Syllabus

**__ Syllabus for United States Government __** ** McCaskey Institute of Technology **  ** McCaskey **** East High School ** ** Periods 5, 7 ** ||
 * ** Course Title and Number: ** ||  ** United States **** Government – SS301 ** ||
 * ** Instructor: ** || ** Mr. Selch ** ||
 * ** Class Location and Time: ** || ** Room D116 **
 * ** Email: ** || ** nfselch@lancaster.k12.pa.us ** ||
 * ** Telephone: ** || ** 391-8679 or 396-6810 ext 31416 ** ||
 * ** Time Available for Conference: ** || ** before or after school ** ||
 * ** Class Wiki page for assignments: ** || <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-element-anchor-horizontal: margin; mso-element-anchor-vertical: paragraph; mso-element-frame-hspace: 9.0pt; mso-element-top: 7.05pt; mso-element-wrap: around; mso-element: frame; mso-height-rule: exactly;">** http://selchusg1.wikispaces.com ** ||

**__ COURSE DESCRIPTION __**** : **

Not since the 1930s and the New Deal has the United States government taken such an active role in operating the US economy. What better year to take your required course in government! After the exciting election of 2008, the US government has gotten down to work to pull us out of our economic tailspin and return us to a period of growth. What tools does the government have to affect our lives? How is their work done on our behalf? Through the lens of government action, we will study the American political process and its connection to citizens. We will assess this process in terms of effectiveness and democratic principles. In addition, we will be examining many important issues arising on both the local and national political scene that will affect us for years to come. This course will allow us to look critically at these events in order to learn about our governments (local, state and US), the political process and civic life. We will look at the concepts of citizenship in light of responsibility and power. We will also examine the court systems, civil rights and how different levels of government operate. **__ COURSE OBJECTIVES __**** : ** <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.15in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -0.15in;"> § The student will demonstrate understanding of the relationship between government, politics and civic life. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.15in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -0.15in;"> § The student will demonstrate understanding of the philosophical and historical foundations of the United States’ political system. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.15in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -0.15in;"> § The student will demonstrate understanding how power and responsibility are geographically distributed, shared and limited in the United States political system. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.15in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -0.15in;"> § The student will demonstrate understanding how the United States’ political system provides citizens with choice and opportunities for participation. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.15in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -0.15in;"> § The student will demonstrate understanding how power and responsibility are functionally distributed, shared, and limited in the United States’ political system. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.15in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -0.15in;"> § The student will demonstrate understanding of the importance of law in protecting the civil liberties and civil rights of individuals in United States’ society. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.15in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .15in; text-indent: -0.15in;"> § The student will demonstrate understanding of the major domestic issues facing citizens nationally, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in Lancaster. **__ WORKS STUDIED IN COURSE __**** : ** Remy, Richard C. //United States Government: Democracy in Action.// Columbus: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Companies, 2003. **__ SUPPLEMENTAL TEXTS __**** : ** None **__ BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS __**** : ** ** Daily expectations ** <span style="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; border-left: windowtext 1pt solid; border-right: windowtext 1pt solid; border-top: windowtext 1pt solid; display: block; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding-bottom: 1pt; padding-left: 4pt; padding-right: 4pt; padding-top: 1pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in; punctuationwrap: simple; tabstops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Each student is to keep an open but critical mind to new ideas, concepts and topics covered throughout the year. 2. Respect for one another in classroom discussions, groups, projects, especially as relates to gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background or disability. 3. Class participation 4. Completion of assignments 5. Prepared to learn: equipped and ready. 6. Punctuality. In seats by the bell. Stay in your seats until I dismiss you. 7. Compliance with the MIT Code of Conduct and the “Big 6”. 8. Appropriate and constructive use of technology in the classroom.

Attendance <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1. Attendance in class is critical to success in this class, but in the event of **__excused__** absence, students will be able to hand in some late assignments. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2. All make-up work is the responsibility of the student. Assignments are posted at the rear of the classroom and on unit assignment sheets. See Mr. Selch before or after class, if time allows, or before or after school with questions. Do not interrupt class to get make-up work. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3. All approved make-up work must be handed in to Mr. Selch within 3 days of your return to school. Only make-up work due during **__excused__** absences will be graded. Make-up tests must be taken either before or after school, not during class period within 3 days of student return to class. ** Notebook ** <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1. Students are expected to supply their own spiral notebook for this class. A high quality notebook is suggested to survive for the whole year of use (you may need 2). DO NOT plan to share this notebook with other classes. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2. Note-keeping and organization of the notebook is the responsibility of the student. All reading assignments will be summarized by students in their notebook. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3. Notebooks are collected twice each marking period and graded as part of your class grade. Neatness and organization will be part of the grade. Notebook grade counts 20% of your marking period grade. ** Homework ** Homework is fundamental to the learning process. It reinforces the topics as well as introduces new material. Assignments may be reading, writing, watching the news. Be prepared to turn in your assignments at the beginning of the period. Late assignments will NOT get any credit. If you do not produce your homework within the allotted time, you will earn a zero on the assignment. Although homework counts for only 10%, failure to do homework assignments will degrade your ability to learn the content of this class and will likely result in poor quiz, test and exam grades. **__ ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS __**** : ** Each chapter will end with a chapter test. In addition there will be quizzes on reading assignments, daily in-class writing activities, take home essays, and various research and performance projects. See above for information on assessment of your notebook. **__ GRADING POLICY __**** : ** <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo7; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 1. Grades are registered by their numerical value in the grade book. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo8; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2. Failure to do an assignment, test or project by the deadline set by Mr. Selch could result in a ZERO. All work due and not handed in by the end of the marking period will receive a ZERO. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo9; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> // 3. // Grade sheets will be posted occasionally to inform students of their grades. Students can inquire about their grades before or after school. //(Parents are encouraged to register for computerized “**Home Access**” to grades. Apply in main office with ID)// <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; punctuation-wrap: simple; tab-stops: .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"> 4. Grade weighting: Tests and projects 50%, Homework 10%, Quizzes 15%, In-class Assignments 5% and Notebook 20%. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo10; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 5. Curriculum-based assessments: homework (no more than 10% of student’s grade), quizzes, unit tests, in-class presentations, essays, speeches and authentic assessments (such as brochures, posters and PowerPoint presentations). <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo10; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 6. A course Mid-Term and Final Exam will be administered to all students and will count for 10% of the student’s second- and fourth-marking period grade, respectively. <span style="display: block; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo10; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 7. The Grading Scale will follow district guidelines adopted 7/13/06:
 * ** Letter **

Grade
|| ** Grading Scale ** ** (Teachers) ** ||  ** Quality Points (QP) ** ** (Pentamation) ** || **__ pLAGIARISM POLICY/HONOR POLICY __**** : ** ** Cheating ** will not be tolerated. Always paraphrase. If you copy verbatim out of the book you are plagiarizing thus earning a ZERO. Also see the McCaskey Student Handbook. **__ TECHNOLOGY __** : Mr. Selch teaches in a technology rich classroom as part of the Classrooms For the Future. All students are expected to become active users of technology. This will involve student submission of assignments online, use of “blogs”, “wikis”, email and the World-wide Web. Students will be expected to participate fully in the use of 21st Century learning. As such, all students will comply with School District of Lancaster //Terms of Use of Technology// as well as classroom rules. Students will also subscribe to appropriate and respectful norms of communication online. Failure to comply will subject to disciplinary action as defined by the Student Handbook and the possibility of student being denied use of technology. Students forbidden from the use of technology can fail to engage in the learning activities required for the successful completion of this course.
 * ** A ** ||  ** 93-100 **  ||  ** 4.00 **  ||
 * A- ||  90-92  ||  3.67  ||
 * B+ ||  87-89  ||  3.33  ||
 * ** B ** ||  ** 83-86 **  ||  ** 3.00 **  ||
 * B- ||  80-82  ||  2.67  ||
 * C+ ||  77-79  ||  2.33  ||
 * ** C ** ||  ** 73-76 **  ||  ** 2.00 **  ||
 * C- ||  70-72  ||  1.67  ||
 * D+ ||  67-69  ||  1.33  ||
 * ** D ** ||  ** 63-66 **  ||  ** 1.00 **  ||
 * D- ||  60-62  ||  1.00  ||
 * F ||  59 or below  ||  0.00  ||