American Government and Economics Honors Syllabus_______________________________________________
Term: Spring 2011 Instructor: Mr. R. Morris
Phone: 980-2100 Room: A- 118
Email:
Textbook s: Magruder’s American Government. Prentice Hall, Economics: Principles in Action. Prentice Hall
Course Description: The first nine weeks of this course will focus on the United States government. Students will examine the operation of major American institutions such as the presidency and the executive branch, the Supreme Court and lower courts, and the United States Congress. Study in the course also focuses on the functions of bureaucracy, the roles of the political parties, the actions of interest and advocacy groups, and the impact of mass media. Students will also discuss civil liberties, civil rights, civil responsibilities, and public policies.
The second nine weeks will focus on economic principles, with an emphasis on the efficient allocation of resources through the market forces of demand and supply. Students examine the principles of economics involving the production, consumption, and distribution of wealth in a market economy that is influenced by governmental policies. With regard to financial literacy, students are also given instruction in banking and financial institutions, credit card and credit management, and stock and bond markets. Critical thinking, participation, reading, writing, and listening skills will be employed to gain a better understanding of our governmental system as well as economics.
Since this is an Honors level course, Honors caliber work is expected. You will have reading assignments almost every night. It is expected that you have read the assignment prior to the next day’s lesson. Reading quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester. There will be two 5-7 page research papers, one per each nine week grading cycle.
Course Objectives:
Government:
1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of the American republic—its basic democratic principles and its political systems.
2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the United States government—its origins and its functions.
3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the continuing role of the United States Constitution in the defining and shaping of American government and society.
4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the concept of personal and civic rights and responsibilities and the role of the citizen in American democracy.
5. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the United States’ relations with other nation-states and its role in world affairs.
Economics:
1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of how scarcity and choice impact the economic activity of individuals, families, communities, and nations.
2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of markets and the role of supply and demand in determining price and resource allocation.
3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the sources of income and growth in a free-enterprise economy.
4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of personal economic decision making to maximize the net benefits of personal income.
5. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the various economic institutions of a market economy
6. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the roles that federal, state, and local governments play in the operation of markets in the United States.
7. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the national economy and economic policies in the United States.
8. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of trade and economic development.
Requirements: Students are required to bring pencils and pens, keep a 3 Ring Binder, read assignments, and participate constructively in class. Students may wish to bring a calculator to class when we begin economics during the second nine weeks.
Prompts:
Each day when you arrive in class, there will be a prompt on the board. It may be as simple as a definition or as difficult as a subjective paragraph response. Topics may be new material, review material, or opinion responses. Regardless, you should first COPY down the question (50%) and then ANSWER (50%) it. The response will be in a complete sentence. Be sure to date your prompt each day for notebook checks.
Grading Scale: The Grading Scale for Economics is the standard scale used by Rock Hill School District 3.
93-100…………………………A
85-92…………………………..B
77-84…………………………..C
70-76…………………………..D
69 > …………………………...F
Tests, quizzes, projects and class participation will be graded. Each assignment will be given a point value. Tests, Projects and Papers count for 50% of the Final Grade.
Daily Assignments count for 30 % of the Final Grade.
Quizzes count for 10% of the Final Grade.
Homework counts for 10% of the Final Grade.
Grades are calculated by total points earned divided by total points possible.
First Quarter grade = 40 %
Second Quarter grade = 40%
Exam = 20 % The final exam will be a cumulative exam.
Students will be held to the Academic Integrity policy of Rock Hill School District 3 as stated in the student handbook.
Retesting Policy:
Students are allowed to retake major tests if they score below a 77.
The maximum score that a student can obtain on a retest is a 77.
The student must make arrangements to take the retest on the day designated by the teacher. Retests are given before or after school NEVER during class.
Students have one week after receiving their score to retest. After one week the original grade stands.
Attention Parents : Your child will be given five minutes each Friday to calculate and record his/her class average and attendance for the class. This is to be recorded in his/her agenda so that you can always know the status of your child in the class.
Daily Procedures: Procedures will vary from day to day and may include lecture with note taking and discussion, group activities, individual research, and reading and analyzing periodicals.
Homework : Homework assignments will be periodically graded for completion. On the days that homework is collected for grading, students will be expected to turn in their assignments at the beginning of class. If you are absent from class when a homework assignment is collected for grading, it is to be submitted immediately upon your return.
Current Events: Every Friday, each student will be given the opportunity to present an extra credit article about a topic discussed in class. These articles are worth a maximum of five points and may be applied to any assignment. Each student may turn in up to eight articles per semester.
Attendance: It is essential for students to be on time and in their seats before the bell rings. Students are responsible for all missed assignments. Tests and other in-class assignments missed due to an excused absence will be made up within five school days from the student’s return to class without a grade penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to confer with the teacher as soon as possible to make up this work. Test s may not be made up if missed as the result of an unexcused absence.
Classroom Rules of Conduct :
1. Be in your seat when the bell rings.
2. Bring all books and materials to class.
3. Raise your hand for permission to speak or to leave your seat.
4. Be respectful of the teacher and others.
5. We will obey all rules stated in the SPHS student handbook.
Consequences: If you choose to break a classroom rule.
1st offense – Verbal warning
2nd offense – Written warning
3rd offense – Written warning and parents notified
4th offense – Office referral
· Any severe disruption or violation of classroom or school rules will result in an automatic office referral.
If you need to get up, raise your hand and I will assist you
You have assigned seats and are not to sit any other seat
Topics to be covered:
Tentative Schedule - Government
August 18 – September 1
Foundations of American Government
Principles and Origins
September 2 – September 8
Documents that shaped our political traditions
Pre-U.S. Constitution Document
Government Project Assigned – due October 19
September 9 – September 12
U.S. Constitution
September 15 – September 18
History of rights, liberties, and obligations of citizenship in the U.S.
Civil Rights, Civil Liberties, Responsibilities of Citizens
September 19 – September 24
The 3 Branches of Government
The Legislative Branch
September 25- October 1
The 3 Branches of Government
Complete Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
October 2 – October 8
The 3 Branches of Government
Complete Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch
October 9 – October 14
State and Local Governments
October 15 – October 17
Finish Unit on Government
Tentative Schedule – Economics
October 20 – October 27
Basic Economic Principles
Economics Defined
October 28 – November 3
Supply and Demand in a Market Economy
Demand, Supply, and Market Equilibrium
November 4 – November 10
Economic Systems and Market Structures
November 11- November 14
Macroeconomic Principles
Fiscal Policy: Taxation and Spending
November 17 – November 24
Macroeconomic Principles
Monetary Policy: The Federal Reserve
November 25- December 1
The Global Economy
International Trade and Global Interdependence
December 2 – December 10
Personal Finance
The Role of Credit
Personal Budget
Please return to Mr. Morris
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Student’s Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Parent or Guardian’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________
Relationship to student:__________________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
Home Phone:___________________________________ Work Phone: ____________________
E-mail address:_______________________________________________________________________
I have read and understand the syllabus for Government and Economics Honors
Student’s signature _______________________________________ Date ___________________
Parent or Guardian’s signature ______________________________ Date ___________________