COURSE INFORMATION
| Instructor Name
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Meredith Little
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| Building/Office Number
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Online Only,
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| Office Hours
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| Virtual Hours
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Mondays 2:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. and Wednesdays 12:40 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Also, by appointment. (Collaborate)
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| Office Telephone
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(325) 939-4152
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| Email Address
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meredith.little@lsco.edu
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Course 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, the election process, public policy, and the political culture of Texas.
Required Textbook & Materials
Lopez, Eric, et al.
Uncovering Texas Politics in the 21st Century. Tyler, UT Tyler Press. 2020.
This textbook is free and downloadable. There is also a copy in Blackboard.
Upon registration for classes, LSCO students are automatically charged $14 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Information about the LSCO Gator Book Pack as well as responses to common FAQs can be found on LSCO's webpage. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMESTER TO OPT-OUT OF THE GATOR BOOK PACK.
Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:
Core Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes:
Course- and Program-Level |
Associated Module-Level Student Learning Outcomes: |
Activities |
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
SLO9. Identify how to have a successful semester.
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MLO1.
1. Students will describe how the state’s geography and demographics shape its politics.
2. Students will discuss the role of tradition and legend in Texas politics.
3. Students will describe the political developments that accompanied Texas’s move from a country to a state.
4. Students will describe the political culture of Texas and its impact on Texas government.
5. Students will explain the context of Texas’s increasingly diverse population.
6. Students will discuss how Texas’s identity is shaped by immigration. |
Students will (1) read Chapter 1: A State of Diversity: Demographics, Culture, and the Struggle for Identity in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO1(1-6)
Students will (1) watch a series of videos and (2) participate in the online Texas Diversity Discussion. MLO1(2,4-6) |
SLO1. Explain the origin and development of the Texas constitution.
SLO2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
SLO3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
SLO4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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MLO2.
1. Describe the purpose of a constitution.
2. Define federalism and discuss the difficulties in sharing power between the state and national government.
3. Identify Spanish and Mexican influences on the current constitution.
4. Explain how Texas’s current constitution reflects the preferences of Texans today.
5. Evaluate problems with the current Texas Constitution.
6. Assess the progress Texas has made toward the realization of civil rights.
7. Analyze the extent to which Texas’s current constitution is consistent with Texan values. |
Students will (1) read Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution in the Federal System in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, Biannual Blues?, and Switch to Full Time Would Benefit Legislatureso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. ML02(1-7)
Students will (1) read a series of articles and (2) discuss the merits of a biannual legislature. MLO8(4-5)
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SLO2. Describe state and local political systems and their relationship with the federal government.
SLO 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas. |
MLO3.
1. Students will describe what is meant by the term local government and how it fits in a federal system.
2. Students will explain Texas’s one-size-fits-all approach to county government and the historical context in which it developed.
3. Students will analyze the different types of city and county government and the issues they face.
4. Students will describe how public education and special districts serve as other forms of local government. |
Students will (1) read Local Government in Texas (document on Canvas) so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO3(1-4)
Students will watch (1) U.S. Government and Politics Crash Coursevideo about Federalism and (2) take a quiz.
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SLO5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas. |
MLO4
1. Explain what the media are and how they are organized
2. Describe the main functions of the media in a free society
3. Compare different media formats and their respective audiences
4. Compare the ways in which the government oversees and influences media programming
5. Identify forms of bias that exist in news coverage and ways the media can present biased coverage
6. Explain how the media cover politics and issues
7. Analyze the impact of the media on politics and policymaking. |
Students will (1) read The Mediaso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO4(1-7)
Students will (1) read Make-News and (2) discuss in class. MLO4(5-7)
Students will (1) complete a media bias assignment. MLO4(5)
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SLO6. Analyze the state and local election process.
SLO7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. |
MLO5.
1. Students will discuss the barriers to minorities’ voting rights in Texas.
2. Students will describe the different types of elections held in Texas.
3. Students will explain the trends of voter turnout in Texas elections.
4. Students will describe the challenges that minority political parties and independent candidates face when trying to contest elections in Texas.
5. Students will discuss the impact of technology and geography on Texas elections.
6. Students will explain the impact campaign finance has on Texas elections.
7. Students will describe who wins and who loses in Texas’s current election system. |
Students will (1) read Chapter 3: Voting and Elections in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO5(1-7) |
SLO5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
SLO7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
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MLO6.
1. Assess how competitive political parties are in Texas.
2. Explain the main functions of political parties.
3. Describe the organization of political parties and the limits of their power.
4. Students will identify the four major political parties in Texas and know their platforms.
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Students will (1) read Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO6(1-4)
Students will compare and contrast the four major political parties in Texas. MLO6(4)
Students will (1) take two political ideology/party quizzes (not graded) and (2) participate in a discussion. ML06(4) |
SLO5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas.
SLO7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. |
MLO7.
1. Students will describe the role of organized interests in Texas.
2. Students will identify the ways in which organized interests seek to influence policy. |
Students will (1) read Chapter 5: Interest Groups in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO7(1-2) |
SLO 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
SLO4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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MLO8.
1. Students will describe the form and function of the Texas Legislature.
2. Students will identify the different types of state legislatures, their advantages, and their disadvantages.
3. Students will describe the qualifications and length of terms for members of the Texas Legislature.
4. Students will explain trends in the demographic makeup of the Texas Legislature.
5. Students will discuss how legislative districts are drawn and how the Texas Legislature is elected.
6. Students will describe the leadership roles in Texas’s legislative organization.
7. Students will explain the process for a bill becoming law in the Texas Legislature. |
Students will (1) read Chapter 6: The Texas Legislature in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams.MLO8(1-7)
Students will participate in the Daylight Savings Politics Discussion. MLO8(7)
Students will (1) read/watch information about gerrymandering and (2) participate in a discussion. MLO8(5)
Students will (1) research their local representatives and (2) complete an assignment.MLO8(1-3,6)
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SLO 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
SLO4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
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MLO9.
1. Students will describe how the role of the governor evolved in Texas.
2. Students will identify the formal powers of the Texas governor and how those powers have changed since 1876.
3. Students will discuss the ways the governor can affect the legislature’s agenda.
4. Students will explain the structure of the Texas plural executive and identify the roles of key members.
5. Students will identify the roles of Texas boards and commissions.
6. Students will explain the measures in place for bureaucratic accountability. |
Students will (1) read Chapter 7: The Executive Branch in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO9(1-7)
Students will read a series of articles about the strength of the Texas Governor and (2) participate in an assignment. MLO9(1-2)
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SLO 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice in Texas.
SLO4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Texas government.
SLO7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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ML010.
1. Students will identify the different types of jurisdictions.
2. Students will describe the different types of local courts.
3. Students will explain how state-level courts differ from courts at the local level.
4. Students will assess how Texas selects its judges.
5. Students will identify problems with the Texas judiciary.
6. Students will discuss the Texas criminal justice system. |
Students will (1) read Chapter 8: The Texas Judicial Department in the Uncovering Texas Politics so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO10(1-7)
Students will discuss electing versus appointing judges. MLO10(4)
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SLO5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in Texas
SLO7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas.
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MLO11.
1. Identify the role of political culture in the development of Texas’s approach to justice.
2. Explain the Texas prison system and how it has responded to overcrowding and poor conditions.
3. Analyze how Texas balances its political culture and the rights of the accused.
4. Explain how Texans’ views of tort reform, the castle doctrine, and capital punishment reflect historic support for retribution and incapacitation.
5. Assess who wins and who loses under a justice system heavily influenced by Texas political culture. |
Students will (1) read Texas-Sized Justice (found on Canvas) so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO11(1-5)
Students will read a series of articles and (2) participate in a discussion about legalization in Texas. MLO11(1)
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SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. |
MLO12.
1. Describe the basic steps in the policymaking process.
2. Distinguish the different taxes that Texans pay.
3. Assess who wins and who loses under the Texas tax system.
4. Evaluate sources of revenue in Texas.
5. Identify how the Texas Constitution limits the state budget.
6. Analyze how tax expenditures and subsidies work as fiscal policy tools.
7. Assess who wins and who loses under Texas’s fiscal policy. |
Students will (1) read Fiscal Policy so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO12(1-7) |
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SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. |
MLO13.
1. Explain the challenges facing the K–12 education system in Texas.
2. Explain the challenges facing the higher education system in Texas.
3. Describe the relationship between the state and federal governments in social policies and programs.
4. Assess the role and impact of immigration in Texas. |
Students will (1) read Social Policy: Education, Health, and Immigration so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO13(1-4)
Students will (1) read two articles about the border wall and (2) participate in a discussion. MLO13(4)
Students will (1) read articles about school board issues and (2) participate in a discussion. MLO13(1)
Students will (1) read about a voucher program in Texas and (2) participate in a discussion. MLO12(1) |
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SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. |
MLO14.
1. Discuss how a boom-and-bust economy shapes the Texas economy and identity.
2. Evaluate the costs and benefits of competing energy sources.
3. Analyze the role of environmental regulation in Texas.
4. Assess who wins and who loses in the way Texas manages its natural resources.
5. Identify ways in which Texas’s transportation infrastructure is stressed by the state’s population and economic growth.
6. Explain who wins and who loses in the state’s approach to managing its infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing populace.
7. Evaluate Texas’s position in the global economy. |
Students will (1) read Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies: Transforming Texas so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO14(1-7) |
Course Topical Outline
Module 1: A State of Diversity: Demographics, Culture, and the Struggle for Identity
Module 2: The Texas Constitution in the Federal System
Module 3: Local Government in Texas
Module 4: The Media
Module 5: Voting and Elections
Module 6: Political Parties in Texas
Module 7: Interest Groups in Texas
Module 8: The Texas Legislature
Module 9: The Executive Branch
Module 10:The Texas Judicial Department
Module 11: Texas-Sized Justice
Module 12: Fiscal Policy
Module 13: Social Policy: Education, Health, and Immigration
Module 14: Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies: Transforming Texas
Major Assignments Schedule
Module 1 |
10/23 – 10/27 |
Assigned Material: |
Chapter 1: A State of Diversity: Demographics, Culture, and the Struggle for Identity in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, start of the semester documents, and videos |
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Due: |
9/23: First day to “OPT-OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK
10/23: Explore the class, click on the Start Here Link, read the documents found on the Information Page, and save the Uncovering Texas Politicstextbook (found on Canvas).
10/24: Introduction Discussion
10/25: Last day to “OPT-OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK
10/25: Why Study Government? Discussion
10/26: Texas diversity videos and Discussion
10/27: Ch. 1 Quiz from the Uncovering Texas Politics (UTP) textbook
10/27: Last Day to Petition for “No Grade” |
Modules
2 and 3 |
10/30 – 11/3 |
Assigned Material: |
Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution in the Federal System in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, Biannual Blues?, Switch to Full Time Would Benefit Legislature, Crash Coursevideo, and Local Government document (found on Blackboard) |
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Due: |
10/30: Last Day to Drop without Penalty
10/30 Syllabus and Course Layout Quiz
10/31: Ch. 2 UTP Quiz
11/1: Local Government Quiz
11/2: Crash Course Federal Government Quiz
11/3: Texas Legislature Biannual Discussion |
Modules
4 and 5 |
11/6 – 11/10 |
Assigned Material: |
The Media, Make News, News Article, Media Bias, and Chapter 3: Voting and Elections in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook |
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Due: |
11/6: The Media Quiz
11/7: Chs. 3 and 4 UTP Quizzes
11/9: Make News Discussion (questions from this document will be in The Media quiz)
11/10: Media Bias Assignment |
Modules
6 and 7 |
11/13 – 11/17 |
Assigned Material: |
Chapter 4: Political Parties and Texas Political Party platforms and Chapter 5: Interest Groups in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook |
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Due: |
11/13: Ch. 4 UTP Quiz (Ch. 4 Quiz will include questions from the Texas Party Platform material)
11/14: Ch. 5 UTP Quiz
11/15: Texas Political Parties Discussion
11/17: Midterm (Chs. 1 – 4 from the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, Local Government, Make News, The Media, and anything covered in the class.
11/17: All work from 10/20 to 11/17 must be submitted by 11:59 on Friday 11/17. This includes the Midterm. Any work not submitted by the deadline will receive a zero. |
Modules 8 and 9 |
11/20 – 11/24 |
Assigned Material: |
Chapter 6: The Texas Legislature, Representation worksheet, Daylight Savings Time videos, Chapter 7: The Executive Branch in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, and Texas Governor journal article |
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Due: |
11/20: Chs. 6 and 7 UTP Quizzes
11/21: Who Representatives Me? Assignment
11/21: Gerrymandering Discussion
11/22: Daylight Savings Time Discussion
11/22: Is the Texas Governor Weak? Discussion
11/23 – 11/24: Thanksgiving Break |
Modules
10 - 12 |
11/27 – 12/1 |
Assigned Material: |
Chapter 8: The Texas Judicial Department in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, Texas-Sized Justice(found on Canvas), and Fiscal Policy (found on Canvas), |
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Due: |
11/27: Last Day to Drop or Withdraw
11/27: Ch. 8 UTP Quiz and Texas-Sized Justice Quiz
11/28: Fiscal Policy Quiz
11/29: Legalization Discussion
11/30: Elect or Appoint Judges Discussion |
Modules
13 and 14 |
12/4 – 12/8 |
Assigned Material: |
Social Policy: Education, Health, and Immigration (found on Canvas), Border Wall Articles, Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies: Transforming Texas (found on Canvas)
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Due: |
12/4: Social Policy: Education, Health and Immigration Quiz
12/4: Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies Quiz
12/5: School Voucher Discussion
12/6: School Board Discussion
12/7: Border Wall Discussion
12/8: Local Government Assignment |
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12/11 – 12/15 |
Assigned Material: |
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Due: |
12/11: Extra Credit
12/11: Final Exam (Chs. 1 – 8 in from the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, Local Government, The Media, Make News, Texas – Sized Justice, Fiscal Policy, Social Policy: Education, Health, and Immigration, Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies, and Texas Party Platforms
12/11:All work from 11/20 to 12/11 is due Monday (12/11) at 11:59 p.m. Any work not submitted will receive a zero. |
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Final Exam Date
December 11, 2023 - 11:59 PM
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Honesty
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
LSCO’s Academic Dishonesty: Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
Instructor’s Policy for Academic Dishonesty: The instructor will assign an F for the first offense and possible failure in the class for the second offense. After the second offense, the instructor will contact the director of Academic Affairs. If the student is a dual-credit student, then the instructor will also contact that student’s school counselor and principal. The instructor will never accept ignorance as an excuse for plagiarism.
Electronic Communication
LSCO students are required to use either their LSCO Blackboard account or their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.
Electronic Communication:
LSCO students are required to use their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal, school (other than LSCO), or business accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or
helpdesk@lsco.edu.
For additional information about student privacy, please see the
Distance Learning Handbook. The information is found in Appendix D.
When emailing or texting the instructor, include the class, section number, and your full name as it appears on the roster. For example, 1302.80 Joseph Smith. Be specific and include all pertinent information in your email such as the name and date of an assignment and anything else that will help identify and resolve the issue quickly. Do not email the instructor from any link inside Blackboard. Do not reply to the automatic emails that are generated by the posted announcements.
Only use the LSCO email account when emailing. Do not use school (meaning other than LSCO’s email), personal, or business email accounts to contact the instructor.
Do not email the instructor from within Blackboard.
Attendance Requirements
Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun "attending" and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.
Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.
Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend a certain number of classes as required by the instructor. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.
The instructor will take weekly attendance on Mondays for the following week. If a student participates in any assignments or discussions of the previous week, the student will be counted as present. Simply logging on and doing nothing will not count as being present for the week. See LSCO’s
attendance policy(found on page 9).
Make-up Work Policy
All work from 10/23 – 11/17 is due at 11:59 p.m on 11/17. This includes the Midterm. Anything not submitted will receive or remain a zero.
All work from 11/20 to 12/11 is due at 11:59 p.m on 12/11. Any work not submitted will receive or remain a zero.
The instructor does not offer make-up work.
Classroom Etiquette
Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom may be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums. For more information about netiquette and its importance, click
here.
Respect others during interactions. If a student persists in disruptive, disrespectful, or bullying behavior, the student may be dropped from the class on the third warning. Being dropped from the class may happen sooner depending on the egregiousness of the offense, however.
Exam Policy
Exams are timed and strictly online.
Expected Time Requirement for this Course
For every hour in class (or unit of credit) taught in a 16-week session, students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. Example: For a 3-credit hour class taught in a 16-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 6 to 9 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 10-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 10 to 15 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in an 8-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 12 to 18 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 5-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 20 to 29 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments.
Grading and Evaluation Method
Exams: There will be two (2) exams worth 100 points each. Exams will consist of matching, multiple-choice, short answer, and/or true/false questions. Students may use their books during the exam, but this should not be considered a substitute for reading. The exams are fully online and timed.
Writing Assignments: There will be some writing assignments throughout the semester. Please refer to the course calendar and the assignment upload page (Content Page/Weekly Folder) in Blackboard for specifics.
Discussions: Students will participate in online discussions throughout the semester. The discussions are found on the Content Page in the Discussions Folder for a particular week. More information about this is found in the help document and on Blackboard. It is also available by clicking
here.
Quizzes: There will be quizzes throughout the semester over the material. The quizzes are matching, multiple-choice, true/false, short answer, or fill in the blank in format. Quizzes are timed, and the exams are based on the quiz questions.
Attendance: The instructor will take weekly attendance on Mondays for the following week. If a student participates in any assignments or discussions of the previous week, the student will be counted as present. Simply logging on and doing nothing will not count as being present for the week. See LSCO’s
attendance policy(found on page 9).
Assignments |
Points/Assignment |
Percentage |
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Midterm |
100 |
20 |
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Final Exam |
100 |
30 |
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Assignments |
100 |
10 |
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Quizzes |
100 |
20 |
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Discussions |
100 |
10 |
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Attendance |
100 |
10 |
Instructor Response Time
The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.
Participation Requirements
The instructor will take weekly attendance on Mondays for the following week. If a student participates in any assignments or discussions of the previous week, the student will be counted as present. simply logging on and doing nothing will not count as being present for the week. See LSCO’s
attendance policy(found on page 9).
Review of Test Grades
If a student has an issue about his/her grade, the instructor must be contacted no later than three (3) business days after receiving the grade. This is true for all grades – not just test grades.
Student's Responsibility
This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.
Syllabus Content
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.
Textbook and Required Materials Access
Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the second week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.
STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
Advocacy Information
Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the advising office for guidance on how to identify possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.
Affirmative Action
LSCO is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution which provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination or harassment in full compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503,504); Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; the Vietnam Era Veterans Assistance Act of 1974; Article 522lk V.A.C.S.; and Executive Orders 11246 and 11758.
Title IX of the Education Amendments
LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Patty Collins, at patty.collins@lsco.edu.
Blackboard Resources
LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu and Password. For help in identifying your Username/Password, visit
https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.
Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at
https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.
Career Coach
Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.
Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Visit
https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO's Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.
Gator Assistance Services
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled technical students support for daycare costs as well as other services.
Visit
https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.
Gator Success Center
Students are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring, support services, or access to an open computer lab. Face-to-face and online supplemental instruction sessions are available to help students through any LSCO course. Reach out to learning.center@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support.
Library Services
Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library's current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.
Student with Disabilities
Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.
Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Special Populations Advisor at (409) 882-3393 or visiting the Advising Office located on the first floor of the Ron Lewis Library Building (RLB) room 113. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here:
https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Special Populations Advisor must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.
Upswing 24/7 FREE Tutoring Services
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.
Visit
https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.
INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES
Campus Closure
In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange's classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.
Civility
Please be considerate of other classmates' feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.
The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.
Contingency Plans
Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and Success Center.
COVID Notification Policy
Students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 are required to report their condition to their instructor and to the College via the COVID Notification Form. Guidance on how to proceed will be delivered to the student's email after completing the required notification form.
Credit Transfer
Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.
Criminal Background Policy
LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.
Drops and Withdrawals
Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.
Grade of "Incomplete"
The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student's LSCO email.
Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.
Grade Appeals and the Academic Grievance Process
Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course
syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.
An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student's ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process outlined below. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.
Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.
Institutional Educational Goals
Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:
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Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
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Communication (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
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Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
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Teamwork (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
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Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
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Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
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Professional competency (Technical) - Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills and that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.
MyGator and Log-In Credentials
Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your username/Password, visit
https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.
It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual - the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.
Policies and Procedures
LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, LSCO Student Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.
Prohibited Items in the Classroom
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. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.
Student Privacy
The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO's statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO's Student Handbook, page 70. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.