Spring 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305 (Section: 1C, CRN: 10103)
Federal Government 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Albert Thigpen
Email thigpenat@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6513
Office Madison Monroe Education - Room: 228
Office Hours By appointment immediately before or after class.
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.

Politics in America” 10th  or later ed. Thomas, Dye, Ronald Keith Gaddie
Additional Materials/Resources Handouts and articles provided by the instructor.
Corequisites/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.
Lecture Topics Outline

 Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
 Political Culture, Constitution, Federalism
Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
Campaigns & Elections, Interest Groups
The President, Congress, Supreme Court
 Politics & Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Econ. 
Major Assignments Schedule ALL TEST AND ASSIGNMENT DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Week 6   Exam 1
Week 9   Exam 2
Week 13 Exam 3
Week 15 Group Presentations
Week 16 Exam 4
Week 1  Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
Week 2  Course Introduction, Politics, Political Culture
Week 3  Political Culture, Constitution, Federalism
Week 4 Constitution, Federalism Group Name/Topic Due!
Week 5 Constitution, Federalism
Week 6 Exam I  .,(Chapters 1, 2, 3,4)
Week 7 Opinions & Participation, Mass Media
 Week 8 Campaigns & Elections, Interest Groups
 Week 9  Exam II, (Ch. 5, 6, 8, 9)
Week 10The President, Congress, Supreme Court
 Week 11The President, Congress, Supreme Court
 Week 12 The President, Congress, Supreme Court
Week 13 Exam III, Ch. 10, 11, 12 (Ch. 14, 15, 16)
Week 14 Politics & Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Econ. Presentation Group 1&2
Week 15 Politics & Personal Liberty, Civil Rights, Econ. Presentation Group 3&4
Week 16  Final Exam (Ch. 14, 15, 16)
Final Exam Date May 3, 2023 - 5:30 PM   Through  May 3, 2023 - 5:30 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 third exam. Questions for all exams will cover textbook readings, class discussion, and handouts. There will be a group project which will have the same weight as an exam. Participation in the group project is mandatory for all students. Pop quizzes may be given for credit. Exams may be in several formats including essay, multiple-choice, short answer, and true/false.
GROUP PROJECT: Students will be divided into groups of approximately equal number. Groups will submit a topic on subject to be covered this semester to the instructor for approval. Once approved the group will prepare a paper and oral presentation on the APPROVED topic. Any topic change requires instructor approval. The Group Project will be worth 100 points. The presentation will be scored as follows: Research (Written Paper)- 40 points, Thoroughness, - 35 points, Unique Viewpoint (originality, communication, etc.) – 40 points.
Four major exams (100 Points each) 400
Presentation Project     100 Total possible points     500
Additional points may be awarded for completion and submission of all assignments.
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.
-Plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty, once determined can result in the regrading of all previously submitted work.
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 absent.
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:Christina Wilbur
Email:wilburca@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6394