San Marcos High School Knights

Teacher Expectations and Syllabus 2013 - 2014

American Studies II

(American Government and Economics)

Teacher:Dale Pluciennik / Jason Texler

Phone:(760) 290-2200 ext. 3410

E-mail: or

Room:410

Course Description:

In order to attempt to completely understand our past, it is imperative to empathize, or put yourself in the place of the people in the culture or society at hand. With this thought in mind, students in American Studies II will look at a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. Students will compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government. An emphasis will be placed on analyzing the relationship among federal, state, and local governments. Students will be interacting with primary sources (historical documents such as the Federalist Papers)by researching, evaluating, and responding to them. This class will help students develop civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.

In addition to studying government, students will also master fundamental economic concepts, applying the tools (graphs, statistics, equations) from other subject areas to the understanding of operations and institutions of economic systems. Studied in a historic context are the basic economic principles of micro- and macroeconomics, international economics, comparative economic systems, measurement, and methods.

Course Breakdown:

Classroom instructions will center on lectures, group work, critical thinking skills, worksheets, individual and group projects, tests and essays.

1) Foundations of Government

2) Politics and Participation

3) Power and Policy

4) Equality and Freedoms

5) Principles of Economics

Textbook and Readings:

Mcclenaghan, William A. Magruder's American Government California Teacher's Edition 2006. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 2006. Print.

Materials:

3-ring binder (suggested to keep organized with sections for notes/vocabulary, work in progress, returned work, and handouts); 8.5” x 11” lined paper. A single subject 70-page spiral bound notebook, pens (NO RED pens please!), pencils, erasers, highlighters.

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to attend school daily, and be on time for class. If a student is absent from class without a valid excuse or leaves class without the teacher’s permission, he/she is considered truant.In accordance with State Education Code requirements, a student must be in class a minimum of 60 hours to receive five units of credit for that class. A student may receive a failing grade for unexcused absences exceeding ten (10) days per semester (SMUSD Board Policy 5113).Any student missing more than 30 days of any one class in a semester, will not receive credit for that class.Students may not concurrently take a course that they are enrolled in at the high school. Additionally, a course may only be remediated once the term has been completed. Seniors only may remediate a second semester course during the summer, which may impact participation in the graduation ceremony and / or receipt of diploma.

School Discipline Policy:

  1. First classroom disruption = verbal warning, call home to parent, and possible teacher assigned detention.
  2. Second classroom disruption = referral to Assistant Principal’s office.
  3. Third classroom disruption = referral to Assistant Principal’s office and possible removal from class

Classroom Behavior:

STUDENTS NEED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER AND THE TEACHER! Profanity is not allowed. To be successful in American Studies II (Government), students need to be on time in their seat and ready for class each day. Being on time means, being at your seat when the bell rings with a piece of paper, pen and/or pencil at hand and ready to write the problem of the day. Students must bring their textbooks to class every day unless otherwise noted. Also students need to raise their hands to speak and need to stay seated. The teacher dismisses the class not the bell! Unauthorized classroom use of electronic devices is subject to the behavior code. That is, No electronic devices are allowed: NO Cell phones, NO I-pods, NO mp3 players, NO Ipads, unless authorized by the teacher. In order to be an effective communicators and citizens, please follow these rules.

Classroom Rules:

  1. Be Prepared
  2. Be Polite
  3. Be Positive
  4. Be Respectful
  5. Be Resourceful
  6. Be Responsible
  7. No electronics (Cell Phones, iPods, MP3 Players, etc.)-unless authorized.
  8. No Food or Drink (Water is okay!)

Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to Government.

Understanding of trends and patterns in Government as it relates, to culture, politics, immigration and economics.

Analysis and interpretation of simple data and its relationship to Government.

Written analysis and interpretation of subject matter.

Grading:

Students will be graded in a variety of areas during the school year. These areas include tests, quizzes, classwork, homework, proficiency essays, compositions, benchmark exams and finals and midterms. Therefore, it is important for each student to participate and contribute to the success of the entire class.

Grading Policy:Grade Weights:

100%-90%A
89%-80%B
79%-70%C
69%-60%D
59%-0%F / Homework-25%
Classwork-25%
Tests-20%
Quizzes-10%
Benchmarks-15%
Writing assignments-5%

I do not round up grades, therefore if you receive an 89.9% it is a B.

Make-up Policy: In the case of an excused absence, it is the responsibility of the student to contact me for make-up work and collect the necessary resources to complete the assignment.Students will be given one day to make up their schoolwork. Make sure to contact me when an absence is known in advance. Remember, work/test missed due toperiod truancies, all-day truancies, and lockouts cannot be made up.

Homework Policy: Each class, students will respond to a problem of the day. These problems of the day will be a written response to a question and will be collected weekly, every Friday. Other homework assignments will be due each Friday unless otherwise noted. Assigned readings needed to be completed on the due date.

Expected School-Wide Learning Results:

The study of U.S. government is a way to enhance students’ abilities to become effective communicators, problem-solvers, and citizens. The goal of both students and teachers should be to become lifelong learners. As San Marcos High School is a partnership of students, staff, parents, and community, it is a shared goal then to develop the academic, social, emotional and physical well being of students. This is done by providing a quality education through a positive, engaging and rigorous learning environment and by preparing students for post-secondary goals, including education and careers. With this course, students will develop as effective communicators, problem-solvers, and citizens.

Sincerely,

Dale Pluciennik

Please keep this syllabus in your notebook throughout the school year!

Knight Pride

"Leading, Now, Tomorrow, Forever"

Detach and Return

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I have read and understand the requirements and policies of the San Marcos High School American Studies II (Government) class.

Parent Signature:______

Contact Phone Number:

Home ______Cell ______

E mail: ______

Student Signature:

I have read and understand the requirements and policies of the San Marcos High School American Studies II (Government) class and AGREE to these requirements and policies.

Student Name (printed):______Period ______

Student Signature: ______

Knight Pride

"Leading, Now, Tomorrow, Forever"