This is a preliminary syllabus. The final version will be available once the class is set up on blackboard
Department of Political Science
University of Houston
GOVT 2306 – 05 – 13464
GOVT 2306 – 06 – 18610
US and Texas Constitutional Politics
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Professor: Kevin Jefferies
Office:
Office Hours:
Class Time and Place:
GOVT 2306 – 05 – 13464: MW 1-230pm SW 101
GOVT 2306 – 06 – 18610: MW 230-4pm SW 101
Phone:
Email: kejeffe2@central.uh.edu
Blog: The Weaker Party.
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Textbooks:
US GOVT 2306: U.S. and Texas Constitution and
Politics, University of Houston, Ebook
- We The People 13e
- Governing Texas 5e
Try This Link:
https://digital.wwnorton.com/wtp13govtex5govt2306
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Grading:
25% - Average of weekly quizzes
25% - Average of weekly 150 word written assignments
25% - Average of four tests and a final exam
25% - Class Essay
Here’s more detail on each:
1
– Chapter Quizzes. There will be an
online quiz for each chapter. You can find each on the left hand column of
blackboard under “quizzes.” The quiz questions will be pulled randomly from the
book’s test bank. They can be any format. The will have 25 questions, and you
will have two hours to complete them. They are intended to guide you through
the chapters. All the quizzes will be opened at the beginning of the semester,
and close the last day of class. Until then, you can take them as many times as
you like. You will receive the highest grade you score.
2 – Written Assignments. Three written assignments will be opened on Blackboard at the beginning of class. They will be all due at the end of the semester. Each is to be at least 150 words long – but you may go over. The subject matter will cover some aspect of the week’s news, especially as it reflects on that week’s material.
3 –Tests and Final Exam. There will be a test after each module. They will contain 80 questions and you will have 60 minutes to complete them. The questions will be presented to you one at a time, and you will not be able to backtrack. You will have only one chance to take each test – but you may use your book and notes. The final will be comprehensive. It will have 120 multiple choice and true / false questions.
4 – A 1000 Word Critical Essay. Look on blackboard for your topic I want this to be well researched (three sources at minimum) and objective. This is not an opinion piece. You don’t learn anything rehashing your opinions. You will be graded on quality, length, grammar, depth, and all that. As college students you should know what makes a paper great, good, adequate, or bad.
The grading categories are as follows:
93-100 A
90-92.99 A-
87-89.99 B+
83-86.99 B
80-82.99 B-
77-79.99 C+
73-76.99 C
70-72.99 C -
67-69.99 D+
63-66.99 D
60-62.99 D -
0-59.99 F
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Course Calendar
August 30, 2021 – Last day to add a class
Week of August 23:
- Fed Chapter 1: American Political Culture
- TX Chapter 1: The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas
Week of August 30:
- Fed Chapter 2: The Founding and the Constitution
- TX Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution
Week of September 6:
- Fed Chapter 3: Federalism
- TX Chapter 3: Texas in the Federal System
September 6, 2021 – Labor Day Holiday
September 8, 2021 – Official Reporting Day
Week of September 13:
- Fed Chapter 4: Civil Liberties
- Test One
Week of September 20:
- Fed Chapter 10: Campaigns and Elections
- TX Chapter 5: Campaigns and Elections
Week of September 27:
- Fed Chapter 9: Political Parties
Week of October 4:
- TX Chapter 4: Political Parties
Week of October 11:
- Fed Chapter 11: Groups and Interests
- TX Chapter 6: Interest Groups and Lobbying
-Test Two
Week of October 18:
- Fed Chapter 8: Political Participation and Voting
Week of October 25: The Media
- Fed Chapter 7: The Media
Week of November 1:
- Fed Chapter 6: Public Opinion
November 4, 2021 – Last day to drop with a W
Week of November 8:
- Fed Chapter 5: Civil Rights
- Test Three
Week of November 15:
- TX Chapter 12: Public Policy
Week of November 22:
- TX Chapter 11: Public Finance
November 24-26 – Thanksgiving Holiday
Week of November 29:
- TX Chapter 13: Crime, Corrections, and Public Safety
Week of December 3:
- TX Chapter 14: Building the Future: Public Policies for a Changing Texas
- Test Four
December 4, 2021 – Last Day of Classes
December 7-15, 2021 – Final Exam Period
December 15, 2021 – Official Closing
