| Instructor Information |
| Instructor |
Tieranny Decuir |
| Email |
decuirts@lamarpa.edu |
| Phone |
(409) 984-6548 |
| Office |
Student Center - Room: 415 |
| Office Hours |
Monday: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: By appointment only
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| Additional Contact Information |
None |
| 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.
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| 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.
None
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| Additional Materials/Resources |
None
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| Corequisites/Prerequisites |
None
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| Learning Outcomes |
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Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
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Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
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Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
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Analyze the state and local election process.
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Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
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| Core Objectives |
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Communication skills: students will demonstrate effective written, oral, and visual communication.
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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.
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Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional national and/or global issues.
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Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
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Empirical and Qualitative skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
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Introduction
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Challenges of the Twenty-First Century
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The Myths of Texas’s Political Culture
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The Sources of Texas’s Political Myths
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Changing Political Myths
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The Political Culture of Texas
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The Individualistic Subculture
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The Moralistic Subculture
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The Traditionalistic Subculture
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The People of Texas
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Native Americans
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Hispanics
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Black Americans
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Whites
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Asian Americans
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Politics, Race, and Ethnicity
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Growth and Changing Demographics
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Population Growth
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The Aging Population
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Urban Texas
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Wealth and Income Distribution
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Education and Literacy
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The Size and Geographic Diversity of Texas
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The Economy of Texas
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Economic Regions of Texas
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High Plains Region
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South Texas Border Region
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
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The Individualistic Subculture
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The Moralistic Subculture
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The Traditionalistic Subculture
Week 5
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The People of Texas
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Native Americans
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Hispanics
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
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The Aging Population
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Urban Texas
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
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| Final Exam Date |
May 11, 2026 - 8:0 AM
Through May 11, 2026 - 11:59 PM
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| Grading Scale |
90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B 70 - 79=C 60 - 69=D Below 59 = F
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Determination of
Final Grade |
Discussions- 20%
Assignments - 20%
Projects 20%
Quizzes 20%
Final Exam - 20%
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| Course Policies |
| Instructor Policies |
Weekly Student Responsibilities
Students are expected to complete the following each week:
Read the assigned materials.
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Complete all assigned coursework in Blackboard Ultra by the posted deadlines.
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Check Blackboard Ultra and their school email regularly for updates, announcements, and schedule changes.
Assignments & Exams
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All assignments and exams will open during the designated week.
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Exams must be completed by the posted closing date.
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Failure to complete an exam by the deadline will result in a zero, unless the student has an excused absence (e.g., illness, COVID, doctor’s appointment, or other documented emergency).
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Students with excused absences must contact the instructor before or immediately after the deadline to arrange a make-up exam.
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Exams may consist of multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and essay questions.
Late Work Policy
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Late work is accepted up to three (3) days after the original due date.
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A 5-point deduction per day will be applied for each day the work is late.
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Work submitted more than three (3) days late will not be accepted and will receive a zero.
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This policy applies to all course components.
Make-Up Work
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Late exams are not accepted unless an excused absence is approved by the instructor.
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Students must communicate promptly and provide documentation when applicable.
Required Course Materials
Students must obtain the required textbook or e-book no later than the second week of class, or as soon as it becomes available through the bookstore.
Instructions & Professional Conduct
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Failure to follow written or verbal instructions may result in grade penalties.
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Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times, as this course prepares students for work in legal environments.
Email & Communication Policy
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All course-related communication must be conducted via email only.
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Students should not use Blackboard Ultra Messenger. Messages sent through Blackboard Ultra Messenger will not be monitored or responded to.
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All emails must be sent from the student’s official school email address to:
decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Email Requirements:
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The subject line must include the course name, course number, and section
(Example: GOVT-2306-72D - Texas Government)
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Emails must include the student’s full name.
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Communication must be professional. Slang, derogatory remarks, aggressive language, or an unprofessional or harsh tone will not be tolerated.
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Students must review the syllabus, assignment instructions, and course announcements before emailing to ensure the question has not already been addressed.
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Emails that do not comply with this policy will be corrected once. Continued failure to follow the email policy may result in no response from the instructor.
Grades & Communication
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Grades will be posted in Blackboard Ultra.
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Students are responsible for tracking their own grades and averages.
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The instructor does not calculate averages for students.
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Grades will not be discussed over the phone.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, or similar platforms) must comply with course and institutional academic integrity standards.
Permitted Use:
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AI tools may be used for brainstorming ideas, grammar checks, outlining, or clarifying instructions.
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AI may be used as a study aid to better understand concepts discussed in class.
Prohibited Use:
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AI may not be used to generate full assignments, discussion posts, exams, or written submissions presented as your own work.
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Copying or submitting AI-generated responses without original thought, analysis, or citation is considered academic dishonesty.
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Using AI to complete quizzes, exams, or graded discussions is strictly prohibited unless explicitly authorized.
Disclosure Requirement:
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If AI tools are used in any capacity beyond basic proofreading or brainstorming, students must clearly disclose how AI was used.
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Failure to disclose AI assistance may result in academic penalties.
Academic Integrity:
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All submitted work must reflect the student’s own understanding, analysis, and effort.
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Violations of this policy may result in a zero for the assignment, referral for academic misconduct, or additional disciplinary action in accordance with college policy.
Instructor Discretion:
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The instructor reserves the right to determine when AI use is inappropriate and to request drafts, explanations, or oral clarification of submitted work.
Academic Integrity (Dishonesty & Cheating)
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Any student caught cheating or sharing work will receive a zero on the assignment.
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There is a clear difference between helping someone understand an assignment and giving someone work to copy.
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Any student caught cheating on an exam or final will receive an “F” for the course.
Technical Issues
Blackboard Ultra:
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Login, password, or software issues must be resolved through the IT Department.
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Students must notify the instructor of any technical issues that may affect deadlines.
Instructor Discretion
The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to the syllabus, course schedule, or policies as necessary. Any changes will be communicated through Blackboard Ultra.
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| Attendance Policy |
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Attendance is based on active participation in weekly discussion posts within Blackboard Ultra.
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Students are expected to post and respond in discussion boards by the assigned deadlines.
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Failure to participate in discussion activities may result in being marked absent for that week.
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Regular participation in discussions demonstrates engagement with course content and contributes to overall success in the course.
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| Additional Information |
None
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| HB 2504 |
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Department Information |
| Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts |
| Chair: | Dr. Steven Zani |
| Email: | zanisj@lamarpa.edu |
| Phone: | (409) 984-6431 |
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