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Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305 (Section: 71B, CRN: 93330) Federal Government |
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| Instructor Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Instructor | Tieranny Decuir | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| decuirts@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phone | (409) 984-6548 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office | Student Center - Room: 415 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office Hours | ">">Monday / 10:00am-12:00pm Tuesday / 2:00pm-4:30pm Wednesday / 9:00am-12:00pm Thursday / 2:00pm-4:30pm Friday- Available by Appointment |
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| Additional Contact Information | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Required 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.
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system. 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. 5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system. 6. Analyze the election process. 7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics. |
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| Core Objectives |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
Chapter 1. Politics in States and Communities Chapter 2. Democracy and Constitutionalism in the States Chapter 3. States, Communities, and American Federalism Chapter 4. Participation in State Politics Chapter 5. Parties and Campaigns in the States Chapter 6. Legislators in State Politics Chapter 7. Governors in State Politics Chapter 8. Bureaucratic Politics in States and Communities Chapter 9. Courts, Crime, and Correctional Policy Chapter 10. Governing America’s Communities Chapter 11. Participation in Community Politics Chapter 12. Metropolitics: Conflict in the Metropolis Chapter 13. Community Power, Land Use, & The Environment Chapter 14. The Politics of Taxation and Finance Chapter 15. Politics and Civil Rights Chapter 16. The Politics of Education Chapter 17. The Politics of Poverty, Welfare, and Health |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
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| Final Exam Date | December 6, 2024 - 8:0 AM Through December 8, 2024 - 11:59 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grading Scale | Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Determination of Final Grade |
Discussions- 20% Assignments - 20% Projects 20% Quizzes 20% Final Exam - 20% |
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| Course Policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Instructor Policies |
1. Read Assigned Chapter(s) for the week. 2. Study Key Terms. 3. Work any assignments for that week in Blackboard Ultra. Exams & Assignments : All exams will open on the designated week. If student fails to complete the exam before the closing date, student will receive a zero unless student has an excused absent. (example: Covid, sick, doctor's appointment, etc.) Student is to make arrangements to make up the test. Exams will consist of multiple choice and true or false questions. Books: Every student must have a copy of the required textbook or E-book as soon as the bookstore has it available or 2nd week. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties. Instructor will put grades into Blackboard. Students should keep a record of their own grades and average. Instructors will not average grades for students. I will not discuss your grades over the phone. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person or email me. Make-up or Late Assignments and exams Will be at the discretion of the instructor. Dishonest/Cheating: 1. Any student caught cheating or lending their work to another student, both students will receive a zero on the assignment. There is a difference between helping or showing someone how to do the work and someone giving their assignment to a student to copy. 2. Any student caught cheating on a test or final, will receive a "F" for the course. Using AI to write some or all of your paper can be considered plagiarism. It is student's responsibility to check their email and blackboard ultra for any updates to class schedules or class work. Blackboard Issues: Any log in, passwords, or software problems needs to be resolved by the IT department. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting for IT problems that can't be solved by class work deadlines. Pearson Issues: If you have issues with Pearson, student is to call Pearson Tech support. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting with Pearson issues. |
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| Attendance Policy | Participate in weekly discussions and complete all assignments. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Institutional Policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MyLSCPA | Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Academic Honesty | Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COVID 19 Information | The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HB 2504 | This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect | As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Title IX and Sexual Misconduct | LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clery Act Crime Reporting |
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website. |
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| Grievance / Complaint / Concern | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Department Information |
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