Course Overview and Syllabus - Twyman-Whitney.com
Course Overview and Syllabus - Twyman-Whitney.com
Course Overview and Syllabus - Twyman-Whitney.com
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<strong>Course</strong> <strong>Overview</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Syllabus</strong><br />
Mr. Craig <strong>Whitney</strong> <strong>and</strong> Ms. Debbie <strong>Twyman</strong>, North Kansas City High School<br />
Email: cwhitney@nkcsd.k12.mo.us - dtwyman@nkcsd.k12.mo.us<br />
Web site: http://www.twyman-whitney.<strong>com</strong>/americancitizen/<br />
The American Citizen is a two-semester course for juniors <strong>and</strong> seniors. Students must pass this class to graduate from any of the high<br />
schools within the North Kansas City School District, including NKCHS. With sufficient effort, a decent work ethic, <strong>and</strong> regular<br />
attendance in class, students may earn one full unit of credit in social studies. Students are expected to <strong>com</strong>e to class prepared to<br />
learn. The most important element in this is an attitude that there are things of value to learn in this course, <strong>and</strong> a healthy respect for<br />
other students’ right to an education. Cooperation with others is necessary for success in this course -- with other students, your<br />
instructor, <strong>and</strong> other staff members at NKCHS.<br />
A requirement of this class is to make regular use of the course web site. Assignments <strong>and</strong> projects, practice tests, Powerpoint<br />
slideshows with class notes, practice tests <strong>and</strong> quizzes, vocabulary lists <strong>and</strong> study guides, this syllabus, <strong>and</strong> other useful links are all<br />
available at the Web site for this course at http://www.twyman-whitney.<strong>com</strong>/americancitizen/.<br />
Units Of Instruction In This <strong>Course</strong><br />
First Semester:<br />
• a review of the basic principles of government<br />
• public opinion, interest groups, political parties <strong>and</strong> the process of electing public officials in our democracy<br />
Second Semester:<br />
• civil rights, civil liberties, <strong>and</strong> how the national <strong>and</strong> state constitutions help to guarantee the rights of the majority <strong>and</strong> protect<br />
those who hold minority views<br />
• the legislative process, lawmaking powers <strong>and</strong> how laws are made in a democratic society<br />
• leadership in a democracy through the executive branch of government <strong>and</strong> the power of the bureaucracy to carry out policies<br />
• the courts system <strong>and</strong> legal processes at the national, state <strong>and</strong> local levels<br />
• the theory <strong>and</strong> practice of economic systems in our world today<br />
Additional class time will be used to explore<br />
• local, state <strong>and</strong> national geography<br />
• the people <strong>and</strong> events <strong>and</strong> issues that are of contemporary importance<br />
• the use of <strong>com</strong>puter-related technology to <strong>com</strong>plete research projects <strong>and</strong> oral presentations<br />
Students' Grades<br />
If you want to succeed in this course, be ready to . . .<br />
• learn new skills <strong>and</strong> knowledge that will help you be a better student <strong>and</strong> more <strong>com</strong>petent individual<br />
• <strong>com</strong>plete assigned readings from the text, online, or h<strong>and</strong>-outs prepared by your instructor<br />
• <strong>com</strong>plete written assignments <strong>and</strong> other projects when they are due<br />
• bring paper, pens, pencils every day, <strong>and</strong> your text when asked by your instructor<br />
• actively participate in class activities <strong>and</strong> discussions in a mature fashion<br />
• read, listen to <strong>and</strong>/or watch the news in a variety of formats (including the Web)<br />
Final (semester) grades will be based on .the percentage of total possible points a student has earned by the end of the semester<br />
for assignments, projects, quizzes, tests, <strong>and</strong> participation in in-class activities as follows:<br />
A = 90% to 100%, B = 80% to 89%, C = 70% to 79%, D = 60% to 69%, F = 59% or less<br />
Make An Appointment<br />
Your instructor is generally available during Seminar block <strong>and</strong> in his classroom at least one day per week after school by appointment.<br />
See your instructor to discuss any issues you are having with the course.
The American Citizen – Weekly Schedule for the 2009 – 2010 School Year<br />
FIRST SEMESTER, FALL, 2009<br />
Week<br />
August 17 – 21<br />
August 24 – 28<br />
Aug. 31 – Sept. 4<br />
September 7 – 11<br />
September 14 – 18<br />
September 21 – 25<br />
6-week grade<br />
period ends on<br />
Friday, 9/25/09<br />
Sept. 28 – Oct. 2<br />
October 5 – 9<br />
October 12 – 16<br />
October 19 – 23<br />
October 26 – 30<br />
November 2 – 6<br />
12-week grade<br />
period ends on<br />
Friday, October 30<br />
November 9 – 13<br />
November 16 – 20<br />
November 23 – 27<br />
Nov. 30 – Dec. 4<br />
December 7 – 11<br />
December 14 – 18<br />
End of fall<br />
semester on<br />
Friday, Dec. 18<br />
Coverage of Content <strong>and</strong> Activities<br />
Introduction to The American Citizen course <strong>and</strong> Foundations of Government<br />
Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 1, Principles of Government<br />
Student Assignment:<br />
• Study Chapter 1 Vocabulary <strong>and</strong> Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz<br />
• Complete Chapter 1 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 1 Test, then h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter<br />
1 Study Guide for credit<br />
• Chapter 1 Vocabulary Quiz, September 1 <strong>and</strong> 2<br />
• Chapter 1 Test, Principles of Government, September 3, 4 (h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 1 Study Guide for credit)<br />
Friday, September 4, half day schedule, early release for teacher collaboration meetings<br />
No school, Monday, September 7, Labor Day holiday<br />
Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 2, Origins of American Government<br />
Student Assignment:<br />
• Study Chapter 2 Vocabulary <strong>and</strong> Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz<br />
• Complete Chapter 2 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 2 Test, then h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter<br />
2 Study Guide for credit<br />
• Chapter 2 Vocabulary Quiz, September 22 <strong>and</strong> 23<br />
• Chapter 2 Test, Origins of American Government, September 24, 25 (h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 2 Study Guide<br />
for credit)<br />
Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 8, Public Opinion in a Democracy<br />
Student Assignment:<br />
• Study Chapter 8 Vocabulary <strong>and</strong> Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz<br />
• Complete Chapter 8 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 8 Test, then h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter<br />
8 Study Guide for credit<br />
• Complete online self-survey assignment, “What’s Your Ideology?” <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong> in for credit<br />
• Chapter 8 Vocabulary Quiz, October 13 <strong>and</strong> 14<br />
• Chapter 8 Test, Public Opinion in a Democracy, October 15 <strong>and</strong> 16 (h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 8 Study Guide<br />
for credit)<br />
NO SCHOOL Monday, Oct. 12, Staff Development<br />
Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 9, Interest Groups<br />
Student Assignment:<br />
• Study Chapter 9 Vocabulary <strong>and</strong> Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz<br />
• Complete Chapter 9 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 9 Test, then h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter<br />
9 Study Guide for credit<br />
• Chapter 9 Vocabulary Quiz, November 3 <strong>and</strong> 4<br />
• Chapter 9 Test, Interest Groups, November 5 <strong>and</strong> 6 (h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 9 Study Guide for credit)<br />
Half day early release, October 29, 30, Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences<br />
Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 10, Political Parties<br />
Student Assignment:<br />
• Study Chapter 10 Vocabulary <strong>and</strong> Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz<br />
• Complete Chapter 10 Study Guide in class, study for Chapter 10 Test, then h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 10 Study<br />
Guide for credit<br />
• Chapter 10 Vocabulary Quiz, November 19 <strong>and</strong> 20<br />
• Chapter 10 Test, Political Parties, November 23 <strong>and</strong> 24 (h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 10 Study Guide for credit)<br />
NO SCHOOL November 25 – 27, Thanksgiving Break<br />
Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 11, Politics in Action<br />
Student Assignment:<br />
• Study Chapter 11 Vocabulary <strong>and</strong> Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz<br />
• Complete Chapter 11 Study Guide in class, study for Chapter 11 Test, then h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 11 Study<br />
Guide for credit<br />
• Chapter 11 Vocabulary Quiz, December 10 <strong>and</strong> 11<br />
• Chapter 11 Test, Politics in Action, week of December 14, h<strong>and</strong> in Chapter 11 Study Guide for credit<br />
Last day of fall semester, <strong>and</strong> half day schedule with early release – Friday, December 18
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