Spring 2021 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305- Section: 3N
Federal Government (Federal constitution and topics) 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Buffie Spell
E-mailspellbd@lamarpa.edu
Phone(409) 984-6102
Office
Location:Madison Monroe - Room: 119A
Hours:M-F 7:45-4:00
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 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 Basic skills: competency in reading and writing
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 the election process.
Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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.
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.

Openstax: American Government
https://openstax.org/details/books/american-government-2e?Book%20details
Lecture Topics
Outline		 Unit 1: Basic Approach to Politics; Political Culture; American Political Thought and Tradition
Unit 2: Constitution & Federalism
Unit 3: The Legislative Branch
Unit 4: The Presidency, Campaigns & Elections
Unit 5: Political Parties & Interest Groups & Media
Unit 6: Federal Judiciary
Unit 7: Domestic and Foreign Policy, and the Bureaucracy
Unit 8: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Major Assignments
Schedule		 Students will have a major exam for each Unit. Based on Nederland High School's six week grading period/report card schedule, students will have 2 major exams for each six weeks grading period, along with discussion posts and quizzes to prepare for each Unit Exam.
Week 1& 2: Course introduction; Introduction and Basic Approach to Politics; Political Culture; American Political Thought and Tradition
Week 3 & 4: Exam 1: Constitution
Week 5: Federalism
Week 6-7: Exam 2; Legislature discussion posts & quizzes.
Week 8-9: Presidency, Campaigns & Elections
Week 10-11: Exam 3; Political Parties & Interest Groups & Media
Week 12: Exam 4;
Week 13: Federal Judiciary
Week 14-15: Domestic and Foreign Policy, and the Bureaucracy
Week 16: Exam 5; Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Week 17: Exam 6; Final Assessment project
Week 18: Final Review; Final Exam
Final Exam Date May 7, 2021 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 12, 2021 - 3:45 PM
Grading Scale 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 60-69 = D Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade		 Formal - 48%
Informal - 32%
Final - 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies The policies as outlined by Nederland High School will be upheld.
Attendance Policy The policies as outlined by Nederland High School will be upheld.
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.
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
General Education and Developmental Studies
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.