Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2306 (Section: 02, CRN: 92300)
Texas Government 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Damaso Sosa
Email sosade@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6229
Office Madison Monroe Educational - Room: 228
Office Hours Office              Student Center 410
Office Hours             Instructor available immediately before and after class or appointment
Additional Contact Information
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.
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.

            The Texas experience, Lone Star Politics, Policy and Participation First edition Paul Benson, Anthony Giardino
Additional Materials/Resources Articles and supplemental information as provided by instructor.
 
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSIA complete in reading.
Learning Outcomes
  • 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.
  • Elevate 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.
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.
  • Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional,, national and/or global issues.
  • Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision making.
  • The goal is not for you to memorize facts and recognize them on a multiple choice test. The goal is to analyze, research, discuss, form an opinion and communicate and defend that opinion as it pertains to government and policy questions and positions, liberal or conservative.
Lecture Topics Outline
  • Government 2306– Texas Government
  • Texas society and political culture
  • Federalism and the Texas constitution
  • Voting and elections in Texas
  • Political Parties in Texas
  • Interest groups in Texas Politics
  • The media and public opinion in Texas
  • The Texas Legislature
  • The governor in Texas
  • The plural executive/bureaucracy in Texas
  • The Texas courts system
  • Local and County government and special districts in Texas
  • Criminal Justice Policy in Texas
  • Public Policy, Finance and Budgeting in Texas
Major Assignments Schedule All tests will be given in essay form. Class participation, although not mandatory, will help your grade.
Final Exam Date August 27, 2024 - 9:30 AM   Through  December 12, 2024 - 10:45 AM
Grading Scale 90-100=A
80-89=B
70-79=C
60-69=D
Below 59=F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Addition of all test grades divided by number of tests. Assessment will add additional points to grade.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Makeup of missed assignments and tests at instructor discretion.
Attendance Policy Class attendance is important. However, due to circumstances beyond student/ teacher control, we will assume that students will be in class. Assignments will still be done and due upon return to class.
Additional Information
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 the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. 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.
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
Inmate Instruction
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431