Course Syllabus
Textbook: (See the bottom of this page for online access to text books and online activities)
American Civics/ Holt Economics
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Copyright: 2003
General Description:
American Civics at the High School level involves the study of many subjects. The students will learn about their role in the U.S. political and economic systems. The class will investigate the answers to questions such as: Can you list ways to participate in the U.S. political system before you are eligible to vote? Do you know what to do if you believe a certain law should be passed? The structure of the political system and its influences are two of the topics of civics. The students will also learn about the U.S. economy and other economic systems. They will discover how a democratic government represents the various needs and interests of a diverse population. Finally, they will grow to understand the importance of the United States in the world political and economic system.
Economics at the High School level will examine the way in which economics affects the lives of individuals and how individuals, through their economic choices, shape their world. The themes covered throughout the course are the following: Scarcity and Choice, Opportunity Cost and Trade-Offs, Productivity, Economic Systems, Economic Institutions and Incentives, Exchange, Money and Interdependence, Markets and Prices, Supply and Demand, Competition and Market Structure, Income Distribution, Market Failures, Role of Government, Gross Domestic Product, Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand, Unemployment, Inflation and Deflation, Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy, International Trade, Balance of Payments, and International Growth and Stability.
Objectives:
By the end of the course the student should develop the process of critical thinking by concentrating on the following:
1. Analyzing information
2. Sequencing
3. Categorizing
4. Identifying Cause and Effect
5. Comparing and Contrasting
6. Finding the Main Idea
7. Summarizing
8. Making Generalizations and Predictions
9. Drawing Inferences and Conclusions
10. Identifying Points of View
11. Supporting a Point of View
12. Identifying Bias
13. Evaluating
14. Problem Solving
15. Decision Making
Homework:
Homework is to be turned in when due. Late work will not be accepted. If you are absent, your assignment is due the day you return. It is the responsibility of the student to gather his or her homework missed for the absent day. There are exceptional circumstances that may occur when the teacher reserves the right to give an additional amount of time. All students will be required to take the final exam unless other wise notified by the teacher.
Class Rules:
1. No eating in class.
2. Raise your hand if you have a comment or question.
3. Exams or class assignments will not be made up when suspensions are the result of time missed.
4. Respect should be given to everyone in the room at all times.
5. Be prepared for class everyday when you walk in.
Materials:
Students should bring the following materials everyday to class:
1 Pencil or Pen (Black or blue)
2 Assignment folder
3 Paper
4 Textbook (unless one is issued at the beginning of each class and collected)
5 A willingness to learn
6 Good social skills
APARTS:
Throughout the school year the class will be working with the A.P. APARTS system in order to examine and understand primary source materials. We will evaluate their relevance to the study of Civics and Economics as they pertain to the course.
Assignment Folder:
A portfolio of all class materials and work will be kept in the assignment folder. The content of these folders will be checked periodicaly during the school year to ensure that each student is practicing good organizational and study skills. The materials in the folders may be used on chapter, mid-term and final exams but not on quizes. These portfolios will be shared with parents on conference days as evidence of student's performance and class work. Each students will receive 25 points each time the folders are examined, provided that all materials are present, complete and corrected for mistakes. At the Midterm and Final exam periods each students will receive a bonus of 100 points for each complete folder.
Evaluation/Grading Practice:
Grades will be based on, but not limited to, daily work, quizzes, portfolios, exams, video notes, and class participation/attendance.
Mr. Coy’s Civics
Unit 1 (Chapters 1-4)
Unit Overview: The opening unit in American Civics sets the stage for an understanding of the rights and duties of U.S. citizenship. Beginning with the introduction to the first chapter, students learn about the American dream of freedom and learn about equal opportunity for all citizens. Specific information will be covered concerning the American people, their basic freedoms, and the nature of the government established to protect, promote, and defend those freedoms. A variety of methods such as; lecture, note taking, small and large group discussion, projects will be used in teaching and evaluation. There will be a quiz at end of each section and an exam at the completion of each chapter. All final and midterm exams will be comprehensive.
Internet access: Students may access the text book and various study and review tools by going to: go.hrw.com and putting in the KEYWORD at the end of each chapter.
Chapter 1 – We the People
Section 1 – Civics in Our Lives
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to:
- Identify the meaning of the term civics.
- Determine the ideals that form the basis of the U.S. government and the American way of life.
- Explain the roles and qualities of a good citizen.
Section 2 – Who Are U.S. Citizens?
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Who were North America’s earliest inhabitants, and when did they arrive?
- What changes have occurred in U.S. immigration policy since the early 1800’s?
- How does U.S. citizenship benefit people?
Section 3 – The American People Today
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to:
- Why is census information important?
- In what ways does a population grow?
- What has changed about the movement of the American people from the country’s early years to the present?
Chapter 2 – Foundations of Government
Section 1 – Why Americans Have Governments
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Describe what influences the form of a country’s government.
- Identify what distinguishes a democracy from other forms of governments.
- Examine the roles of government.
Section 2 – The First U.S. Government
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Evaluate the significance of the Declaration of Independence.
- Identify the limitations of the Articles of Confederation.
- Describe the effect of a week national government on the United States.
Section 3 – A New Constitution
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Identify the principle of Great Britain’s government that influenced the ideas of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
- Explain how the U.S. government became stronger under the Constitution.
- Describe how the viewpoints of the Federalists and Antifederalists differed and how they resolved their differences.
Chapter 3 – The U.S. Constitution
Section 1 – Ideals of the Constitution
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Describe how the Pilgrims influenced the framers of the Constitution.
- Identify the goals of the U.S. government as outlined in the Constitution.
- Explain why the Constitution established the powers of the federal and state governments.
Section 2 – The Three Branches of Government
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Analyze why the Constitution provides for the separation of powers.
- Identify the main responsibilities of each of the three branches of government.
- Explain how the system of checks and balances works.
Section 3 – A Flexible Document
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Explain why the Constitution is called a living document?
- Analyze how the flexibility of the Constitution has benefited the United States.
- Identify how amendments to the Constitution are proposed and passed.
Chapter 4 – Rights and Responsibilities
Section 1 – The Bill of Rights
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Explain why the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution.
- Examine how the First Amendment protects personal freedom.
- Identify the other rights that the Bill of Rights guarantees.
Section 2 – Guaranteeing Other Rights
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Evaluate how the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments extended civil rights.
- Indicate which amendments extended American’s voting rights.
Section 3 – Citizen’s Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to
- Explain the duties of citizenship.
- Identify where the duties of citizenship are described.
- Describe the responsibilities of citizenship.
Chapter 5 - The Legislative Branch
Section 1 - The Senate and the House of Representatives
Objectives : After completing this section the students will be able to:
1. Explain how many members are in the House and Senate, respectively, and what is the term length for each position.
2. Explain the qualifications and salaries for members of the House and Senate.
3. Explain how congress deals with misconduct by its members.
Section 2 - How Congress Is Organized
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to:
1. Explain when a session of Congress begins and how long a session last.
2. Explain who leads the houses of Congress and how the leaders are chosen.
3. Explain the purpose of congressional committees, and how their assignments are made.
Section 3 - The Powers of Congress
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to:
1. Name the five major areas in which Congress has the power to make laws.
2. Explain the significance of the elastic clause.
3. Explain the special powers of Congress, and how their powers are limited.
Section 4 - How a Bill Becomes a Law
Objectives: After completing this section the students will be able to:
1. Explain where ideas for bills originate.
2. Explain what happens to a bill once it is introduced in each house of Congress.
3. Once a bill is passed by both houses, what actions the president can take regarding the bill.
All Students can access the
online website to view their
text books and online activities
by going to
http://go.hrw.com/gopages/ma.html
See Mr. Coy for the user name
and password information.
