2 - Civics Syllabus

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Meredosia-Chambersburg High School

 

Civics

Course Syllabus

 

Course Information/Teacher Information:

Teacher:  Mr. Sievers           E-Mail: tsievers@mcsd11.net        Phone: 217-584-1291 ext. 1027

Marking Period:  First Semester

Class Location: Room 137

Prep Period: 9:43-10:23 a.m. on Full Days of School         

Prep Period for 2:15 p.m. Early Out Days:  9:29-10:03 a.m.

 

Course Description:

Civics courses examine the general structure and functions of U.S. systems of government, the roles and responsibilities of citizens to participate in the political process, and the relationship of the individual to the law and legal system. These courses do not typically delve to the same degree of detail into constitutional principles or the role of political parties and interest groups as do comprehensive courses in U.S. Government.

 

Course Competencies/ Learning Objectives:

Students who successfully complete Civics will be competent in the following areas:

1. Reading and Comprehension
2. Vocabulary and Terminology
3. Use Cause and Effect to make predictions/points
4. Using a timeline
5. Using Critical Thinking Skills to solve problems and to present new ones
6. Using verbal or written skills to articulate the importance of people, topics & events and how they shaped our nation
7. Understanding historical information in the time it happened, as well as the general public’s mindset/modus operandi of that specific period
8. Debate in a logical and professional atmosphere
9. Research Methods

 

Student Evaluation:

The grading system for Civics:

In this class your work is graded by total points.

1. Tests are usually worth 80-100 points
2. The History Fair Projects are to be picked by Midterm of the 1^st Quarter and is worth 100 points.  They are to be halfway done by the week before the end of the 2^nd Quarter.  The History Fair Projects are due the week before the end of the Third Quarter and worth 400 points.
3. The History Fair will be held in the 4^th Quarter.  Students will present their projects to be judged for a total of 500 points. The student must have completed a Tri-Fold (Large Size). 

In this Tri-fold they must have:

1. Title in the center of the Tri-fold either at the top or middle of the panel
2. Biography on the left side of the Tri-fold
3. Timeline in the bottom center of the Tri-fold
4. Pictures of the students making the project and a picture of the real person, item, or map on the right panel.
5. The student must attend, dress nicely, and give a presentation

4. Papers are worth 50-100 points
5. Quizzes are worth 5-10 points
6. Reflection paragraphs are worth 10 points
7. Class participation and Class Work/Homework Points are TBA

 

Classroom Expectations:

1. Arrive to class on time

2. Be prepared

3. Respect your classmates and teacher

4. Give your all, all the time

5. Be responsible for your actions

6. No eating, drinking, cell phones, or iPods (This includes smart watches or ear buds) permitted in the classroom

 

Classroom Level Consequences-

Students not following classroom/district rules may receive the following consequences from:

1. Verbal Warning
2. Change of seat assignment
3. Loss of technology privileges
4. Loss of participation Points for the Day
5. Lunch Detention
6. Before or After School Detention
7. Possible suspension in accordance to the MCHS Handbook

 

Class Requirements:

-Homework will be given approximately three-four days a week. It will be collected in the beginning of class the day it is due. It is YOUR responsibility to complete homework assignments.

1. You will be given the opportunity to make up homework assignments and get full points for the First Week it is late.
2. After the First Week the total points you can accumulate will drop to 75%. 
3. The Second Week the total points you can accumulate will drop to 50%.
4. The Third Week it is late the total points you can accumulate will drop to 25%.
5. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to make up the assignments and/or tests when you return.
6. All Assignments are posted on Mr. Sievers Teacher Page on the MCSD Website by the Monday of the new week of class.
7. Plagiarism, Cheating, and Academic Integrity -----Plagiarism is the practice of copying words, sentences, images, or ideas for use in written or oral assessments without giving proper credit to the source. Cheating is defined as the giving or receiving of illegal help on anything that has been determined by the teacher to be an individual effort. Both are considered serious offenses and will significantly affect your course grade.
8. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct booklet for additional information.

 

Methodology:

A combination of lecture, class discussion, presentations, videos, cooperative learning, and problem-based learning will be used in this course.

Grades will be determined by the satisfactory and timely completion of assignments. The grade of each assignment is based on the prerequisite given for each assignment.

 

Below is an overview of topic/units to be covered by the 1^st Semester:

(These may be subject to change due to the addition of materials, such as articles, primary and secondary documents, or videos/documentaries)

Unit 1 - A tradition of Democracy:

Chapter 1: We the People

Chapter 2: Foundations of Government

Test over Chapter 1-2

Chapter 3: The United States Constitution

Chapter 4: Rights and Responsibilities

Test over Chapter 3-4

Study U.S. Constitution

            Discuss the First United States Constitution:

 (The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union)

Why was the Articles of Confederation considered to be weak?

Read the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan and discuss

Read & memorize the Preamble

            Read and Discuss Article 1-3

            Read and Discuss Article 4-7

          Read and Discuss Amendments 1-5

          Read and Discuss Amendments 6-10

          Read and Discuss Amendments 11-15

          Read and Discuss Amendments 16-20

          Read and Discuss Amendments 21-27

Test over the United States Constitution

Unit 2 - The Federal Government: (This will be a Brief Overview)

Chapter 5: The Legislative Branch

Chapter 6: The Executive Branch

Chapter 7: The Judicial Branch

Test over Chapters 5-7

Unit 3 - State and Local Government:

Chapter 8: State Government

Chapter 9: Local Government

Test over Chapters 8-9

Unit 4 - The Citizen in Government:

Chapter 10: Electing Leaders 

Chapter 11: The Political System

Chapter 12: Paying for Government

Test over Chapters 10-12

Unit 5 - The Citizen in Society:

Chapter 13: Citizenship and the Family

Chapter 14: Citizenship in School

Test over Chapters 13-14

Chapter 15: Citizenship in the Community

Chapter 16: Citizenship and the Law

Test over Chapter 15-16

Unit 6 - The American Economy:

Chapter 17: The Economic System

Chapter 18: Goods and Services

Test over Chapters 17-18

Chapter 19: Personal Finances

Chapter 20: Economic Challenges

Test over Chapters 19-20

Chapter 21: The U.S. Economy and the World

2-3 Page paper over:  Explain why decisions made by the United States Government are not so, cut and dry like much of the public and media make it out to be.

Review for Semester Exams