Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305 (Section: 74D, CRN: 93527)
Federal Government 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Buffie Spell
Email spellbd@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6102
Office Madison Monroe Educational - Room: 119A
Office Hours Online
Emails will be answered 8:00am - 4:00pm M-F
Additional Contact Information
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.

Openstax: American Government
https://openstax.org/details/books/american-government-2e?Book%20details


Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  • Explain the origin and development of the constitutional democracy of 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 issues and policies in US 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.
  • 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.
Lecture Topics Outline

I: Introduction and Basic Approach to Politics; Political Culture; American Political Thought and Tradition

II: The Constitution 

III:  Federalism

IV: The Legislative Branch & Public Policy

V: The Presidency & the Bureaucracy

VI:  Campaigns and Elections

VII: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Media

VIII: Federal Judiciary

IX: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Major Assignments Schedule

Week 1 & 2:  Course introduction; Introduction and Basic Approach to politics

Week 2:  Political Culture; Political Thought and Tradition

Week 3:  The Constitution

Week 4:  Exam 1;   (Essay Checkpoint)

Week 5:  Congress and Public Policy 

Week 6:  The Presidency and Federal Bureaucracy 

Week 7:  Campaigns and Elections

Week 8:  Exam 2;  (Essay Checkpoint)

Week 9:  Political Parties

Week 10:   Finish Essays 

Week 11:  Interest Groups 

Week 12:  Media

Week 13:  Exam 3 

Week 14:  Judiciary

Week 15:  Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

Week 16:  Exam 4
Final Exam Date December 8, 2025 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 8, 2025 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

Discussion Posts (8) - 10%

Reading Quizzes (7) - 10%

Assignments (7) - 10%
Exams (4) - 50%

Semester Essay (1) -20 % 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Weekly Announcements will be made regarding assignments and due dates.  
Make sure you keep up with course calendar posted in Blackboard and all weekly announcements/reminders 
Attendance Policy This is an online course, but it is imperative that you keep up with all assignments and check blackboard daily.  Announcements will be given each Monday so that you are reminded of what is due that week.  However, it is your responsibility to keep up with course calendar and that you know when all assignments and tests are due. 
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 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.
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
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Dr. Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431