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American Government
Course Requirements - Fall 2006
Mr.Norgan - Email: norgans@pasd.org
Content: The class will focus
upon the origins of American government and the government as it exists today.
We’ll study the principles of government, its origins, the constitution,
federalism, the voting process. We’ll also take an in-depth look at the three
branches of American government: executive, legislative and judicial.
The
following five standards will be met:
1. Purposes of Government: All
students will identify the purposes of national, state, and local governments
in the United
States,
describe how citizens organize government to accomplish their purposes, and
assess their effectiveness.
2. Ideals of American
Government: All students will explain the meaning and origin of the ideas,
including the core democratic values expressed in the Declaration of
Independence, the Constitution and other foundational documents of the United States.
3. Democracy in Action: All
students will describe the political and legal processes created to make
decision, seek consensus and resolve conflict in a free society.
4. Global issues and Events:
All students will describe and explain the causes, consequences, and geographic
context of major global issues and events.
5. American Government and Politics:
All students will explain how American governmental institutions, at the local,
state, and federal levels, provide for the limitation and sharing of power and
how the nation’s political system provides for the exercise of power.
Grading: Your grade will be
based upon assignments, class participation, quizzes, tests, notebook, and/or
any other projects assigned. Student’s grade will be a percentage of the total
points available. Example: 850 pnts. out of 1000 pnts. possible would result in
85%, or a “B”. The final exam will represent 10% of a student’s grade. All
grades are cumulative throughout the semester, and the marking period grades
are simply indicative your progress toward your semester grade.
You may expect that the
following percentages are approximately how your grade will be arrived at. This
numbers may be adjusted if necessary.
Tests and Quizzes - 40%
Assignments - 40%
Notebook - 10%
Final Exam - 10%
When assignments, quizzes, and
tests are graded and returned, record the scores in your notebook on the day
you receive them. These will be part of your notebook grade, and will keep you
up to date on your progress in class. Keep ALL returned tests, quizzes, assignments,
etc. in your notebook, in case we need to confirm your scores for your grades.
Tests will come from the text,
from video presentations, lecture and discussions, and daily examples government
in action that you observe and read about.
The final exam will come from
the material covered in the entire semester. The notebook will directly
influence your grade on tests and quizzes, as well as the final exam. I cannot
emphasize enough the importance of keeping your notebook up to date, organized
and complete in its scope.
In addition to classroom
study, all American Government students are required to attend one school
board, township or city council meeting during the semester. Each student must obtain a meeting agenda, and
have it signed by a meeting official and return it to me for credit.
Please sign below and have
your parent/guardian read and do the same.
Student:
______________________________________________________________
Parents: Please feel free to
contact me at any time. Your comments are always welcome. Question your child
often about how they are doing in World Studies and ask to see their notebook;
it will contain ALL their work and tests. My school email address is above.
Parent:
_______________________________________________________________
(Parent contact # and/or
e-mail address): ____________________________________
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