Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: GOVT-2305 (Section: 01, CRN: 10134)
Federal Government 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Damaso Sosa
Email sosade@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6229
Office Madison Monroe Educational - Room: 228
Office Hours Instructor is available by appointment before or after classes Monday-Friday from 8am-2pm.
Additional Contact Information Student Center 410
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.

For dual credit classes you will be provided with a textbook by your school that we will use for this course.

For off campus students you will also be provided with a text book that we will use for this course.

For all other students we will use an online textbook that is free to use. For Federal Government 2305 the link is https://openstax.org/details/books/american-government-3e
Additional Materials/Resources Articles and supplemental information as provided by the instructor.
Corequisites/Prerequisites TSIA complete in reading.
Learning Outcomes

  • Describe conflict management.

  • Emphasize the sources and nature of conflict in society.

  • Describe how key decision makers in States and communities act in conflict situations. 

  • Describe discussion of formal government structures such as federalism, state constitutions, parties in primaries, apportionment, legislative organizations, court procedures, non-partnership, mayor and manager government, community power, school boards, tax system, budget making, etc.

  • Analyze the role that States and communities play in the political life of the nation and their function in resolving conflicts in American Society.
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 issues.

  • Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision making.

  • The goal is not for you to memorize facts and recognize them on a multiple choice test,the goal is to analyze, research, discuss, form an opinion and communicate and defend that opinion as it pertains to the government in policy questions and positions, liberal or conservative.
Lecture Topics Outline

  • Government 2305– American Government

  • American Government and Civic Engagement

  • The Constitution  

  • American Federalism

  • Civil Liberties

  • Civil Rights

  • Politics of Public Opinion

  • Voters and Elections

  • Media

  • Political Parties

  • Interest Groups and Lobbying

  • Congress

  • Presidency

  • Courts

  • State and Local Government

  • Bureaucracy

  • Domestic Policy

  • Foreign Policy
Major Assignments Schedule

  • All tests will be in essay form. Class participation, although not mandatory, will help your grade. In the event of a lockdown, read the next chapter not covered in class period all tests will have equal weight.
Final Exam Date May 7, 2025 - 12:00 AM   Through  May 15, 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		 Addition of all test grades divided by the number of tests.
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

Makeup of missed assignments and tests at instructor discretion. Disruptive students will be asked to leave. Cell phone use during class time is prohibited.
Attendance Policy Class attendance is important. However, due to circumstances beyond student/ teacher control, we will assume that students will be in class. Assignments will still be done and due upon return to class.
Additional Information

MyLSCPA 
Be sure to check your campus email and course home page using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree programs, and other services through MyLSCPA.
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