Ms. Zwart Name
Website: http://www.tesd.net/Domain/1357
Email:
2015-2016 Honors US Government & Economics
I. Objectives
Welcome to Honors US Government & Economics! You will examine the basic values influencing US politics and how these values affect the behavior of major political institutions and the American electorate. You will look at the role of the national government and the people and institutions that facilitate the running of this ever-changing system. We will explore civic virtues (e.g. volunteerism, duty to one’s country) and see how they encourage understanding and engagement in our political process. There is also attention given to basic economic principles and policy that are interwoven with the functioning of our government. Through this course, you will analyze your role as an active citizen and be able to make informed decisions about the future of the United States of America.
II. Topics and Themes
The course will be broken down into the five themes which follow:
A. Foundations of American Government
1. Intro to Government
2. Comparative Political and Economic Systems
3. The Constitution
4. Federalism
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B. Institutions of Government
1. Congress
2. The Presidency
3. The Bureaucracy and Financing Government
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MIDTERM
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C. Political Behavior
1. Political Parties and Ideology
2. Voting and Electoral Process
3. News Media, Public Opinion, and Interest Groups
D. Judicial Branch
1. The Judiciary
2. Civil Liberties
3. Civil Rights
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E. Economics
1. Basic concepts and Economic Systems
2. National and International Markets
3. Government’s role in the Economy
III. Guidelines
A. Reading Assignments
Students are expected to complete article and textbook readings. Articles will typically be annotated and textbook readings will use guiding questions. Guiding questions are found at the beginning of every section in the textbook in the Government textbook. Reading assignments may be assessed in the following manner on the day it is due or any day thereafter: closed-note quiz, open-note quiz, collected, checked in class.
B. Notetaking is highly recommended during lectures, class discussion and for reading assignments. Taking brief notes from important passages in readings is also useful for easy and quick reference later when studying for unit tests and for enhanced participation during class discussions.
IV. Grading
1. 2-3 Unit tests per marking period. They will include objective questions and a writing portion and are usually worth 100 points.
2. 3-4 projects throughout the year such as a research paper, formal debate, and something more creative. Range in value from 50-100 points.
3. Homework will be given throughout the semester in a variety of methods. These will be used as tools for re-teaching or as enrichment activities. Expect an average of 3 assignments per week, most likely 2 from the textbook and 1 outside assignment. Usually worth 20 points each.
* Late homework will receive a 50% reduction in grade. It will be accepted until the unit ends but not thereafter.
4. Current events in the US and the world will also be included on a regular basis as a means to provide practical/ real-life connections. It would be in your best interest to check the news weekly through news shows, websites, or apps, to keep yourself updated. Each of you will periodically be required to bring in a current event to share with the class. We will discuss this more later.
5. Class participation is used as a measure of engagement and is essential for a full experience. I look for qualitative participation during class discussions, as well as a sincere effort to participate in a manner that furthers both individual and group learning throughout the marking period. Your class participation grade will be anywhere between -1% to a +3 % points of your overall grade each marking period.
6. The midterm and final exam make up 1/5 of final course grade.
7. Pinnacle- 0 means that the assignment cannot be made up; Z means that the assignments CAN be made up; blank fields mean that the assignment has not been graded yet (in most cases); X mean that the student has been excused from that assignment.
V. Class Expectations
1. The number one rule of this class is respect. That means three things:
v Show respect for the teacher and classroom procedures
v Be respectful of the thoughts and feelings of your fellow classmates, visitors, and substitutes. Much of this class involves debate, discussion, and the voicing of your opinions on important matters. Make sure that you respect others’ rights to their own opinions and voice yours in an appropriate and tolerant manner.
v Respect yourselves. Your education is your own. The harder you work, the more you will gain from your efforts.
2. Keep the room clean and show care for desks and school property.
3. Do your own work. Cheating results in a zero grade, a call home, and could mean
further academic consequences. Cheating includes “borrowing” (copying, pasting, paraphrasing etc.) ideas from sources and not crediting them. It also includes telling students answers on quizzes or test.
4. Come to class with all required materials for the day and be ready to work
5. Be responsible for missed work. You can check my website, which will be updated regularly or see me in the beginning of the day for missed work. When absent, you are responsible for contacting a classmate to obtain missing lecture notes.
VI. Other Important Points
1. You may use a notebook and folder system or a 3-ring binder, depending on your preference. Whether notebook or folder, keep a section aside for do nows.
2. Student absences
v You have two days time for every day of absence to make up work missed during the absence. However, it is strongly recommended that you take the test on the day of your return to school. Students failing to make up a test in a timely fashion will receive a zero.
v Special circumstances for longer absences will be considered.
3. Homework Pass – once a marking period you may delay completing a homework assignment for one or two days by letting me know before 7:20 am (via email) on the date that the homework is due that you are using a pass that day. The pass may only be used on the day an assignment is due and not thereafter.
4. Our textbook is available online and is a good resource for extra studying/practice. The website will be linked on my website.
VII. What You Can Expect From Me
I will treat you with respect and as responsible young adults. If you are having difficulty with the course, please come discuss it with me, so that we can work together on a solution. I want to help you progress and achieve your greatest potential. I’m looking forward to a great year J