Govt. Course Syllabus

Government Syllabus

Teacher: Hyung Nam                                                  Room Number: 128

Course Description

This course will be a study of government in the US and the major debates about government and public policy.  What kind of society should we have? How should society be organized and governed? Who should be included? How should goods and resources be produced and distributed? How can political and economic arguments and policies be understood, contextualized, analyzed and evaluated? How was the US founded? To what degree should we maintain that foundation?  Are political equality and economic inequality compatible?

We will examine the development and the workings of government in theory and practice from the founding of the US through major changes and reinterpretations.  We will cover both the structure and functions of the US government as well as political behavior. We will compare policies and conditions in different countries and examine major issues at international, national and local levels.

We will develop critical knowledge and skills needed to be citizens in a democratic society: awareness of rights and responsibilities as well as skills in deliberation, discussion, critical literacy, analysis, evaluation of competing arguments and formulating and expressing our own opinions.

Class Expectations

We will deepen our thinking by writing for understanding with reflections, analyses, essays, etc. We will share our writing and thinking to learn from each other. We will also work on our critical literacy skills throughout the year to become better readers and thinkers. We will do role-plays, simulations and debates and we will have regular class discussions.

I expect you to:

•Attend class daily and arrive on time follow school attendance policy; sign out and in for restroom pass and limit its use.

•Check in by email or come in ASAP during tutor time, break, lunch or another non-class time to get all your missed assignments in addition to checking the class blog when you’ve been absent or late.
 •Be respectful of divergent viewpoints. Be able and willing to express and support your opinions, and to listen actively and respond to others.
•Come to class prepared and thoughtful, having reviewed the assignment log the night before. Update your assignment log at the beginning of each class, check your logs and finish any log assignments at home before the next class. Read and complete assignments and projects on time; bring your binder, readings and other materials each day. Organize your readings and materials in your binder. (I’ll let you know when you need to bring text books and computers).
•Participate in role-plays, simulations and all activities.
•Do not use cell phones or gadgets during class time, including when using the pass.
•Ask for individual help as needed and make use of tutor time.

•Follow Wilson policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.

References, text book(s), resources:

American Government (MacGruders’s district adopted text)

Other readings provided by the teacher:
Financial Times, Bloomberg, NY Times, Wall St. Journal, the Guardian, as well as economics blogs, periodicals, etc.

Student Accommodation(s) and Support and TAG
Any student seeking help or accommodations should meet with me during office hours. Students with IEPs and 504s should attend tutor time or lunch help sessions and coordinate with me and case managers.

For TAG, there are many opportunities to learn in more depth. Often students are only introduced to many related issues and readings connected to our studies but only read an excerpt or headlines. TAG students can read those additional links posted on the class blog for homework and include those connections in their writing assignments. Additionally, TAG students can read and compare the information with corresponding sections in the textbook. Students

Also refer to the online syllabus (link will be updated when available).

Trigger Warning - Throughout the year we will critically examine political, economic and social issues with many different sources, including video footage.  As we examine real instances of oppression, some of the content may be triggering and disturbing. Please see me if there are any concerns and prioritize self-care.

What You Can Expect from Me

Availability for individual help and assistance and genuine concern for your learning and your personal growth;

Respect for you as an individual and for your ideas, even when we disagree;

Careful assessment and review of your work and availability to conference with you about the assessment of your work.

Grading Policy

During the semester, you will have the opportunity to engage in a number of thought-provoking activities. I will assess your work on a point scale, not on a curve. Individual assignments and activities, cooperative group work, writing, research projects, quizzes, tests and class participation will all enter your final grade. Remember to make use of the guidelines on Using Supporting Details. All assignments will be listed on class blog and students should track them on their log sheets in their binders. http://nampolecon.blogspot.com/

All assignments on the log sheet should be complete before the next class, unless there is a specific due date for more major assignments. While there will not be regular homework, many assignments will require time at home to fully complete.
Late work will only be accepted up until one week from the original due date and will be graded down.  Absent students will be responsible for getting all missed assignments and will be given the same amount of time to complete their work as other students (including an extra day for excused absences).

I will provide you a folder to keep a portfolio of your graded and returned work. You must keep those here or in your own binder for you to review and do self-evaluations at the end of quarters.

Grading Scale and Percentage of Semester Grade (with no punitive zeros)
90% - 100% A                                      Unit Logs (V+, V, V- on individual entries)       55%
80% - 89%   B                                      Assessments, projects, quizzes                           30%

70% - 79%   C                                      Participation                                                        15%

60% - 69%   D          

30% - 59%   F  (no credit)

Office Hours and contact info:  email: hnam@pps.net                         
Outside of class times, I am ONLY regularly available and in the building on B days, during lunch, tutor time, after school and 6th period. If you can’t reach me during my hours, you can email me.

SIGNATURES:

I have read and understand the information and expectations in the economics course syllabus.

_______________________________________             _______________________________________

Student Signature                                                                   Parent/Guardian Signature