Spring 2026
Federal Government
GOVT 2305 INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Jarred Salinas Email: jsalinas@mkchs.com Office Phone: 409-866-2351 Office Location: Room 13 Office Hours: 08:00 - 08:50 M-F or by appointment CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Online with asynchronous features PREREQUISITE/CO-REQUISITE: TSI Complete in Reading COURSE DESCRIPTION Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution; structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches; federalism; political participation; the national election process; public policy; civil liberties and civil rights. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system. 3. Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice. 4. Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. 5. Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system. 6. Analyze the election process. 7. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. 8. Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS We use a free textbook in this course that is accessible via Internet. American Government 3rd Edition Krutz, Waskiewicz; Free Web Version ISBN-13: 978-1-951693-38-1 https://openstax.org/details/books/american-government-3e Approved:MC 8/30/24 ATTENDANCE POLICY It is in the student’s best interest to log on at least once a day to review lecture notes, complete course assignments, and take exams. I monitor the amount of time that students spend in Blackboard and the number of logins throughout the week. If a student stops logging in, I will reach out to ensure that nothing has happened which prevented the student from continuing in the course. However, if you are experiencing difficulties, please be proactive and let me know that you need an extension. DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE CALENDAR (Subject to Change) DUE DATE TOPIC READINGS ASSIGNMENTS Jan 20-21 Introduction & Syllabus Syllabus None Jan 22-23 1.1 What is Government? Discuss Core Assessment Chapter 1.1 Chapter 1.2 Syllabus Quiz Jan 26-27 1.2 Political Socialization None Quiz 1.1 Jan 28-29 1.3 Roots of the Revolution Chapter 2.1 Appendix A: Declaration of Independence Chapter 2.2 Quiz 1.2 In-Class Discussion Jan 30 - Feb 2 1.4 The Constitution Chapter 2.3 Appendix B: U.S. Constitution Quiz 1.3 Appendix C: Federalist 10 Chapter 2.4 Appendix C: Federalist 51 Feb 3 - 4 Core Assessment Q&A None Quiz 1.4 Q&A Discussion Feb 5-6 Unit 1 Exam None Unit 1 Exam Feb 9-10 2.1 Supreme Court Decisions Case Briefs: Engel v. Vitale (1962) Schenk v. United States (1919) Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) Texas v. Johnson (1989) Classroom Case Discussions Feb 11-12 2.2 Civil Liberties Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Quiz 2.1 Last Drop Date without academic penalty (Feb.20) Feb 13-16 2.3 Civil Rights Chapters 5 Quiz 2.2 Feb 17-18 2.4 Federalism Chapters 3 Quiz 2.3 Feb 19-20 Core Assessment Q&A None Quiz 2.4 First Draft of Core Assessment Due Feb 23-24 Unit 2 Exam None Unit 2 Exam Feb 25-26 3.1 Legislative Branch Chapter 11 Armstrong, M. (2023) Concerning United States Constitutional War Powers None Feb 27- Mar 2 3.2 Executive Branch Chapter 12 Quiz 3.1 Mar 3 - 4 3.3 Judicial Branch Chapter 13 Quiz 3.2 Mar 5 - 6 3.3 Judicial Branch Chapter 13 None Mar 16 - 17 Core Assessment Q&A Unit 3 Recap None Montesquieu - Separation of Powers Quiz 3.3 Second Draft of Core Assessment Due Montesquieu Discussion Mar 18 - 19 Unit 3 Exam None Unit 3 Exam Last drop date with academic penalty Mar 20 - 23 4.1 Interest Groups, Monopolies, & Patents 4.2 Public Opinion & Public Polling Chapter 10 Chapter 6 None Mar 24 - 25 4.3 The Media Chapter 8 Quiz 4.1 & 4.2 Mar 26-27 4.4 Political Parties Chapter 9 Quiz 4.3 Mar 30 - 31 4.5 Political Participation Unit 4 Review Chapter 1.3 None Quiz 4.4 Q&A Core Assessment Q&A Apr 1 - 2 Unit 4 Exam None Unit 4 Exam Apr 3 - 6 Final Exam Review None Q&A Apr 7 - 8 Core Assessment Due None Core Assessment Due Apr 9 -10 Final Exam None Optional Final Exam COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Tests…………………………….……………………50% • Core Assessment…………………………………… 20% • Daily Grades/Quizzes/Assignments/Discussions…… 30% GRADE SCALE • 90-100 A • 80-89 B • 70-79 C • 60-69 D • 0-59 F TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc. can be online at https://lit.edu/online-learning/online-learning-minimum computer-requirements. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION • Due Dates: All assignments, daily work, and major projects/tests due dates are indicated in the Blackboard course for this class and/or on the instructor-supplied course schedule. Due dates are subject to change. I will update you all via Blackboard if changes are made. • Late Work: Late work is accepted with a 20-point deduction each day after it is due. I do NOT take any excuses for getting late points removed…late is late! However, I also know that there are sometimes unforeseen circumstances that may arise. You should contact me BEFORE the due date to make arrangements and submit any necessary documentation that may be needed in order to prevent late work deductions. There is NO excuse for habitually turning in late assignments! o The late work policy only applies to daily grades (i.e. quizzes, assignments, and discussions). It does NOT apply to tests or the core assessment assignments. You cannot receive any extension (with or without late penalty points) on the tests and core assignments. In other words, your zero will stand and you will not have the option to make them up. However, please know that life happens. If you foresee not being able to make the due date for tests or the common assignment, I need you to please email me immediately and with valid documentation. Waiting until after the due date will still result in a zero. I have discretion as the instructor to accept or decline excuses. • Lockdown Browser: This course will use the Respondus lockdown browser for all quizzes and tests. As such, you are required to have access to a computer that can support this software program. If you do not, tests and quizzes must be taken at the Eagles’ Nest in the computer lab. Extensions or special treatment will not be given if you fail to ensure you have an appropriate computer in advance of assignments’ due dates. • Work Submissions: All assignments must be submitted via Blackboard. Assignments submitted through any other method, such as email, will receive a “0”. Please submit assignments in a Word document and not PDF, Google Doc links, or Pages. Not submitting as a Word document may result in a “0” or major late deductions until the assignment is submitted correctly. • Grading Work: While I strive to grade quickly, please allow me up to 1 week to grade your assignment. I will always communicate with students if there is a reason for a grading extension. In addition, you may work at your own pace for this class and finish as quickly as you’d like. However, please know that I will still grade the assignment when the module is due and not before. • Communication Preference: I prefer you to email me on Blackboard under “messages.” Please wait up to 24 hours on a week day and 48 hours on the weekend for my response. Please note that you must start assignments early as I won’t always be available on the weekends! • Academic Dishonesty: All homework, papers, and tests must be the work of the student only. Do not use AI on your assignments, nor copy and paste from the internet or your friends. The first offense of plagiarism may result minimally in a 30-point deduction on the assignment. A second offense may result in a zero on the assignment. Continuous abuse will result in an F in the course. • Extra Credit/Bonus Points: Please do not ask me for individual consideration/favors, which includes asking for extra credit. Any opportunities will be given to the class as a whole and not on an individual basis. Lastly…I am here to mentor, support, and teach you this semester. Please do not be afraid to ask me any questions and/or seek advice. My door is always open, even if it is after my office hours. I look forward to seeing you all’s journeys as LIT Eagles!