American Government / Economics Syllabus

School Year:  2014-2015

Instructor: J. Michael McDowell                                                                            

Course: US History

Room # Congaree Hall

Phone:  803-822-7040                                             

Email address: mmcdowell@midlandsmiddlecollege.com

Extra Help: I will be available before school by appointment

 

During this semester, a large amount of content is disseminated; thus, it is extremely important to stay current on reading assignments.  I recommend taking time each night to review what is covered in class so you will not feel overwhelmed on test days. The content taught throughout the semester is aligned with South Carolina’s academic standards.

 

Week 1- Chapters 1 and 2:  Introduction and Historical Background of the US

      Government (Test)

Week 2 - Chapters 3 and 4: The Constitution, Federalism, and State/Local Government (Project or Test)

Weeks 3 and 4- Chapter 5.1 & 5.5: Political Parties / Chapter 6.2 & 6.4: Voter Behavior / Chapter 7.1-7.3 & 13.5: The Electoral Process.  You will be introduced to a Presidential Project during this time that will be due at the end of the 9 weeks.

Week 5- Chapters 10 and 12: The Legislative Branch.  (How a bill becomes law)

Weeks 6 and 7- Chapter 13.1 & 13.2 / terms from 14/ 15.1 -15.3 / Chapter 17: Foreign Policy. (Test)

Weeks 8 & 9- Chapters 18 – 20 & 21.4:  Judicial Branch, Constitutional Law, Civil Liberties, and Citizenship. (Test)

*There may also be a project assigned during the semester grading period.

Week 10- Chapters 1, 2, and 3:  Introduction to Economics (Test)

Week 11- Chapters 4, 5, and 6:  Demand, Supply, and Price (Project)

Weeks 12 &13- Chapters 9, 10, and 11: Money, Banking, and Finance (Test)

Week 14- Chapters 12 and 13:  Measuring Economic Performance (Test)

Weeks 15 &16- Chapters 14, 15, and 16: Government and the Economy (Test)

Week 17- Chapters 17 and 18: The Global Economy (Test)

Week 18- Review

 

Materials:

    - a three ring, loose leaf binder or spiral notebook with pockets - it is EXTREMELY important that students keep a neat, well-  

    organized notebook

    - paper

    - pen or pencil

    - Highlighters, color pens/pencils, etc. may be useful but are not required.

 

Textbook

    - The Americans which will be provided by the school 

 

Grading Scale:

Major Assessments ie tests, projects, etc: 60%

Minor Assessments ie class work, quizzes, etc: 40%

    -In class tests will be given using various types of questions covering all levels of thought processes from recall to synthesis.

A = 93-100              B =   85-92              C =   77-84              D =   70-76              F =     0-69

 

Extra Credit:

    -Each assignment is given the maximum points deserved, so extra credit assignments are never given.

 

Attendance Policy:

                School Policy:  a student may not miss more than five days from a semester long course.  Those five days include parent’s notes, suspensions, unexcused absences, administrative or late arrival notes.  After five absences, a doctor’s note or administrative excuse must be provided or the students will not receive credit for the course. 

    -Tardy and Attendance Policies are outlined in the Student Handbook/Agenda and will be enforced for this class.

    -Hall Passes: Each student will receive three passes from class per semester.  The passes are located in your student handbook.  

    You must have your handbook in order to leave my class. Passes will only be written in the student handbook.

 

What to do if you miss class:

    Established school and district policies will apply to all make-up work (see handbook). It is the responsibility of the student to   

    get assignments, notes, etc. missed due to absences. Again, an absence does NOT excuse a student from work due on or

    scheduled for the day of their return. It is important for students to deal with missed work quickly. They need to arrange a time

    to make-up tests, quizzes, notes, etc. by seeing me before or after class immediately upon their return. 

 

Academic and Behavioral Expectations:

Academic:

        Communication of assignments and expectations:

- Students will be informed of all assignments (except pop quizzes) well in advance, and will be expected to complete the assignments on time.

- Tests will be announced in class at least one week in advance, but will normally happen every Friday.

- Zeros will be calculated into a student’s grade for any assignment not received or for which no correct answers were given.             NO GRADES WILL BE DROPPED.

       Late Work:

- Late work impedes student progress and adversely impacts grades. Turning work in late needs to be avoided whenever possible and will result in significant point reductions on the assignment! Late work is always taken at half credit.

 

Behavioral:

BE ON TIME: You should have closing objectives turned in and be ready to work when the bell ring.
BE PREPARED: Each student is required to have materials for each class session (textbook, paper, writing utensil, assignments).
BE RESPECTFUL: Every person may not have something valuable to say, but each person has value. Therefore it should be understood that everyone needs to respect each other, be it peer, teacher, administrator, guest, etc. Students need to listen when others are speaking and recognize when raising your hand is appropriate. This is essential for an environment needed for learning.
BE ON TASK: Students are expected to be responsible for their learning. Students who are not on task will be sent out of class.
LEAVING CLASS: You should never leave class unless it is an emergency.
CHEATING: Copying or sharing answers on any assignment (classwork, homework, quiz, test) will always be given a zero and referred to the administration.
CONTACT: Email is the best way to contact me for questions or concerns. You can also check my site for links to weekly classroom information. I am available after school and during lunch as needed. *Grading scale, absent/tardy policy, and general classroom rules can be find in the student handbook.