This honors course examines the Texas Legislature and its decision-making. The course presents unique learning opportunities for students by providing them with direct access to the Texas Legislature in two trips to Austin. This course can be taken for regular credit, as a Government Honors credit or for upper-division CV credit. Any student is eligible to take the course provided that they are in good standing (GPA) and receive the permission of the instructor. The small enrollment insures that the student will receive a unique educational experience with personalized instruction on the course projects. As you were informed when you registered, we will be taking two trips to Austin. On each trip, we will leave campus very early in the morning and return the following evening. Each trip will include a two full days of activity that will count as three class periods. Thus, we will not hold formal class on four days beyond those two that coincide with the trip, in order to maintain the maximum 45 hours of instruction. During these non-lecture days, I will be holding group meetings with everyone to discuss the progress of their work. Although I cannot require you to attend these sessions, it should be treated as an appointment.

 

Evaluation:

(25%) Essay Exam - An in class essay exam based on the readings and lectures in the course

(25%) Participation - Based on attendance and participation in the discussions with state leaders.

(10%) An individual essay on the legislative experience

(40%) A group policy analysis paper

 

 

Required Text:

 

Practicing Texas Politics, Brown, et.al. Houghton Mifflin: 2008. (13^th edition.)

 

Internet: You will be required to read four websites each day for coverage of the Texas Legislature:

http://www.chron.com/

http://www.statesman.com/

http://www.dallasnews.com/

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

 

Reserve Readings: As listed on the syllabus, all are available in my office.

 

Course Outline