Fall 2021 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2305- Section: 71D Federal Government

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.
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. Kutz and Waskiewicz American Government 3e 2021 available via OpenStax NOTE: THIS A FREE TEXT! The link is https://openstax.org/
Lecture Topics Outline	PART I – American Government: Foundations and Philosophy Chapter 1 American Government and Civic Engagement Chapter 2 The Constitution and its Origin Chapter 3 American Federalism Political Culture PART II – American Government and the People Chapter 6 The Politics of Public Opinion Chapter 7 Voting and Elections Chapter 8 The Media Chapter 10 Interest Groups and Lobbying PART III – The Cornerstones of American Government Chapter 11 Congress Chapter 12 The Presidency Chapter 13 The Courts Chapter 15 The Bureaucracy PART IV – American Government Philosophy In Action Chapter 4 Civil Liberties Chapter 5 Civil Rights
Major Assignments Schedule	Holidays and/or No Classes/Assignments September 6th – Labor Day, LSCPA closed September 7th – PAISD closed; no classes; no assignments due October 11th – PAISD closed; no classes; no assignments due October 12th – PAISD closed; no classes; no assignments due November 22nd – 26th – PAISD closed; no classes; no assignments due TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTOR'S DISCRETION. Test Dates and/or changes will be confirmed by Announcement PART I – American Government: Foundations and Philosophy Chapter 1 American Government and Civic Engagement Chapter 2 The Constitution and its Origin Chapter 3 American Federalism Political Culture Examination I - September 27, 2021 PART II – American Government and the People Chapter 6 The Politics of Public Opinion Chapter 7 Voting and Elections Chapter 8 The Media Chapter 10 Interest Groups and Lobbying Examination II - October 18, 2021 PART III – The Cornerstones of American Government Chapter 11 Congress Chapter 12 The Presidency Chapter 13 The Courts Chapter 15 The Bureaucracy Examination III - November 15, 2021 PART IV – American Government Philosophy In Action Chapter 4 Civil Liberties Chapter 5 Civil Rights Examination IV/Final - December 6, 2021 Research Paper Due - December 6, 2021
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	Examinations: ≅ 65%, Research Paper - ≅15%, Discussion Boards/Projects - 20% 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, videos (where applicable) and posted materials (where applicable). Exam questions may be in several formats including, but not limited to: essay, multiple-choice, short answer, and true/false. Research Paper: There will be a short research paper which will have the same weight as an exam. The paper will be on an approved topic and will follow APA guidelines for source citation. Proper citing of sources will be a significant portion of the grade. Pop quizzes, or exercises, may be given for credit. Extra credit: Submissions to Expressions publication. Discussion Board exercises will be used and will be graded for credit. Postings should reflect an effort to put forth meaningful input and responses; therefore, responses such as "I agree.", "You're right." etc., without meaningful support will receive little credit. Wikis - group exercises may be used to facilitate closer examination of course materials. CLASS PARTICIPATION will be considered in determining grades.
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	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. -Plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty, once determined can result in the regrading of all previously submitted work.
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.