Fall 2021 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305- Section: 12C
Federal Government 		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.
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		 ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Week 1 Aug. 23rd Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
Week 2 Aug. 30th Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
    Week 3 Sep. 06th      HOLIDAY/No Class --Political Culture, Constitution, Federalism
    Week 4 Sep. 13th      Constitution, Federalism Group Name/Topic Due!
Week 5 Sep. 20th Constitution, Federalism
    Week 6 Sep. 27th      Exam I (Ch., 1, 2, 3,4)
    Week 7 Oct. 04th Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
    Week 8     Oct. 11th      Campaigns & Elections, Interest Groups
    Week 9     Oct. 18th      Exam II, (Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9)
Week 10 Oct. 25th The President, Congress, Supreme Court
    Week 11     Nov. 01st      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
    Week 12     Nov. 08th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 13 Nov. 15th      Exam III, Ch. 10, 11, 12 (Ch. 14, 15, 16)
Week 14 Nov. 22nd Politics & Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Econ. Presentation Group 1&2
Week 15 Nov. 29th     Politics & Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Econ. Presentation Group 3&4
Week 16 Dec. 06th Final Exam (Ch. 14, 15, 16)
Major Assignments
Schedule
ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Week 1 Aug. 23rd Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
Week 2 Aug. 30th Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
    Week 3 Sep. 06th      HOLIDAY/No Class --Political Culture, Constitution, Federalism
    Week 4 Sep. 13th      Constitution, Federalism Group Name/Topic Due!
Week 5 Sep. 20th Constitution, Federalism
    Week 6 Sep. 27th      Exam I (Ch., 1, 2, 3,4)
    Week 7 Oct. 04th Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
    Week 8     Oct. 11th      Campaigns & Elections, Interest Groups
    Week 9     Oct. 18th      Exam II, (Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9)
Week 10 Oct. 25th The President, Congress, Supreme Court
    Week 11     Nov. 01st      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
    Week 12     Nov. 08th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 13 Nov. 15th      Exam III, Ch. 10, 11, 12 (Ch. 14, 15, 16)
Week 14 Nov. 22nd Politics & Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Econ. Presentation Group 1&2
Week 15 Nov. 29th     Politics & Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Econ. Presentation Group 3&4
Week 16 Dec. 06th Final Exam (Ch. 14, 15, 16)
Final Exam Date December 6, 2021 - 5:30 PM   Through  December 6, 2021 - 8:30 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Four major exams will be given during the semester. The final exam will not be comprehensive and will only comprise material covered after the third exam. Questions for all exams will cover textbook readings, class discussion, and handouts. There will be a group project which will have the same weight as an exam. Participation in the group project is mandatory for all students. Pop quizzes may be given for credit. Exams may be in several formats including essay, multiple-choice, short answer, and true/false.
GROUP PROJECT: Students will be divided into groups of approximately equal number. Groups will submit a topic on subject to be covered this semester to the instructor for approval. Once approved the group will prepare a paper and oral presentation on the APPROVED topic. Any topic change requires instructor approval. The Group Project 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.
Four major exams (100 Points each) 400
Presentation Project     100 Total possible points     500
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.
-Plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty, once determined can result in the regrading of all previously submitted work.
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 absent.
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.
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.