Syllabus

Founding Principles USA and NC: Civic Literacy

Mr. Eudy

As the name implies, this course focuses on our “founding principles,” and our most important founding principle is this: THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LISTEN TO YOU.

This belief unites virtually everyone in our country's history. It also leads to the complexity and "messiness" of democracy. Your voice is most effective when you're informed about our history, our political systems, and our rights and responsibilities. These are some of the real-world topics we will explore in this course.

Needed Materials

• Composition notebook, college-ruled with 80+ sheets. If needed, you can substitute wide-ruled composition, or a wire notebook. 70 sheets or fewer are probably not enough.

• Index cards, 3x5, 3 packs of 100. Most students prefer “ruled” to “unruled.”

• Glue sticks or clear tape

• Pencils or pens

• Recommended but optional:

  • Your own highlighters, sticky notes, and classroom-safe scissors

  • Headphones / earbuds that work with the CMS Chromebooks

Expectations for Student Conduct

• Follow directions the first time.

• Speak appropriately.

• Have needed materials.

• Use technology the right way, at the right time.

Grading

Prepare: 20%

Examples: Warm-ups, exit tickets, practice tests, and other checks for understanding

Rehearse: 30%

Vocabulary cards, quizzes, iCivics (civic simulations), and tasks with rubrics

Perform: 50%

Unit assessments and projects with rubrics

Academic Honesty

I'm more interested in finding the student IN the work than I am in simply receiving student work. In other words, all work should represent the student's own unique intellectual understanding and effort.

I expect all students to do their own work. Unless an assignment is specifically stated to be collaborative, students should not work with other students.

The following are considered academic dishonesty and will result in forfeiting points, up to and including all points for the assignment:

• Representing AI-generated work as your own.

• Taking or sharing pictures of another student's work and submitting it as your own

• Copying another student's assignment and submitting it as your own, even if it’s “just one part" or "just a few questions”

• Clear, deliberate plagiarism from print or internet sources

Honors

Honors students may expected increased rigor, especially when it comes to reading challenging texts to prepare you for future honors (and possibly AP) courses. Honors students receive an additional +0.5 GPA quality point.

Parents

Please return to the home page to complete the parent form if you have not already. Alternatively you may contact me via ParentSquare acknowledging the syllabus. Thank you for your time!