LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Academic Studies

GOVT, 2306, Texas Government, 81F

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
Mondays and Wednesdays 12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. 


Office Telephone (325) 939-4152
Email Address meredith.little@lsco.edu
Course Schedule Building: Online, Room: TBA, Dates: 5/28/2024 - 7/1/2024, Days: TBA, Times: TBA
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
Textbook:                 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. 
Supplements:        All other materials are available 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

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 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.
 		 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)
 
 
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 watch (1) U.S. Government and Politics Crash Coursevideo about Federalism and (2) take a quiz.
 
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.		 MLO4.
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. MLO4(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.
 		 MLO5.
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 Politics textbook so that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO5(1-4)
Students will compare and contrast the four major political parties in Texas. MLO5(4)
Students will (1) take two political ideology/party quizzes (not graded) and (2) participate in a discussion. ML05(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.		 MLO6. 
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. MLO6(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.
 		 MLO7. 
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.MLO7(1-7)
Students will participate in the Daylight Savings Politics Discussion. MLO7(7)
Students will (1) read/watch information about gerrymandering and (2) participate in a discussion. MLO7(5)
Students will (1) research their local representatives and (2) complete an assignment.MLO7(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.
 
 		 MLO8. 
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. MLO8(1-7)
Students will read a series of articles about the strength of the Texas Governor and (2) participate in an assignment. MLO8(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.
 
 
 
 
 		 ML09.
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. MLO9(1-7)
Students will (1) read an article about the Texas Supreme Court or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and (2) discuss the articles in the Discussion Board. MLO9(1)
 
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.
 		 MLO10.
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. MLO10(1-5)
Students will read a series of articles and (2) participate in a discussion about legalization in Texas. MLO10(1)
 
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. MLO11.
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 Policyso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO11(1-7)
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. MLO12.
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 Immigrationso that they can (2) participate in discussions and activities (3) take the corresponding quizzes and (4) complete the exams. MLO12(1-4)
Students will (1) read articles about school board issues and (2) participate in a discussion. MLO12(1)
Students will (1) read about a voucher program in Texas and (2) participate in a discussion. MLO12(1)
SLO8. Analyze issues, policies and political culture of Texas. MLO13.
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. MLO13(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. 




Course Topical Outline

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 
 
First Deadline: All work from May 28 to June 12, including the Midterm Exam, must be submitted by Wednesday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m. Anything not submitted by this deadline will receive a zero. Additionally, on June 13, I will drop any students who are failing the course (see Tracking Your Course Performance).
 
Second Deadline: All work from June 17 to July 1, including the Final Exam, must be submitted by Monday, July 1 at 11:59 p.m. July 1 is the last day of the semester, and any work not submitted by this deadline will receive a zero.
 
Tracking Your Course Performance: To help you gauge your progress, I will record zeros for any assignments not submitted by the due dates. If work is submitted by the aforementioned deadlines, any recorded zeros will be updated to reflect the actual scores earned.
 
Recommendation: I recommend following the course schedule as closely as possible. Leaving a large amount of work until the last minute may lead to problems. Remember Murphy's Law: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong and at the worst possible time."
 
Note: You may work ahead.
 
 

Modules
1 and 2		 5/28 – 5/31 Assigned Material: Chapter 1: A State of Diversity: Demographics, Culture, and the Struggle for Identity in the Uncovering Texas Politicstextbook, start of the semester documents and videos, Chapter 2: The Texas Constitution in the Federal System in Uncovering Texas Politics, Why Study Governmentvideo, and Texas diversity videos and articles on the Discussion Board
    Due: 5/28: 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 Blackboard, too).
5/28: Introduction Discussion
5/28: Why Study Government? Discussion
5/29: Texas diversity videos and Discussion
5/30: Syllabus and Course Layout Quiz
5/30: Last Day to “OPT-OUT” of Gator Book Pack Summer I
5/30: Last Day to Petition for “No Grade”
5/31: Ch. 1 Quiz and Ch. 2 Quiz from the Uncovering Texas Politics (UTP) textbook
5/31: Last Day to Drop or Withdrawal Penalty

 

Modules
3 – 5		 6/3 – 6/7 Assigned Material: Local Governmentdocument and Chapter 3: Voting and Elections in Texas in Uncovering Texas Politics, Chapter 4:  Political Parties in Uncovering Texas Politics, and Texas Political Party platforms
    Due: 6/3: Local Government Quiz
6/4: Ch. 3 UTP Quiz
6/5: Ch. 4 UTP Quiz (Ch. 4 Quiz will include questions from the Texas Party Platforms)
6/6: Texas Political Parties Discussion
6/7: 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
6 and 7		 6/10 – 6/14 Assigned Material: Chapter 5: Interest Groups Uncovering Texas Politics, Chapter 6: The Texas Legislature in Uncovering Texas Politics, Biannual Blues?, Switch to Full Time Would Benefit Legislature
    Due: 6/10: Ch. 5 UTP Quiz
6/11: Ch. 6 UTP Quiz
6/12: Midterm (Chs. 1 – 6 from the Uncovering Texas Politics textbook, Local Government and anything covered in class. 
6/12: All work from May 28 to June 12, including the Midterm Exam, must be submitted today by 11:59 p.m. Anything not submitted by this deadline will receive a zero.
6/13: Texas Legislature Biannual Discussion
6/13: Last Day to Drop or Withdraw Summer I
6/14: Who Are My Representatives Assignment

Modules
8 – 10		 6/17 – 6/21 Assigned Material: Chapter 7: The Executive Branch in Texas in Uncovering Texas Politics, Chapter 8: The Texas Judicial Department in Texas in Uncovering Texas Politics, Texas-Sized Justice, Crash Course Gerrymanderingvideo, Texas May Have the Worst Gerrymander in the Countryvideo, Daylight Savings Time videoand articles found on the Discussion Board, and a variety of legalization videos and articles found on the Discussion Board
    Due: 6/17: Gerrymandering Discussion
6/17: Daylight Savings Time Discussion
6/18: Ch. 7 UTP Quiz
6/19: Juneteenth Holiday
6/20: Ch. 8 UTP Quiz and Texas-Sized Justice Quiz and Fiscal Policy Quiz
6/21: Legalization Discussion
Modules
11 – 13  		 6/24 – 6/28 Assigned Material: Fiscal Policy, Social Policy: Education, Health, and Immigration, a variety of school board and school voucher articles, Judicial Elections: Pros and Cons of Electing Judges, Analysis: Voters Elect Texas’ Judges, and Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies: Transforming Texas
    Due: 6/24: Fiscal Policy Quiz, Social Policy Quiz, and Energy, Environment, Transportation, and Trade Policies Quiz
6/25: Texas Supreme Court or Texas Criminal Court of Appeals Article Discussion
6/25: Should We Elect or Appoint Judges Discussion
6/26: School Board Discussion
6/27: School Voucher Discussion
6/27: Extra Credit
6/28: Texas Government Interview Project
  7/1 – 7/5 Assigned Material:  
    Due: 7/1: Final Exam: the Final Exam is comprehensive.
7/1: All work from June 17 to July 1, including the Final Exam, must be submitted by Monday, July 1 at 11:59 p.m. July 1 is the last day of the semester, and any work not submitted by this deadline will receive a zero.  The Final Exam is in the Modules 12 and 13 folder. 
                   
 




Major Assignments Schedule

Evaluation Method

 
Exams:  Two exams (Midterm and Final), each worth 100 points, covering multiple-choice, true/false, matching, and short answers.  The Final Exam is comprehensive. 
Writing Assignments:  There will be minor writing assignments throughout the semester.  Students will complete assignments (see details on Canvas) and discussions. Read the Discussion Board Rulesand the Discussion Board Rubricfor more information. 
Quizzes:Regular chapter and assigned material quizzes.  Questions from these quizzes will appear on the exams. 
Attendance: Monitored Weekly.  Absences must be documented to avoid penalties. Simply logging on does not count as attendance.  You will have to submit work for that week to be counted as present. See LSCO’s attendance policy(found on page 9). 

 




Final Exam Date

May 28, 2024 - :   Through  July 1, 2024 - :


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.
Academic Integrity and AI Policy:In this course, we aim not only to complete assignments but also to cultivate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. By maintaining academic integrity and producing original work, you will enhance your learning experience and contribute to our academic community.
Our goal is to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. Attempting to present work you have not honestly performed is considered a serious offense and may result in disciplinary action. Plagiarism, which includes submitting work generated wholly or in part by AI tools, is strictly prohibited. Any instances of unoriginal work, whether produced by AI or another source, will be considered a violation of academic integrity and subject to appropriate disciplinary actions. Furthermore, I am aware of when AI is being used by a student.
I will assign an F for the first offense and failure in the class for the second offense. After the second offense, I will contact the Dean of Students. If the student is a dual credit student, I will also contact the student’s school counselor and principal. This penalty also applies to students who use other sources [AI, paraphrasing tools, websites (copying verbatim), textbooks (copying verbatim), etc.] to complete assignments/exams/discussions/etc. I have provided many sources on how to avoid plagiarism, and you are expected to read/watch the material found on Canvas. I 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, 2306.81 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 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. 




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.

Attendance: Monitored Weekly.  Absences must be documented to avoid penalties. Simply logging on does not count as attendance.  You will have to submit work for that week to be counted as present. See LSCO’s attendance policy(found on page 9). 




Make-up Work Policy

Late Work: Please be aware for this course that accommodations for absences, as outlined in LSCO’s policies, are closely aligned with the duration of the absence. For instance, a one-day absence for a medical issue or other approved reason does not warrant extending deadlines for assignments that were due over multiple days and/or weeks.
Proactive management of your coursework is crucial. Communicate any issues that may impact your ability to meet course requirements as early as possible. In cases of prolonged absences, such as extended hospitalization or serious illness, contact me immediately to discuss necessary adjustments. However, short-term absences do not excuse the omission of significant portions of the semester's work. Regular engagement and on-time submission of assignments are essential for your success in this course.
Extensions for extenuating circumstances (e.g., personal illness or family emergency) may be granted, particularly if they coincide with major deadlines. To ensure fairness and uphold academic integrity, documentation verifying the circumstance is required for an extension.
Students involved in school-sanctioned events must submit all work that is before their absence to ensure uninterrupted academic responsibilities.
Unexcused absences will result in a zero grade for missed work. If makeup work is allowed, it must be submitted within one week of the original due date. This policy balances accountability with flexibility, accommodating genuine, unforeseen difficulties while promoting timely submission.




Classroom Etiquette

Classroom Netiquette:  Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom may be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Canvas, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums. All hybrid courses will have an online component as well. Learn more about netiquetteand its importance in an online environment.
 
Classroom Rules: I expect students to take responsibility for helping to maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning.


Exam Policy

Exams are asynchronous and given online.  


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

Academic Integrity and AI Policy:In this course, we aim not only to complete assignments but also to cultivate your knowledge, skills, and abilities. By maintaining academic integrity and producing original work, you will enhance your learning experience and contribute to our academic community.
Our goal is to foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. Attempting to present work you have not honestly performed is considered a serious offense and may result in disciplinary action. Plagiarism, which includes submitting work generated wholly or in part by AI tools, is strictly prohibited. Any instances of unoriginal work, whether produced by AI or another source, will be considered a violation of academic integrity and subject to appropriate disciplinary actions. Furthermore, I am aware of when AI is being used by a student.
I will assign an F for the first offense and failure in the class for the second offense. After the second offense, I will contact the Dean of Students. If the student is a dual credit student, I will also contact the student’s school counselor and principal. This penalty also applies to students who use other sources [AI, paraphrasing tools, websites (copying verbatim), textbooks (copying verbatim), etc.] to complete assignments/exams/discussions/etc. I have provided many sources on how to avoid plagiarism, and you are expected to read/watch the material found on Canvas. I will never accept ignorance as an excuse for plagiarism.



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

Expected Time Requirement for this Course:For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments.For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class. All Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time or more in this course as the traditional, face-to-face class.




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.


Equal Opportunity to Educational Programs

Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, in admissions, educational programs, student activities or employment. For further information about this policy, contact the Accessibility Coordinator at (409) 882-3393.


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, Joseph Hargrave, at Joseph Hargrave@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.


OASIS (formerly) 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 Accessibility Coordinator at (409) 882-3393 or visit the Advising Office. 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.

Students with questions about the accommodations they receive in class should contact their instructor or the Accessibility Coordinator.


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.


Credit Transfer

Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability. Refer to the LSCO Catalog for details on how to handle and resolve transfer disputes with public institutions of higher education in Texas.


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 Court Reporting, 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 at least 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 (Complaints Related to Earned Grades)

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 Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, LSCO Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.


Prohibited Items in the Classroom

No food or tobacco (including smokeless) 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 Complaints (excluding Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)

Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process excluding Safety, Harassment, or Title IX

LSCO believes that all matters involving a staff member (non-instructor) OR an instructor are best resolved directly with the employee. Should it not be resolved at that level, access and complete the Student Complaint Intake form within five (5) business days from the date of the offense. The Student Complaint Intake Form can be found in any of these locations:



After a student completes the Student Complaint Intake Form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee unrelated to the offense and provided guidance on how to proceed with the Complaint process.

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.


Student Complaints (involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)

Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX:

Students who have experienced a safety, harassment, or title IX event should access and complete the Title IX/Clery: Anonymous Reporting Form found in any of these locations:



After a student completes the intake form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee and provided guidance on how to proceed.

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.


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 Catalog. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook.