This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of United States Government through the study of theory, history and practice in order to interpret and analyse politics in the United States. Subjects for this course include but are not limited to The Constitution and The Bill of Rights structure of government and landmark Supreme Court cases that have influenced the interpretation of the law.  The development of political beliefs and behaviors, party development and practices, interest groups, PACs, mass media, public policy, and individual rights and freedoms as well as their effects are essential for a full understanding of our government and its functions.

The student workload includes but is not limited to the textbook, on line media, current events, The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  

Textbook

 Hartley, Wm H and Vincent, Wm S.  American Civics. Austin, TX:  Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Harcourt Brace & Company, 1998.

Student Evaluation

1. Quizzes
2. Unit Tests
3. Class work/homework
4. Group Projects/Presentations
5. Class Participation/Citizenship
6. Semester Examination

Classroom Management Policies and Requirements

1. Students must bring their textbooks, a 70+ page loose leaf or spiral 8.5” x 11” notebook and a pen/pencil to class every day unless instructed to do otherwise.
   
   
2. All formal written assignments must be typed (double-spaced) or written in ink on one side of the paper only. Any formal paper not meeting the above criteria will be returned ungraded and assessed a “late fee”.
   Formal assignments - being announced days in advance - are due on time whether the student is present in school that day or not unless PRIOR arrangements have been made.
   
   
3. All assignments are due on the assigned due date. All late work will still be given credit based on effort and timeliness. If turning in work late becomes a consistent issue, we will have an individual conversation to understand the causes and effects of the student's late work.
   If there is any missing work, it will be a 0 in the grade book until it is turned in. This is for a student to realize an assignment is missing. It is up to the student to turn in any missing work by the end of the unit / unit test. All late work is the student’s responsibility.
    
4. Pop quizzes cannot be made up.
   
   
5. Work missed during unexcused absences may not be accepted.
   
   
6. Work beyond 10 unexcused absences will not be accepted!
   
   
7. Special cases may be dealt with on an individual basis.

Manners and Consideration for Others

1. Since the discussion of sometimes controversial topics is an integral part of Civics class, all students are encouraged to respectfully express their opinions in a non-threatening and non-demeaning way. Although freedom of speech may be the most important right of all persons, along with rights come responsibilities. Each student’s right to express him/herself ends when it infringes on the rights of others. It is every students’ responsibility to treat everyone and their opinions with tolerance and respect at all times, even if you do not personally agree with them. All students are expected to have good manners and to attempt to increase their vocabularies in an appropriate way. In other words, short base, overused words (i.e. profanity and slang terms) and rudeness are not tolerated in this classroom!
   
   
2. Electronic devises and earbuds are to be placed face down and on silence mode when entering the classroom. There is to be NO use of electronic devises without permission of the instructor. No hats, food, pop, or candy is allowed in the classroom.

Grading Policy

1. Each componant will be assigned a point value. At the end of the marking period, the number of points each student earns will be divided by the number of points possible. The posted grading scale will be in effect.
   
   The quarter grade consists of these components:
   • testing (100+)
   • quizzes (10)
   • homework (5-50)
   • class work (5-50)
   • group work (10-100)
   • class participation/citizenship (100)
   • formal papers/projects(200)
   • along with other written/oral assignments(5-50)
     
     
2. Citizenship/Class Participation: 100 points will be used to evaluate class participation and classroom behavior. Factors to be considered include punctuality, following of classroom rules, proper behavior, proper usage of electronic devises and attendance. Points will be deducted for unexcused absences/tardies.
   
   
3. Each quarter will be worth 45% of the semester grade. The semester exam is worth 10% of the semester grade. Percentages, grade points or trending may be used in figuring the final semester grade. 

Course Outline

The following is the sequence of topics covered in Civics:

• Civics, Citizenship and the American People Today
• Foundations of Government and our Constitution
• Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights
• Foreign Policy, The Cold War and Our Place in the World
• Legislative, Executive, Judicial Branches and Checks and Balances
• State and Local Government
• Elections, Politics and Taxes
• Economic Challenges Ahead