Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2306 (Section: 72, CRN: 10703)
Texas Government 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Shannon Tanner
Email tannerst@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6330
Office Educational I - Room: 113
Office Hours Office Location: Education I, Room 113

Office Hours:
Online by 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.

Texas Government 2.0  

Web Version  

Commons Open Education Resources  

https://www.oercommons.org/courseware/8453 
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to 

  1. ​​Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution. 

  1. ​Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government 

  1. ​Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas 

  1. ​Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government 

  1. ​Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas. 

  1. ​Analyze the state and local election process. 

  1. ​Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 

  1. ​Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. 
Core Objectives
Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or 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.
* Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
* 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 American Political Culture
The Social and Economic Environment of Texas Politics
The US Constitution and Federalism
The Texas Constitution
Local Governments in Texas
The Three Branches of Texas Government
Political Participation and Voting
Political Parties and Elections in Texas
Political Campaigns
Public Policy in Texas
Public Opinion
The Media
Financing State Government
Lobbying and Lobbyists in Texas
Major Assignments Schedule
 
 
 
 
 
 

DATE 
 
 
 
 
 

TOPIC 
 
 
 
 
 

READINGS 

(Due on this Date) 
 
 
 
 
 

ASSIGNMENTS 

(Due on this Date) 
 
 
 
 
 

May 9-12 
 
 
 
 

Introduction-Course Syllabus; 

American Political Culture; The Social and Economic Environment of Texas Politics; The United States Constitution; 

Texas Government and Politics in the Federalist System; 

The Texas Constitution 

 
 
 
 
 

Units 1&2 in Textbook 
 
 
 
 

Unit Assignment #1 Due 

Discussion Post 
 
 
 
 
 

May 13-19 
 
 
 
 

Local Government in Texas; The Texas Legislature; The Texas Executive; The Texas Bureaucracy; The Texas Judiciary 
 
 
 
 

Unit 3-6 in Textbook 
 
 
 
 

Exam #1 

Unit Assignment #2 

Discussion Post 
 
 
 
 
 

May 20-26 
 
 
 
 

Political Participation and Voting; Political Parties and Elections in Texas; Political Campaigns; Public Policy in Texas 
 
 
 
 

Units 7-9 & 11 in Textbook 
 
 
 
 

Unit Assignment #3 

Semester Paper 

Discussion Post 
 
 
 
 
 

May 27-30 
 
 
 
 

Public Opinion; The Media; Financing State Government; Lobbying and Lobbyists in Texas 
 
 
 
 

Units 13-14 & 10 in Textbook 
 
 
 
 

Unit Assignment #4 

Exam #2 

Discussion Post 

Final Exam Date May 30, 2024 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 30, 2024 - 10:00 AM
Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
Determination of
Final Grade

Exams.........................................40% 

Unit Assignments.......................20% 

Semester Project/Paper.............20% 

Discussions.................................20% 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

As this class will move very quickly, it is important that students stay on top of the workload and as such, make-up exams or assignments will not be accepted. 

 

Plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Using AI to complete part or all of any assignments will not be accepted. All assignments will be submitted to a plagiarism checker as well as multiple AI checkers. Any assignments violating this policy will receive an automatic zero. 

 

In this course we will frequently discuss current events, and at times, some students may find these topics controversial. It is important to keep in mind that different students may come from a different background and therefore may have different experiences and points of view. Students may disagree on these points of view. Disagreements lead to critical thinking, scholarly debates and learning but only when students disagree respectfully. Disrespect towards any person or group of people, whether inside this class or out, will not be tolerated. Students may not denigrate or attack any person or single out any person based on race, gender, religion, age, ethnicity, nationality, abilities, appearance, or sexual orientation. Any student behaving disrespectfully will receive a zero on the assignment and will be reported to the Dean of Student Services and other appropriate administrative officials, 

 

The instructor will grade and return all submitted work ASAP, but never longer than 7 days after the assignment is submitted, without notice. 

 
Attendance Policy

As this is an online class, there will be no attendance taken, however, participation will be tracked through discussion posts. Students must create one response to each discussion post question and discussion question responses should demonstrate that the student is reading and contemplating the material. Opinions on discussion posts are expected, however, they should be informed opinions taking into account the material covered in the course. 

 
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
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431