Academy of Scientific Exploration
Government: Power, Politics, and You
Mrs. Mascolo
Fall 2014 Course Syllabus
EMAIL: rachel.acosta@lausd.net
Office Hours: M-T 3:00-4:15 pm or by appointment
Course Description:
This is a general education course designed to meet the needs of a diverse student body. Students will study the structure and dynamics of American national government, attaining a broad-based introduction to the ideas and institutions that shape politics in the contemporary United States. We will study the strategies, roles, and limitations of both governmental elites and ordinary citizens, with particular emphasis on how they communicate and interact within the constitution.
Major Themes of the Course:
· Power, Authority, and Government
· Foundations of U.S. Government
· The Executive Branch
· The Judicial Branch
· Political Participation and Behavior
· The Legislative Branch
Rules and Expectations:
1. Be in the classroom prior to the tardy bell and working on your warm-up.
2. Come to class prepared and ready to learn.
3. Do not talk while the teacher or another student is speaking.
4. No food or drinks are permitted in class, with the exception of water.
5. Do not pack up your things before the bell rings, unless advised to do so.
6. I expect you to act appropriately and maturely. If I give you a direction, I expect you to follow it without argument. Any questions or problems can be discussed privately before or after class.
7. If any student chooses to interfere with my teaching or another student’s learning, I reserve the right to ask that student to leave my classroom (followed by an appropriate consequence).
Course Textbook:
This textbook will serve as a pacing guide and initial interpretation of historical events throughout the course.
Hart, Diane, and Bert Bower. Government Alive! Power, Politics, and You. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2009. Print.
Required Materials:
Students are expected to bring an interactive notebook to class every day to be used exclusively for this course. These notebooks will be composed of student warm-up responses, lecture notes, and writing assignments. These will be collected throughout the semester for grading. Students are also required to bring textbooks, colored pencils, a miniature stapler, a glue stick, and a writing instrument to class daily.
Grading Policy:
Grades are on a point system and will be based on quizzes, tests, homework, research papers, projects, and presentations. The student’s grade will be calculated at the end of each reporting period using the following grading scale:
A 90-100% Classwork/Homework 30%
B 80-89.99% Projects/Research Papers 30%
C 70-79.99% Tests/Quizzes 30%
D 60-69.99% Participation 10%
F 59.99% or below
Participation Points:
Each student is required to participate in class on a regular basis. Each student will start the semester with a total of 100 participation points. Students can lose points based on their lack of participation during class discussions or failure to follow class rules.
Homework:
Students will be assigned homework throughout the week based on in class discussions and readings. This course moves fast, so it is pivotal that students keep up with reading assignments. Late work will be accepted for ½ credit no later than a week after it was initially due, no exceptions. Any student with a legally excused absence will be required to turn in their work on the day of their return. It is the student’s responsibility to ask a classmate if they missed an assignment due to an absence.
Exam Makeup:
Students will have up to one week to make up a missed exam if their absence is excused. The student must set up a date with the instructor in advance. If the exam in not made up within a week of the students return, the student will receive a zero.
Academic Honesty:
Cheating or any form of plagiarism will not be tolerated. Being nice and allowing another student to copy your work will result in a zero for both students. Do not insult my intelligence by attempting to cheat, because it will result in strict disciplinary action following Los Angeles Unified School District guidelines.