Jennings Senior High School

Government Course Syllabus

Course Title:American Government

Instructor:Mr. Zach Giljum

Room A-204

Contact Information:

Email address: (This is the best way to get ahold of me)

School Phone (314) 653-8100

Planning Period: 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Textbook: Civics Today: Citizenship, Economics and You,Glencoe, @2010

Materials:

The following items are needed EVERYDAY for success:

A. Student Handbook

B. Paper (Folder for class work)

C. Something to write with

D. Textbook ( in class)

Course Description:

This year long course is designed to prepare students for the Government EOC exam which will be offered upon the completion of the course. Students will delve into the specified CLEs to gain a greater understanding of government. Quizzes, tests, and other forms of assessment will be used to determine proficiency. The areas of study listed below will be the focus of the course.

Areas of Study:

American Government CLEs

CLE 1A Apply the following principles of constitutional democracy to historical and contemporary issues:

  1. checks and balances
  2. separation of powers
  3. federalism
  4. representation
  5. popular sovereignty
  6. due process of law
  7. judicial review

b. Determine the civic responsibilities of individual citizens

c. Assess the changing roles of government

  1. philosophy
  2. limits

d. Describe the historical foundations of the United States governmental system as reflected in the following documents

  1. Magna Carta
  2. Enlightenment writings of Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and the Social Contract Theory
  3. Mayflower Compact
  4. Declaration of Independence
  5. Articles of Confederation

e. Identify and give examples of democracies and republics

CLE 1B Explain the relevance and connection of constitutional principles in the following documents:

  1. U.S. Constitution
  2. Federalist Papers
  3. Amendments to Constitution, emphasizing Bill of Rights

Key Supreme Court decisions Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, Miranda v. Arizona, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Topeka Board of Education

CLE 2A Describe the structure of government and the purposes of laws (with emphasis on the federal and state governments) in general

Explain the importance of the following principles of government:

  1. limited government
  2. majority ruleand minority rights
  3. constitution and civil rights
  4. checks and balances

merits of the above principles

CLE 2B * Compare and contrast governmental systems, current and historical, including those that are democratic, totalitarian, monarchic, oligarchic and theocratic, and describe their impact

CLE 2C Explain the processes pertaining to:

  1. selection of political leaders (with an emphasis on presidential and parliamentary systems)
  2. functions and styles of leadership (including authoritarian, democratic and laissez faire)
  3. governmental systems

how laws and rules are made, enforced, changed and interpreted

b. Evaluate the roles and influence of political parties and interest groups

CLE 3Ai Analyze the evolution of American democracy, its ideas, institutions and political processes, including:

  1. Constitution and amendments
  2. struggle for civil rights
  3. expanding role of government

CLE 3aK Explain the importance of the following principles of government since Reconstruction

  1. majority rule and minority rights
  2. constitution and civil rights
  3. checks and balances

CLE 3aL Assess the changing roles of the following:

  1. checks and balances
  2. separation of powers
  3. federalism
  4. define and explain judicial review

CLE3aM Evaluate the roles and influence of political parties and interest groups

CLE 3bK Evaluate the Enlightenment, including its principle ideas, its antecedents, its challenge to absolutist monarchies and others and its effects on world history.

CLE 4H Analyze the roles that people, businesses and government play in economic systems, such as:

  1. monetary policy (why the Federal Reserve System influences interest rates and money supply)
  2. fiscal policy (government taxation and spending)

CLE 4K Identify the roles of government in a market economy (defining and protecting property rights, maintaining competition, promoting goals such as full employment, stable prices, growth and justice)

CLE 6K Compare and contrast the major ideas and beliefs of different cultures.

CLE 6L Analyze how the roles of class, ethnic, racial, gender and age groups have changed in society, including causes and effects

CLE 6M Describe the major social institutions (family, education, religion, economy and government) and how they fulfill human needs.

CLE 6N Predict the consequences that can occur when:

  1. institutions fail to meet the needs of individuals and groups
  2. individuals fail to carry out their personal responsibilities

CLE 6O Determine the causes, consequences and possible resolutions of cultural conflicts.

CLE 7A Distinguish between and analyze primary sources and secondary sources.

CLE 7B * Create maps, charts, diagrams, graphs, timelines and political cartoons to assist in analyzing and visualizing concepts in social studies.

CLE 7C Distinguish between fact and opinion and analyze sources to recognize bias and points of view.

CLE 7E * Develop a research plan and identify appropriate resources for investigating social studies topics

CLE 7F Interpret maps, statistics, charts, diagrams, graphs, timelines, pictures, political cartoons, audiovisual materials, continua, written resources, art and artifacts.

Grading Procedure:

Each student’s grade will be determined by dividing the total points earned by the total points possible. A student’s grade will consist of their grades from exams, homework, quizzes, performance events, and other significant assignments for each area of study. The Government EOC will also be given at the end of each semester that will comprise of twenty percent of a student’s semester grade. The grading scale is as follows:

PercentageGrade

100-93 A

92-90 A-

89-87 B+

86-83 B

82-80 B-

79-77 C+

76-73 C

72-70 C-

69-67 D+

66-63 D

62-60 D-

59-0 F

Classroom Procedures:

Before entering the classroom

  • Use the restroom.
  • Make sure you have all your needed supplies.

When you first enter

  • Sharpen pencil before class starts.
  • If required, have your assignment ready to turn in, labeled with your name and period number.
  • Begin the Do Now located on the table next to the classroom door.

During Class

  • Please stay seated and ask for permission if you need to get out of your seat for any reason.
  • Your being quiet and attentive will help you and your fellow class mates to learn the material.
  • We will work together to ensure that all students learn at their highest possible level.

End of Class

  • The bell at the end of the period does not dismiss you.
  • Remain seated and wait for instructions from me before exiting the room.

Classroom Rules (Expectations):

There are 4 main rules to follow. They are highlighted below.

  1. Be on time. – Students must be seated and ready to start when the tardy bell rings. The door will be closed when the bell rings
  2. Be prepared to learn. – We will be covering many topics, and all students must be prepared to do their best so that all can learn to the best of their ability.
  3. Be respectful. – We will all get along well as long as we all show respect. We will talk in class about what respect means and looks like to you.
  4. No food or drinks. – We will not have food or open drinks in the classroom with the exception of water.

Attendance and Make-up Policy:

The official district policy will be followed in reference to making up work that is missed. Students may turn in late work for full credit at any time in this class as long as they can demonstrate proficiency. This policy is to make sure that everyone has ample opportunity to get assignments turned in and I have enough time to get student grades entered in a timely manner.

Hall Passes:

Hall passes are a privilege and not a right. You will need to use your planner in order to be granted a hall pass.

Discipline Consequences:

Consequences for discipline infractions will follow the pattern below.

  1. Verbal Warning.
  2. Teacher/Student Conference
  3. Parent Contact.
  4. Office Referral.

*Serious violations may skip right to an office referral.