SouthwestMagnetHigh School and LawAcademy
Macon, Georgia
BibbCountySchool District
COURSE SYLLABUS
American Government
Teacher:Mrs. Regina Morris Evans
Room Number: 2007
Semester: 2016-2017Phone Number: 478-799-4500
Textbook: United States GovernmentTextbook Price: $80
Email:
Tutorial Hours:Tuesday & Thursday 2:45-4:45
Department Philosophy: The Southwest High School Social Studies Department is committed to providing quality instructions designed to help each student envision a future that is productive, achievable, and stimulating. We seek to help students recognize the value of education while motivating them to challenge themselves and strive for higher achievement through intellectual curiosity, fact-seeking reading, self-esteem, motivation, integrity, and respect for individual, cultural, religious and racial differences.
Course Description:This course is designed as a college introductory government and politics course. The student will understand the government that the framers of the constitution intended to make. The student will recognize the six principles that are the basis for the constitution. Students will be familiar with a variety of theoretical perspectives relating to the Constitution. It is important for students to understand how beliefs of the United States Constitution were formed, how they evolve, and the processes by which they are transmitted. It is essential that students understand what leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behaviors, and the political consequences of these differences. Students are expected to understand the role of the media in the political system. Students must become familiar with the organization and powers, both formal and informal, of the major political institutions in the United States- the Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts. It is important for students to know the process involved in the formation of policy agendas, the enactment of public policies by Congress and the President, and the implementation and interpretation of policies by the bureaucracy and the courts. It is important that students be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Supreme Court decisions as tools of social change.
Unit 1: Connecting Themes
Unit 2: Your Day in Court is Coming
Unit 3: Rules were made to be broken…or at least interpreted
Unit 4: The Executive: Dream Job or Nightmare
Unit 5: America’s Federal System
Unit 6: Why this type of government? How did we get here?
Unit 7: Individuals, Groups, and Choices
Grading Scale:
Assessment of Learning---Test, Cornell Notes, Performance Pieces…..…………………50%
Assessment for Learning—Essays, Projects, Group Assignments, Quiz…………………. 35%
Assessment During Learning---Class work, Homework……………………………………15%
Final Examination
Total ------100%
Required Materials:
Students are to bring their books and notebooks every day to class. Students are not allowed to leave books in the classroom. Homework will be assigned daily. Along with their book and notebooks the following materials should be brought to class each day.
Pencils/pens
3” Three-ring binder
Dividers
Paper
Notebook Requirements:
Notes, handouts, etc, should be kept in your binder. It should be kept neat and in the order listed below. . The notebook should be kept in the following order:
- Notes
- Vocabulary
- Readings
- Handouts
Notebook checks will be given!!!
Classroom (Rules) Expectations:
- Follow all directions the first time they are given.
- No eating or drinking!!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
- Bring all necessary supplies and be on time to class.
- Be in dress code.
- Show respect to others through actions and language.
- N0 PHONES,MP3 players, HEADPHONES!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! THEY WILL BE TAKEN UP!!!!
CONSEQUENCES
- Warning
- Phone call home
- Detention- Will be held after school, if student DOES NOT stay he/she will NOT be allowed back in class until a parent conference is held.
- Parental Conference/ Phone call
- Office referral
NOTE: Severe problems will be sent directly to the office. Also, it is the teacher’s choice as to the order of consequences. In order to better serve my students and keep constant contact with my parents – it is a requirement of mine that if you have a change of address, or phone “Contact Me Immediately with the updated number”.If no parent/guardian can be reached, then discipline problem will be reported to the counselor and/or principal.
Make-Up:
“Students shall be given a reasonable opportunity, not exceeding three (3) days, to make up work or tests which were missed because of an excused absence from school. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange to make up work. Failure to make up work after a reasonable time will result in a grade of 0.”
-BibbCounty Student Handbook
Class Note: The student will be given two days to make –up work that is missed unless he or she is out more than three consecutive days. In this case, the student will be given five days to make up his or her work. REMEMBER: FOUR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES WILL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC FAILURE, PLEASE HAVE ALL ABSENCES DOCUMENTED WITH THE OFFICE.
Conferences:
If you have questions, you may come to me and discuss them at an appropriate time. If your parents or guardians would like to discuss anything pertaining to the class may arrange to meet with me after school.
Late Work
25 points will be deducted from each assignment if it isn’t submitted on time. In cases of extenuating circumstances, this may be waved. (Instructor will make that determination)
Student/ Parent Contract:
American Government—Mrs. Regina Morris Evans
As a student of SouthwestMagnetHigh School and law Academy, I hereby agree to follow all of the rules and regulations indicated by the Southwest high and BibbCounty student handbooks.
I hereby also pledge to practice all of the following behaviors to assure my success in this class:
1)Bring my book daily and handle it and other classroom supplies and materials with CARE.
2)Stay in my seat while in class,
3)Refrain from bringing items other than SCHOOL SUPPLIES to class (i.e food, drinks, cell phones, mp3 players, ear phones, etc.).
4)Bring pen, pencil and paper to class.
5)Be on time to class with proper materials EVERYDAY.
6)Sit up, pay attention, and ACTIVELY participate in independent, cooperative group or whole class activities.
7)Complete assignments.
8)Respect others and use PROPER language – no profanity.
9)Never talk while teacher is talking.
10)Keep desk, work area, and classroom NEAT.
11)Abide by all school and classroom rules.
12)Respect Me at all times.
Parent Pledge:As a parent/guardian of a student in Mrs. Brock’s American Government class, I will do whatever is necessary to help my child successfully pass this semester including but not limited to classroom visits, signing required forms, and attending parent conferences.
MRS. MORRIS EVANS,RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR MODIFY ANY SECTION OF THIS SYLLABUS AT ANY TIME IN ORDER TO MORE ADEQUATELY MEET THE NEEDS AND INTEREST OF THE STUDENTS IN THIS CLASS.
I HAVE READ THE ENTIRE SYLLABUS AND BY SIGNING BELOW I AGREE TO ABIDE BY ITS CONTENTS.
Student Signature:______Date ______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date : ______
Dear Parent(s),
Your child will be receiving an essential part of his/her Social Studies high school curriculum requirements in my class during this semester. In order for your child to achieve success in my class, it is necessary that we work cooperatively. The educational process is best served when students, parents, and teachers understand their roles to ensure that the students’ instructional needs are met.
My philosophy is that each child deserves the opportunity to learn; therefore, I am committed to teach and guide them. However, it is the student’s responsibility to remain open to instruction by both displaying the proper behavior and working with teachers and parents/guardians to obtain an education. I look forward to working with you and your child in what is expected to be a great and productive semester. In order to better serve my students and keep constant contact with my parents – it is a requirement of mine that if you have a change of address, or phone “Contact Me Immediately with the updated number”.
Should you need to contact me relative to your child’s progress in my class, please feel free to contact me at 478-779-4500 or email me at . I am also available after school from 2:45p.m. to 3:45 PM or by appointment. Please be mindful that all parent-teacher conferences should be made through the counselors.
Thank you for all you do to help us make school successful.
Sincerely,
Regina Morris Evans
AVID Elective Teacher
AVID Coordinator
Social Studies Department Chair