Spring 2025 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2306 (Section: 7E, CRN: 10830) Texas Government

Instructor Information
Instructor	Shannon Tanner
Email	tannerst@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6331
Office	Educational I - Room: 113
Office Hours	M&W 9:30am-12pm T& Th 9-9:30am & 11am-12pm Fridays 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 OER Commons https://oercommons.org/courseware/8453
Additional Materials/Resources	None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas. Analyze the state and local election process. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Lecture Topics Outline	Introduction-Course Syllabus The Social and Economic Environment of Texas Politics The Texas Constitution and politics in the Federalist System Local Government in Texas The Texas Legislature The Texas Executive   The Texas Judiciary Voting and Political Participation in Texas Elections and Campaigns in Texas The Party System in Texas; Interest Groups and Lobbying Public Policy in Texas Criminal Justice System in Texas Financing State Government Mass Media and Public Opinion in Texas
Major Assignments Schedule	DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) Jan 21-26 Introduction-Course Syllabus The Social and Economic Environment of Texas Politics Unit #1 in textbook   Jan 27-Feb 2 The Texas Constitution and politics in the Federalist System Units #2 in textbook   Feb 3-9 Local Government in Texas Unit #6 in textbook   Feb 10-16 Review Current Events Extra Credit Opportunity Exam #1   Unit #1 Assignment By 11:59 pm on February 16th Feb 17-23 The Texas Legislature The Texas Executive   Units # 3&4 in textbook     Feb 24-March 2 The Texas Judiciary Unit #5 in textbook   Mar 3-9 Review Current Events Extra Credit Opportunity Exam #2   Unit Assignment #2 Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 9th   March 10-16 Spring Break-No Classes     March 17-23 Voting and Political Participation in Texas; Elections and Campaigns in Texas Units #7&8 in textbook   March 24–30 The Party System in Texas; Interest Groups and Lobbying Units #9&10 in textbook   March 31-April 6 Review Current Events Extra Credit Opportunity Exam #3   Unit Assignment #3 Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, April 6th April 7-13 Semester Assignment Group Presentations   Semester Project Final Papers Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, April 13th April 14-20 Public Policy in Texas Unit #11 in textbook   April 21-27 Criminal Justice System in Texas Financing State Government Units #12&13 in textbook   April 28-May 4th Mass Media and Public Opinion in Texas   Unit # 14 in textbook Unit Assignment #4 Due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, May 4th May 5-14 Review Current Events Extra Credit Opportunity Exam #4
Final Exam Date	May 13, 2025 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 14, 2025 - 8:00 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.......................30% Semester Project/Paper.............20% Quizzes.......................................10%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Make-up work and exams are given at the discretion of the instructor. In cases of personal illness or emergency, with proper documentation, the instructor will allow make-up work, provided the student requests one immediately upon return to class.   Students must be on time and in their seats at the start of class to be counted present. Students arriving after the roll is called or the sign-in sheet passed around will be counted absent for that class period. Students who arrive tardy on exam days may not take the exam with the rest of the class and must contact the instructor for a make-up exam, which will be given at the discretion of the instructor.   Late work is not accepted in this course, unless due to verifiable personal illness or emergency, and always at the discretion of the instructor.   Activities that are disruptive to class will not be tolerated. Arriving late for class, reading newspapers, speaking while others are speaking, packing prior to the end of class and the use of cell phones are highly disruptive. Cell phones, Ipods and other similar devices must be turned off during class, unless previously approved by the instructor. Any student engaging in disruptive behavior will be asked to leave the classroom.   Eating and smoking are not allowed in class. This includes the use of e-cigarettes or other forms of vaping.   Only students enrolled in the class are allowed inside the classroom.   Laptops may be used for notetaking only. Use of laptops for purposes other than note-taking will result in the banning of all laptops from the classroom.   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 classroom 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 be asked to leave the classroom and will be forced to apologize to the class before they will be allowed toreturn.   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	Students should attend every class and attendance will be taken by sign-in sheet at the start of each class. As there are valid reasons that students might need to miss class, each student will be allowed three automatically excused absences for the semester. These absences should be used for legitimate reasons, but no excuse or notification to me about these absences will be required. Students who need to miss more than three class days during the semester will have additional absences excused on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the instructor. Any absence not excused by the instructor, after the first 3, will each result in 5 points taken from the student’s final grade for the course. If a student leaves class and returns or leaves class before class is dismissed, the student MAY be counted absent for that class.
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 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