Fall 2018 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2306- Section: 71 Texas Government

Instructor Information
Instructor	Dr. Tina Capeles
E-mail	capelestl@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6378
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 408 Hours: MWF 9:00-12:00 and T/R 1:30-2:00
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341
Course Information
Description	Origin and development of the Texas constitution, structure and powers of state and local government, federalism and inter-governmental relations, political participation, the election process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas.
Prerequisites	Competency in reading and writing skills required.
Learning Outcomes	Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 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. Analyze the state and local election process. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. Evaluate and respond to the political environment applying researched data.
Core Objectives	*Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. *Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. *Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes	Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material. Identifies all main ideas, supporting details, and vocabulary in reading material; demonstrates a full understanding of the reading.
Textbooks	Required Text: New Edition Title: Government and Politics in the Lone Star State Publisher: Pearson Publishing: ISBN 13: 9780135235812 Combo Authors: Gibson-Robinson-Green 10th Edition -Update to REVEL E-book with an option to buy a loose-leaf copy for an additional charge (Combo) Available in bookstore or online. Or OR students may find an older edition listed below: 9th Edition- L. Tucker Gibson, Jr. and Clay Robinson, Government and Politics in the Lone Star State: Pearson Publishing ISBN-13: 978-0133998283 OR 8th Edition- L. Tucker Gibson, Jr. and Clay Robinson, Government and Politics in the Lone Star State, Pearson Publishing ISBN: 13:978-0-205-92706-7
Lecture Topics Outline	The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The Texas Constitutions Texas Government and Politics and the Federal System Local City Governments in Texas Contemporary Public Policy Issues in Texas Interest Groups and Political Power in Texas The Mass Media in Texas Politics The Party System in Texas Elections, Campaigns, and Political Behavior The Legislature The Texas Executive The Texas Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation Texas Judiciary
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 1:The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Week 2:The Texas Constitution; Discussion 1 and 2 Week 3:Texas Government and Politics in the Federal System; Discussion 3 Week 4:Local Governments in Texas; Discussion 4 Week 5:Contemporary Public Policy Issues in Texas; Discussion 5 Week 6: Exam 1; Discussion 6; Begin next chapter Week 7:Interest Groups and Political Power in Texas, Discussion 7 Week 8:The Mass Media in Texas Politics; Research Paper Due Discussion 8 Week 9:The Party System in Texas; Discussion 9 Week 10:Elections, Campaigns, and Political Behavior; Discussion 10 Week 11:Exam 2 ; Begin next chapter Week 12:The Legislature Week 13:The Texas Executive Week 14:The Texas Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation Week 15:Texas Judiciary Week 16: Final Exam 3
Final Exam Date	December 6, 2018 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 9, 2018 - 11:00 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Tests 60% of the final grade. Research assignment 25% of the final grade. Discussion Board 15% of the final grade.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Students are responsible for all material covered in the course, chapter readings, exams, discussion board, and the research assignment. Discussion Board: Late discussion posts will not be accepted. See Discussion Board Requirements in the course menu for details and dates. Research Assignment: Late assignments will not be accepted. Students have ample time to complete by the due date. See the assignment due date in the course menu. Tests: There will only be makeup exams in cases of emergencies and with prior approval by the instructor. In case of an emergency the instructor must be notified at least one day in advance by email as to the reason for missing the exam. Students will need proper documentation as to why the exam was missed. Excused reasons are sickness, legal matters, or family matter. A grade of 0 will apply for exam dates without proper documentation. Routine doctor appointments or work schedule are not considered acceptable for missing exams. Exam dates are listed in the course menu.
Attendance Policy	Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. Students need to log into the course daily to stay on track, consistency is important to success. This is not a self-paced course. Keeping pace is important. A student's continued failure to complete the assigned material, may be dropped from the course.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLamarPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.