GOVT 2306 Syllabus PDF

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State and Local Government Course Syllabus Course Information Course Number/Section Course Title Term Days & Time Class Location

GOVT 2306.001 State and Local Government Fall 2021 Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. ECSW 1.315

Professor Contact Information Professor Misty Dawn Parker, MLS, PhD [she/her] Email Address [email protected] Office Location GR 3.822 Office Hours Thursdays, 12 – 2 pm Other Information Office hours will be held in-person and on MS Teams. Teaching Assistant Contact Information Teaching Assistant Camron Hollis [he/him] Email Address [email protected] Office Location GR 3.318 Office Hours Mondays, 4:30 – 5:30 pm and Tuesdays, 12 – 1 pm Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions None. Course Description Survey of state and local government with special reference to the constitution and politics of Texas. Student Learning Objectives  Think critically about issues related to government and politics–analyze and appreciate historical trends in the development of government institutions (constitutions, branches of government, political parties, elections, etc.), and apply knowledge of government institutions and theoretical and scholarly approaches to understand government behavior and current events  Effectively communicate issues of societal and personal import with others-meaningfully and respectfully express your positions and ideas on political and social issues to fellow students, community members, public officials, and representatives  Engage academically and professionally with a sense of social responsibility-recognize that individual actions can have consequences for society just as government actions can have consequences for individuals, and engage with the world around you with awareness and empathy  Exercise personal responsibility in how government functions-understand how to effectively interact with government to achieve desired outcomes, and begin a lifetime of active engagement with your state and local governments Student Learning Outcomes At the completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the influence founding principles have on today’s political structure, including current political and policy debates 2. Describe state and local political systems and their ever-changing relationship to the federal government. 3. Assess the design and function of states’ executive, legislative, and judicial branches in comparison to other states/the federal government

GOVT 2306.001 Fall 2021 Syllabus

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4. Examine the impact of evolving civil rights and civil liberties protections on state governance 5. Analyze issues, public policies, and political culture in the U.S. from an empirical (e.g., evidence-based) rather than opinionated frame. 6. Identify, describe, and analyze various mechanisms of citizen political involvement including public opinion, political parties, interest groups, and electoral processes. 7. Apply important theoretical and scholarly approaches to understanding state and local institutions’ behavior, citizen involvement, and interactions between citizens and institutions of government. 8. Consider the above factors when designing, strategizing, and proposing workable policy solutions to complex governmental and societal problems facing state and local governments today Required Textbooks and Materials There are two requirements for this course: (1) a textbook, and (2) a subscription to a digital learning platform called Top Hat. Our textbook is fully integrated into Top Hat, which means that you cannot access the textbook without purchasing the Top Hat subscription. Both can be ordered via this link: https://app.tophat.com/e/705235 Accessing the Textbook and Required Materials The course join code is: 705235. Upon purchasing your subscription to Top Hat (ISBN: 9780986615108) and the textbook (ISBN: 9781774122853), you will have full access to the necessary course materials.  Note #1: these materials are not available to be purchased through the UTD Bookstore. Order via the link above, or via the link in the invitation email sent to your university email address.  Note #2: please use your university-issued email address to subscribe to Top Hat.  Note #3: If you have already purchased a Top Hat subscription for another Fall 2021 class, all you need to purchase for this class is the textbook.  Note #4: You only need to purchase the semester-length subscription to complete this course. However, should you also plan to take GOVT 2305 in the Spring 2022 semester, you may consider purchasing the year-length subscription, as GOVT 2305 also uses Top Hat. Why Top Hat? And what about eLearning/Blackboard? Every section of GOVT 2306 uses Top Hat for its textbook (there is no print version of the text; it is only found on Top Hat). We will also use it to submit homework, complete exams, access lecture slides, view unofficial homework and exam grades, and participate in live chat during our class sessions (optional). eLearning/Blackboard is UTD’s chosen LMS (Learning Management System) and thus where official grades are housed for every class at the university. All essential course documents will be posted on eLearning as well as Top Hat. The Policy Proposal project will be submitted on eLearning. Academic Calendar The first three weeks of the semester will be taught in a HyFlex format, as per the University’s de-densification policy. What this means to you: each student will alternate in-person and online attendance Aug. 24 – Sept. 9. More here: https://president.utdallas.edu/message/2021-08-16.html WEEK/ DATES

TOPIC/LECTURE

READINGS

1 8/23

GROUP A: IN-PERSON GROUP B: MS TEAMS

Chapter 1: Socioeconomic and Political Context

8/25

GROUP A: MS TEAMS GROUP B: IN-PERSON

GOVT 2306.001 Fall 2021 Syllabus

ASSESSMENT / ACTIVITY

DUE DATE

Homework #1

8/25 @ 11:59 pm

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WEEK/ DATES

TOPIC/LECTURE

READINGS

2 8/30

GROUP A: IN-PERSON GROUP B: MS TEAMS

Chapter 2: Federalism and the States

9/01

GROUP A: MS TEAMS GROUP B: IN-PERSON

3 9/06

Labor Day – No Class

9/08

GROUP A: MS TEAMS GROUP B: IN-PERSON

ASSESSMENT / ACTIVITY

DUE DATE

Homework #2

9/01 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #3

9/08 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #4

9/15 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #5

9/22 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #6

9/29 @ 11:59 pm 10/3 @ 11:59 pm

Chapter 3: Local Governments

Chapter 4: State and Local Government Relations

4 9/13 9/15

Chapter 5: Citizen Participation, Parties, and Elections

5 9/20 9/22

Chapter 6: Public Opinion, Lobbying, and Interest Groups

6 9/27 9/29

Exam #1 (avail. 10/1 @ 12 am) 7 10/04

Discuss the Policy Proposal project

Chapter 7: The Executive Branch

10/06 8 10/11

10/20

GOVT 2306.001 Fall 2021 Syllabus

10/06 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #8

10/13 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #9

10/20 @ 11:59 pm

Chapter 8: The State Legislative Branch

10/13 9 10/18

Homework #7

Chapter 9: The State Judiciary

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WEEK/ DATES

TOPIC/LECTURE

READINGS

DUE DATE

Homework #10

10/27 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #11

11/03 @ 11:59 pm 11/07 @ 11:59 pm

Chapter 10: Taxes and Spending

10 10/25 10/27

Chapter 11: Economic Development

11 11/01 11/03

ASSESSMENT / ACTIVITY

Class Activity: Identify Policy Problems

Exam #2 (avail. 11/05 @ 12 am) 12 11/08

Chapter 12: Criminal Justice Policy

11/10

11/10 @ 11:59 pm

Homework #13

11/17 @ 11:59 pm

Chapter 13: Social Welfare and Healthcare Policy

13 11/15 11/17 14 11/22 – 28

Fall Break/Thanksgiving Holiday – No Classes Chapter 14: Education Policy

15 11/29 12/01

Homework #14

12/01 @ 11:59 pm

Extra Credit

12/08 @ 11:59 pm 12/08 @ 11:59 pm

Chapter 15: Environmental and Energy Policy

16 12/06 12/08

Homework #12

Reading Day – No Class

Homework #15 17

Final Exam Week – No Classes

Grading Scale Final course grades will be based on total points earned throughout the course. A+ 97+ B+ 87 – 89 C+ 77 – 79 D+ A 94 – 96 B 84 – 86 C 74 – 76 D A90 – 93 B80 – 83 C70 – 73 DF >60

GOVT 2306.001 Fall 2021 Syllabus

Policy Proposal

67 – 69 64 – 66 60 – 63

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12/13 @ 11:59 pm

Grading Policy Grades in this course are weighted based upon their importance to your overall class grade. The chart below provides the assignment’s value, along with a space for you to track your grade in the course (see example in first row). Sum the points in the Calculated Total column to attain your grade in the course, and enter it into the Total cell (see Grading Scale above for letter grade). Assignment Example Homework Exam #1 Exam #2 Policy Proposal

Weight 10% 40% 20% 20% 20%

Your Grade 90

Calculated Total .10 x 90 = 9 .40 x ____ = _____ .15 x ____ = _____ .15 x ____ = _____ .15 x ____ = _____ + Total = + Extra Credit =

Homework (see Academic Calendar for due dates) Homework is integrated into your textbook (all accessible via Top Hat). By completing the questions embedded in the week’s assigned reading (e.g., in each textbook chapter), you have completed the homework (assuming you have met the due date). Each homework assignment is graded on correctness (50%) and participation (50%) – thus, as long as you answer each question, regardless of the correctness of your answer, you are guaranteed a grade of ‘50.’ All homework grades (15 total) will be averaged together to produce your overall homework grade for the class. Exams (Exam #1: 10/1 @ 12 am – 10/3 @ 11:59 pm / Exam #2: 11/05 @ 12 am – 11/07 @ 11:59 pm) Each exam will be open book/open notes and will be taken on Top Hat. Exams will feature a variety of questions to test your understanding of the course material, your ability to think apply this knowledge to important issues facing America today, and to think critically about the American governmental system. Additional details, including exam reviews, will be made available at least one week before the exam date on Top Hat, as well as in the Exams folder on eLearning. Policy Proposal (due: 12/13 @ 11:59 pm) This assignment will provide you the opportunity to identify a problem in American state and/or local government and develop, propose, and defend a public policy solution. An excellent proposal will:  use primary and other reliable sources to consider historical, constitutional, and cultural factors and influences on both the problem and the proposed solution;  consider how media, organized interests, political parties, and public opinion influence and shape both the problem and the proposed solution;  question how civil rights and liberties protections could affect or be affected by your policy;  employ creativity to craft and deliver the policy proposal. Maybe you are better as a verbal than a written communicator? You may want to give a speech, make a TikTok, or make a presentation. More comfortable writing? Write a traditional policy proposal (sample on eLearning in Policy Proposal folder) or a persuasive essay. If you are an artist, feel free to explore and express your talents through this assignment. You have the choice of performing this task as an individual or as a group of up to 6 members. An in-class activity during Week 11 will require each student to submit the top three problems they would like to solve. Students’ ranked responses will be published on eLearning to help facilitate group formation around common interests. Whether you choose to complete this assignment as an individual or as a group will need to be decided no later than Nov. 10 (Week 12). Note that once the choice has been made, it cannot be reversed under any circumstances.

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A grading rubric for the assignment is posted on Top Hat, as well as eLearning in the Policy Proposal folder. We will devote class time on Oct. 4 to discussing the project in-depth. Any additional questions about the project can be answered via email or during scheduled office hours. Course Policies Communication  Emails and MS Teams messages must have the course name and number (GOVT 2306) in the subject line.  Emails and MS Teams messages will be responded to within 48 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please forward the original email to me ( [email protected]) … it is likely your email was simply overlooked.  For more details, please visit the Student eLearning Tutorials webpage for video demonstrations on eLearning tools. Homework Tokens  Each student begins the course with two tokens. Each token privileges you to a 24-hour extension on a homework assignment’s due date. Each student is responsible for (1) keeping track of their tokens, and (2) notifying the TA via email when you want to spend a token. Be sure to keep a record of emails in case of disputes.  Please note that students with valid a medical or university-sanctioned excuse do not need to spend a token unless the student fails to notify me in writing at least 48 hours prior to the absence/due date, in which case the absence/late submission will be treated as unexcused and subject to the Token policy. In both cases, written documentation is required to be considered. Late Work For any late assignment submissions that do not utilize a homework token, students will lose a full letter grade for each day the assignment is late. Any assignment or test more than 7 days late receives a ‘0’. Make-Up Exams Exams will be taken online, using Top Hat, and will be available for the student to take at their convenience within a 72-hour window (see exact dates in Academic Calendar). Medical emergencies and school-sanctioned activities are the only acceptable reasons for make-ups. Both require documentation and are allowed at my discretion. Make-ups must be scheduled with me and completed within one week of the original exam or a “0” will be earned. Exams are not eligible for Token use. Extra Credit An additional 2 points will be added onto your final grade should you, virtually or in-person, attend a public meeting during the semester and submit a ~500 word essay about the experience. To be eligible for extra credit, the essay must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Dec. 8. Details about what is expected of an essay submission can be found in the Extra Credit folder on eLearning. Class Participation Engaging in group or other activities during class that solicit your feedback on homework assignments, readings, or materials covered in the lectures and readings is essential to your success as a student, and our success as a class. Successful participation is defined as consistently adhering to University requirements, as presented in this syllabus. Failure to comply with these University requirements is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Classroom Citizenship This class is a great opportunity to practice engaging politically with people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions. Democracy cannot work if we are unwilling to listen to one another or unable to exchange ideas respectfully. This course will cover some topics that may prove controversial. It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to maintain civil discourse in the classroom. If at any time you do not feel this standard is being upheld, come talk to me.

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Technical Requirements In addition to a confident level of computer and Internet literacy, certain minimum technical requirements must be met to enable a successful learning experience. Please review the important technical requirements on the Getting Started with eLearning webpage. Course Access and Navigation This course can be accessed using your UT Dallas NetID account on the eLearning website. Please see the course access and navigation section of the Getting Started with eLearning webpage for more information. To become familiar with the eLearning tool, please see the Student eLearning Tutorials webpage. UT Dallas provides eLearning technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The eLearning Support Center includes a toll-free telephone number for immediate assistance (1-866-588-3192), email request service, and an online chat service. Distance Learning Student Resources Online students have access to resources including the McDermott Library, Academic Advising, The Office of Student AccessAbility, and many others. Please see the eLearning Current Students webpage for more information. Server Unavailability or Other Technical Difficulties The University is committed to providing a reliable learning management system to all users. However, in the event of any unexpected server outage or any unusual technical difficulty which prevents students from completing a time sensitive assessment activity, the instructor will provide an appropriate accommodation based on the situation. Students should immediately report any problems to the instructor and also contact the online eLearning Help Desk. The instructor and the eLearning Help Desk will work with the student to resolve any issues at the earliest possible time. Comet Creed This creed was voted on by the UT Dallas student body in 2014. It is a standard that Comets choose to live by and encourage others to do the same: “As a Comet, I pledge honesty, integrity, and service in all that I do.” Academic Support Resources The information contained in the following link lists the University’s academic support resources for all students. Please go to Academic Support Resources webpage for these policies. UT Dallas Syllabus Policies and Procedures The information contained in the following link constitutes the University’s policies and procedures segment of the course syllabus. Please go to UT Dallas Syllabus Policies webpage for these policies. The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

GOVT 2306.001 Fall 2021 Syllabus

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