American Government 122
Course Syllabus
Text: United States Government,Democracy in Action by Richard C. Remy, You will need to bring it to class each day unless told otherwise.
YOU MUST PASS THIS CLASS TO GRADUATE!!!!!!
Content of the Course: This is a survey course in United States government. Our study will include the origin of governments, comparative systems, and American history. There will be extensive examination of the U.S. Constitution. The three branches of the U.S. government (executive, legislative, and judicial) will be studied from their establishment to how they function today.
Unit 1-Foundations of American Government
Chapter 1-People and Government
Chapter 2-Origins of American Government
Unit 2-The Constitution and Federalism
Chapter 3-The Constitution
Chapter 4-The Federal System
Unit 3-Participating in Government
Chapter 16-Political Parties
Chapter 17-Elections and Voting
Chapter 18-Interest Groups and Public Opinion
Chapter 19-The Mass Media
Unit 4-The Legislative Branch
Chapter 5-The Organization of Congress
Chapter 6-Development of Congressional Powers
Chapter 7-Congress at Work
Unit 5-The Executive Branch
Chapter 8-The Presidency
Chapter 9-Presidential Leadership
Chapter 10-The Federal Bureaucracy
Unit 6-The Judicial Branch
Chapter 11-The Federal Court System
Chapter 12-Supreme Court Decision Making
The important concepts concerning Citizenship and Equal Justice and Public Policy will be incorporated in our study for all units.
Methods of Instruction: Critical thinking exercises, problem-solving activities, and cooperative learning techniques help develop intellectual and participatory skills while increasing students understanding of the institutions of American constitutional democracy. Daily lessons will consist of lecture, class discussions and analysis, audio-visuals with specific focus and insight into topics and governmental and legal procedures, research and debate. Students will be assigned chapter readings at the beginning of each unit. There will be some questions on each test that are covered in the book but not in class lecture, so please read! Throughout the semester additional readings will be handed out by Mr. NEEDLE. Information from these handouts will also be covered in tests and quizzes. Reading and understanding current affairs is essential in the study of U.S. Government. Students must be aware of all important events in domestic and foreign policy. READ, READ, READ, AND LISTEN TO NEWS BROADCASTS ON A DAILY BASIS! There may be pop quizzes to check up on your knowledge of current events.
Grading: Your grades will be based on a point system. It is your responsibility to keep up with your own grades and your current average. You will be graded on grammar and spelling.
Formative Assessments------20%
Summative Assessments:
Projects/Tests------50%
Quizzes------15%
Final Exam------15%
Final Exam: 100 Points
Projects: 100-200 Points
Daily assignments: Formativeassessments,and quizzes will be graded on a regular basis. All work should be turned in on time for full credit. On time means at the beginning of the class period on or before the due date. Late work credit will be based on school policy. Students will also be graded on participation. This participation includes organized discussions of current events and readings assigned by the teacher.
Tests: Each unit test will count 100 points. A unit test may cover anywhere from one to four chapters.
Project: This semester each student will be required to do one or more projects. These projects will have as many or more points than a major test. These projects may include a written report, an oral report, illustrations, pictures and maps. An audio-visual presentation may also be required. (Examples: debates, current
events, essays, and biographies) These projectscould involve group work.
With our study of the election process, voting behavior and the executive branch all students will work on specific group activities.
Students will be responsible for creatingPublic Opinion Questions and conducting a Mock Election. You will receive handouts with more specific information.
Notebook: Students are required to keep a notebook in this class. Notebooks must include all notes, vocabulary lists, film questions, and any other formative assessments. The notebook is to be a three ring loose leaf binder. Notebooks may be checked in the form of a quiz using only your notebook.
Make-up work: School policy will be followed according to the student handbook.
Course Outline:
Types of Governments and Comparative Governments
Foreign Policy (History and development)
Historical Development of the U.S. Government
The Constitution
U.S. Congress
The Political Process: public opinion, media, elections, political parties, voting and special interest groups.
Presidency
Supreme Court and the Federal Courts
Civil Rights
State and Local Government
AT THE TEACHER’S DISCRETION PACING, MATERIALS PRESENTED, AND PRODUCTS MAY CHANGE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND /OR CLASSES.
I want to welcome you back to KellHigh School! I am looking forward to working with your child to insure that his/her academic growth reaches its full potential. I consider my classroom a team effort incorporating teacher, student and parent. Communication is the key to success.
If you are new to the area, you will find that an on-line program called Pinnacle allows you to monitor your child’s progress in all of his/her classes.
My e-mail address is Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I will reply as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your support as we look forward to this semester.
Sincerely,
BenNEEDLE
Social Studies
As a way of supplementing material in the classroom, there may be some historical movies, documentaries, and political commentaries that are shown in class. It is possible that these movies may have a PG-13 rating. These movies or clips may contain some violence and adult language. The movies will be accompanied by a writing assignment for the students to complete. Should you wish for your student NOT to watch the movie, an alternative assignment will be provided for him/her in the media center. By signing below, you are granting permission for your student to view a supplemental movie, documentary, or political commentary for this course of study that is rated PG-13.
I have read the course syllabus and classroom procedures. All of the material was fully explained and I understand what is expected in this class.
I know that I must PASS THIS CLASS IN ORDER TO GRADUATE!!!!
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