VIRGINIA AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

VIRGINIA AND UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

SHRINER

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.

Foundations of American Government: Chapters 1-4 (SOLs GOVT. 2, 3, 4, 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 and Interest Groups

Legislative Branch: Chapters 10-12 (SOLs GOVT. 7, 9, 16)

Organization

Domestic Powers

Making Laws

Executive Branch: Chapters 13-14, 17 (SOLs GOVT. 7, 9, 16)

Organization

Domestic Powers

Foreign Powers

Bureaucracy: Chapters 15-16 (SOLs GOVT. 7, 9)

Organization

Civil Service

Functions

Financing

Judicial Branch: Chapter 18 (SOLs GOVT. 7, 9, 10)

Organization

Decision-Making Process

State and Local Government: Chapters 24-25 (SOLs GOVT. 8, 9, 16)

Legislative

Executive

Judicial

Issues

Civil Liberties: Chapters 19-20 (SOLs GOVT. 11)

First Amendment Rights

Individual Freedoms

Supreme Court Cases

Civil Rights: Chapter 21 (SOLs GOVT. 11)

Discrimination

Supreme Court Cases

Economic and Political Systems: Chapters 22-23 (SOLs GOVT. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)

Capitalism

Socialism

Communism

United States and the World

Participation Skills (SOL GOVT. 1, 17, 18) – YEAR INCLUSIVE

Analysis

Evaluation

Communication

REQUIREMENTS:

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. *BOOK SHOULD BE COVERED.*

2. A 3-ring notebook is required and should be neat and orderly. The notebook will contain notes, tests, quizzes, handouts, homework, classwork, and a copy of the syllabus.

HOMEWORK AND CLASSWORK:

1. Both will be assigned on a regular basis.

2. 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.

3. 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. Students who do not take a test because of an excused absence have 5 school days to make up the test. Make-up tests will be given after school. A student missing a test for an unexcused absence may not make up the test. If there is a problem, please see the teacher as soon as possible.

PROJECTS:

1. Projects are an important part of your grade. All students are expected to complete assigned projects on time.

GRADES:

1. The York County numerical grading scale will be used. Each quarter's grade will be determined as follows: Tests, projects, notebook , participation 50%, homework, classwork, quizzes 50%

FIELD TRIPS:

1. Court Docent Program (dates to be announced)

2. Day trip to Washington D.C. (date to be announced)

Students are expected to dress "professionally" for these trips out of the building.

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We have read and discussed these guidelines. Date ____________

Student Signature: __________________________________________________

Parent Signature: __________________________________________________

DO NOT DETACH THIS FROM SYLLABUS. ENTIRE SYLLABUS SHOULD BE KEPT IN NOTEBOOK.