Embedded Files
Modern America seems broken (for the record, I would argue that it is not) - protests, riots, lockdowns, conspiracy theories, "fake news", "rigged elections", political polarization, and public distrust of government and of each other. So even though this is a mandated course for high school students in the state of Michigan and you may not have chosen to be here, I am still thankful that we will be able to spend this semester together trying to make sense of all of this. In an age of widespread questioning of the systems that shape our government and society, we will actually do just that. Yet we will do so through the scope of a political scientist and hopefully help you generate a cohesive perspective that may ultimately guide you to productive civic participation - the state of our republic just may depend on it.
Goals:
Goals:
#1 - Earn Civics credit as mandated by the state of Michigan; and Develop Social Studies Thinking Processes and Skills!
#1 - Earn Civics credit as mandated by the state of Michigan; and Develop Social Studies Thinking Processes and Skills!
#2 - Focus on YOU: Find your political compass/ideology!
#2 - Focus on YOU: Find your political compass/ideology!
#3 - Inquire/challenge your assumptions regarding politics!
#3 - Inquire/challenge your assumptions regarding politics!
#4 - Perform well on standardized tests (MSTEP/SAT).
#4 - Perform well on standardized tests (MSTEP/SAT).
Materials Needed:
Materials Needed:
school issued Chromebook
headphones/listening device compatible with your school issued Chromebook
Classroom Rule Emphasis:
Classroom Rule Emphasis:
All school rules apply in our classroom (see link to BHS rules).
Please use the Hall/Bathroom Pass appropriately. (Sign in and out using the clipboard by the door.)
No cell phones this year! (They must be turned off and kept away per district policy.)
Profanity will not be tolerated.
Do not line up at the door at the end of the class period.
BHS_Rules_2026-2027 (1).pdfGo-to Resources:
Go-to Resources:
Syllabus: (click on the doc to the right to enlarge)
A link to our Google Classroom: https://classroom.google.com/c/ODc2MDE2OTM4Njcz, class code: ake2fz6g
Michigan High School Social Studies Standards (click on the doc to below to enlarge)
Michigan K-12 Standards for Social StudiesReport abuse