Summer Sessions 2022 Course Syllabus Course: GOVT-2306- Section: 73 Texas Government

Instructor Information
Instructor	Nathaniel Crosby
E-mail	crosbyna@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6477
Office	Location: Educational I - Room: 133 Hours: Online Only
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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.
Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	Successful students: 1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution. 2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government. 3. Describe separations of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas. 5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas. 6. Analyze the state and local election process. 7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 8. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
Core Objectives	1. Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. 2. 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. 3. Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. 4. Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
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. Gibson, L. Tucker, Clay Robison, and Joanne Conner Green. 2022. Government and Politics in the Lone Star State, 12th Edition. New York: Pearson.
Lecture Topics Outline	Course Policies During Class 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 cell phones are all highly disruptive. Cell phones, ipods, and other similar devices must be turned off during class, unless previously approved by the instructor. Laptops may be used for note-taking only; use of laptops for purposes other than note-taking will result in the banning of laptops from the classroom. In addition, students are encouraged to discuss and express opinions on the many issues, some controversial, that are covered in class. Although differing opinions are encouraged, I will not tolerate any attacks of a personal nature or statements that single out students based on their race, gender, religion, age, ethnicity, nationality, abilities, appearance, or sexual orientation. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities will be asked to leave the classroom, if it continues after the first warning and removal, you will no longer be welcome in attending this course. 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 course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Outside of Class Emailing the Instructor or Classmates When emailing or contacting anyone involved with this course, especially the instructor, allow for 48 hours before resubmitting an email or request. You should not expect an email over the weekend, even if an assignment is due. The instructor or your classmate may check their email over the weekend, but is not obliged to respond to your email at that time. If you have questions, it is best to get those emails in prior to the weekend. Online Decorum All members of this class are expected to provide the same level of respect to their classmates in person as well as online in the discussion forums. Failure to respect your classmates or instructor can be treated with any penalty similar to those outlined for in class behavior. Grading Timetable The instructor will, to the best of their abilities, have all graded assignments back to students within 2 weeks of the due date. If there are unforeseen circumstances, the instructor will inform the class of the delay in receiving their work back prior to the two week deadline. Please refrain from emailing the instructor about grades during that two week window. Once grades are posted, the instructor will inform the class either by email or by an announcement in class.
Major Assignments Schedule	Course Schedule The schedule is tentative and subject to change. Week 1, 07/11 - 07/15: � Introduction � Chapter 1 Gibson � Chapter 2 Gibson � Quizzes 1-2 and Introduction Paper are Due Sunday at 11:59pm Week 2, 07/18 - 07/22: � Chapter 3 Gibson � Chapter 4 Gibson � Chapter 5 Gibson � Chapter 14 Gibson � Quizzes 3-5 are Due Sunday at 11:59pm 8/9 Texas Government - Syllabus Week 3, 07/25 - 07/29: � Chapter 6 Gibson � Chapter 7 Gibson � Chapter 8 Gibson � Chapter 9 Gibson � Quizzes 6-8 are Due Sunday at 11:59pm Week 4, 08/01 - 08/05: � Chapter 10 Gibson � Chapter 11 Gibson � Chapter 12 Gibson � Chapter 13 Gibson � Quizzes 9-12 are Due Sunday at 11:59pm � Research Paper is Due Sunday at 11:59pm Week 5, 08/08 - 08/12: � Final Exam Multiple Choice Open Wednesday, August 10th All Day, due at 11:59pm � Final Exam Essay Due Thursday, August 11th at 11:59pm 9/
Final Exam Date	August 10, 2022 - 12:0 AM   Through  August 10, 2022 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	� 45% Quizzes � 5% Introduction Paper � 25% Final Exam � 25% Research Paper
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Course Policies During Class 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 cell phones are all highly disruptive. Cell phones, ipods, and other similar devices must be turned off during class, unless previously approved by the instructor. Laptops may be used for note-taking only; use of laptops for purposes other than note-taking will result in the banning of laptops from the classroom. In addition, students are encouraged to discuss and express opinions on the many issues, some controversial, that are covered in class. Although differing opinions are encouraged, I will not tolerate any attacks of a personal nature or statements that single out students based on their race, gender, religion, age, ethnicity, nationality, abilities, appearance, or sexual orientation. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities will be asked to leave the classroom, if it continues after the first warning and removal, you will no longer be welcome in attending this course. 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 course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Outside of Class Emailing the Instructor or Classmates When emailing or contacting anyone involved with this course, especially the instructor, allow for 48 hours before resubmitting an email or request. You should not expect an email over the weekend, even if an assignment is due. The instructor or your classmate may check their email over the weekend, but is not obliged to respond to your email at that time. If you have questions, it is best to get those emails in prior to the weekend. Online Decorum All members of this class are expected to provide the same level of respect to their classmates in person as well as online in the discussion forums. Failure to respect your classmates or instructor can be treated with any penalty similar to those outlined for in class behavior. Grading Timetable The instructor will, to the best of their abilities, have all graded assignments back to students within 2 weeks of the due date. If there are unforeseen circumstances, the instructor will inform the class of the delay in receiving their work back prior to the two week deadline. Please refrain from emailing the instructor about grades during that two week window. Once grades are posted, the instructor will inform the class either by email or by an announcement in class.
Attendance Policy	Lamar State College - Port Arthur�s absentee policy allows instructors deciding attendance policies as it fits with the overall view of the department and college. Therefore, you are expected to follow the attendance policy as provide Here. If a student leaves and returns during class or leaves the class before the class is over, they may be considered absent. Faculty members are not obligated to provide opportunities for students to make-up missed assignments and tests as a result of a student�s absence from class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of the class every day. A roll sheet will be passed out to all students to sign. If a student is caught signing for another student, they will be treated as if they did not attend the lecture meeting as well as the student they attempted to sign for. If a student is late or missed class, it is their responsibility to notify me. A student is allowed a maximum of 4 absences (which constitutes 2 classes per week). Any more than 4 absences could result in the student�s final grade being lowered a letter grade for every additional unexcused absence. A student should not stop attending a class without formally withdrawing from the course by the institution�s published Last Day for Students to Drop. If a student stops attending after the published Last Day for Students to Drop, the student may receive a grade of "F" in the class. The professor will submit the last date of attendance for students receiving a grade of "F" or "W". Withdrawal from a course(s) may affect a student�s current or future financial aid eligibility. Students should consult the Financial Aid Office to learn both short and long term consequences of a withdrawal.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
Important Information
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.
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLSCPA.
Other
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 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.