Monarch High School
Social Studies Department
American Government and Honors
Syllabus
Social Studies Department
American Government and Honors
Syllabus
Instructor: Mrs. Weslee Arciola
Room 908
Phone number: 754-322-1500
email: [email protected]
webpage: warciola.weebly.com
Course Description:
American Government will provide students the opportunity to acquire an understanding of American government and political behavior. Content to be covered will include, but not be limited to, an analysis of those documents which shape our political traditions reflected in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; a comparison of the roles of the three branches of government at the local, state, and national levels; an understanding of the evolving role of political parties and interest groups in determining government policy; how the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic state have evolved and been interpreted; and the importance of civic participation in the democratic political process. This course is paired with Economics. PREREQUISITE: American History
Textbook: United States Government – Holt McDougal and Gateways to Democracy http://beep.browardschools.com/
We may have a class set of books and students will have the option to have a book to take home or to utilize the online version of the textbook.
Course Requirements:
1- Readings – In addition to the textbook, the instructor will occasionally assign outside readings. These readings will range from current event articles to primary source documents. Students will be responsible for the assigned articles and there will be unannounced quizzes on assigned readings.
2- Current Events – On occasion, each student will responsible for summarizing a current news article in writing and turning in both the article and the summary on the following Mondays. The article must relate to American politics, law or government. If the student has an excused absence, the current event will be due the first day the student returns to school or a zero will be entered for the current events grade for that week.
3- Notes – The instructor will give notes on each unit of study that will accompany the textbook. These notes will include information that will go above and beyond the content of the text. Therefore, it is imperative that all students take notes and make arrangements will other students to get the notes when they are absent. Notes are for the students’ benefit and will not be collected nor graded.
4- Tests and Quizzes – There will be a variety of assessments in this course. This will consist of unit tests, section quizzes, short responses, and essays. Students will be graded on notes, textbook content, outside readings, and class discussions. Tests will be entered in Pinnacle as points but will carry a higher weight. Therefore, it may appear in Pinnacle that tests count the same as class work, but they do not.
5- Projects and Presentations – In order to accommodate all learning styles, there will be several projects and presentations in this class. Some projects will be individual and some group. When working in groups, all students are responsible for the project, not just a portion of the project. Therefore, if one student is absent it will not compromise the integrity of the project. Students are expected to back up their work. A technology failure is no excuse for late work.
6- Vocabulary – Students will be assigned vocabulary words to be recorded in a composition or spiral notebook. There will be approximately 25 words assigned per week. While most of these terms will have an American Government meaning, some may be general terms used during the course. Students must number in consecutive order each word and write the definition. This notebook will be collected at any time and students will be tested on the words at any time, without notice. Thus, it is important for students to stay up to date with the words. The book will be collected 2 times during the term for a vocabulary notebook grade. This grade will be based on completion as well as aesthetics.
7- Late Work – Any assignment that is turned in late will automatically have 20% reduction in grade. Work will not be accepted if more than one week late. I adhere to the School Board of Broward County make up work policy and any work that meets the provision of said policy will be accepted for full credit.
8- Cheating / Plagiarism – Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If students are found to be cheating and / or plagiarizing any assignments, all students involved will receive a zero for the assignment, a referral to administration, and parental contact. If the plagiarism is found to be from a published author, the original author may be contacted.
*Course Outline:
Unit 1 – Historical Influences in America
Unit 2 - The Constitution and its Amendments
Unit 3 – Political Parties
Unit 4 – Voting and elections
Unit 5- The Legislative Branch
Unit 6 - The Presidency
Unit 7 - The Judiciary
Unit 8 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Unit 9 - The Media and Government
*Tentative and may vary depending on school events and unforeseen circumstances.
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Please sign and return
I have read and understand Mrs. Arciola’s syllabus for American Government for the current school year. I am aware of the requirements of her class and her policies on cheating and plagiarism.
Student Signature Student Printed Name
___________________________ ___________________________
Parent Signature Phone number
___________________________ ___________________________
Parent email: _________________________
Room 908
Phone number: 754-322-1500
email: [email protected]
webpage: warciola.weebly.com
Course Description:
American Government will provide students the opportunity to acquire an understanding of American government and political behavior. Content to be covered will include, but not be limited to, an analysis of those documents which shape our political traditions reflected in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; a comparison of the roles of the three branches of government at the local, state, and national levels; an understanding of the evolving role of political parties and interest groups in determining government policy; how the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic state have evolved and been interpreted; and the importance of civic participation in the democratic political process. This course is paired with Economics. PREREQUISITE: American History
Textbook: United States Government – Holt McDougal and Gateways to Democracy http://beep.browardschools.com/
We may have a class set of books and students will have the option to have a book to take home or to utilize the online version of the textbook.
Course Requirements:
1- Readings – In addition to the textbook, the instructor will occasionally assign outside readings. These readings will range from current event articles to primary source documents. Students will be responsible for the assigned articles and there will be unannounced quizzes on assigned readings.
2- Current Events – On occasion, each student will responsible for summarizing a current news article in writing and turning in both the article and the summary on the following Mondays. The article must relate to American politics, law or government. If the student has an excused absence, the current event will be due the first day the student returns to school or a zero will be entered for the current events grade for that week.
3- Notes – The instructor will give notes on each unit of study that will accompany the textbook. These notes will include information that will go above and beyond the content of the text. Therefore, it is imperative that all students take notes and make arrangements will other students to get the notes when they are absent. Notes are for the students’ benefit and will not be collected nor graded.
4- Tests and Quizzes – There will be a variety of assessments in this course. This will consist of unit tests, section quizzes, short responses, and essays. Students will be graded on notes, textbook content, outside readings, and class discussions. Tests will be entered in Pinnacle as points but will carry a higher weight. Therefore, it may appear in Pinnacle that tests count the same as class work, but they do not.
5- Projects and Presentations – In order to accommodate all learning styles, there will be several projects and presentations in this class. Some projects will be individual and some group. When working in groups, all students are responsible for the project, not just a portion of the project. Therefore, if one student is absent it will not compromise the integrity of the project. Students are expected to back up their work. A technology failure is no excuse for late work.
6- Vocabulary – Students will be assigned vocabulary words to be recorded in a composition or spiral notebook. There will be approximately 25 words assigned per week. While most of these terms will have an American Government meaning, some may be general terms used during the course. Students must number in consecutive order each word and write the definition. This notebook will be collected at any time and students will be tested on the words at any time, without notice. Thus, it is important for students to stay up to date with the words. The book will be collected 2 times during the term for a vocabulary notebook grade. This grade will be based on completion as well as aesthetics.
7- Late Work – Any assignment that is turned in late will automatically have 20% reduction in grade. Work will not be accepted if more than one week late. I adhere to the School Board of Broward County make up work policy and any work that meets the provision of said policy will be accepted for full credit.
8- Cheating / Plagiarism – Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. If students are found to be cheating and / or plagiarizing any assignments, all students involved will receive a zero for the assignment, a referral to administration, and parental contact. If the plagiarism is found to be from a published author, the original author may be contacted.
*Course Outline:
Unit 1 – Historical Influences in America
Unit 2 - The Constitution and its Amendments
Unit 3 – Political Parties
Unit 4 – Voting and elections
Unit 5- The Legislative Branch
Unit 6 - The Presidency
Unit 7 - The Judiciary
Unit 8 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Unit 9 - The Media and Government
*Tentative and may vary depending on school events and unforeseen circumstances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please sign and return
I have read and understand Mrs. Arciola’s syllabus for American Government for the current school year. I am aware of the requirements of her class and her policies on cheating and plagiarism.
Student Signature Student Printed Name
___________________________ ___________________________
Parent Signature Phone number
___________________________ ___________________________
Parent email: _________________________