Sam Houston   GOVT 2306
   TEXAS STATE
        AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
   ROY EDWARD CASAGRANDA
    Associate Professor of Government

     Spring 2008

     Section:         12069  Lec 029
     Time:             MW   9:10 am - 10:25 am
     Location:       Pinnacle
     Room:           410
     Session:         January 14  - May 11
     Office Hours: MW 11:50 to 12:30
                          TTh 11:50 to 1:25
     Email:            rcasagra@austincc.edu
     Office:           PIN 407
     Website:        http://gov.casagranda.com
     Textbook:     Texas Politics Today,
                          Thirteenth Edition, 2008
                          ISBN 0-495-41067-5

Sam Houston (1793-1863)

Washington is the only lunatic asylum in the world run by its own immates.
Governor and US Senator W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the course is to acquaint the student with Texas state and local government. The student will be introduced to: (a) a framework for analyzing Texas politics and government; (b) the constitutional basis for Texas government; (c) the processes of Texas politics and government; (d) the institutions of Texas politics and government; and (e) policies of Texas government. Specific behavioral objectives will accompany each unit of instruction.

Additionally it is hoped that students will gain: an understanding of federalism; an awareness of the ways in which government affects/is affected by its citizens; political thinkning as part of the process of becoming a more effective citizen; critical thinking skills; and a better understanding of the theoretical nature of government.

The course is divided up into four parts.  Part 1 will provide an overview of Texas history, the Texas Constitution, and federalism.

In Part  2 we will look at institutional elements of policy generation and implementation as well as elections and parties.

Finally, in Part 3 we will look at the institutions of the Texas government, namely the Congress, the Governor, and the Judiciary.

While this is primarily a lecture course, the class may also include videos, transparencies, role-playing simulations, internet activities, writing assignments, and classroom discussions.  Students must attend and participate regularly.

The American dream is not dead. It is gasping for breath, but it is not dead.
Barbara Jordan
CLASS POLICIES

OFFICE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical 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.  Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester.
 
POLICY ON ATTENDANCE AND WITHDRAWAL
Each student is expected to attend and participate in each class meeting and to complete the assigned reading PRIOR to each class.  Although class attendance is not a direct component of the final grade, absences do limit the student’s opportunity to participate fully in class activities and will almost certainly impact the student’s final grade.  Should it be necessary to miss a class a student should contact other class members for copies of the notes amd materials covered in that class.  Attendance is required on test days and on oral presentation days.  Should you miss a test day there will be no make up exams, instead your final grade will be based on the tests taken.  Should you miss two or more exams you should consider dropping the course rather than suffering a failing grade.

Cell phones and text-messaging devices must be turned off and should not be in evidence in the classroom unless you have prior approval from the instructor.  Late arrivals and early departures are disruptive so please be on time and plan to stay the entire period unless you have previously spoken to the instructor. Excessive tardiness or failure to follow class policies on cell phones may result in the student being dropped from the course.  Do NOT get up during class to throw something away. 

The professor reserves the right to withdraw (drop) anyone from the class for any reason.  This does not mean that you will automatically be withdrawn if you are failing or if you are not attending class.  If you wish to drop the course please make sure to do so yourself.  The instructor will not do it for you.  

If, for any reason, you decide to withdraw from the course you must complete the required forms in the Admissions and Records office.  The last day to withdraw from the Fall session (initiated by instructor or student) is April 21, 2087.  This may not be the same date for High School students, so be sure to be in compliance with your High School.  Incompletes will not be given to any student.  If it becomes clear that you will not be able to complete the course please consider dropping the course by the April 21, 2008 deadline.  Failure to complete the required coursework will likely result in an F grade.  
We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.
I hope to bring some of that discomfort of thought to the American people.
              John Anderson

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work.  Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression.  Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper, projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework.

If a student commits any of these actions, I will seek disciplinary action in the form of an academic penalty, which will likely include a course grade of  ‘F’.

Look, I take this very seriously and it has a real simple solution.  If you want to include text from someone else feel free to cite the original author.  It will strengthen your argument and suggest that you have done research on the subject.  Otherwise, I am ruthless and will show no mercy when it comes to plagiarism.  Failure to comply with this rule is almost certain to cause you to fail the course.  

I am delighted to be here with you this evening, because after listening to George Bush all these years, I figured you needed to know what a real Texas accent sounds like.
Governor Ann Richards
1988 Democratic National Convention keynote address
 
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Just as each student is expected to attend class, each student is also expected to participate in the class discussion.  This not only includes preparing for class and listening in class, but also includes asking questions, answering questions, providing examples, and expressing opinions.  This class will be much more educational (as well as interesting) in an atmosphere of active participation and lively exchange of ideas.  There will be numerous opportunities throughout the semester to use current events to explore and expand upon our understanding of the concepts we are studying.  As a result I also expect students to keep up with current events.  If you are not normally in the habit of doing, then so you must plan to begin looking at a reliable news source.  The BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/ and Reuters http://today.reuters.com/news/home.aspx are two examples of the sort.  

In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.  These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn.  On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor.  It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom situations.

Each person has the right to express his or her opinion.  Our Bill of Rights not only guarantees us the right to express our opinions but also provides us the opportunity to learn from our fellow citizens as they express their opinions.
 
All our beliefs are being challenged now, and rightfully so – they're stupid.
Bill Hicks


COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE

EVALUATION
Three exams will be given during this semester as noted on the Course Schedule.  In addition to this your grade will include a participation component and one writing assignment.  The exams will include both objective and essay questions.  Essays may be conducted as take-home exams due by the following class period or as in-class exams according to the professor's whim.  

There are NO make-up exams.  Should you miss an exam I will calculate your grade as if you took the 2nd and Final Exams, regardless of which exam that you missed.  In other words if you miss an exam the highest grade that you can receive for the class will be 880 points (an 88%).  If you miss two exams the highest grade that you can receive for the class will be a 64%.  Sometimes things come up in life that we cannot control.  The first exam can serve as a sort of insurance policy, so that you will not be completely lost should you miss a test.

It should also be noted that there seems to be a high learning curve on my exams.  It has been my experience that people tend to do poorly on the first exam even if they ultimately earn an ‘A’ in the class.  The first exam should be regarded as a lesson in learning how to take my exams. 

The writing assignment will consist of a three-page, double-spaced paper on Federalist Paper #10.  This should not be treated as a summary.  You are to ask and answer some question(s) of significance.  Be creative.  This assignment is due March 18, 2008.  It will not be turned in, in hard copy, but rather to http://www.turnitin.com.  The class ID and enrollment passwords are listed below:

class ID: 2120218
enrollment password: houston

Classroom participation is worth 100 points (an entire letter grade).  There is no formal attendance grade, however, it will be difficult to participate in classroom discussions if you are not in attendance.  The best way to earn a high participation grade is to ask questions, answer questions, and contribute insights when appropriate.

                                     POINTS TOWARDS
REQUIREMENT              FINAL GRADE
EXAM 1 120
EXAM 2
240
FINAL EXAM
 480
FEDERALIST PAPER #10
 60
PARTICIPATION                  _ _100
TOTAL
 1000

LETTER GRADE ASSIGNMENT
Final letter grades will be assigned after determining total points earned, as follows:

    Final  Grade Scale              Letter Grade    
          900 – 1000                         A    
           800 – 899                          B    
           700 – 799                          C    
           600 – 699                          D    
               0 – 599                          F    

HOW TO BEST COMPLETE THIS COURSE
1. Attend all class sessions; if you miss a class get copies of the handouts/notes from a classmate.
2. Do not miss tests.  It may be tempting to miss the first exam, but don’t.
3. Read the assigned material prior to each class session.
4. Study the materials; prepare for and take each exam as scheduled.
5. Complete and turn in all assignments as assigned and on time.  NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON AFTER CLASS BEGINS ON THE DUE DATE.
6. Contact the instructor if, at any time, you feel your performance is not up to your standards.

FUNDAMENTAL ACADEMIC FORCES (STRONGEST TO WEAKEST)
1. Writing Ability
2. Reading Ability
3. Critical Thinking and Analytical Sills
4. Memorization

If you can master these four forces, then you can succeed in academia.  To the extent possible this class will attempt to assist in developing all four skills further.  However, it should be obvious that English classes are generally where the above skills (especailly the first two) are formally taught.  It is assumed that you have had English classes and that you will apply that skill set to all writing assignements.

EXAMS
The text may be conducted as an in class test or with an in class multiple-choice test with a take-home essay.  If an essay is assigned as take-home, that portion of the exam must be turned into http://www.turnitin.com (instructions will be provided at that time).  All turned in material must be double spaced and in a traditional font and size (e.g. Times New Roman, 11).

COURSE SCHEDULE
DATE TOPIC EXAM TEXT
The Republic of Texas
1/14 Introduction

1/16
 What Came before
Chapter 1
1/21
 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
NO CLASS
1/23, 1/28, 1/30
 A Brief Overview of Texas History
Chapter 1
2/4, 2/6 Constitution
Chapter 2
2/11, 2/13
Federalism
Chapter 2 and Federalist Paper #10
2/18
FIRST EXAM

Successful politicians are insecure and intimidated men. They advance politically only as they placate, appease, bribe, seduce, bamboozle or otherwise manage to manipulate the demanding and threatening elements in their constituencies.
Walter Lippmann
The Façade
2/20, 2/25, 2/27
 Elections
Chapter 3
3/3, 3/5 Parties
 FEDERALIST PAPER #10 (Note: due March 4)
 Chapter 4
3/10-3/16
 SPRING BREAK
 NO CLASS
3/17 Interest Groups
Chapter 5
3/19, 3/24, 3/26, 3/31 Public Policy
Chapters 12 and 13
4/2
 The Legislative Process
Chapter 7
4/7
SECOND EXAM

If these observations be just, our government ought to secure the permanent interests of the country against innovation. Landholders ought to have a share in the government, to support these invaluable interests, and to balance and check the other. They ought to be so constituted as to protect the minority of the opulent against the majority.
James Madison
The Machine
4/9
 The Legislature
Chapter 6
4/14
 The Governor
Chapter 8
4/16, 4/21
 The Bureaucracy
Chapter 9
4/28
 The Judiciary
Chapter 10
4/30
 The Law
Chapter 11
5/5 Local Government
Chapter 14
5/7
FINAL EXAM

Barbara Jordan
Barbara Jordan (1936-1996)

The instructor reserves the right to modify any portion of the syllabus at any time.  The Course Schedule is meant as a guide; treat the rest as law.