Sharyland
High School
U.S.
Government
Course
Syllabus
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Teacher: Coach James Penbrook
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (956)
580-5300 ext. 1336
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Course Description:
In
Government, the focus is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United
States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government at
the national, state, and local levels. Students learn major political ideas and
forms of government in history. A significant focus of the course is on the
U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and ideas, and the form of
government it created. Students analyze major concepts of republicanism,
federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and
individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government with other
political systems.
The
student is expected to analyze the structure and functions of the three
branches of government starting with the legislative branch of government,
including the bicameral structure of Congress, the role of committees, and the
procedure for enacting laws. They then go on to analyze the structure and
functions of the executive branch of government, including the constitutional
powers of the president, the growth of presidential power, and the role of the
Cabinet and executive departments. And finally they analyze the structure and
functions of the judicial branch of government, including the federal court
system and types of jurisdiction.
Course Agenda/Outline:
9 Week Semester
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Chapter
1: Foundations of Government
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Chapter
5: Congress-The Legislative Branch
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Chapter
2: Origins of American Government
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Chapter
6: The Presidency
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Chapter
3: The Constitution
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Chapter
8: The Federal Courts & the Judicial Branch
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Chapter
4: Federalism
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Chapter
12: Understanding Elections
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Available Tutoring
Time: Tuesday
and Thursday 7:30 A.M. to 8:00 A.M.
Conference Time: Monday
through Friday 2nd Block 9:44 P.M. to 11:14 P.M.
Course Supplies:
§ 3”Binder or folder
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§ Index cards
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§ Loose Leaf Paper
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§ Ruler
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§ Pencils/Pens
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§ Color Pencils/markers
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Classroom Rules:
§ Arrive to class on time and be in
your assign seat when the bell rings.
§ Be prepared to class with all your
supplies and assignments.
§ Respect others, their property and
school property and materials.
§ At the end
of each block, clean up area by your desk & put away books.
§ Remain in
your desk until the end. Wait until the teacher dismisses you, the bell does
NOT dismiss you.
§ Raise your
hand or wait politely to speak, if others are speaking.
Classroom Procedures:
§ Students will be instructed as to the
due date for all assignments (vocabulary, activities, handouts, etc.)
§ Teacher permission and a hall pass
are required to leave the classroom.
Course Grading Policy:
The grading
scale for the course is as follows:
Class Assignment Grade
Weighs
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Daily Assignments: Handouts, Vocabulary, maps, activities,
quizzes, etc.
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40 %
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Tests, Essays, Projects,
Binder Checks
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60 %
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Course Total:
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100 %
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Grade Scale
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A
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100-90
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B
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89-80
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C
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79-75
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D
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70-74
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F
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69-0
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Progress Reports are
sent every three weeks by Sharyland High School and Report Cards every nine
weeks.
More information on
the Sharyland High School grading guidelines and procedures can be located with
the following link: http://www.sharylandisd.org/cms/lib/TX21000378/Centricity/Domain/24/Grading%20Policy%20Revised%209-12_2.pdf
Attendance/Make-Up Work:
Daily class attendance is vital to ensuring class success. However, if
absences occur it is important to note that more than four unexcused or
unrelated school absences could jeopardize a student’s credit for the course
and may require Saturday School. Additionally, the following district
guidelines apply for make-up work when a student is absent:
§ Excused
Absences - Students with an excused absence from school are expected
to make up work missed at the rate of one day for one day missed with a maximum
of five days. Students who are absent but had prior notice of upcoming
assignments or tests must complete the assignment or test on the first day back
to school. Students shall receive a zero for any assignment or test not made up
within the allotted time.
§ Unexcused
Absences - A student may not make up work missed; however, if the
administrator determines that the unexcused absence is due to extenuating
circumstances, make up work may be allowed. The grade for makeup work after an
unexcused absence shall be no higher than a 70.
Statement of academic dishonesty:
Academic integrity is fundamental to the activities and principles of our
school. No student shall cheat or copy the
work of another. Plagiarism, the use of another person’s original ideas or
writings as one’s own without giving credit to the author, will be considered
cheating, and the student be subject to academic discipline that may include
loss of credit for the work in question.