Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution

Program-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

• Critical Thinking Skills
• Personal Responsibility
• Social Responsibility
• Communication

Course-Level Objectives met with this assignment:

• Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
• Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
• Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
• Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
• Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
• Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.

SLO #1 A tradition of change: demographics and politics. 70% of students will research the continued tradition of change in TX.  One of the biggest changes coming to Texas is the shift in census numbers, specifically from immigration  and rising birth rates.  The changing demographics have the ability to completely transform politics in our state.  For this assignment, students will research our changing demographics, analyze these numbers and then describe how these changes have the potential to impact Texas politics.  [SLO #1 fulfills the following Program Level Outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Social and Personal Responsibility, as well as the following Course Level Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8.]

Activity for Assessment:

• Your Grade will be based on you having the paper in the correct format
• and, on the required length of the paper
• and, on how well you answer Questions 1 thru 6 listed below:

For this assignment, we are looking at the changing face of Texans and how that change could impact local, state and country-wide politics.  You will need to read/review all of the links below.  They include charts and articles that provide information from the most recent census, graphics and information showing the demographic changes, as well as articles that give some insight into how all of this may change the political landscape of our state.  Once you have done so, answer the following questions:
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/tx

https://www.texastribune.org/2015/06/25/see-demographic-shift-tx-counties-2010-2014/
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2018/03/09/272572/how-texas-shifting-demographics-may-preview-larger-changes-in-america/

https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/a-latino-texas-doesnt-necessarily-mean-a-blue-texas-10824529

1.) We are still a couple of years away from the next census, but what is our most recent data telling us about the demographic changes in Texas? How have our demographics changed over the last 5-10 years? Is there a shift in age demographics as well?

2.) What are some of the reasons for the shifting populations into Texas?  From the first discussion, what kind of industries are motivating the moves?

3.) What are some of the issues that would motivate minorities and the youth voting population (18+) to participate in voting?  What keeps them away from the polls?

4.) Being as diverse as we are in the state, what is the value in these elected officials looking more like the people they represent?  Do you think young people and minorities would be more likely to participate in politics if they are being represented by someone who looks more like them, or is this a non-issue?

5.) Based on the articles you’ve read, how might the minority/youth vote impact Texas politics? Does a “Hispanic Texas” automatically mean a blue one?

6.) Based on what you’ve read/researched, how might the shift in Texas impact the United States on the whole? Explain.

This assignment must follow MLA guidelines, be typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, and be a minimum of 1000 words with a works cited page.  The works cited are not included in the minimum word count. Any articles/web links given in the assignment prompt MUST be cited in your paper and works cited.  Any additional research must be cited as well.