US Government
Teacher: Mr. Cooper
Room: G-6
o Course Description:
This course is aligned with the California Common Core State Standards and is required by the state for high school graduation and college and university admissions. American Government should be seen as the culmination of all the social science classes that you have taken up to this point. Many of you will soon be 18 years old and will become voting citizens of the United States of America; this class will help you realize the gravity and the responsibility of this title.
o Curriculum Units:
1. Influences on the development of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution (Greece, Rome, Judeo-Christian Tradition, Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Articles of Confederation, State Constitutions, etc.)
2. The significance of the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights
3. The Six Pillars of American Democracy
4. The fundamental values and principals of civil society
5. Civil Rights and Liberties
6. The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of government
7. The Bureaucracy
8. Political parties
9. Special interest groups
10. Public opinion, media, and elections
o Materials:
1. 5-Section Binder:
100 Page Notebook
Pens
Pencils
2. Behavior:
Disruptive Behavior will not be tolerated. A first disruption will be met with a warning, the second will result in a seat change and parent phone call, and a third infraction will be met with administrative action (such as suspension).
3. Power School / Getting Help:
All assignments will be posted on the student’s Power School and my teacher website. It is the responsibility of the student to seek out individual help and guidance. The best way to do that is to make an appointment with the teacher or stop by during lunch, before, or after school.
4. Attendance/Tary Policy:
Your attendance is an essential part of your success. If an absence is unavoidable, it is your responsibility to seek out and complete the work on the same time frame as your peers. Tardy students disrupt the flow of the classroom and impair your ability to succeed in the classroom. Late and Tardy students will sign in the Tardy book without disrupting the class. Your first tardy will result in 5 minutes after class with the teacher. After the first tardy, you will spend the first 15 minutes before or after school sweeping, cleaning the white boards, and/or the desk tops.
5. Late Assignments/ Cheating:
Late or missing work, not resulting from an excused absence, will be awarded 50%credit for one week after the deadline. Late bell late assignment. No individual extra credit will be offered. Students caught cheating will receive a zero on their assignment and receive a parent phone call.
o Papers and Projects:
All expectations and rubrics for papers and projects will be given at least two weeks in advance of the due date.
o Grading:
25% Quizzes and Tests
25% Notebooks
25% Projects
25% Class work and Homework
o Rules:
Respect the teacher, your classmates, and yourself
Engaged every class
Tolerance of others and their beliefs/opinions
Refocus when the teacher finds you or you find yourself off task (There is one warning and if you continue off task you will be asked to leave the classroom)
On time every time
* School rules regarding food, dress, phones, and electronic devises will be observed.
o Teacher Contact Information:
Email:
Phone: (916) 2942450 x810335
Student Name:______________________________ Parent Name:_____________________________
Student Signature: __________________ Date:____ Parent Signature _________________ Date:____
*Please make a copy of this course outline and return the original with signatures by 8/15/16
*The original course outline, with signatures, will be kept on file.