LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Academic Studies

GOVT, 2306, Texas Government, 80F

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name Meredith Little
Building/Office Number Online Only,
Office Hours
Instructor Name Meredith Little, M.A.
Office Name N/A
Office Hours N/A
Virtual Hours Mondays and Wednesdays 12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 
Office Telephone (325) 939-4152
Email Address meredith.little@lsco.edu(preferred)


Virtual Hours
Office Telephone (325) 939-4152
Email Address meredith.little@lsco.edu


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 on 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

This course will include assignments and activities that require:




Course Topical Outline

Student Learning Outcomes:
Course- and Program-Level		 Associated Module-Level Student Learning Outcomes[1]: Activities

SLO8. Analyze issues, policies, and political culture of Texas.
SLO9. Identify how to have a successful semester.
 
 		 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 Politicstextbook 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.
 		 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 Politicstextbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. ML02(1-7)
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 Texasso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams.MLO3(1-4)
Students will research their local representatives. MLO3(3)
 
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 Mediaand Make Newsso 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) complete a media bias assignment. MLO4(5)
 

 

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 Politicstextbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO5(1-7)
Students will watch a series of videos that discuss the pros and cons of the Electoral College and discuss the issue with their classmates on the discussion board. MLO5(6)
Students will (1) predict who will win the 2024 presidential election by (2) applying their knowledge of the Electoral College.  Students will also (3) discuss their results on the discussion board. MLO5(7)
Students will (1) watch Boys State and (2) complete an assignment over the documentary. MLO5(4,7)

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.
 		 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.
 		 Students will (1) read Chapter 4: Political Parties in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politicstextbook 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 Politicstextbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO7(1-2)
Students will watch (1) Boys State and (2) complete an assignment over the documentary. 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.
 		 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 Politicstextbook 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)
How Representative is the Texas Legislature Assignment. ML08(4)
New Laws Assignment. MLO8(7)
Students will (1) research their local representatives and (2) complete an assignment.MLO8(1-3,6)
 

 

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.
 
 		 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 Politicstextbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO9(1-7)
Border Wall Discussion. MLO9(2)
Is the Texas Governor Weak? Assignment. MLO9(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.
SLO7. Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
 
 
 
 
 		 ML010.
1. Students will identify the different types of jurisdiction.
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 Politicsso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO10(1-7)
Students will trace a court case through the Texas court system. ML010(1-3, 6)
Students will research who I son the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals and analyze how partisan politics may influence court decisions. MLO10(4-6)
Students will discuss electing versus appointing judges. MLO10(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.
 		 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 Justiceso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO11(1-5)
 
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) Fiscal Policyso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO12(1-7)
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 Policyso 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) discuss in class. MLO13(4)
Students will watch The Texas Promiseand (2) answer a set of questions. MLO13(1)
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 Texasso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO14(1-7)

 

 


[1] These module learning outcomes can look intimidating.  This is a survey course – meaning we’ll have a moderate coverage of a lot of topics.  It’s not meant to be in-depth. 




Major Assignments Schedule

 

Module 1		 1/16 – 1/19 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, Orange County, Ballotpedia, and Texas Secretary of State, and videos
    Due: 1/15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – No Class
1/15: Explore the class, click on the Start Here Link, read the documents found on the Information Page, and save the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook (found on Blackboard, too).
1/15: Introduction Discussion
1/16: Why Study Government? Discussion
1/17: Texas diversity videos and Discussion
1/18: Last Day to “OPT-OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK
1/18: Ballot Discussion
1/19: Ch. 1 Quiz from the Uncovering Texas Politics (UTP) textbook
1/19: Syllabus and Course Layout Quiz
Note: There are two major deadlines this semester, the first being 2/12 and the second being 3/6.  Any work due from 1/16 to 2/9 can be submitted without penalty by 11:59 p.m. on 2/12.  This includes the Midterm.  After which, any work from 2/12 to 3/6 can be submitted without penalty by 11:59 p.m. on 3/6.  This includes the Final. I do have a Course Schedule that I strongly suggest students follow because the work tends to pile up.  When work is left to the last minute, what can go wrong will go wrong (see Murphy’s Law).  I will record zeros as place holders for missed work, but I will update grades once something is submitted.  However, if a major deadline is missed, the work will remain a zero.  I record zeros for missed work so students will know where they stand in the class if they elect not to submit something.  Students may work ahead. 

 

Modules
2 and 3		 1/22 – 1/26 Assigned Material: Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution in the Federal System in the Uncovering Texas Politicstextbook, Biannual Blues?, Switch to Full Time Would Benefit Legislature, Crash Coursevideo, and Local Governmentdocument
    Due: 1/22: Last Day to Petition for “No Grade”
1/22: Ch. 2 UTP Quiz
1/23: Last Day to Drop without Penalty
1/23: Local Government Quiz
1/24: Crash Course Federal Government Quiz
1/25: Texas Legislature Biannual Discussion
1/26: Interview Assignment Pick: Decide who you want to interview for your Local Government Assignment due at the end of the semester.  I will need to give my approval. 
Modules
4 and 5		 1/29 – 2/2 Assigned Material: The Media, Make News, News Article, Media Bias, and Chapter 3: Voting and Elections in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politicstextbook
    Due: 1/29: The Media Quiz
1/30: Ch. 3 UTP Quiz
1/31: Make News Discussion (questions from this document will be in The Media quiz, the Midterm, and on the Final)
2/1: Daylight Savings Time Discussion
2/2: Media Bias Assignment

Modules
6 and 7		 2/5 – 2/9 Assigned Material: Chapter 4:  Political Parties and Texas Political Party platforms and Chapter 5: Interest Groups in the Uncovering Texas Politicstextbook
    Due: 2/5: Ch. 4 UTP Quiz (Ch. 4 Quiz will include questions from the Texas Party Platform material)
2/6: Ch. 5 UTP Quiz
2/7: Texas Political Parties Discussion
2/9: Midterm (Chs. 1 – 4 from the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, Local Government, Make News, The Media, and anything covered in the class. You have until 2/12 (Monday) to submit the Midterm without penalty.  After that, any Midterm not submitted will receive a zero.
           

 


Modules 8 and 9		 2/12 – 2/16 Assigned Material: Chapter 6: The Texas Legislature, Chapter 7: The Executive Branch in Texas in the Uncovering Texas Politicstextbook, and Texas Governor journal article
    Due: 2/12: All work from 1/16 – 2/9 is due today at 11:59 p.m.  This includes the Midterm.  Anything not submitted will receive or remain a zero.
2/13: Chs. 6 and 7 UTP Quizzes
2/14: Who Are My Representatives Assignment
2/15: Gerrymandering Discussion
2/16: Is the Texas Governor Weak? Discussion
Modules
10 - 12		 2/19 – 2/23 Assigned Material: Chapter 8: The Texas Judicial Department in Texas in theUncovering Texas Politicstextbook, Texas-Sized Justice, and Fiscal Policy
    Due: 2/19: Ch. 8 UTP Quiz and Texas-Sized Justice Quiz
2/20: Last Day to Drop or Withdraw
2/20: Fiscal Policy Quiz
2/20: Texas Supreme Court Assignment
2/20: Texas Supreme Court Article Assignment
2/21: Texas Criminal Court of Appeals Assignment
2/21: Texas Criminal Court of Appeals Article Assignment
2/22: Elect or Appoint Judges Discussion
2/23: Legalization Discussion
Modules
13 and 14		 2/26 – 3/1 Assigned Material: Social Policy: Education, Health, and Immigration, school board and voucher articles, Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies: Transforming Texas, and Daylight Savings Time videos and articles. 
 
    Due: 2/26: Social Policy: Education, Health and Immigration Quiz
2/27: Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies Quiz
2/28: School Voucher Discussion
2/29: School Board Discussion
2/29: Daylight Savings Time Discussion
3/1: Texas Government Interview Project
             

 

 		 3/4 – 3/8 Assigned Material:  
       Due: 3/4: Extra Credit
3/6: 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
3/6:  All work from 2/12 to 3/6 is due today at 11:59 p.m.  Any work not submitted will receive or remain a zero. 
         
 
 




Final Exam Date

February 27, 2024 - 12:00 AM   Through  March 6, 2024 - 11:59 PM


COURSE POLICIES

Academic Honesty

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.
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.

When emailing or texting the instructor, include the class, section number, and your full name as it appears on the roster.  For example, 2306.80 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.

Course Policies & Student Responsibilities

 
8-Week Semester Deadlines: There are two major deadlines this semester, the first being 2/12 and the second being 3/6.  Any work due from 1/16 to 2/9 can be submitted without penalty by 11:59 p.m. on 2/12.  This includes the Midterm.  After which, any work from 2/12 to 3/6 can be submitted without penalty by 11:59 p.m. on 3/6.  This includes the Final. I do have a Course Schedule (page 11 of this document and on Blackboard) that I strongly suggest students follow because the work tends to pile up.  When work is left to the last minute, what can go wrong will go wrong (see Murphy’s Law).  I will record zeros as place holders for missed work, but I will update grades once something is submitted.  However, if a major deadline is missed, the work will remain a zero.  I record zeros for missed work so students will know where they stand in the class if they elect not to submit something.  Students may work ahead. 
What to Expect from the Instructor This Semester:Please click hereto see what to expect.  This information will also be posted on Blackboard. 
Weekly Reports:Every Sunday or Monday, the instructor will post a Weekly Report detailing important information for the week such as due dates, readings, and announcements.  The Weekly Report will either be an announcement and/or at the top of each module.  Make sure to read them carefully. 
Course Survival Guide:  Please check out the Course Survival Guide.  It is filled with hopefully useful information.  Save it and refer to it when needed. 
Expectations: 
  1. Students are expected to know all course requirements and deadlines, and to read the syllabus on the first day of class. 
  2. The course requires a substantial amount of reading and some writing assignments.  Students are expected to come to class (and/or participate online) having read the assigned material and complete any assignments by the deadlines.
  3. The course requires that students know how to use Blackboard.  Click on the link for Blackboard help articles and videos: https://www.lsco.edu/student-life/resources-support/blackboard.php.
  4. Ignorance of these expectations is not an excuse for poor performance in the class.
 
Saving Work: The instructor will not accept late work because of a failure to back-up work or a crashed computer.  LSCO provides a cloud service, Google has one, and if all else fails, students should use a thumb drive. 
 
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. 


Rounding Grades: the instructor will round to the nearest whole number.  For example, if a student has a 68.7, the final grade will be a 69 (D) and not a 70 (C).  It is strongly recommended that students complete the extra credit if they want to be bumped to the next grade level if they find themselves in that situation. 
 
 
Non-Attendance and Financial Aid:If a student is receiving financial aid, federal regulations require you to have begun attending the courses for which you are enrolled on or before the census date (e.g., 12th day of each fall and spring long semester and 4th day of class each 8-week session). Attendance in an online course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date. LSCO defines substantial participation in online courses as logging in to the online course AND completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. NOTE: Logging in to your online course does not warrant “attending”. For this course, you will be required to complete the first week’s activities (12th class day for fall/spring or 4th class day for 8-week session) date in order to be marked as “attending” for purposes of financial aid. 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 disbursements.
When absences, other than approved absences, interfere with the student's performance, the instructor may recommend to the division director that the student be dropped from the course. If this action is taken after the first six weeks of the semester, a grade of "F" may be recorded for the course. In the case of an instructor-initiated drop, the advising office will be notified.  In the event the student has accumulated six (6) drops, and the drop is not eligible for an exemption to the rule, the instructor will not be able to drop the student. In this instance the student will have to receive the grade they have earned. (See LSC-O Catalog, Academic Policies and Procedures, Six Drop Rule.
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, weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected. 
Drops and Withdrawals:  Complete policies regarding withdrawal from the course can be found in the LSCO Student Handbook, which is available online on the LSCO web site.  Students dropping the course after the first day to drop but before the last day to drop (see the academic calendar for exact dates) will receive a grade of “Q” only if student has a passing average based on work due by the date the student drops the class; otherwise, the student will receive a grade of “F” in the course.  The following dates are for 8-week and 16-week semesters. 
 
1/18/2024:         Last day to “OPT OUT” of GATOR BOOK PACK
1/22/2024:        Last Day to Petition for “No Grade”
1/23/2024:         Last Day to Drop Without Penalty
2/20/2023:        Last Day to Drop or Withdraw
             
Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal.  Students remain registered until they file a Drop/Withdrawal Form at the Admission and Records Office by the appropriate deadlines. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to turn in all Drop/Withdrawal Forms and follow up to ensure that they were processed as desired. 
Policy on Incomplete Grades:  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 nedeficiencies 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.

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 ADA Counselor by calling the advising office (409) 882-3340 or visiting the Advising Office located in the Ron Lewis Library Building (RLB) room 355. The Accommodation Request Form can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the ADA Counselor must be submitted to the instructor two weeks in advance of need.
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. Students should notify their instructor of their circumstance if they are comfortable doing so. 
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.
Civility: Please be considerate of other classmate’s feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situation, 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 the instructor feels that a student has not contributed appropriately to course requirements or that a student has complained unnecessarily about assignments and grading policies, that student’s 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. 
Technical Issues:  All course work should be completed on a laptop or personal computer.  Tablets and phones are not acceptable forms of technology to complete coursework on Blackboard.  Only use the Blackboard APP to check grades and review announcements. Do not try to complete coursework from the app.   Students should use Google Chrome or Firefox as their browsers for Blackboard. 
Technical issues that are accepted regarding failure to complete assignments are those directly involving Blackboard availability when LSCO is responsible, as they can be documented by LSCO Office of Learning Technology.   The instructor will also accept Internet interruptions at high schools where dual credit students attend (confirmed by an administrator, counselor, or facilitator).  Otherwise, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the Help Desk for assistance and to document any such interruptions of accessibility and provide them to the instructor.  If the instructor is not notified of a Blackboard outage, no consideration will be given to late work other than what is policy.  If a student is having technical issues and cannot submit an assignment or discussion post on time, the student has to email the instructor with the attached document.  Email the instructor before the deadline.  That way, the student has proof that the assignment was completed on time. 
Technology Support: contact the Technology Centeror Technology Supportpage with any technical issues that cannot be resolved.  For Blackboard an important resource is Blackboard 24/7 support 844-867-7324. 
File Submissions:  Most assignments do not require a file upload.  Students can complete assignments by clicking on the “Create Submission” link in the assignment folder.  However, if a file upload is necessary, students must submit assignments in the following formats only: Blackboard and SafeAssign accepts files in .doc, .docx, .docm, .ppt, .pptx, .odt, .rtf, .pdf, and .html file. 
The instructor strongly advises to submit (if applicable) Microsoft (.doc, .docx, etc.) or a .pdf file.  A .pdf document “locks in” the formatting, which prevents Blackboard from changing it.  Do not share your document as a Google Doc.  Never paste your assignment in the Comments window.
Assignments that are submitted in the wrong format will receive a zero, be returned for resubmission, and late work penalties will be applied.  
Students will receive a notification when documents are submitted properly, and students are expected to double-check.  If students do not submit their documents properly, late points will be deducted until the document is submitted.  Click herefor more information. 
Do not, unless otherwise noted, submit an image for an assignment.  Meaning, do not scan a notebook page and submit that. 
Course Design:  Everything that students need for the semester is found in three places: The Information Page, the Content Page, and the Home Page.  Please explore those pages and the folders found on those pages to find out more about the class.  See the Navigation Panel to find out more about the Gator Book Pack and how to use Blackboard.  The Content Page/Weekly Folders are the primary tool for organizing the class.  Also, please access the calendar often and note all deadlines.  The course follows the LSCO schedule for holidays and other important events. 
Students must verify earlyin the semester that they can access, download, and print any document the instructor uploads to the course page.  Check Blackboard every day.  Students are responsible for any information published on the course page.  Students must quickly solve any problems with access issues.  The Computer Center is located in theAcademic Center and may be contacted through the main LSCO phone number or via email. 
Help Videos and Articles:  There are two sites that students need to access the first day of the semester.  These sites are the Blackboard Help for Students, and the Help Folder found on the Information Page. 
Calendar: This course follows the LSCO schedule for holidays and other important events. 
Reading and Writing:  This course is reading intensive.  There will be some writing assignments through the course of the semester. 




Make-up Work Policy

Late Work: Extra time may be granted for extenuating circumstances (such as personal illness or family emergency), but documentation of the circumstance will be required.  Students must contact me no later than two (2) business days after a deadline if a deadline is missed. 




Classroom Etiquette

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. 
 
Classroom Rules:  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 given in Blackboard and are not proctored.  


Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others. Students are responsible for adhering to LSCO's Academic Honesty policy found in the Student Handbook. LSCO's full AI policy can be found at AI Policy | Lamar State College Orange (lsco.edu)


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

Evaluation Method

 
Exams:  There will be two (2) exams worth 100 points each.  Exams will consist of matching, multiple-choice, short answers, 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.  The Discussion Board Rulesand Rubricare available on Blackboard as well as clicking the links.
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 & Weights: Grades will be calculated using a weighted average.  Click hereto see how to calculate a weighted average.  There is also a grade calculator on that site.  The instructor keeps up with grading and enters grades frequently, so students’ averages will be a moving target. Students can see their averages in the “Weighted Total” column of the grade book.   The average weights will be assigned as follows:
 

Assignments		 Points/Assignment Percentage
Midterm 100 20
Final Exam 100 30
Assignments 100 10
Quizzes[1] 100 10
Discussions 100 10
Attendance 100 10
Texas Government Interview 100 10
 
 
Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:
90 – 100              A
80 – 89                B
70 – 79                C
60 – 69                D
50 or less            F
Students should be aware that a grade of “D” is not usually transferable to another college.


[1] Blackboard’s category for quizzes is “tests”.  This does not mean that quizzes count the same weight as exams.  I wanted to clarify that although they are categorized as “tests” they are still quizzes. 



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

Participation: Weekly participation and engagement in the courses are critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Students should also refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information. 




Review of Test Grades

Procedure for Review of Test Grades (and other major work): 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

Mental Health Resources

TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled LSCO students. There is no cost to eligible students for this service. TimelyCare’s providers offer emotional support, mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry, and basic needs support. Non-Dual Credit students enrolled in classes can log in to the TimelyCare website or app available at timelycare.com/LSCO.


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:

  1. Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
  2. Communication (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
  3. Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
  7. 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.