Course outline: Grade 12 – Government and Civics
This course examines the foundations of our American democracy, calling attention to the importance of voting and other methods of participation in government and civic life. In order to equip students to navigate in the digital age, the importance of information and the need to be able to access and evaluate information should be integrated throughout the course. All levels of government are encompassed within the course affording the opportunity to utilize local resources. Each unit provides an opportunity
for comparison of our governmental system with that of other countries. Content specifications are not included so that the course can adapt to present local, national and global circumstances, allowing teachers to select flexibly from current events to illuminate key ideas and conceptual understandings.
While there is no single text for the course a series of readings will be provided which should be kept in a required binder. We will also use magazines, poems, stories, letters and other types of literature with a focus on primary source material. Primary sources are a way for the people making history to tell us in their own words why they are doing what they are doing at anygiven time. In addition we will also examine ideas expressed in music, art and film.
Each of the activities assigned for this course has been designed to help the student reach the outcomes developed by our school, and the frameworks suggested by New YorkState. These include making students self-directed learners (learning how to learn and how to teach oneself), critical thinkers, able to question facts and ideas that are presented in class, and able to work with other students in a cooperative and respectful manner. The skills needed are: Thinking, listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Major topics include:
The Foundations of Government
Road to the Constitution
The Constitution
The Branches of Government
The State and Local Government
Citizenship and Participation
Politics and Public Policy
The Media
Civil Rights
Course Requirements:
*1.Regular attendance and participation. The course requires a high degree of student participation in discussion, presentations, and projects. ATTENDANCE IS NOT OPTIONAL!
- Editorial cartoons, chapter questions and homework assignments will each count for a grade. Each assignment is graded on the same level as a major test. Students are strongly urged to regularly complete this work. It will help you learn and prepare you for the larger projects we do in class. All work turned in after the due date will not receive full credit! Special arrangements can be made by seeing your teacher for details.
- Chapter and Unit Tests. An examination / major test will conclude each of the major units. These tests will usually be composed of true/false, fill-in, short answer, and essay questions. All tests must be made-up within FIVE DAYS of any absence. NO EXCEPTIONS! FAILURE TO MAKE UP A TEST WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF 0%. Please note that all make up tests will be Essay Tests or DBQ’s.
- Term Paper Each student will select an issue that interests him/her from a list of topics provided by the teacher. Students will receive a more detailed explanation in class, and alternatives to this assignment will be presented
- Data Based Questions. Several DBQ’s will be required as homework and test grades. These are done to prepare for the final exam in June. Each DBQ should clearly state a thesis and support that thesis with three or four well written paragraphs leading to your conclusion. Like any skill these need to be done in order to develop your ability to do them well.
- Grades. All grades will be based on a point system. Each assignment will be given a relative value and points will be totaled at semester’s end. All gradesare cumulative. Failure to satisfactorily complete all requirements will result in a grade of “Incomplete” or a grade of “0” as indicated above for all tests not completed.
- Notebook. All students must have a separate 1 Inch Ring Binder with separate loose leaf paper, for this course and bring it to class every day. (Paper torn from a spiral bound note book is not accepted). Every student should keep all class papers that are handed out. They are good for future review.
- “Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort. There must be the will to produce a superior thing.” John Ruskin
I always expect that students will try to produce their best work. If an assignment is poorly done I will ask that it be revised according to the instructions and student’s ability. All papers and all homework should follow these guidelines.
a. Put your name, date, and class period on the top line of your paper. (e.g.…Mark Davison, January 3, 2015, Period 2 Green class)
b. Use only standard binder paper. Do not rip pages from a notebook. Papers torn from a notebook will not be accepted. Be neat! Be professional! Do not fold or mutilate your papers.
c. Use only Blue or Black ink or type papers if done outside of class.
d. Write legibly. Print or type if your writing is not readable.
- Please note that ALL HOMEWORK IS GRADED THE SAME AND EQUAL TO ANY AND ALL TESTS, HOMEWORK IS NOT SIMPLY COUNTED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE FINAL GRADE. ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE VALUED BY ME OR THEY WOULD NOT BE GIVEN. DO THEM WITHTHE SAME EFFORT THAT YOU EXPECT TO GIVE ON THE FINAL EXAM IN JUNE!
95 – 100% = A
90 – 94% = A-
85 – 89% = B+
80 – 84% = B
70 – 79% = C
65 – 69% = C-
55 – 64% = D
0 – 54% = Try Again – assignment must be done over!
As your instructor I reserve the right to add points based on a CITIZENSHIP GRADE which is determined by attendance, attitude, behavior, and individual contributions made to the favorable operation of the class. This is also referred to as the Class Participation Index or C.P.I. for short.
Four life rules govern behavior in this classroom. They are:
PROMPT
I am in my seat when the bell rings and I turn in my work on time.
PREPARED
I bring my materials to class.
I do my homework assignments.
I complete my class assignments.
PARTICIPATE
I answer questions when called on.
I work with my team members in group assignments.
I do quality work.
RESPECT
I raise my hand before I speak.
I sit quietly and pay attention to the instructor and fellow students.
I am free to disagree with the instructor or my fellow students but must do so in a respectful manner.
I keep my hands and feet to myself.
I take care of school property.
I allow others their opinions and beliefs, so I can expect the same.