Spring 2020 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305- Section: 6C
Federal Government (Federal constitution and topics) 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Albert Thigpen
E-mailthigpenat@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6513
Office
Location:Ruby Fuller - Room: 211
Hours:By appointment.
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.
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.

Politics in America” 10th ed. Thomas, Dye, Ronald Keith Gaddie
Lecture Topics
Outline		 ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Week 1 Jan. 20th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Week 2 Jan. 27th Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
    Week 3 Feb. 3rd      Political Culture, Constitution, Federalism,
    Week 4      Feb. 10th      Constitution, Federalism, [Team Draft]
Week 5 Feb. 17th President's Day Holiday (No Class) Ch. 5,6,8,9
    Week 6      Feb. 24th      Exam I (Ch., 1, 2, 3,4) Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9 Team Topic Due
    Week 7 Mar. 2nd Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
    Week 8     Mar. 9th      <> No Class
    Week 9     Mar. 16th      Campaigns & Parties, Interest Groups
Week 10 Mar. 23rd Exam II, Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9
    Week 11     Mar. 30th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
    Week 12     Apr. 6th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 13 Apr. 13th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 14 Apr. 20th Exam III, Ch. 10, 11, 12 (Ch. 14, 15, 16)    
    Week 15     Apr. 27th      Presentation 1, 2 Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Economy
Week 16 May 6th Presentation 3, 4 Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Economy
Week 17 May 13th Final Exam. Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Economy
Major Assignments
Schedule
ALL TEST DATES ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Week 1 Jan. 20th Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Week 2 Jan. 27th Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
    Week 3 Feb. 3rd      Political Culture, Constitution, Federalism,
    Week 4      Feb. 10th      Constitution, Federalism, [Team Draft]
Week 5 Feb. 17th President's Day Holiday (No Class) Ch. 5,6,8,9
    Week 6      Feb. 24th      Exam I (Ch., 1, 2, 3,4) Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9 Team Topic Due
    Week 7 Mar. 2nd Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
    Week 8     Mar. 9th      <> No Class
    Week 9     Mar. 16th      Campaigns & Parties, Interest Groups
Week 10 Mar. 23rd Exam II, Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9
    Week 11     Mar. 30th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
    Week 12     Apr. 6th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 13 Apr. 13th      The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 14 Apr. 20th Exam III, Ch. 10, 11, 12 (Ch. 14, 15, 16)    
    Week 15     Apr. 27th      Presentation 1, 2 Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Economy
Week 16 May 4th Presentation 3, 4 Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Economy
Week 17 May 11th Final Exam. Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Economy
Final Exam Date May 11, 2020 - 12:30 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 second exam. Questions for all three exams will cover textbook readings, handouts, and class discussions. There will be an individual project which will have the same weight as an exam. Pop quizzes may be given for credit. Exams may be in several formats including essay, multiple-choice, short answer, and true/false.
PRESENTATION PROJECT: There will be a presentation regarding an APPROVED topic of the government course to be covered this semester. The presentation will be worth 100 points. The presentation will be scored as follows: Research (Written Paper)- 25 points, Thoroughness, - 35 points, Presentation (originality, communication, etc.) – 40 points.
Four major exams (100 Points each)     400 Presentation Project     100 Total possible points     500
Additional points will be awarded for class participation and attendance.
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.
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 absence.
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
  1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.

  2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission.

  3. 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.
MyLamarPA Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA 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 MyLamarPA.
Other
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.