AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
COURSE OUTLINE AND SYLLABUS
MRS. TURNER
TEXTBOOK: REMY, RICHARD C. (2006) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT: DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, MCGRAW-HILL / GLENCOE.
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
American Government is a 9-week social studies course required of all 12th grade students. The course is designed to help students acquire knowledge of how the American governmental system functions, why it functions the way it does, and the student’s role as a citizen.
II. OVERALL COURSE OBJECTIVE:
As conditions have changed both at home and abroad, our political agenda has come to include increasingly complicated issues. These fundamental issues will continue to shape the public agenda and the private lives of most Americans. Therefore, it is especially important that students become informed and responsible citizens in order to better understand issues of national and international significance and to become civically empowered. Civic understanding means examining not only governmental theory and machinery, but also exploring current public issues.
III. COURSE OUTLINE:
UNIT ONE-FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
A. Ch. 1-Principles of American Government
B. Ch. 2-Origins of American Government
C. Ch. 3-The U.S. Constitution
D. Ch. 4-Federalism
UNIT TWO-THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
A. Ch. 5-Organization of the U.S. Congress
B. Ch.6-Powers of Congress
C. Ch.7-Congress at Work
UNIT THREE-THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
A. Ch. 8-The Presidency (including the electoral process)
B. Ch. 9-Presidential Leadership
C. Ch. 10-The Bureaucracy
UNIT FOUR-THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
A. Ch. 11-The Federal Court System
B. Ch. 12-Supreme Court Decision Making
UNIT FIVE- LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
A. Ch. 13-Constitutional Freedoms
B. Ch. 14-Citizenship and Equal Justice
C. Ch. 15-Law in America
UNIT SIX – PARTICIPATING IN GOVERNMENT
A. Ch. 16-Political Parties
B. Ch. 17-Elections and Voting
C. Ch. 18-Interest Groups and Public Opinion
D. Ch. 19-The Mass Media
UNIT SEVEN – PUBLIC POLICIES AND SERVICES
A. Ch. 20-Taxing and Spending
B. Ch. 21-Social and Domestic Policy
C. Ch. 22-Foreign Policy and Defense
UNIT EIGHT – STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
A. Ch. 23-Structure and Function of State Government
B. Ch. 24-Structure and Function of Local Government
UNIT NINE – POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
A. Ch. 25-Political Systems in Today’s World
B. Ch. 26-Development of Economic Systems
IV. GRADE PROCEDURES:
There are two categories of grades-MAJOR GRADES and DAILY GRADES. .
Grades for this course will be determined based upon numerous factors including but not limited to:
a. homework assignments
b. quizzes (announced and unannounced)
c. class work
d. class participation
e. major examinations (unit tests and vocabulary tests)
f. group projects
g. independent research assignments
h. notebook
i. current events
V. CLASS MATERIALS:
-Government textbook
-Notebook paper
-Pen and pencil
VI. GOVERNMENT NOTEBOOK:
Your government notebook is a very important and REQUIRED tool for organizing schoolwork this year. All assignments, handouts, homework etc. will be kept in a THREE-RING notebook. Notebooks will be checked periodically.
VII. TESTS/QUIZZES:
Tests and quizzes will be given regularly throughout the quarter. Material covered will include class notes, homework, videos, and assigned readings. Tests will be given for each unit and will be announced prior to its scheduled date. Quizzes may not be announced.
VIII. CURRENT EVENTS AND CURRENT EVENTS QUIZZES:
You will be responsible for turning in a current event article weekly along with a summary of the main ideas in the article. The article needs to be timely and can relate to local, state, or national news events. These articles will constitute a major grade for the 9 weeks.
IX. CLASS PARTICIPATION/ RESPONSIBILITY:
Participation is vital for each student to perform well in class. Everyone has something to contribute and can help the entire class learn by doing so. PARTICIPATION and RESPONSIBILITY require that you come to class every day with your required materials.
X. MAKE-UP WORK & LATE WORK POLICY:
Students should make every effort to be in class each day!! A great deal of material is covered in each 90-minute session. You are responsible for your OWN WORK. This includes make-up work. It is your responsibility to make sure all make-up work is completed and turned in when you have been absent. Homework is checked from time to time for effort and completeness. I will award points accordingly. If an emergency situation prevents you from completing an assignment on time, you should talk to me regarding the situation as early as possible, so we can work out a revised schedule that is acceptable to both of us.
XI. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
Respect for Others, Community, and Self are mandatory in this classroom!
Consequences for choosing to show disrespect:
· First time – warning
· Second time – teacher conference and/or break or after school detention
· Third time – sent to administration and parent(s) contacted
Your work will be your own!
Students are expected to turn in work that is their own. Do not let other students copy your work. Work that is copied or has been copied from will not be awarded credit. Please review the Enterprise High School Handbook for school rules on cheating.
XII. Contact Me: I am always available for extra help in this class. Make an appointment to meet with me before school, after school or during my planning period. Please come and see me if you have questions or concerns about the content. You may also leave a message for me using e-mail:
THIS PAGE IS TO BE SIGNED AND RETURNED TOMMORROW.
1. I have read and understand this Government Syllabus.
______
Student Signature Date
2. I have read this Government Syllabus and will support my student in the study of the class.
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date