COLLIN COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS – Spring 2015

Course Number: GOVT 2306

Course Title: Texas Government (Texas Constitution and Topics)

Course Description: 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.

Course Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours: 3

Prerequisite: Meet TSI college-readiness standard for Reading and Writing; or equivalent

Student Learning Outcomes:

State-mandated Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution. (Critical Thinking)
2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
(Social Responsibility)
3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
(Communication Skills)
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas
government. (Communication Skills)
5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas. (Critical
Thinking, Social Responsibility)
6. Analyze the state and local election process. (Personal Responsibility)
7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. (Personal Responsibility; Social Responsibility)
8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. (Critical Thinking)

Withdrawal Policy: See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to withdraw.

Collin College Academic Policies: See the current Collin Student Handbook.

Americans with Disabilities Act: Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local
laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required
to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS
office, SCC-D140 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate
accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
 INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor’s Name: Zack Shipley

Office Number: B-235
Office Hours: M/W 10:00am-Noon; T/R 11:30am-12:30pm
Also available by appointment, please email you need to arrange alternate times
Phone Number: Office: (972) 881-5784
Email: zshipley@collin.edu

Class Information:
Section Number: WS1
Meeting Times and Location: Online through Blackboard

Course Resources:
Textbook: Champagne, Anthony and Edward Harpham. Governing Texas: An Introduction
to Texas Politics, W. W. Norton & Co. 2013. Available in paperback (ISBN: 978-0-393-
92035-2) from local bookstores and online retailers. Also available from the publisher (with
free shipping) in paperback, loose-leaf (less expensive), and E-Book (online) editions at
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail-formats.aspx?ID=4294975653

Supplies: In addition to the textbook, students must have reliable computer and internet access
throughout the semester. Please also note the minimum technology and skills requirements.

Technology Requirements: This course runs on Collin College’s Blackboard Learn9 platform.
Students are responsible for gaining access to Blackboard and becoming familiar with the
interface. If you have difficulties with Blackboard, please consult the resources provided by the
eCollin Learning Center at http://online.collin.edu/eLC_gettingstartedonline.html. Online access for
most materials will require Windows XP or later, or MacOS 10.3 or later; a reasonably up-to-date
web browser (Mozilla Firefox is recommended); and the Java plug-in.

In addition, students should have the ability open and access Adobe PDF files
(http://get.adobe.com/reader/), Microsoft PowerPoint files (http://www.microsoft.com/en-
us/download/details.aspx?id=13), and Adobe Flash files (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/).

Student Skills Requirements: Students must have proficiency with word processing applications,
sending emails, and attaching files to email or uploading to Blackboard; the ability to read and
comprehend a college-level textbook; and the time, independence, self-discipline and motivation to
complete an online course. Please consider visiting the SmarterMeasure service provided at
http://online.collin.edu/eLC_smartermeasure.html to complete a self-assessment.

Netiquette Expectations: While this course is taken online, students are reminded that the
standards of the traditional, in-person classroom still apply. Students will be required to engage
and cooperate with each other in discussions and collaborative learning efforts. Integral to the
success of these efforts is a respectful and safe atmosphere. Students are encouraged to debate,
support, disagree, and defend – such is the nature of intelligent and productive discussion.
However, the descent into personal attacks, harassment, etc. is neither intelligent nor productive,
and will not be permitted. Minor violations will result in a warning and academic penalty at the
instructor’s discretion. Severe or repeated violations of appropriate standards of behavior will be
reported to the Dean of Students and appropriate disciplinary actions will be pursued.
Online “attendance” and participation policy: By the nature of the online course, attendance in
the traditional sense will not be kept. Students should expect to engage this course at least 2-3
days per week. It is the responsibility of the student to login to Blackboard with some regularity to
stay informed of any course announcements or developments, and to complete assignments.

Students who wish to withdraw from the course are responsible for officially withdrawing
themselves; failure to do so will result in a performance grade for the course. The last day to drop
without a record is Feb. 2. The last day to drop with a grade of “W” is March 10..

Late Work: As a general rule, no late work or resets of online assignments will be permitted.
Since each of the repeated assignment categories (journals, exams, reading quizzes) allow you to
drop your lowest grade(s), short term illnesses and sanctioned absences are accounted for. The
flexibility of the online format should allow you to plan ahead in submitting work prior to a planned
event. For additional consideration, please contact the instructor and be prepared to provide full
documentation supporting your request – additional accommodations at my discretion. In the event
of a technological catastrophe (e.g. when Blackboard crashes on a due date), I will make
adjustments in the schedule for all class members and announce them on Blackboard.

Method of Evaluation: Final course grades will be assigned as follows (grades NOT curved):
A=90% and above; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F=59% and below
Students who diligently complete all assignments and projects on time, AND maintain
strong participation are guaranteed a grade of at least a C. I reserve the right to reward high
activity levels and progressive improvement in the course – final grades are always
evaluated with consideration of effort.

Assignment Breakdown: TOTAL

Journal Papers (drop lowest grade) 20%
Discussion Participation (graded for full semester) 20%
Reading Quizzes (drop lowest 5 grades) 10%
Exams (drop lowest grade) 20%
Public Meeting Project 10%
Redistricting Project 10%
Policy Analysis Project 10%

Grading: All grades will be posted in Blackboard. Discussion grades are calculated holistically for
the full semester. A discussion “progress report” will be posted approximately half way through the
semester to give you an idea of how your discussion posts are measuring up. Journals and
Project grades will be returned within 2 weeks of their due date. Quizzes and exams are
electronically graded and posted immediately. Please note due dates on the schedule, generally,
quizzes will be due on Fridays, and Exams, Discussions, Journals, and Projects the following
Monday. Final submission time will always be 11:59pm.

The final grade calculation displayed in the Blackboard gradebook is weighted based on the
breakdown above. This “Weighted Score” treats all future assignments as missed assignments
even though you have not had the opportunity to do them. So this score will appear low throughout
the semester, but will rise as you complete the course and will be your final grade when the
semester is over. Blackboard is limited and does not have a good option for estimating your
course grade through the semester – either all future assignments as zeros, or previously missed
assignments are ignored, making your grade artificially low or high, respectively. To avoid giving
you a falsely high grade estimate, I choose to let you slowly accumulate your points over time.
A note on Projects: Your Policy Analysis project will serve as your final exam. The other two
projects take place over the semester. The Redistricting Project must be turned in during Unit 5 on
Elections. The Public Meeting project may be completed at any point in the semester before Unit 8
(meaning, you can submit it for Units 1 through 7). Journal assignments take place roughly every
other unit (units 1, 3, 6, and 8), and your lowest grade will be dropped. If you complete the first 3
journal papers, and are satisfied with your grades, you do not have to do the final journal (when
you are prepping for finals and likely otherwise busy – incentive not to procrastinate!)

Academic Ethics: Please be familiar with Collin College policy on academic integrity outlined
below. In this course, there is absolutely no reason you should need to violate these standards.
WITHOUT EXCEPTION, SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO
FOR THE ASSIGNMENT AND REFERRAL TO THE DEAN OF STUDENTS.

Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic
integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for
enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work material that is not one’s own.
Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism,
collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, use of information about exams posted on the Internet or
electronic medium, and/or falsifying academic records. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an
exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any conduct through electronic
or computerized means:

Plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source,
including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.

Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination;
collaborating with another student during an examination without authority; using, buying, selling, soliciting,
stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination questions in advance; copying computer
or Internet files; using someone else’s work for assignments as if it were one’s own; or any other dishonest means
of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.

Collusion is intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty,
including but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a paper or project to another student;
providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate about an examination or
any other course assignment; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site; and allowing a classmate to copy
answers.

In cases where an incident report has been filed for alleged violation of scholastic dishonesty, faculty are
requested to delay posting a grade, for the academic work in question, until the Dean of Student’s Office renders
an administrative decision of the case. Students found responsible for scholastic dishonesty offenses will receive
an authorized disciplinary penalty from the Dean of Students Office. The student may also receive an academic
penalty in the course where the scholastic dishonesty took place. The professor will determine the appropriate
academic penalty.
 Course Calendar: NOTE: ALL DUE DATES ARE BY 11:59pm LOCAL COLLIN TIME
Dates Topic Textbook Notes and Due Dates
Wk 1 Orientation Complete Orientation and Introductory Discussion Posts
Intro Begin work on Unit One
Wk 2 UNIT ONE: Chapter 1 Quizzes due: Friday, Jan. 30
Texas Politics and Discussion, Journal, Exam close: Monday, Feb. 2
Culture
Wk 3 UNIT TWO: Chapter 2 Ch. 2 AND Ch. 13 Quizzes due: Friday, Feb. 13
Federalism in Chapter 13 Discussion, Exam close: Monday, Feb. 16
Texas
Wk 4

Wk 5 UNIT THREE: Chapter 3 Quizzes due: Friday, Feb. 27

Texas Discussion, Journal, Exam close: Monday, Mar. 2
Constitutions
Wk 6

Wk 7 UNIT FOUR: Chapter 6 All Quizzes due: Friday, Mar. 20

Interest Groups Chapter 4 Discussion, Exam close: Monday, Mar. 23
Wk 8 SPRING BREAK Unit Five is open – I suggest taking advantage of the time, especially give some
attention to the Unit 5 Project: Redistricting ame.
Wk 9 UNIT FOUR Complete Unit Four – due dates listed above
Continued Unit Five also available
Wk 10 UNIT FIVE: Chapter 5 Quizzes due: Friday, Mar. 27
Elections Redistricting Game Project Due: Monday, Mar. 30
Discussion, Project, Exam close: Monday, Mar. 30
Wk 11 UNIT SIX: Chapter 7 All Quizzes due: Friday, Apr. 10
Lawmaking in Chapter 8 Discussion, Journal, Exam close: Monday, Apr. 13
Texas
Wk 12

Wk 13 UNIT SEVEN: Chapter 9 All Quizzes due: Friday, Apr. 24

Texas Justice Chapter 10 Discussion, Exam close: Monday, Apr. 27
FINAL OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC MEETING
Wk 14
ASSIGNMENT! – DUE MONDAY, APRIL. 27!

Wk 15 UNIT EIGHT: Chapter 11 All Quizzes due: Friday, May 8

Public Policy Chapter 12 Discussion, Journal, Exam close: Monday, May 11
Wk 16

Wk 17 FINALS WEEK
Final Policy Projects due: Wednesday, May 13!