Fall 2021 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2306- Section: 3C Texas Government

Instructor Information
Instructor	Dr. Albert Thigpen
E-mail	thigpenat@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6513
Office	Location: Madison Monroe Education - Room: 228 Hours: Office 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 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	None
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. Evaluate and respond to the political environment applying researched data.
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. * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. * 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. Government and Politics in the Lone Star State: Theory and Practice 5th -- 9th Edition L. Tucker Gibson, Jr. Clay Robinson
Lecture Topics Outline	Ch. 1 The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics Ch. 2 The Texas Constitution Ch. 3 Intergovernmental Relationships Ch. 4 Interest Groups and Political Power in Texas Ch. 5 The Mass Media in Texas Politics Ch. 6 The Party System Ch. 7 Elections, Campaigns and Political Behavior Ch. 8 The Texas Legislature Ch. 9 The Texas Executive Ch. 10 The Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation Ch. 11 The Judicial System in Texas Ch. 12 Local Government in Texas: Cities, Towns, Counties and Special Districts Ch. 13 Contemporary Public Policy Issues in Texas
Major Assignments Schedule	Dates are tentative and subject to change at the determination of the instructor. The Social and Economic Milieu of Texas Politics The Texas Constitution Exam 1 (09/15/21) Interest Groups and Political Power in Texas The Mass Media in Texas Politics The Party System Elections, Campaigns and Political Behavior Exam 2 (10/13/21) The Bureaucracy and Policy Implementation Intergovernmental Relationships Local Government in Texas: Cities, Towns, Counties and Special Districts Contemporary Public Policy Issues in Texas Exam 3 (10/27/21) The Texas Legislature The Texas Executive The Judicial System in Texas Final Exam (12/02/21) Thanksgiving Holiday/No Class November 24, 2021 Presentation Group 1 (10/03/21) Presentation Group 2 (10/10/21) Presentation Group 3 (10/17/21)
Final Exam Date	December 1, 2021 - 5:30 PM   Through  December 1, 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, oral and true/false. GROUP PROJECT: Students will be divided into groups of approximately equal number. Groups will submit a topic on a 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 100 500 Attendance and class participation will be considered as part of your final grade..
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Late work will be only be accepted with the approval of the instructor and will be subject to academic penalty.
Attendance Policy	Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. Students with excessive absenteeism or tardiness will be subject to academic penalty up to and including being dropped from the course. Students are responsible for any work missed while absent. Students are not entitled to make up exams missed due to absence. Make-up examinations are at the discretion and approval of the instructor. Students are report absences as soon as possible to the instructor 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
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.