ACGM Newell/Prindle/Riddlesperger Texas Politics: Ideal and Reality 2015-2016 Edition ISBN w/ MindTap PAC: 9781285853147 ISBN text alone: 9781285861159 GOVT 2306 Texas Government LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, students will: CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES (shown in blue throughout) A new "Texas Politics and You" feature in each chapter asks students to become directly involved in a controversial issue, often through social media, prompting them to react to specific postings, articles from Texas college newspapers, and political cartoons. (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Social Responsibility, Personal Responsibility) "You Decide" point/counterpoint features in each chapter prompt discussion in and out of the classroom on important current topics such as campaign financing, redistricting, and Texas's role on the international stage. (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication A new review section at the end of each chapter contains multiple choice and critical thinking questions. (Critical Thinking Learning Path activities: What Do You Know About? Student Video Activators give a quick introduction to the chapter topic from a Texas Politics student and include critical thinking short-answer activator questions that can be submitted for a grade (Critical Thinking Chapter Learning Outcomes help students focus on the key concepts in each chapter and assess their mastery of these concepts (Critical Thinking Chapter Readings are interactive ebook versions of the text for each chapter (Critical Thinking Flashcards facilitate review of key terms and concepts (Critical Thinking Chapter Tutorials with mini-assessment quizzes ask students to explore the key concepts for a given topic (Critical Thinking Focus Activities include video, primary source, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and analyzing charts and maps activities that focus on inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information. Many problem sets also ask students to manipulate and analyze data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical & Quantitative Video Activities link chapter lessons with real-world, current events and are followed by multiple-choice and critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Simulations ask students to assume the role of a stakeholder in Texas politics and make a series of decisions that generate various results. They are given the opportunity to explore both sides of an issue. To conclude, students answer critical thinking questions. (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, Social Responsibility, Personal Responsibility) Wrap it Up Quizzes are 25 question multiple-choice quizzes that help student assess their understanding of the chapter learning outcomes (Critical Thinking An RSS feed brings the latest current events into the class, stimulating class discussion. This can be customized by the instructor. (Critical Thinking, Communication
Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution. Chapter 2: The Constitutional Setting Understand the nature of federal systems of government Understand the purposes of constitutions as well as the extent to which these are reflected in the Texas Constitution. Describe the history of Texas constitutions. Discuss the key aspects of the present Texas Constitution. Analyze the need for and politics of constitutional change. Chapter 2 What Do You Know About Federalism and What Do You Know About the Texas Constitution? Student Video Activators with Quizzes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Ebook Federalism and the Texas Constitution Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Federalism and the Texas Constitution (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Texas constitutional history o Contents of the Texas Constitution o Debating constitutional revision o Federalism and disaster relief Video Activities: Craig Washington on the Texas Constitution with Quiz, Federalism and Illegal Immigration (Critical Thinking Simulation: Federalism and the Texas Constitution with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 2 Quiz (Critical Thinking Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal Chapter 2: The Constitutional Setting Understand the nature of federal systems of government Chapter 11: Local Government Describe the nature of county government in Texas and the relationship of counties to state Discuss the nature of city government in Texas and the distinctions between home rule and general-law cities and among forms of government (especially council-manager and mayor-council). Understand both the advantages and disadvantages of special district government in terms of democratic theory. Realize the fiscal and other issues facing all local governments in Texas. Understand leadership in local governments. Chapter 2 What Do You Know About Federalism and What Do You Know About the Texas Constitution? Student Video Activators with Quizzes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Ebook Federalism and the Texas Constitution Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Federalism and the Texas Constitution (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Texas constitutional history o Contents of the Texas Constitution o Debating constitutional revision o Federalism and disaster relief Video Activities: Craig Washington on the Texas Constitution with Quiz, Federalism and Illegal Immigration (Critical Thinking Simulation: Federalism and the Texas Constitution with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 2 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 11 What Do You Know About Local Government? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Skills, Chapter 11 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 11 Ebook Local Government Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Local Government (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Local government in Texas
o Counties in Texas o Municipalities in Texas o Local politics in Texas Video Activity: Dallas School Welcomes Firearms with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Local Government: Texas Municipalities with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 11 Quiz (Critical Thinking RSS Feed: PolitiFact Texas (Critical Thinking, Communication Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas. Chapter 2: The Constitutional Setting Understand the purposes of constitutions as well as the extent to which these are reflected in the Texas Constitution. Throughout Chapters 6-9 Chapter 2 What Do You Know About Federalism and What Do You Know About the Texas Constitution? Student Video Activators with Quizzes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Ebook Federalism and the Texas Constitution Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Federalism and the Texas Constitution (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Texas constitutional history o Contents of the Texas Constitution o Debating constitutional revision o Federalism and disaster relief Video Activities: Craig Washington on the Texas Constitution with Quiz, Federalism and Illegal Immigration (Critical Thinking Simulation: Federalism and the Texas Constitution with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 2 Quiz (Critical Thinking Throughout Chapters 6-9 Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas Chapter 6: The Texas Legislature Understand the functions of legislative bodies. Discuss the structure of the Texas Legislature, including size, terms, sessions, legislative districts, and compensation. Know the general and personal characteristics of legislators. Understand the presiding officers, the committee system, and the role of staff agencies. Trace how a bill becomes a law in Texas. Understand the complexities of legislative dynamics, including handicaps to thoughtful policymaking, outside influences, party realignments, and what reforms might improve Chapter 6 What Do You Know About the Texas Legislature? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 6 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 6 Ebook The Texas Legislature Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: The Texas Legislature (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Legislative framework in Texas o Legislative leadership, structure, and organization o Qualifications and characteristics of Texas state legislators o The difficulty of lawmaking Video Activity: Balancing the State Budget with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: The Texas Legislature with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Wrap It Up: Chapter 6 Quiz (Critical Thinking
legislative performance. Chapter 7: The Governor Describe the structure of the Texas governorship, including how the governor is selected, the term of office and tenure possibility, the process of impeachment, compensation, and staffing. Explain how the plural executive model is a basic characteristic of the governorship. Discuss the personal characteristics that might lead to gubernatorial success. Assess the formal and informal roles that the governor plays. Explain the limitations on gubernatorial power. Chapter 8: The Administrative State Understand the complexity of the administrative organization in Texas, including the plural executive. Trace the growth of big Describe the characteristics of bureaucracy and bureaucratic survival techniques. Evaluate bureaucratic orientation and its effect on the public interest. Assess the bureaucracy s accountability to the governor, the legislature, and the public. Chapter 9: The Judiciary Discuss the judiciary as a political branch of Describe the major players in the judicial system, including the central roles of the attorney general, the bar, and lawyers in the process. Understand the structure of the Texas court system from the lowest courts to the two supreme courts. Compare the roles of grand juries and trial juries. Evaluate major issues in the Texas judiciary, including problems with crime, problems with judicial selection, and issues of equality in the administration of justice. Chapter 7 What Do You Know About the Texas Executive? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Skills, Chapter 7 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 7 Ebook The Texas Executive Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: The Texas Executive (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o The office of governor in the state of Texas o Texas gubernatorial powers o Gubernatorial powers of persuasion o Executive orders and the HPV vaccine Video Activity: Rick Perry s Plans for Texas with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: The Texas Executive with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Wrap It Up: Chapter 7 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 8 What Do You Know About the Texas Bureaucracy? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 8 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 8 Ebook The Texas Bureaucracy Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: The Texas Bureaucracy (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Texas state agencies, boards, and commissions o Bureaucracy in the state of Texas o Bureaucrats in the state of Texas o The Railroad Commission of Texas Video Activity: Texas Bureaucracy and Environmental Policy with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: The Texas Bureaucracy with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Wrap It Up: Chapter 8 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 9 What Do You Know About the Texas Judiciary? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Skills, Chapter 9 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 9 Ebook The Texas Judiciary Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: The Texas Judiciary (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Courts in Texas o Juries in Texas Video Activity: The Role of Appellate Judges in State and Federal Systems with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: The Texas Judiciary with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication
Wrap It Up: Chapter 9 Quiz (Critical Thinking RSS Feed: PolitiFact Texas (Critical Thinking, Communication Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas. Chapter 3: Interest Groups Explain why interest groups create a dilemma for democracy, and why government cannot resolve the dilemma by outlawing such groups. Define the term interest group, list the types of groups that are relevant to politics, and describe the functions of such groups in the political system. Explain the biases in the formation of interest groups, and give the consequences of those biases in terms of who is more likely to be organized, and who is less likely. Recount the typical activities of political interest groups, and explain why some of those activities create a problem for democracy. Assess the effectiveness of efforts to regulate the activities of interest groups. List a half-dozen of the major interest groups in Texas, and explain why some of them are more, or less, influential in state politics, and why some have increased or decreased in influence over the last quarter-century. Chapter 4: Political Parties Understand liberal and conservative political ideologies, and identify which ideology has been dominant, historically, in Texas. Discuss the nature of political socialization in Texas, and the reasons why some Texans are exceptions to the general rules of socialization. Identify which interests typically support which parties, and why. Recount the historical process by which Texas has come to have two parties with at least three, and perhaps four ideological factions, and realize that these two major parties are sometimes supplemented by third parties or independent candidates. List the functions that political parties perform in a democracy. Describe party organization in Texas, and explain why organization is not as important as it might Chapter 3 What Do You Know About Interest Groups? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Skills, Chapter 3 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 3 Ebook Interest Groups Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Interest Groups (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o A debate about interest groups in Texas o Lobbying in the state of Texas o The daily lobby o Interest group classification and regulation Video Activity: Pickens Plan with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Interest Groups with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, Wrap It Up: Chapter 3 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 4 What Do You Know About Political Parties? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Skills, Chapter 4 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 4 Ebook Political Parties Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Political Parties (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Political parties in Texas o Conservative and liberal ideology o The history of political parties in Texas o Factions in Texas state political parties Video Activity: Representative Geanie Morrison and the Republican Party with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Political Parties with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Teamwork, Wrap It Up: Chapter 4 Quiz (Critical Thinking
first appear. Analyze the state and local election process. Chapter 5: Voting, Campaigns, and Elections Explain the importance of voting in a democracy, the reasons why Texas has low voter turnout, and the major consequences for public policy of this low turnout. Identify the two most important campaign resources, outline the history of efforts to control campaign finances, and describe the consequences for democracy of negative campaigning. Recount the basic facts about primary, general and special elections in Texas. Describe the pattern of election results in Texas from 1994 to 2012, and explain what change in citizen behavior might cause a change in that pattern. Chapter 5 What Do You Know About Voting and Elections? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 5 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 5 Ebook Voting and Elections Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Voting and Elections (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Political campaigns in Texas o Voter turnout o The political rights of women and minorities in the state of Texas o Campaign and election rules and regulations in Texas Video Activity: Texas Voter ID Law with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Voting and Elections with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Wrap It Up: Chapter 5 Quiz (Critical Thinking Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Chapter 2: The Constitutional Setting Understand the nature of federal systems of government Understand the purposes of constitutions as well as the extent to which these are reflected in the Texas Constitution. Describe the history of Texas constitutions. Discuss the key aspects of the present Texas Constitution. Analyze the need for and politics of constitutional change. Chapter 10: The Substance of Justice Discuss issues in civil liberties in Texas, including freedom of expression, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and abortion. Describe issues in civil rights in Texas, including school segregation, education, the recent incidents in Jasper and Tulia, and civil rights for convicted criminals. Assess capital punishment in Texas. Evaluate tort laws in Texas. Chapter 2 What Do You Know About Federalism and What Do You Know About the Texas Constitution? Student Video Activators with Quizzes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 2 Ebook Federalism and the Texas Constitution Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Federalism and the Texas Constitution (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Texas constitutional history o Contents of the Texas Constitution o Debating constitutional revision o Federalism and disaster relief Video Activities: Craig Washington on the Texas Constitution with Quiz, Federalism and Illegal Immigration (Critical Thinking Simulation: Federalism and the Texas Constitution with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 2 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 10 What Do You Know About Law and Due Process? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 10 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 10 Ebook Law and Due Process Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Law and Due Process (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative
o Judicial process in Texas o Juvenile justice in Texas Video Activity: One Texas Sheriff's Unique Approach to Lowering Recidivism with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Law and Due Process with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Wrap It Up: Chapter 10 Quiz (Critical Thinking RSS Feed: PolitiFact Texas (Critical Thinking, Communication Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas. Chapter 1: The Context of Texas Politics Give a brief account of the causes and consequences of the major events Texas history, such as the Texas Revolution, slavery, Civil War, Reconstruction, the cotton and oil industries, world wars and Depression, political changes from the Old South to modern Texas, and the state's evolution to a modern economy. Summarize democratic theory, and the standards that it supplies us in order to permit us to evaluate the democratic legitimacy of any state or country. Discuss whether it is desirable, or even possible, for Texas to have a "foreign policy." Give a brief description of the three political cultures, and explain how they apply to Texas. Summarize the overall pattern of the relationship of Texas government to the Texas economy, and explain why it is difficult to determine if Texas is or is not a good place to live. Discuss the ratio of Anglo, Latinos, and African Americans in the Texas population, and explain why those ratios matter to a book about state 12. The State Economy and the Financing of State Government Discuss the mainstays of the Texas economy, the growth of lower-paying jobs, and efforts to create a favorable business climate. Discuss where Texas gets its revenue, including state taxes. Assess whether the revenue structure is fair and equitable. Understand how the budget of the state is Chapter 1 What Do You Know About Texas History, Culture, and Politics? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 1 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 1 Ebook Texas History, Culture, and Politics Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Texas History, Culture, and Politics (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o The geopolitical landscape of Texas o Political culture in Texas o Texas population and demographics o The Texas economy Video Activity: College Tuition in Texas with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Texas History, Culture, and Politics with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 1 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 12 What Do You Know About Finance, Fiscal Policy, and Services? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 12 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 12 Ebook Finance, Fiscal Policy, and Services Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Finance, Fiscal Policy, and Services (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Texas state revenue o The Texas state budget o Texas state spending o Budget cuts Video Activity: Texas Budget Cutbacks with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Finance, Fiscal Policy, and Services with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 12 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 13 What Do You Know About Public Policy: People? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking
produced. Evaluate the results of the spending plan in terms of meeting the needs of Texans by providing an adequate level of state services. 13. Public Policy: People Describe the importance of public policy, including mandates. Identify the major social welfare and health care policies of the state and describe the redistributive nature of those programs. Be introduced to the major issues of public education for the state. Understand a number of issues facing higher education in state institutions. 14. Public Policy: Resources Explain at least two types of political conflict over water that can be expected to become more frequent in the near future in Texas, and discuss the reason why they will become more frequent. Display an understanding of the metaphorical term Faustian Bargain, and explain why it applies to the making of energy policy. Explain what historical theme in Texas environmental politics is illustrated by the story of Glenn Shankle and TCEQ. Discuss the reason many people are concerned about the dependency of Texans on vehicles using the internal combustion engine, describe three general strategies for dealing with the problems caused by that dependency, and explain how public policy seeking to implement those strategies is faring. Chapter 13 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 13 Ebook Public Policy: People Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Public Policy: People (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Health care and income assistance programs in Texas o Medicaid Video Activity: Texas Health Care with Quiz (Critical Thinking Wrap It Up: Chapter 13 Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 14 What Do You Know About Public Policy: Resources? Student Video Activator with Quiz (Critical Thinking Chapter 14 Learning Outcomes (Critical Thinking Chapter 14 Ebook Public Policy: Resources Tutorial with mini-assessment (Critical Thinking Focus Activities: Public Policy: Resources (Critical Thinking Skills, Empirical and Quantitative o Energy resources o Water supply issues Video Activity: Wind Power in West Texas with Quiz (Critical Thinking Simulation: Public Policy: Resources with critical thinking questions (Critical Thinking Skills, Wrap It Up: Chapter 14 Quiz (Critical Thinking