Fall 2018 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2305- Section: 8D Federal Government (Federal constitution and topics)

Instructor Information
Instructor	Mavis Triebel
E-mail	triebemt@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6341
Office	Location: Education Annex - Room: 109 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. MWF and 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. TR and by appointment
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341
Course Information
Description	Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights.
Prerequisites	Prerequisite: Basic skills competency in reading and writing required
Learning Outcomes	Upon successful completion of this course, students will: Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system. Analyze the election process. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.
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	PSLO ALPHA (LSCPA): Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material
Textbooks	Politics in America, 2016 Election Edition     Ronald Keith Gaddie, Thomas Dye     ISBN-13: 978-0-13-464864-4
Lecture Topics Outline	Week 1: Chapter 1 Politics, Who Gets What, When and How Week 2: Chapter 2 Political Culture: Ideas in Conflict Week 3: The US Constitution Week 4: Federalism: Dividing Governmental Power Week 5: Opinion and Participation Week 6: Test I, Chapters 1-5 Week 6: Begin Chapter 6 Mass Media: Setting the Political Agenda Week 7: Political Parties: Organizaing Politics Week 8: Campaigns and Elections: Deciding Who Governs Week 9: Interest Groups Week 10: Congress: Politics on Capitol Hill Week 10: Computer Exercise Due Week 11: Test II: Chapters 6-10 Week 11: Begin Chapter 11 The President in the White House Week 12: The Federal Bureaucracy & Common Assignment Week 13: The Federal Courts Week 14: Politics and Personal Liberty Week 15: Politics and Civil Rights Week 15: Review and Test III: Chapters 11-15
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 6 Test I covering chapters 1-5 shall be given. Week 11 Test II covering chapters 6-10 shall be given. Week 15 Test III (final) shall be given covering chapters 11-15 Common assignment shall be due during week 12
Final Exam Date	December 11, 2018 - 1:00 PM   Through  December 11, 2018 - 3:00 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100 = A 80 - 89 = B 70 - 79 = C 60 - 69 = D Below 59 = F Fall 2018 semester drop dates shall be October 1, 2018 and November 21, 2018
Determination of Final Grade	Three major tests shall be given. Test I shall be 25% of grade, Test II shall be 25% of grade and Test III shall be 25% of grade, plus the common assignment shall be 25% of total grade. There may also be extra credit given during the semester. There will be three examinations during this course. Test I, II, and III will be objective. All three will be unit examinations with the third given at the set time for finals. Attendance at tests is mandatory. There will be no make-up tests. In case of dire emergency, any make-up tests given will be essay, administered at the same time as the final and MUST receive instructor approval within 24 hours of announced test date. Test dates will be announced in advance. You will need three Scantron 882 in order to complete the three tests. Material for testing will be from lecture, text book and supplemental reading. You will receive and "F" after five class hours unexcused are missed. If you quit coming to class and do not officially drop, you will receive an "F. The administrative details are your responsibility. After three days in which you are tardy to class, the instructor will no longer change absent to tardy.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Grades will not be discussed on the telephone but may be obtained in class or by email or appointment. To register to vote go to this website: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/index.shtml
Attendance Policy	Attendance is required; roll will be taken; and punctuality is expected. You are responsible for all materials covered in class, as well as all outside readings. The reading list distributed in class will be followed for the basis of lectures and testing. Lectures are extremely important in this course because much of the material covered does NOT appear in your text. You are also responsible for all textual material.     You will receive an "F" after five class hours UNEXCUSED are missed. If you quit coming to class and do not officially drop, you will receive an "F". The administrative details are your responsibility. After three days in which you are tardy to class, the instructor will no longer change absent to tardy.
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 Special Populations 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	Directions for common assignment shall be distributed during class time.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.