course objectives.” Again, attendance is expected. Students are expected to arrive on time and not to leave until the class is
dismissed. The instructor expects to be the last to arrive for class, and will be the last to exit the classroom at the end of class.
Disruptive conduct will not be allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, chit chatting, text-messaging and reading material or
doing work not related to this class. You may be asked to leave class for the remainder of that particular lecture. I may drop you
from the course for accumulated violations.
“Make-ups” and “Incompletes”
No “make-up” examinations or “incompletes” will be allowed except for documented medical reasons or unforeseen or
unforeseeable circumstances as defined by the instructor. The test date for all allowed make-up tests is Dec 8th. “Incompletes”
will only be given to students who are passing with a “C” or better average and request one. Students who fail to fulfill any of the
requirements above will fail the class irrespective of their accumulated points.
Office Hours
The instructor is eager to help all students achieve their goals for this course. But students must do their part and communicate during
office hours or by e-mail or voice mail with the instructor regarding any difficulties or challenges with course materials.
Course Outline:
Date Topic Text
Aug 25, 27 Ideas, People & Economics Chap. 1
Sept 1, 3 Ideas, People & Economics Chap. 1
Sept 7 Labor Day-College Closed
Sept 8,10 Constitutionalism Chap. 2
Sept 15, 17 Constitutionalism Chap. 2
Sept 22, 24 Pol. Parties, Int. Groups and Elections Chap. 3
Sept 29 Test 1 Chap. 1-2.5
Oct 1,6 The Legislative Branch Chap. 4
Oct 8,13 The Legislative Branch Chap. 4
Oct 15,20 The Governor and Executive Branch Chap. 5
Oct 22 The Judicial Branch Chap. 6
Oct 27 The Judicial Branch Chap. 6
Oct 29 Test Two Chap 2.5-5
Nov 3,5 Local Governments Chap. 7
Nov 10 Research Paper Due in Class
Nov 10,12 Local Governments Chap. 7
Nov 17,19 Public Policy in Texas Chap. 8
Nov 23 Last day to withdraw
Nov 24 Public Policy in Texas Chap. 8
Nov 26-29 Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec 1 Public Policy in Texas Chap. 8
Dec 3 Test Three Chap. 6-8
Dec 8 Make-up Test Day
Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.