Fall 2020 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2305- Section: 80B Federal Government (Federal constitution and topics)

Instructor Information
Instructor	Dr. Albert Thigpen
E-mail	thigpenat@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 Publisher: Pearson Publishing Authors: Keith Gaddie and Thomas Dye NEW EDITION: Revel E-Book : ISBN: 9780135202753 There may be an option to purchase a loose-leaf textbook in addition to e-text. Students who wish to have a printed copy to include with the e-text will need to order from Pearson. Students may also find used printed editions: Thomas Dye and Ronald Gaddie, 2015 Special Edition, Pearson Publishing ISBN-978-1-2698086-1-3 OR Thomas Dye and Ronald Gaddie, 2014 Elections and Updates Edition, Pearson Publishing ISB-978-0-13-401892-8 OR Text: Thomas Dye and Ronald Gaddie, 2012 Election Edition, Pearson Publishing ISBN-13: 978-0-205-88403-2 OR Thomas Dye, Politics in America, 9th edition, Pearson Publishing ISBN- 13:978-0-205-82625-4 Any of these editions are good. Make sure you always check the chapter titles to coincide with the chapters being covered for each exam period. Some editions may vary. It is also important that students have access to the US Constitution. If the textbook edition does not have the Constitution in Chapter 3 or in the back of the textbook, students can find the Constitution in the Government Documents section of the menu
Lecture Topics Outline	ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE The organization of chapters can vary with the editions of the textbook purchased. Students are advised to pay attention to the chapter titles as applied with the readings for each exam period. Course content and readings Week 1: Chapter 1: Politics, Who Gets What, When, and How Week 2: Chapter 2: Political Culture, Ideas in Conflict Week 3: Chapter 3: US Constitution Week 4: Chapter 4: Federalism: Dividing Government Power Week 5: (Exam 1--Ch. 1-4) Begin Chapter 5: Opinion and Participation Week 6: Chapter 6: Mass Media: Setting the Political Agenda Week 7: Chapter 7: Political Parties: Organizing Politics Week 8: Chapter 8: Campaign and Elections: Deciding Who Governs Week 9: Chapter 9: Interest Groups Week 10:(Exam 2--Ch. 6-9) Begin Chapter 10 Week 11: Chapter 10:Congress: Politics on Capitol Hill Week 12: Chapter 11: The President in the White House Week 13: Chapter 12: The Federal Bureaucracy Week 14: Chapter 13: The Federal Courts Week 15: Chapter 14: Politics and Personal Liberty Week 16: Final Exam (Chapters 10-14)
Major Assignments Schedule	ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE The organization of chapters can vary with the editions of the textbook purchased. Students are advised to pay attention to the chapter titles as applied with the readings for each exam period. Course content and readings Week 1: Chapter 1: Politics, Who Gets What, When, and How Week 2: Chapter 2: Political Culture, Ideas in Conflict Week 3: Chapter 3: US Constitution Week 4: Chapter 4: Federalism: Dividing Government Power Week 5: (Exam 1--Ch. 1-4) Begin Chapter 5: Opinion and Participation Week 6: Chapter 6: Mass Media: Setting the Political Agenda Week 7: Chapter 7: Political Parties: Organizing Politics Week 8: Chapter 8: Campaign and Elections: Deciding Who Governs Week 9: Chapter 9: Interest Groups Week 10:(Exam 2--Ch. 6-9) Begin Chapter 10 Week 11: Chapter 10:Congress: Politics on Capitol Hill Week 12: Chapter 11: The President in the White House Week 13: Chapter 12: The Federal Bureaucracy Week 14: Chapter 13: The Federal Courts Week 15: Chapter 14: Politics and Personal Liberty Week 16: Final Exam (Chapters 10-14)
Final Exam Date	November 30, 2020 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 4, 2020 - 12:00 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	There are three major exams scheduled during the semester these examinations will be worth 100 points each. Exams may be in several formats including essay, multiple-choice, short answer, and true/false. There may be other special assignments activities during the semester for which extra points may be awarded. Total possible points 300 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. Documentation will be required. A grade of zero will be awarded for undocumented and/or unapproved failure to take an exam or other graded item.
Attendance Policy	> Students should check their email and Blackboard for Announcements and/or e-mails regarding the course on a regular basis. > Should a student encounter a problem during the semester (e.g. illness, lack of computer or internet access) during the semester the instructor should be notified as soon as possible.
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.
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	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. Documentation will be required. A grade of zero will be awarded for undocumented and/or unapproved failure to take an exam or other graded item.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.