Fall 2019 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2306- Section: 2E Texas Government

Instructor Information
Instructor	Mavis Triebel
E-mail	triebemt@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6332
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: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
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	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 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.
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	Inside Texas Politics, Brandon Rottinghaus ISBN: 978-0-19-029951-4
Lecture Topics Outline	Week 1: Chapter 1 The Struggle for Texas Week 2: Chapter 2 The Texas Constitution Week 3: Chapter 3 Federalism Week 4: Chapter 4 Voting and Elections Week 5: Review and Test I, Chapters 1-4 Week 6: Chapter 5 Political Parties Week 7: Interest Groups Week 8: Legislature Week 9: Governors of Texas Week 10: Review and Test II, Chapters 5-8 Week 11: Bureaucracy Week 12: Judiciary Week 13: Criminal Justice Week 14: Local Government Week 15: Budget, Finances and Policy Week 15: Review and Test III, Chapters 9-13 Final
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 5: Review and Test I, Chapters 1-4 Week 10: Review and Test II, Chapters 5-8 Week 12: Common Assignment due Week 15: Review and Test III, Chapters 9-13 Final
Final Exam Date	December 9, 2019 - 5:30 AM
Grading Scale	Spring drop dates 2019 shall be Sept. 30, Nov. 21, 2019
Determination of Final Grade	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. The three grades will be used for your final grade with each counting 25% of the grade. The common assignment shall count 25% of your final grade. There may be extra credit given during the semester. 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 testSept. 30, Nov. 21,ing will be from lecture, text book and supplemental reading.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Grades will not be discussed on the telephone but may be obtained in class, 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 will be followed for the basis of lectures. Lectures are extremely important in this course because some of the material covered does NOT appear in the text.     You will receive an "F" after five UNEXCUSED class hours 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 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	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.