Course Overview and Syllabus - Twyman-Whitney.com

Course Overview and SyllabusMr. Craig Whitney and Ms. Debbie Twyman, North Kansas City High SchoolEmail: cwhitney@nkcsd.k12.mo.us - dtwyman@nkcsd.k12.mo.usWeb site: http://www.twyman-whitney.com/americancitizen/The American Citizen is a two-semester course for juniors and seniors. Students must pass this class to graduate from any of the highschools within the North Kansas City School District, including NKCHS. With sufficient effort, a decent work ethic, and regularattendance in class, students may earn one full unit of credit in social studies. Students are expected to come to class prepared tolearn. The most important element in this is an attitude that there are things of value to learn in this course, and a healthy respect forother students’ right to an education. Cooperation with others is necessary for success in this course -- with other students, yourinstructor, and other staff members at NKCHS.A requirement of this class is to make regular use of the course web site. Assignments and projects, practice tests, Powerpointslideshows with class notes, practice tests and quizzes, vocabulary lists and study guides, this syllabus, and other useful links are allavailable at the Web site created by your teacher for this course at http://www.twyman-whitney.com/americancitizen/.Units Of Instruction In This CourseFirst Semester:• a review of the basic principles of government• public opinion, interest groups, political parties and the process of electing public officials in our democracySecond Semester:• civil rights, civil liberties, and how the national and state constitutions help to guarantee the rights of the majority and protectthose who hold minority views• the legislative process, lawmaking powers and how laws are made in a democratic society• leadership in a democracy through the executive branch of government• the courts system and legal processes at the national, state and local levels• the theory and practice of economic systems in our world todayAdditional class time will be used to explore• local, state and national geography• the people and events and issues that are of contemporary importance• the use of computer-related technology to complete research projects and oral presentationsStudents' GradesIf you want to succeed in this course, be ready to . . .• learn new skills and knowledge that will help you be a better student and more competent individual• complete assigned readings from the text, online, or hand-outs prepared by your instructor• complete written assignments and other projects when they are due• bring paper, pens, pencils every day, and your text when asked by your instructor• actively participate in class activities and discussions in a mature fashion• read, listen to and/or watch the news in a variety of formats (including the Web)Final (semester) grades will be basedon the percentage of total possible pointsa student has earned by the end of thesemester for assignments, projects,quizzes, tests, and participation in classactivities as follows:A = 90% to 100%, B = 80% to 89%,C = 70% to 79%, D = 60% to 69%,F = 59% or lessMake An AppointmentYour instructor is generally available during Advisory block and in the classroom after school by appointment. See your instructor todiscuss any issues you are having with the course.

The American Citizen – Weekly Schedule for Fall Semester, 2010WeekAugust 16 – 20August 23 – 27Aug. 30 – Sept. 3September 6 – 10September 13 – 17September 20 – 246-week gradeperiod ends onFriday, 9/24/09Sept. 27 – Oct. 1October 4 – 8October 11 – 15October 18 – 22October 25 – 29November 1 – 512-week gradeperiod ends onFriday, Nov. 5November 8 – 12November 15 – 19November 22 – 23Nov. 29 – Dec. 3December 6 – 10December 13 – 17End of fallsemester onFriday, Dec. 17Coverage of Course Content and ActivitiesIntroduction to The American Citizen course and Foundations of GovernmentLecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 1, Principles of GovernmentStudent Assignment:• Study Chapter 1 Vocabulary and Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz• Complete Chapter 1 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 1 Test, then hand in Chapter1 Study Guide for credit• Chapter 1 Vocabulary Quiz, August 31 and September 1• Chapter 1 Test, Principles of Government, September 2, 3 (hand in Chapter 1 Study Guide for credit)Friday, September 3, half day schedule, early release for teacher collaboration meetingsNO SCHOOL, Monday, September 6, Labor Day holidayLecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 2, Origins of American GovernmentStudent Assignment:• Study Chapter 2 Vocabulary and Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz• Complete Chapter 2 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 2 Test, then hand in Chapter2 Study Guide for credit• Chapter 2 Vocabulary Quiz, September 21 and 22• Chapter 2 Test, Origins of American Government, September 23, 24 (hand in Chapter 2 Study Guidefor credit)Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 8, Public Opinion in a DemocracyStudent Assignment:• Study Chapter 8 Vocabulary and Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz• Complete Chapter 8 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 8 Test, then hand in Chapter8 Study Guide for credit• Complete online self-survey assignment, “What’s Your Ideology?” and hand in for credit• Chapter 8 Vocabulary Quiz, October 12 and 13• Chapter 8 Test, Public Opinion in a Democracy, October 14 and 15 (hand in Chapter 8 Study Guidefor credit)NO SCHOOL Monday, Oct. 11, Staff DevelopmentLecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 9, Interest GroupsStudent Assignment:• Study Chapter 9 Vocabulary and Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz• Complete Chapter 9 Study Guide in class, use this to study for Chapter 9 Test, then hand in Chapter9 Study Guide for credit• Chapter 9 Vocabulary Quiz, November 2 and 3• Chapter 9 Test, Interest Groups, November 4 and 5 (hand in Chapter 9 Study Guide for credit)NO SCHOOL Friday, October 29 for students and staff (State-level teacher meetings)Lecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 10, Political PartiesStudent Assignment:• Study Chapter 10 Vocabulary and Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz• Complete Chapter 10 Study Guide in class, study for Chapter 10 Test, then hand in Chapter 10 StudyGuide for credit• Chapter 10 Vocabulary Quiz, November 18 and 19• Chapter 10 Test, Political Parties, November 22 and 23 (hand in Chapter 10 Study Guide for credit)NO SCHOOL November 24 – 26, Thanksgiving BreakLecture/discussion/class activities – Chapter 11, Politics in ActionStudent Assignment:• Study Chapter 11 Vocabulary and Definitions for Vocabulary Quiz• Complete Chapter 11 Study Guide in class, study for Chapter 11 Test, then hand in Chapter 11 StudyGuide for credit• Chapter 11 Vocabulary Quiz, December 14 and 15• Chapter 11 Test, Politics in Action, December 16 and 17 (this may change, depending on FinalExams schedule), hand in Chapter 11 Study Guide for creditLast day of fall semester, Friday, December 17 (full day)