State+and+Local+Government++-+Cash

ARLINGTON BAPTIST COLLEGE State and Local Government PS 2302 Durward M. Cash (274-0785) Spring 2010 Email: woody.sherry@sbcglobal.net CONTENTS: A study of the constitution of the State of Texas is made as an example of state government. The political involvements and problems of local government will be examined along with the forms, functions, and services it provides. 3 credit hours. PHILOSOPHY: Wherever a person may minister the procedures of state and local government will address similar governmental considerations. The methods by which governments of Texas meet their tasks will afford a reference from which adaptations may be made to resolve universal problems of government. The state and local government of Texas serves as a pattern vehicle for our study. GOALS: The goals of this class shall be to: 1. Survey and analyze the growth and development of state and local government. 2. Understand the complexities of modern government below the national level: 3. Digest problems and solutions of state and local governmental endeavors 4. Develop a sound value and appreciation for American democracy at its grassroots level. INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS: Among the attainments through this class you will 1. Know the basic operation and distribution of Government at the State and Local level 2. Perceive contemporary problems of sub-national governments. 3. Comprehend the opportunity and responsibility of individuals toward responsive governments 4. Understand the strengths of the Texas Constitution and its related problems. INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: Through this course you will have opportunity to 1. Demonstrate on tests with a time-limit of one hour your comprehension of textual reading assignments with your test grade stemming from 50% objective answers. 25% from your ability to explain selected questions as you answered them or your correctness in identifying certain key terms and 25% via your response to your choice of one of several essay questions offered on each test. 2. Prepare a scrapbook of news articles concerning a selected topic of state or local government. You will highlight and annotate each article and you will compose a 3-page summary of your scrapbook containing thirty articles. You will submit your scrapbook for grading on 5/2. 3. Participate in a group presentation of 20-30 minutes length. Your group’s presentation will develop the assigned topic. TEXT: Texas Politics: Individuals Making a Difference 3rd Edition, Momayezi, Stouffer, etal. “Students should be prepared to highlight portions of the textbook during each class period other than Test Days. The textual chapter assignments are given for the coordination of this highlighting as well as the student’s pre-class awareness and comprehension of each session’s textual involvement.”  ** Grading: ** The grading scale shall be that of the catalog. The grade will be primarily determined by four tests and a research paper plus participation in a group presentation. Grades of B for above average and A for exceptional will be awarded only as earned and demonstrated by the student's performance in all aspects of the course work including participation and decorum. MWF classes: 0-3 = A; 4-6 = B; 7-9 = C; 10-12 = D; 13 up = F.    TTH classes: 0-2 = A; 3-4 = B; 5-6 = C; 7-8 = D; 9 & up = F.    Once a Week Classes: 0=A; 2 = B; 3= C; 4=D; 5 = F   The total number of absences will also be subtracted from the cumulative total of all grading factors prior to averaging the course grade. "Students must be present 75% percent of the class periods. Any student absent more than 25 percent of the class periods is automatically given an "F". Arriving after roll call or leaving before the class period is dismissed will incur an absence." SPECIAL NOTE: *Admission to class will be dependent on the student’s adherence to the dress code as set forth in the Student Handbook and/or any announced modifications. *Any student disrupting the purpose of the class or interfering with the studious pursuit of the course material may be dismissed from that session by the instructor and charged with an absence. 1. If the absence from the test occurs via a circumstance over which the student obviously has no control that test grade will not be averaged in the course grade computation. A mark of N/A will be encoded in the grade book. A student may receive a mark of N/A only once for the course in that semester. Such circumstances would include death (immediate family), hospitalization of self or dependent child, or transportation failure. In the event such a circumstance should arise the student should inform the professor via the telephone switchboard no later than the day of the test. 2. A student arriving after the test is administered may ask for a late but same day administration of the test. The granting of such a request is not assured and is solely at the discretion of the professor. 3. Absences from tests occurring as a result of oversleeping etc. may for the first such missing of a test receive a grade of P. The grade of P will be averaged as a 70. Only one grade of P shall be allowed for this course in this semester. 4 . Missing the test because of not knowing about it or not being ready for it will result in a grade of zero. ** Tutorial Exercises: ** Any Student scoring below 70 must complete a tutorial exercise which will be out of class time. No grade below 70 shall be recorded. In its place a zero shall appear unless the tutorial exercise is completed. In that mandatory event the grade of below 70 will be raised to a grade of 75. Any student scoring between 70 and 75 may also participate in the Tutorial Exercise and receive the upgraded score of 75. The Tutorial Exercises will each have a specific completion date.  TESTS: The tests will be primarily objective and non-cumulative. Dates for those tests will be 2/4, 3/4, 4/8, and final. 25% of the point value of each test will depend upon explanations of your answers to selected questions from the objective portion of the test and/or your ability to define certain terms and to show their significance to the course content. You will also choose one essay to write from a possible selection of 4 or 5 questions. RESEARCH PROJECT: Scrapbooks due 5/1. None accepted late. An annotated scrapbook of approximately 30 articles will be prepared as per instructions given in class. GROUPS PRESENTATIONS: Group I The Civic Culture: A New Analytical Model pp. 31-32 (Chpt 2) Group II Powell’s Paradox in Texas pp 136-140 (Chpt 5) Group III The Executive Branch and You pp 277-280 (Chpt 9) Group IV Tools for Citizen Input pp 314-315 (Chpt 10) Group V How Well do Incarceration and the Death Penalty Work? Pp 334-337 (Chpt 11) Group VI Looking to the Future: A Personal Income Tax? Pp 408-411 (Chpt 14) Chapter Week of Readings Jan 11-15 Orientation/Introduction 1 Jan 18-22 Groups Assigned 1/21 2 Jan 25-29 Term Project Topics 1/28 3 Feb 1-5 Test 1 (2/4) Chpts 1-3 4 Feb 8-12 Group 1 (2/9) 5 Feb 15-19 Group 2 (2/16) 6 Feb 22-26 Group 3 (2/23) 7 Mar 1-5 Test 2 (3/4) Chpts 4-7 8 Mar 8-12 Spring Break (Enjoy and Stay Safe) Mar 15-19 Group 4 (3/18) 9 Mar 22-26 Group 5 (3/25) 10 Mar 29-4/2 Group 6 (4/1) Easter Holiday 4/2 11 Apr 5-9 Test 3 (4/8) Chpts 8-11 12 Apr 12-16 13 Apr 19-23 14 Apr 26-30 Term Project Due (4/29) May 3-7 Final Exams Test 4 (TBA) Chpts 12-14 May 11-15 World Baptist Fellowship/Graduation **Mission Statement: **Arlington Baptist College endeavors to prepare men and women for Christian life and ministries, both lay and professional through studies in Bible, general education, church vocations, and practical service, integrating faith and learning in the context of a Christian world view. Summarized as a verbal logo, this could be stated as follows: ** “Preparing the Faithful for Fruitful Ministries.” ** ** Office Hours: MWF as per your prearranged requested appointment ** ** ABC - Enriching The Heart/Inspiring The Mind **
 * Attendance: ** The act of enrollment in this course establishes the student's privilege to attend class sessions. That privilege incurs a responsibility on the part of the student toward the professor, fellow students and those who contribute to the mission of the College. Realistically perfect attendance may not be attainable by all yet it is a desirable goal. The class roll will be called and failure to answer will result in an absence being recorded. Extra points for perfect attendance will not be awarded However; a system for awarding attendance incentive points will be utilized. An attendance grade will be factored into the course grade as follows:
 * Student Knowledge Intensification Periods: ** Certain class periods may be declared as S K I P s = A period of individual self- directed study at the library or elsewhere.
 * Makeup Tests: __NO MAKE UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN.__ ** The student should realize that his/her performance on tests is a vital factor in determining the grade for the course. Tests are not fearful instruments to be avoided. Rather they are opportunities through which the student may indicate the quality of his/her academic effort. To seek to enhance this opportunity by extending the time of preparation for the test is to forestall the intent of the test at the expense of peer equity. Understandably there may be times when a student will be prevented from taking a test as scheduled. To allow for such occurrences your professor has devised the following procedure for missed tests:
 * Office Hours: MWF as per your prearranged requested appointment **
 * ABC - Enriching The Heart/Inspiring The Mind **