Course Description: This required course supports students in becoming active participants in the American Political and economic systems. Students learn the role of government and politics at the local, state and federal level, and explore the impact of the rule of law and our guiding constitutional principles. From an economic perspective, students will study the impact that scarcity has on individual, business, and federal government decisions, and will also delve into the micro and macro forces that influence financial, labor and global markets. This will be accomplished through an issues-based curriculum integrating both disciplines.
Learning Objectives: At the completion of this course the student will: 1.) understand the themes of checks and balances, separation of powers, federalism, limited government, rights and responsibilities; 2.) understanding how the political system works in the United States and comparing it to other political systems around the world. 3.) understand that there are Macro principles of scarcity and the procedures and systems used to manage scarcity; 4.) understand that there is a role for the government to manipulate the economy through Fiscal and Monetary Policy to achieve economic goals; and 5.) understand that there are Micro concepts of Supply and Demand and how a market economy achieves efficiency in the use of resources and the production of goods and services.
Course Requirements and Assignments: There will be regular reading assignments, the development of technology based assignments, and common assessments of: Active Citizen Portfolio, Our Basic Rights Revisited, Lifecycle of American Voter, Federalism Essay, Required graduation requirement - U.S. Citizenship Test, Gauging Demand for Your Product, Championing Solutions for Income Inequality, and Classical v. Keynesian essay.
Grading Procedure: Grades will be an accumulation of points. Assessments are assigned 100 points, while classwork will be graded between 15 and 30 points. The points that a student accumulates will be divided by the total number of points that have been assigned, for example student A has accumulated 857 points out of a possible 1,000 points so the students grade is .857 or 86% (857/1000 = .857). Each student will be afforded an opportunity to re-do assessments or refine written assessments for each that are assigned. All re-done assessments will be completed during a TASC period following the date that the original assessment was completed. TASC will provide students an opportunity to not only complete a re-do, but to work on homework assignments or get assistance from the teacher on assignments.
Communications: The primary format for communication between the teacher and the students will be in the classroom. Google classroom is the electronic platform for homework, classroom assignments and assessments. When class is not in session the best way to communicate will be through email. Mr. Leonard's email address is gleonard@conval.edu. This is also the best way for parents or guardians to communicate with your teachers as well. Email is checked at 7AM, 11AM, 2:30PM, and 9PM. If an email is sent between Monday and Friday at 2:30PM, it will be answered within 24 hours. If an email is sent to the teacher on Friday after 2:30PM the teacher will respond between 9PM on Sunday and 11AM on Monday.
Required Text and Resources: There will be no assigned textbooks, but may be used as classroom resources. We will be accessing Google classroom everyday so it is imperative that the student bring their chromebook to class each day and that it is fully charged. Please be aware that loaned chromebooks will no longer be available unless the device is being repaired. Video resources: The Supreme Court: A Nation of Liberties, Electoral Dysfunction Classroom Edition, and Jury Selection: Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Company.
Attendance Policy and Procedures: The school policy in regards to attendance is outlined in the 2022-23 Student Handbook; however, there are some additional expectations, such as checking in with Google classroom for assignments. Students that are remote will be expected to participate in class daily, unless the student and their guardian has made arrangements with their teachers to complete classwork independently at alternative times.
Electronic Devices in the Classroom: While the ready availability of cellphones and other electronic devices is permitted before and after school as well as during school lunches, their presence in the classroom does lead to student inattention and disruptions of the learning environment. No student shall connect their personal electronic device to the school network or a personal hotspot while at school. Students do NOT have the right to use their cellular device to audio- or video-record other students, staff or visitors without the express permission of the person(s) in the recording. Electronic devices may be used with teacher permission only.
Academic Honesty and Plagiarism: Students can avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism by remembering these simple guidelines: Always keep careful track of your sources of information. Books, articles, websites, even interviews need to be cited. Keep your notes together with the source information; this will save you time and energy down the road. When taking notes, keep track of when you are quoting directly (even short phrases) and when you are noting another person’s idea or argument. Remember to note the author of an idea or text in your paper, either directly ("Freud argued...") or as an in-text citation (specific formatting guidelines will be provided by your teacher). Use quotation marks for any line or phrase that is copied verbatim. Remember: any idea, phrase, or image that did not come directly from you and your own thought process must be cited. Facts considered general knowledge do not need to be cited. The basic rule of thumb is that any information that can be found in five or more credible, general reference sources is general knowledge.