American Government Syllabus

Mission Viejo High School

Greg Haskell-Social Science

 

Course Description:

This is a 12th grade 1 semester college preparatory course in "American Government". Student performance, curriculum, and class expectations shall reflect this. In this class we will view American Government from a variety of perspectives (ie. social, economic, political, and historical, etc...) Emphasis will also be placed on current events, as it relates to the curriculum.

 

Rules and Standards of Student Behavior:

1. Students will respect the rights of others.

2. Students will raise their hand to be recognized (promote civility).

3. Students will use the passing period, snack and lunch, t go to the restroom-not class time.

4. Students will adhere to all school/ district rules and polices.

5. Bring all materials every day.

6. Write name, date, period in the upper right hand corner of all papers. Also write assignment title ( and chapter#, section #, pg. # if applicable) on all papers.

 

Materials:

*Laptop (exempt if not in laptop class)

*3 ring Binder of at least 1 inch with 4 dividers.

*Pencil, and black or blue ball point pen (Bring Every Day)

 

Course Outline:

1. The origins of the Constitution (3 weeks)

2. The Congress (3 weeks)

3. The Executive Branch and Federal Bureaucracy (2 weeks)

4. Power Point Research Project presentation (1 week)

5. The Federal Courts and the Supreme Court (1 week)

6. State and Local Government (2 weeks)

7. The Political process (2 weeks)

8. The Administrations of Justice (2 weeks)

9. Review Week / Final Project-"Electronic Portfolio Exit Interview" (1 week)

10. Final exam Week (1 week)

 

Grading:

1. Unit exams

2. Homework (Due Most Thursdays- extra credit for typed work)

3. Projects, activities, research, formal essays, journal assignments

4. Quizzes (Current Events- announced or unannounced)

5. Notebook/ electronic Portfolio (Exempt from Electronic Portfolio interview in non laptop classes)

6. Final exam

7. Extra Credit: May turn in 1 current event article and Summary related to American social, economic, political, and historical issues.

 

Grading Scale

100-90%=A

89-80%=B

79-70%=C

69-60%=D

59-50%=F

 

Parent/ Guardian Signature X_______________________________

 

Student Signature X______________________________

 

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