POINT LOMA HIGH SCHOOL
A California Distinguished School
Government Course Syllabus 2016-2017
Teacher: Vivian Love Room: 350
E-mail: Phone: 619 223 3121 ext. 4350
Office Hours: During advisory, Thursdays at lunch, or by appointment
Textbook: Government in America
DEPARTMENT PHILOSOPHY
Social Studies teachers at Point Loma High School are dedicated to the philosophical principles embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Untied States, including equality of opportunity for all students. Social Studies teachers employ a variety of strategies to involve students in meaningful learning experiences. We are committed to helping students to acquire knowledge in the variety of social studies disciplines including history, geography, and economics and to help them to live responsibly and freely in an increasingly global society. We recognize the profound importance of cultivating in students cultural understanding, democratic and civic values, critical thinking, basic literacy skills, the ability to resolve conflicts and the skill to work within a group to achieve goals.
COURSE CONTENT AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
This course will expand students’ understanding of race/human relations, economic, political and cultural institutions of the United States. Political and economic institutions of other countries are also studied. This course provides students with the ability to make intelligent decisions by and for themselves, by learning how to critically analyze and interpret information.
· Students extend their understanding of government and its impact on their lives.
A. Describe essential features of the modern state system.
B. Explain the purpose of government.
C. Contrast major types of government.
D. Compare/contrast major governmental and economic systems of the world.
· Students extend their knowledge of our Federal Government.
A. Explain how the American system of government took roots in the colonies.
B. Describe how the American colonies drew together to win independence.
C. Distinguish between the Articles of Confederation and the New Constitution.
· Students expand their knowledge of the Constitution as a living document.
A. Describe the Amendment process.
B. Explain protections provided by the Bill of Rights.
C. Identify the various ways informal changes have broadened the Constitution.
· Students extend their knowledge of our Federal System.
A. Describe how Federalism divides the powers of government.
B. Explain how Federalism has been changing and its impacts on our politics.
· Students extend their knowledge of the organization of Congress.
A. Compare the Senate with the House of Representatives.
B. Contrast how both Houses of Congress are organized to enact laws.
C. Explain how committees do the basic work of Congress.
D. Describe how Congressional staff and support agencies aid lawmakers.
· Students extend their knowledge of the powers of Congress.
A. Explain how the Constitution describes the major powers of Congress.
B. Describe how Congress has developed additional powers.
C. Identify how Congress shares power with the President.
· Students extend their knowledge of the Presidency.
A. Identify requirements of the Presidential office.
B. Describe the role the Cabinet plays in assisting the President.
C. Identify qualities Presidential leadership requires.
· Students extend their knowledge of foreign policy and national defense.
A. Identify government programs that provide for public assistance.
B. Explain how government programs aid education and public health.
EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (ESLRs)
Complex Thinkers: Students apply their prior knowledge to deeper understanding of the American Government. They draw on their studies of American history and of other societies to compare different systems of government in the world today. This course is a culmination of civic literacy instruction that prepares students to vote, to reflect on responsibilities of citizenship, and to participate in community activities.
Effective Communicators: Students discuss local and world problems and work in large groups, small groups, pairs, and triads. Students take notes and discuss topics presented by the instructor. Writing is an integral portion of the course with regular opportunities for students to express themselves in writing. Students discuss and debate various controversial issues to develop their own opinions. Students learn to support and express their opinion in a respectful, intelligent and insightful manner.
Responsible Self-Directed Learners and Workers: Students monitor their homework and classroom assignments along with their progress. Students use their time wisely to complete six-week projects. Students will make up missed assignments in a timely manner. Students are responsible for bringing their concerns regarding class work, homework, six-week projects, or tests to the teacher’s attention in a timely fashion. Students communicate effectively and respectfully with their peers and the teacher.
Involved Citizen: Students monitor current issues and events and their relationships to government. Students read newspapers and are encouraged to register to vote. Students communicate with an elected representative concerning an issue of their choice. Students will become involved through various individual and group projects.
Healthy Life-Style Advocates: Students adhere to school and classroom policies and procedures, so that all students receive an equal opportunity to learn. Students display appropriate dress and conduct for an educational setting.
TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS AND GRADE DETERMINATION
Students are required to:
1. Keep a three ring binder, with the following sections.
A. Weekly Current Events
B. Reflective Writing and DVD and/or Documentary Notes
C. Government and Upfront Handouts
D. Class Notes (warm-ups, definitions, section assessments and notes)
E. Projects/Presentations
Put your name, the date, and period on every assignment, or you will not earn credit! Classwork and Homework are often collected as Pop Quizzes, so you must be organized. I strongly recommend you keep your work in a 3 Ring Binder with the sections listed on the previous page to help keep you organized.
CHECK YOUR GRADES ON POWER SCHOOL FOR ALL YOUR CLASSES ON A REGULAR BASIS!! DO NOT ASK ME WHAT YOUR GRADE IS, I POST AND GRADE YOUR WORK EFFECIENTLY.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR GRADE ABSOLUTLY COMMINICATE AND ASK ME VIA EMAIL OR DURING LUNCH, ADVISORY ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS. BUT DON’T ASK ME WHAT YOUR GRADE IS.
2. Complete all daily assignments and presentations on time. You are responsible for obtaining work and assignments you miss when you are absent. IF YOU ARE ABSENT: ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE POSTED ON MY PLHS HOMEWORK SITE. DO NOT ASK ME WHAT WE DID UNTIL YOU HAVE LOOKED ON LINE OR AT THE WHITE BOARD. For questions, make ups, or tutoring, see me during advisory.
3. Complete missed tests/quizzes during advisory. Take missed tests within 2 weeks of the date of the test. Test make ups after 2 weeks can only earn 25 points, after 6 weeks no credit can be earned.
4. Prepare a six week project which includes a presentation and/or document preparation.
5. Homework will be monitored and graded for successful progress. Current Events turned in late will earn half credit. Students late to class will not earn full credit for their current events. If you are absent when current events are due, you must turn them in before the late bell rings the day you return or earn only ½ credit.
6. Every time you do not have your textbook and three ring binder in class, are late, or are not on task, your class participation/class share grade is lowered.
7. Class participation. This means active constructive participation in all class activities and being prepared for class with book, binder, and pen and pencil and class share on assigned day. 200 points total per semester. 50 pts each 6 weeks and 50 pts for class share on assigned day. Cell phone/I Pod use will lower class participation grade and citizenship grade.
Assignment Evaluation:
20% of your grade is determined by your Homework/Current Events. Your homework includes: studying for chapter and current events tests, reading/reviewing texts or class notes, completing class work and project work as needed, and keeping up with current events. Textbook and/or Current Event quizzes are given most weeks. Homework and classwork will be checked periodically as a pop quiz.
30% of your grade is determined by Test results. Missed tests must be made up within 2 week of the test. Failure to pass the final examination results in failure to pass the class.
20% of your grade is determined by Quiz results. Missed quizzes must be made up within 2 weeks during, advisory. “Pop quizzes” can only earn up to 25 points if not turned in when the pop quiz is collected. If you are absent for a pop quiz you must turn in the pop quiz immediately (before the late bell) when you return to class or you will only earn 25 points. You are responsible to check what we did in class on line on my homework page. After 3 weeks no credit can be earned for missed/late quizzes.
30% of your grade is determined by Six-week projects, which may include: Current Event Project, President Project, Letter to Representative, Volunteer Project, Debate project, and/or Supreme Court Project. Projects are due at the beginning of class. Projects turned in late earn a 50% or lower. Use spell-check, 12 font, one inch margins, and double space (except for letter to your representative) or you will earn a 50% or lower. Failure to “work” in the library or computer lab or not respecting others lowers your project and citizenship grade one-letter grade for each offense.
* Oral presentations and participation are required. Class Share or Projects should include a visual aide of some sort. Respect other students’ presentations, or your grade is lowered.
* Subject-appropriate movie curriculum has been created the movies may be rated G, PG or R.
* Extra credit is available. If you do not have your extra credit paper with you when you earn extra credit then you will earn only ½ the extra credit points. Please bring your 3-ring binder with your extra credit log to class everyday as is required.
MAKE UP WORK:
You are responsible for the assignments you miss if you are absent. CHECK MY HOMEWORK PAGE. Test make-ups must be done during advisory. Turn in absent homework or quizzes before the late bell rings or the work is late. Exchange phone number/email address with someone responsible, so that you can keep up with work if you are absent. In addition, you are encouraged to contact me via phone or email.
CITIZENSHIP: Citizenship grades are based on the following: You are seniors! You should know this……..
1. Responsible, respectful, mature classroom behavior. It is disrespectful to talk while I am teaching or while a classmate is presenting/speaking.
2. The Point Loma attendance and tardy policy is followed. A truancy results in a citizenship grade of U and missed assignments can not be made up. Sign in if you are tardy. Failure to sign in results in a citizenship grade of U.
3. Do not ask the teacher to check YOUR grade!! Get your Power School Pin # and Password to check your assignments and grades for all your classes! It is YOUR responsibility to check your grades and keep up with your work. If you need help getting your password I will help you.
4. If you are absent do not ask the teacher, THE DAY YOU RETURN what we did in class. Check my homework page on the PLHS website, check the whiteboard, email me, call me, and communicate. If you have any questions or concerns I am happy to help you, but you must check my website and the whiteboard first.
5. Any Guests (e.g. Subs, Guest Speakers, etc.) must be treated with respect, regardless of the situation.
6. No heads on the desk (sleeping, not paying attention) it is disrespectful.
7. Clean up around your desk and return materials (newspapers, markers, magazines, etc) to the appropriate area.
8. DO not leave the classroom until the teacher excuses you.
9. No cell phones or iPods in class, if you use them your citizenship and class participation/class share grade will be lowered.
- The Academic Honesty Policy will be followed.
OFFICE HOURS AND CONFERENCE PROCEDURE
I am on campus Monday - Friday from 7:15 am to 2:30 p.m. I can be reached at 223-3121 ext. 4350 or at . When leaving a message, please include your name, your student’s name, a brief description of your concern, and a telephone number where I can reach you. I generally return calls within 24 hours.
I am available for parent conferences after school with the exception of Fridays at mutually agreed upon times.
I have read and understand the Government syllabus.
______
STUDENT SIGNATURE DATE PARENT SIGNATURE
* Please keep this syllabus in the front of your 3 ring binder. I will check for your syllabus every time I grade your 3 ring binder