Civics

Civics Syllabus

Course Description: Civics/American Government

The focus of this course is to prepare students to participate in exercising their political responsibilities as thoughtful and informed citizens.  Civics provides a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities for being an American citizen and a framework for competent and responsible participation.  Emphasis is placed on the historical development of government and political systems, and the importance of the rule of law; the United States Constitution; Federal, State and local government structure; and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.  Students will actively investigate local, state and national issues, read and participate in discussions, and develop informed arguments using a variety of writing forms.

Student will:          

•   Demonstrate a mastery of a broad body of historical, civic, and economic knowledge

•   Use historical evidence to defend and support basic arguments and positions

•   Differentiate between various schools of political thought and interpretation

•   Specific focus will be on such aspects as government, politics, and economy throughout various historical time frames

•   Interpret and draw conclusions from various pieces of historical, political, and economic data including original documents, cartoons, graphs, etc.

•   Demonstrate an effective use of analytical skills of evaluation, cause-and-effect relationships, and compare and contrast

•   Work effectively in groups to produce products, make presentations, and solve problems

Deadlines and Make-Up Work: Students will be given a specific date to turn in activities and assignments; these assignments are due at the beginning of the class period of the due date. Major assignments must be completed on time or will be penalized.

It is the student’s responsibility to request make-up work and to reschedule missed tests, quizzes, writing assignments, and other in-class activities the day he/she returns. Students should talk to the teacher before school, before or after class, or after school to request and schedule make-up work. Students have five (5) instructional days to complete make-up work with the potential of earning full credit. After five (5) instructional days, the student may only complete the work for half credit. Because this is a rigorous course, daily attendance is essential for survival. Habitual absences—excused or unexcused—will hinder your successfulness in this class, as it is impossible to recreate the effectiveness of whole group instruction and discussions.

Academic Honesty: Cheating of any kind will NOT be tolerated in this course! As a student at Rapides High School, you will be expected to adhere to an honor code. Academic dishonesty, including sharing answers, plagiarizing, having others do the work for you, etc. will result in a zero.

Required Materials:

•         Binder

•         Pencils, Highlighters

Behavior Expectations:

All students are expected to…

•         Get Knowledge, Understanding, And Wisdom       

•         Respect Others

•         Encourage Others

•         Aspire to do great things

•         Teach Others

Discipline Procedures for Minor Infractions:

1st Infraction – Warning

2nd Infraction – Respect contract and Parent Contact

3rd Infraction –detention and Parent Contact

4th Infraction – Discipline Referral

*In the event of a serious infraction, the teacher has the right to skip steps in the discipline procedures.