GOVT 2306:
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
TSI Reading complete
Communication Skills – to include effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication
Personal Responsibility – to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making
Social Responsibility – to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
In the event of an emergency or announced campus closure due to a natural disaster or pandemic, it may be necessary for Panola College to move to altered operations. During this time, Panola College may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include, but are not limited to: online learning management system (CANVAS), online conferencing, email messaging, and/or an alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor Panola College's website (www.panola.edu) for instructions about continuing courses remotely, CANVAS for each class for course-specific communication, and Panola College email for important general information.
Regular and punctual attendance of classes and laboratories is required of all students. When a student has been ill or absent from class for approved extracurricular activities, he or she should be allowed, as far as possible, to make up for the missed work. If a student has not actively participated by the census date, they will be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. This policy applies to courses that are in-person, online, hybrid, and hyflex.
Attendance in online courses is determined by submission of an assignment or participation in an activity. According to federal guidelines, simply logging into a distance learning course without participating in an academic assignment does not constitute attendance. Distance learning is defined as when a majority (more than 50%) of instruction occurs when the instructor and students are in separate physical locations. Students must engage in an academic activity prior to the course census date.
When an instructor feels that a student has been absent to such a degree as to invalidate the learning experience, the instructor may recommend to the Vice President of Instruction that the student be withdrawn from the course. Instructors may seek to withdraw students for non-attendance after they have accumulated the following number of absences:
Fall or spring semesters:
3 or more class meeting times per week - 5 absences
2 class meeting times per week - 3 absences
1 class meeting per week - 2 absences
The student is responsible for seeing that he or she has been officially withdrawn from a class. A student who stops attendance in a class without officially withdrawing from that class will be given a failing grade; consequently, the student must follow official withdrawal procedures in the Admissions/Records Office.
Please note: Health Science and Cosmetology courses may require more stringent attendance policies based on their accreditation agencies. Please see the addendum and/or program handbook for further information concerning attendance.
Panola College welcomes pregnant and parenting students as a part of the student body. This institution is committed to providing support and adaptations for a successful educational experience for pregnant and parenting students. Students experiencing a need for accommodations related to pregnancy or parenting will find a Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations Request form in the Student Handbook or may request the form from the course instructor.
| AI is a helpful tool for research; therefore, it may be used by students for research purposes. However, the goal of this course is for students to gain a particular set of skills and knowledge, as stated in the instructional goals, learning outcomes, and course content of this syllabi. Students who use AI to complete their work for an easy grade rather than for the acquisition knowledge (research) are hindering their academic growth. Consequently, the instructor, whose expertise is the basis for assessing student development, reserves the right to change a student's grade on any work that provably or suspiciously violates these goals. In cases of disputed grades, an instructor may require students to repeat their performance on a course assignment in a controlled environment and without the use of AI to demonstrate the true acquisition of course skills and knowledge. The refusal or failure to repeat the performance shall be considered the acceptance of the originally assessed grade. |
The purpose of this course is to serve as an introduction into the American political system.
After studying all materials and resources presented in the course, the student will be able to:
- Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
- Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
- Describe the separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the Texas government.
- Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
- Analyze the state and local election process.
- Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
- Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
A general description of lecture/discussion topics included in this course are listed in the Learning Outcomes section of this syllabus.
Students in all sections of this course will learn the following content:
- The Political Culture and People of Texas
- The American Federal System
- The Texas Constitution
- Political Parties in Texas
- Elections and Political Participation
- Interest Groups and Lobbying in Texas
- The Texas Legislature
- The Executive Branch and the Governor in Texas
- The Evolution of Texas Laws
- Local Government
- Public Policy in Texas
- The Criminal Justice System in Texas
- State Finance
This class will convey the course material through lectures, discussions, primary/secondary documents have guest speakers, instructional videos, and PowerPoint presentations. Reciprocally, students are expected to take notes, listen proactively, ask questions, conduct research, and read the textbook.
Video and Audio Recordings: At the instructor’s discretion, students are welcome to make audio recordings of the class lectures for their personal study use. The instructor reserves the right to make class recordings for educational purposes and recordings of personal encounters with students for appeal and legal defense purposes. No recording will be used to violate a student’s FERPA rights.
- Exams: Exams will be administered over assigned course materials. The number and style of the exams may vary based on the instructor and the length of the course.
- Competencies: Competency assignments will constitute a portion of the class grade. The purpose of these assignments is to measure how well students have achieved the learning outcomes of the course. The total number of competency assignments may vary based on the instructor and course length.
- Participation: Students will receive a participation grade in the course. The grade will consist of routine assignments and class attendance. The assignments will cover the course materials, such as readings, lectures, videos, etc. The number and style of assignments will vary based on the length of the semester and the individual instructor. Each student’s class attendance will also be recorded and added to the participation grade. The weight attendance has on the grade will vary based on the length of the course. At all times, this course adheres to the college attendance policy found in the student handbook. Students should understand that excessive absences “invalidate the learning experience” and may result in a student being withdrawn from the course and receiving a failing grade.
- Make-up Work: The instructor has full discretion on the allowance of make-up work for missed assignments, including exams. Make-up work will only be given for serious causes, such as medical emergencies or family death. The instructor may require documentation as proof of the cause and has full discretion on when to schedule make-up work. Students should be aware that internet/power outages typically do not count as a “serious cause” since most work is available for completion for several days.
- Extra Credit: The instructor reserves the right to extend extra credit assignments to the class. Extra credit is not a part of the regular class grade. It is offered solely at the discretion and goodwill of the instructor.
- Students must demonstrate their dedication to social responsibility by participating in a class discussion that focuses on state public policy.
- Students must demonstrate their ability to think critically by participating in a class discussion on federalism.
- Students must demonstrate their ability to reasonably communicate by participating in a class discussion over the branches of the government.
- Students must demonstrate their personal responsibility skills by participating in a class discussion over voting and elections.
The grading scale for this course is as follows:
- Exams: 40%
- Competencies: 30%
- Participation: 30%
Grade Distribution
- A = 90-100
- B = 80-89
- C = 70-79
- D = 60-69
- F = 59 or below
- All the required materials for this course are provided to the students in Canvas at no cost.
Provided to the students in Canvas learning platform at no cost to the students.
- All recommended readings are provided in Canvas at no cost to the students.
- Courses conducted via video conferencing may be recorded and shared for instructional purposes by the instructor.
- For current texts and materials, use the following link to access bookstore listings: https://www.panolacollegestore.com.
- For testing services, use the following link: https://www.panola.edu/student-services/studentsupport/academic-testing-center.
- The Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office at Panola College provides and facilitates support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. The A&DS office works under the federal guidelines included in Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act. Please contact the Accommodations & Disability Support (A&DS) Office located in the Charles C. Matthews Student Center or go to https://www.panola.edu/disabilitysupport for more information.
- Withdrawing from a course is the student’s responsibility. Students who do not attend class and who do not withdraw will receive the grade earned for the course.
- Student Handbook: https://www.panola.edu/ (located on at the bottom under student)