TEXT: Magruder's
American Government by William A. McClenaghan
Course: This 12th grade course is designed to make
sure that Grafton High School's graduates understand the origins and
workings
of the American and Virginian political systems. As
such, emphasis will be placed on
fundamental American political principles and concepts of democracy. The student will be challenged to analyze and
compare our national, state, and local systems of government. The three branches of government (executive,
legislative and judicial) will be investigated, along with detailed
analysis of
the civil and economic impact of government policy-making.
In addition, our systems of government will
be compared to those of other nations.
The course will develop the political consciousness so necessary
for
citizenship in the United States and Virginia.
COURSE OUTLINE: (Note:
The applicable paragraphs of Virginia's Standards of Learning
(SOL) for
American Government are indicated below.)
FIRST QUARTER:
Foundations of American Government: Chapters
1-4 (SOLs GOVT. 2-5)
Principles
and Origins --- The
Constitution --- Federalism
Politics of American Democracy: Chapters 5-9 (SOLs GOVT. 6 & 9)
Political
Parties --- Voters
and Voter Behavior --- Election
Process --- Media,
Public Opinion & Interest
Groups
SECOND QUARTER:
Legislative Branch: Chapters 10-12 & 24 (SOLs GOVT. 7, 9 &
16)
Organization
Executive Branch: Chapters
13-14, 17
& 24 (SOLs GOVT. 7, 9 & 16)
Organization
THIRD QUARTER:
Bureaucracy: Chapters 15-16 & 25 (SOLs GOVT. 7 & 9)
Organization
Judicial Branch: Chapter 18
& 25
(SOLs GOVT. 7, 9, 10)
Organization
FOURTH QUARTER:
Civil Liberties: Chapters
19-20 (SOLs
GOVT. 11)
First
Amendment Rights
Civil Rights: Chapter 21
(SOLs GOVT.
11)
Discrimination
Economic & Political
Systems: Chapters
22-23 (SOLs GOVT. 12-16)
Capitalism,
Socialism & Communism
1.
All students are expected to read materials assigned in the text.
2. Students
are expected to
keep informed by means of newspapers, news magazines or news programs concerning significant national
and
state political events.
MATERIALS:
1.
Books and pencil/pen will be required each day.
2. A
spiral notebook is
required. The notebook will contain
notes, handouts, homework, class work, and a copy of the syllabus.
HOMEWORK AND
CLASS WORK:
1. Students
who have missed
work because of an excused absence, and have had no way of knowing
about the
assignment, will have one school day for every day of excused absence
to
present the work to the teacher.
2. Students
with an
unexcused absence may not make up work missed for credit.
TESTS AND
QUIZZES:
1.
All tests are announced well in advance.
2. Quizzes
may or may not
be announced.
3. All
students are
expected to take tests on the announced test date.
Absence the day before the test date will not
exempt a student from taking the test.
4. Make-up tests will be given after school unless other arrangements have been made. If there is a problem, please see the teacher as soon as possible.
GRADES:
The York County numerical
grading scale will be used. Each quarter's
grade will be based on the
average of the following: Tests, projects, notebook, homework, class
work &
quizzes.
FIELD TRIPS: dates to be announced
1.
Court Docent Program
2.
Day trip to Washington D.C.
3.
Student Government Day
Students are
expected to dress "professionally" for these trips out of the
building.