WILSON HIGH SCHOOL
2026-2027
11th Grade Social Studies, Honors Civics
Instructor: Miss Beck & Mrs. McDonough Room:E-212
E-Mail: beckel@share.wilsonsd.org Phone: 610-670-0180, ext. 5005
Course Description: This course is designed for students who have an above average interest in government and politics as well as a strong work ethic and eagerness to participate. This course will offer students a strong introduction to government, citizenship, and the American legal system through a rigorous curriculum. The foundations of political democracy, citizen rights and responsibilities, government and citizen interaction on local, state, and national issues, global interdependence, and citizen influence of public policy are major units that will be addressed throughout the course. We will spend considerable time talking about politics, political ideologies and current events. Please familiarize yourself with the current events and our current government in order to participate fully in the course.
Course Objectives: The intent of this course is to provide the student with a deep understanding of American government; from their beginnings to current times and how we are impacted today as citizens of the United States and the world. This is accomplished utilizing a blend of lecture, seminar, independent research, group activities, primary source and secondary source readings, visual and auditory aids, interviews, and role-playing.
This Honors course is designed to enhance critical thinking skills and awareness of government and economic systems by providing the students with opportunities to identify central issues, determine relevance, make comparisons, recognize cause and effect, predict consequences, and draw conclusions. The Honors Course allows students the opportunity to dig deeper into their understanding of American government through primary source analysis, comparison of Supreme Court cases, analyzing trends over time and synthesis of concepts and themes.
The following is the list of topics that we will be discovering throughout the school year.
Foundations of American Government
The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch
Political Participation, Political Ideology, and Civic Engagement
Political Parties, Interest Groups and the Media
Criminal Justice System
Civil Rights and Liberties
Explanation of the Course Grade:
The course grade will be computed on the basis of summative and formative assessments including quizzes, in-class assignments, oral and written reports and projects, etc.
70% of the grade is determined by summative assessments (tests, designated projects and writing assignments, etc.)
30% of the grade is determined by projects, in-class assignments, quizzes and other activities
Summer Work & Prerequisites
Students must complete a variety of assignments over the summer prior to the start of the class. These assignments are thoroughly described on the teacher website. Students will be expected to bring their summer work to school with them on the first day of school.
If a student does not complete summer work, they will be dropped from the course and placed in another course prior to the beginning of the school year.
Current Events: In this course, we will engage with a variety of current events as they relate to the principles and practices of government, law, and civic responsibility. Respectful discourse will be strongly enforced to encourage a space for all students to explore and debate their positions on important issues.
Assignment Policy:
Assignments are to be done accurately, completely and turned in at the assigned time. In-class, formative assignments will not be accepted late for credit. Any missing assignments must be completed prior to retaking any summative test.
Summative Assessments for Chapters/Units:
Summative assessments could take a variety of forms: tests, projects, writing assignments, etc. Summative assessments will usually be announced 5 days in advance. If you are not present during a summative assessment, you will be expected to take it on the day you return, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor for the summative assessment.
Retake Policy: Honors Civics will follow the Retake Policy as outlined in the Wilson High School Student Handbook. All students are allowed 1 retake per semester of any Multiple Choice Summative Assessment if they meet the following eligibility criteria:
Students must complete any unfinished assignments for the unit
Students must have a fully completed note packet
Students will complete the Retake Learning Plan Form to initiate the process, conference with their teacher and complete a test review document by the assigned due date
All retakes must be complete within two weeks of the day the test was returned to students.
*Retake format may be different from the original assessment
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY IN ANY FORM IS FORBIDDEN. Cheating, plagiarism or inappropriate/unauthorized use of AI will not be tolerated. Any infraction of this rule will result in a “0” for the assignment and disciplinary action.
Quizzes:
Most quizzes will be announced beforehand. If you are not present for the quiz, you will be expected to make up the quiz the day you return. It is your responsibility to ask the instructor for the quiz. Quizzes are not subject to retakes.
If You Are Absent/Attending School Activity:
It is your responsibility to check Google Classroom to see what was covered in class when you were absent.
If you know you are going to be absent, please check with me prior to leaving.
Class Rules:
You will be expected to:
1. Respect everyone and their property.
2. Be to class on time -- The third time you are late with no pass, a detention will be assigned.
3. Be prepared for class…charged computer, binder, pencil, pen, etc.
4. Cell phones & electronic music devices are NOT to be used from 7:55 AM-2:40 PM. When students are permitted to listen to music, they must have wired earbuds/headphones which need to be connected to their Chromebook.