Fall 2020 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305- Section: 10C
Federal Government (Federal constitution and topics) 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
InstructorDr. Albert Thigpen
E-mailthigpenat@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6513
Office
Location:Madison Monroe Education - Room: 228
Hours:By appointment.
Department
Inmate Instruction
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.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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 None
Learning Outcomes Students, upon successful of this completion of course, will be able to:
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.

* Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

* 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
Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Politics in America” 10th ed. Thomas, Dye, Ronald Keith Gaddie
Lecture Topics
Outline		 A student is not automatically entitled to make up examinations and other work missed due to absence. Request to make up examinations or other work missed due to absence are to be submitted to the instructor for review and determination.
Major Assignments
Schedule
ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Week 1 Aug. 28th Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
Week 2 Sep. 4th Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
    Week 3 Sep. 11th      Political Culture, Constitution, Federalism,
    Week 4      Sep. 18th      Constitution, Federalism
Week 5 Sep. 25th Constitution, Federalism
    Week 6      Oct.. 2nd      Exam I (Ch., 1, 2, 3,4)
    Week 7 Oct. 9th Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
    Week 8     Oct. 16th      Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
    Week 9     Oct. 23rd      Campaigns & Parties, Interest Groups
Week 10 Oct. 30th Exam II, Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9
    Week 11     Nov. 6th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
    Week 12     Nov. 13th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 13 Nov. 20th      Supreme Court, Politicas and Personal Liberty
Week 14 Nov. 23rd Exam III, Ch. 10, 11, 12 (Ch. 14, 15, 16)    
     ALL WORK DUE!
Final Exam Date November 23, 2020 - 12:30 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Three major exams will be given during the semester. The final exam will not be comprehensive and will only comprise material covered after the second exam. Questions for all three exams will cover textbook readings and handouts. There will be an individual project which will have the same weight as an exam. Pop quizzes may be given for credit. Exams may be in several formats including essay, multiple-choice, short answer, and true/false.
INDIVIDUAL PROJECT: There will be an individual project on the topic of Politics and Personal Liberty chapter covered in the government this semester. The presentation will be worth 100 points. The presentation will be scored as follows: Research (Written Paper)- 40 points, Thoroughness, - 35 points, Unique Viewpoint (originality, communication, etc.) – 40 points.
Three major exams (100 Points each)
Presentation Project     100 Total possible points     400
Additional points may be awarded for completion and submission of all assignments.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies A student is not automatically entitled to make up examinations and other work missed due to absence. Request to make up examinations or other work missed due to absence are to be submitted to the instructor for review and determination. Your grade will be in accordance with the Student Assignment Completion Agreement you signed at the beginning of the course.
Attendance Policy Students are expected to attend class. If there is a reason that a student will be unable to attend class, the student should notify Mr. Smith immediately. The student should present the reason for the absence at the next class. A student is responsible for work covered while absence.
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
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. 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.
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA 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 MyLSCPA.
Other
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.