Course Syllabus
Course Goals:
United States Government/Politics and Economics are the required twelfth-grade social studies courses needed to meet graduation requirements. Each is a separate, half-credit course. These courses are intended to provide the student with a more in depth study of topics in order to foster greater understanding of the subject and as preparation for college level work. This course is divided into two 16-week semesters one for government; the other economics. Once completed, you will be able to explain the functions of supply and demand in market economies, strengths and weaknesses of Capitalism, and the impact of government policies on the economy. A detailed syllabus for economics will be provided second semester.
Course Objectives:
This course will provide you with an understanding of civic life, politics, and the constitutional process. It will also provide a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens and a framework for competent and active participation. The formal curriculum will be augmented by related learning experiences in both school and community. The framework is comprised of five content strands: Domestic Affairs, Global Affairs, Civil Rights/Human Rights, Economics, and Culture. The content is taught by infusing social studies skills into the pedagogy of the course. These skills will include, but are not limited to: acquiring an understanding of change over time, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, the analysis of primary sources, reading different sources critically, making arguments in written and oral form based on evidence in support of a clearly defined thesis, and developing a solid command of major geographic features by interpreting physical and political maps of Mississippi, the United States and the world's continents. Including geography, you will also draw on your knowledge of US and world history as background information in your study of politics
Reading Demands:
To meet the demands of a college preparatory education, the reading material and workload in US Government is equivalent to that of a freshman or sophomore level college course. Keeping up with the reading assignments are essential for success in this class. The textbook readings provide a base of knowledge in government and politics. Reading assignments must be completed in advance of class meetings to foster discussion and to answer questions during lectures. Class will be more interesting if you have something to add to a discussion rather than listening to me for the entire class. 85% of the material that appears on a test will be covered in class; the remaining 15% is your responsibility. Your ability to draw from various sources of information to answer free-response questions is what separates A/B students from C/D students. You have to decide for yourself, what do you want to gain from my class.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading:
• Exams: 40%
• Quizzes: 10%
• Notebooks: 15%: - Checked every 9 weeks
Note: All assignments and objectives for the week will be given in class and posted on my teacher page, which can be accessed from the school’s main page. After I give an assignment it becomes your responsibility to know what is due and when. NO EXCUSES!
• Class Participation: 10%:
• Writing Project: 25%
Economics: Students will prepare a PowerPoint presentation based on your research of a chosen corporation, state economy, or industry. Presentations will be due fourth quarter. Details, topics and grading rubrics will be provided later. Class time will be dedicated to helping you with Internet research techniques, and using presentation software.
Make Ups:
Make up tests be given only to those students who have an excused absence. Remember
Economics and Government are 1/2 credit semester courses; you are allowed only 4 absences in each course. Make up exams are given by appointment. I will not come hunt you down. Failure to make an appointment for a make-up will result in a zero for that test or quiz. You will not be able to choose your essay question on make-up tests. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you are responsible for finding out what you missed and when it is due. If you are absent the day a major assignment is due, then you must have the assignment delivered to me by 1.P.M. on the due date. A letter grade will be deducted from all assignments turned in after the first tardy bell on the due date. For each day late it will continue to drop a letter grade. Anything over two days late will receive a zero. There are no make-ups for lost class participation points. In the event of an emergency, such as an extended medical condition, you should notify me or the school nurse.
Honor Code:
I expect all students to abide by the Honor Code of Saint Patrick High School. I consider it cheating for: copying test, papers, homework, plagiarism, and allowing others to copy your work. I consider cheating to be a serious character flaw! If you are caught, you will receive a zero on that assignment. Evidence of plagiarism on research papers will be subjected to a thorough investigation. If plagiarism is proven you will be given a zero for the paper (remember the paper is worth 300 points, which is equivalent to 3 test grades). Plagiarism charges will be discussed in a conference with your parents and an administrator. If you are caught there is nothing to discuss. Do your own work and accept the consequences if you do not!
United States Government/Politics and Economics are the required twelfth-grade social studies courses needed to meet graduation requirements. Each is a separate, half-credit course. These courses are intended to provide the student with a more in depth study of topics in order to foster greater understanding of the subject and as preparation for college level work. This course is divided into two 16-week semesters one for government; the other economics. Once completed, you will be able to explain the functions of supply and demand in market economies, strengths and weaknesses of Capitalism, and the impact of government policies on the economy. A detailed syllabus for economics will be provided second semester.
Course Objectives:
This course will provide you with an understanding of civic life, politics, and the constitutional process. It will also provide a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens and a framework for competent and active participation. The formal curriculum will be augmented by related learning experiences in both school and community. The framework is comprised of five content strands: Domestic Affairs, Global Affairs, Civil Rights/Human Rights, Economics, and Culture. The content is taught by infusing social studies skills into the pedagogy of the course. These skills will include, but are not limited to: acquiring an understanding of change over time, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, the analysis of primary sources, reading different sources critically, making arguments in written and oral form based on evidence in support of a clearly defined thesis, and developing a solid command of major geographic features by interpreting physical and political maps of Mississippi, the United States and the world's continents. Including geography, you will also draw on your knowledge of US and world history as background information in your study of politics
Reading Demands:
To meet the demands of a college preparatory education, the reading material and workload in US Government is equivalent to that of a freshman or sophomore level college course. Keeping up with the reading assignments are essential for success in this class. The textbook readings provide a base of knowledge in government and politics. Reading assignments must be completed in advance of class meetings to foster discussion and to answer questions during lectures. Class will be more interesting if you have something to add to a discussion rather than listening to me for the entire class. 85% of the material that appears on a test will be covered in class; the remaining 15% is your responsibility. Your ability to draw from various sources of information to answer free-response questions is what separates A/B students from C/D students. You have to decide for yourself, what do you want to gain from my class.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading:
• Exams: 40%
• Quizzes: 10%
• Notebooks: 15%: - Checked every 9 weeks
- You will be required to keep an organized notebook (for a grade). I expect you to take notes in class and when you read. Careful note-taking is a skill that is vital to success in this class and college. See me if you need help with note-taking skills. On occasion, I have allowed the use of notes on exams, something to consider. The notebook will be separated and graded on the following sections (Reading Notes/Chapter Outlines, Journal/start-up, Lecture, Handouts, Homework,Current Events, Projects/Tests ). -For details on Current Events: (see attached sheet)
Note: All assignments and objectives for the week will be given in class and posted on my teacher page, which can be accessed from the school’s main page. After I give an assignment it becomes your responsibility to know what is due and when. NO EXCUSES!
• Class Participation: 10%:
- All students are expected to be present, on time to class, and in their desk before the tardy bell rings. There will always be a warm-up assignment on the board to help direct you for the discussion that will take place. Failure to be in your desk before the tardy bell will result in a tardy AND affect your participation grade.
• Writing Project: 25%
- Analytical Essay. (Due: last day before Thanksgiving break, date pending-the use of two hurricane days or not) The purpose of this assignment is to develop analytical writing skills. Students will be given a choice of topics and write a 1,000-1,100 word essay; no more and no less. Essays must be cited and written according to the MLA format. Proper citation form (footnotes and bibliography page) must be used. Topics, journals, rubrics, and detailed instructions will be provided later. To help you with research and writing I will add online resources to my webpage that can be accessed from the school’s main website. It will help you cut through all the junk on the Internet. If you want a web resource approved submit the link by email. Drafts and final copies will be submitted by email to [email protected]
Economics: Students will prepare a PowerPoint presentation based on your research of a chosen corporation, state economy, or industry. Presentations will be due fourth quarter. Details, topics and grading rubrics will be provided later. Class time will be dedicated to helping you with Internet research techniques, and using presentation software.
Make Ups:
Make up tests be given only to those students who have an excused absence. Remember
Economics and Government are 1/2 credit semester courses; you are allowed only 4 absences in each course. Make up exams are given by appointment. I will not come hunt you down. Failure to make an appointment for a make-up will result in a zero for that test or quiz. You will not be able to choose your essay question on make-up tests. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you are responsible for finding out what you missed and when it is due. If you are absent the day a major assignment is due, then you must have the assignment delivered to me by 1.P.M. on the due date. A letter grade will be deducted from all assignments turned in after the first tardy bell on the due date. For each day late it will continue to drop a letter grade. Anything over two days late will receive a zero. There are no make-ups for lost class participation points. In the event of an emergency, such as an extended medical condition, you should notify me or the school nurse.
Honor Code:
I expect all students to abide by the Honor Code of Saint Patrick High School. I consider it cheating for: copying test, papers, homework, plagiarism, and allowing others to copy your work. I consider cheating to be a serious character flaw! If you are caught, you will receive a zero on that assignment. Evidence of plagiarism on research papers will be subjected to a thorough investigation. If plagiarism is proven you will be given a zero for the paper (remember the paper is worth 300 points, which is equivalent to 3 test grades). Plagiarism charges will be discussed in a conference with your parents and an administrator. If you are caught there is nothing to discuss. Do your own work and accept the consequences if you do not!