American Government Syllabus

American Government

Mr. Tomak

Phone: 533-5601 ext. 55109

Email: datomak@gjsd.net

Course Overview:

This American Government course will consist of an analytical approach as to how we holistically view, understand, cooperatively think about, and position ourselves individually and as a people within the structures of government and society. Students will first learn the history, ideologies, and circumstance of why and how a political process was needed and therefore created. Through the use of critical thinking, collaborative research, reflection by way of manipulation of primary and secondary resources, students will work towards a mastery of concepts, ideas, and materials. This course will also encourage the debate and dialogue as to why this course, the specific ideas and concepts are important both in and out of the classroom. This idea of analyzing, evaluating, and reflecting upon a student’s environment will advance the importance of knowing one’s individual rights and placement within a school setting and within society post-graduation.

Course Objectives:

Subject Area - 5: Civics and Government

Standard Area - 5.1:

Principles and Documents of Government

Grade Level - 5.1.12:

GRADE 12

Standard

5.1.12.A: Analyze the sources, purposes, functions of law, and how the rule of law protects individual rights and promotes the common good.

5.1.12.B: Employ historical examples and political philosophy to evaluate the major arguments advanced for the necessity of government.

5.1.12.C: Evaluate the application of the principles and ideals in contemporary civic life.

Liberty / Freedom

Democracy

Justice

Equality

5.1.12.D:

Evaluate state and federal powers based on significant documents and other critical sources.

Declaration of Independence

United States Constitution

Bill of Rights

Pennsylvania Constitution

5.1.12.E: Analyze and assess the rights of people as written in the PA Constitution and the US Constitution.

5.1.12.F: Evaluate the role of nationalism in uniting and dividing citizens.

Subject Area - 5: Civics and Government

Standard Area - 5.2:

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

Grade Level - 5.2.12:

GRADE 12

Standard

5.2.12.A: Evaluate an individual's civil rights, responsibilities and obligations in various contemporary governments.

5.2.12.B: Examine the causes of conflicts in society and evaluate techniques to address those conflicts.

5.2.12.C: Evaluate political leadership and public service in a republican form of government.

5.2.12.D: Evaluate and demonstrate what makes competent and responsible citizens

Subject Area - 5: Civics and Government

Standard Area - 5.3:

How Government Works

Grade Level - 5.3.12:

GRADE 12

Standard

5.3.12.A: Analyze the changes in power and authority among the three branches of government over time.

5.3.12.B: Compare and contrast policy-making in various contemporary world governments.

5.3.12.C: Evaluate how government agencies create, amend, and enforce regulations.

5.3.12.D: Evaluate the roles of political parties, interest groups, and mass media in politics and public policy.

5.3.12.E: Evaluate the fairness and effectiveness of the United States electoral processes, including the electoral college.

5.3.12.F: Analyze landmark United States Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and its Amendments.

5.3.12.G: Evaluate the impact of interest groups in developing public policy.

5.3.12.H: Evaluate the role of mass media in setting public agenda and influencing political life.

5.3.12.I: Evaluate tax policies of various states and countries.

5.3.12.J:Evaluate critical issues in various contemporary governments.

Subject Area - 5: Civics and Government

Standard Area - 5.4:

How International Relationships Function

Grade Level - 5.4.12:

GRADE 12

Standard

5.4.12.A: Examine foreign policy perspectives, including realism, idealism, and liberalism.

5.4.12.B: Evaluate the effectiveness of foreign policy tools in various current issues confronting the United States (e.g., diplomacy, economic aid, military aid, sanctions, treaties).

5.4.12.C: Evaluate the effectiveness of international organizations, both governmental and non-governmental.

5.4.12.D: Evaluate the role of mass media in world politics.

5.4.12.E: Compare and contrast the politics of various interest groups and evaluate their impact on foreign policy.

Course Behavior:

*Attendance- Regular attendance is essential to being successful in this course. A student will not be admitted back into class until he or she produces an UNEXCUSED/EXCUSED slip from his or her academic office. The student has three school days to produce a legal excuse from the date of the absence. If the student has an excused absence, they will be given full credit for participation on the date of the absence, and will be permitted to complete all make-up assignments. If the student has an unexcused absence, they will receive no credit for participation on the date of the absence, as well zeroes for all assignments missed.

*Behavior- Be on time and prepared to begin class session. Attentiveness and respect are key elements in understanding, conversing, and expanding one’s learning of the topics and issues to be covered in this course. Authentic and visibly thoughtful work will not go unnoticed and will be graded accordingly. In other words, not trying is not a legitimate excuse in this course.

Coats, book bags, and purses over the size of a half-sheet of paper are not permitted in the classroom. Also, food, candy, drinks (with the exception of water), visible & audible cell phones, headphones & ear buds, iPods, or any other type of electronic device that I reserve the right to label a distraction are not permitted in the classroom.

Students are excused from class to go to the nurse, guidance office, etc. with an admit slip, and must produce a signed admit slip upon their return to the classroom. Restroom and water fountain privileges are dependent on the use and/or abuse of the student and the class as a whole. If these privileges are taken advantage of, no student (unless it is an absolute emergency) will be permitted outside of the class.

*Tardiness- Students arriving in the classroom after the bell has rung without an admit will be marked as tardy.. By rule: 3 lates to class will result in an office detention.

Course Materials:

Students will be provided with a composition notebook, a pocket folder, and a textbook. In the event that any student does not have a writing utensil, he or she can borrow one under the circumstance provided by the teacher. At the end of class, every student who borrowed a writing utensil should return it to the teacher.

Course Text & Readings:

The required text for this course is Magruder’s American Government. Other readings and resources will come from newspaper, magazine, and internet publications, scholarly articles/journals, and other curriculum-appropriate works.

Course Outline:

The main concepts of this course are, but not limited to, the following:

· Origins of American Government

· The Constitution

· Political Parties

· Voters and Voter Behavior

· The Electoral Process

· Mass Media and Public Opinion

· Interest Groups

· Congress

· The Presidency

· The Federal Court System

· Principles and Documents of Government

· Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

· How Government Works

· International Relations

· Grading Scale

· A 93-100%

· B 82-92%

· C 70-81%

· D 60-69%

· F 0-59%