American Government
2008-2009 School Year
Course Guide
Instructor: Mrs. Mary Beth Logas
Office Hours: 1:35-2:20 (site TBD), 2:30-3:30 room 06, or by appointment
Message Contact: mblogas@fenwickfriars.com
Required Text: Magruder’s American Government by William McClenaghan,
published by Prentice Hall, 2001
Course Description
This class will introduce the student to the workings of the American system of
government. The American system of representative democracy is dependent for success
upon the participation of an informed citizenry, which brings ethical as well as
intellectual considerations to bear in pursuit of political goals. Students will become
aware, not only of the nature and complexity of the American system itself, but of their
own role within it. Students will learn to:
1. Explain the nature of our government and other governments.
2. Explain the nature and function of the Federal constitution.
3. Understand how the Constitution applies to specific problems of government.
4. Know the difference between civil and criminal law.
5. Understand the role of the citizen in American government, including
participation in the political process.
6. Understand the applications of the Bill of Rights.
7. Know what natural law is and how it applies and doesn’t apply to the
American system.
8. Understand the workings of the check and balance system.
9. Know the differences between the Federal and State governments.
10. Understand some concepts and issues in comparative government.
11. Use outside resources, print, broadcast, internet, and personal witness to
understand the functioning of the American system of government.
12. Read thoughtfully and carefully, and to analyze and understand the value of
different sources of information about the significant topics covered.
13. Understand that in an imperfect world, not all governmental problems have
acceptable solutions, although the search for such solutions must continue.
14. Apply their own Christian faith to their understanding of citizenship in a
representative republic.
Topics covered will include, but not be limited to:
Principles of American government
Review of the origins of the features of American government
The Constitution, as it has been applied in the past
The Constitution, as it is applied to current events and controversies
The origins and nature of Federalism
The differences in government among the states
The two-party system and alternatives
The function of political party organizations and the differences among them
The power of the vote, its limitations, and voter behavior
The electoral process
Journalism, the media, and their role in the American system
Interest groups and other political alliances within the system
Congress: its powers, action, limitations, members
The Presidency: its powers, influence, limitations, role outside the U.S.
Particular presidents
Bureaucracy
Economics and the American government
Foreign policy
National defense and the military; roles foreign and domestic
The federal court system; its influence, importance, and limitations
State and local courts
Political and legal rights
Being Prepared for Class
The extent and nature of the material covered in this course will require the use of
both lecture and prepared discussion formats of instruction. In order for student
participation to be productive, students need to be well-prepared for class. Students will
be expected to come to class every day unless an absence is absolutely necessary, and be
ready to make neat, legible notes on lectures and discussions. Students in this class must
also come to class prepared to contribute to discussion and debate from a basis of
information. Some major projects in this class involve off-site field trips, and
interscholastic work with students from other schools. Students need to be adequately
prepared to do this.
Starting Class
Students are expected to be in their assigned seats, quiet and ready for class, when
the bell rings. If there is written homework due, it should be ready for collection at the
start of class. Class will open with prayer.
Suggested Files
Students are strongly advised to keep a class file of completed work at home in
addition to notes and handouts. Material which appears on a quiz or handout is likely to
reappear on an exam: students are responsible for anything covered or assigned at any
time.
Grading
Grades for this class are based on the percentage of possible points a student earns
on assignments, tests, projects, and class participation. Each of these will be worth a set
number of points. The grading scale below will be used to determine grades for this class.
93-100% = A
85-92% = B
78-84% = C
70-77% = D
0-69% = NC
Important Projects
During the first semester, this class will be participating in the Equal Justice
Under Law conference at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, sponsored by the
Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago. A few class assignments will be needed,
culminating in the conference on November 30. This is a great opportunity for students
to represent Fenwick in a forum taking place in the wider community on issues of
national interest. Students will participate in discussions with students from other high
schools, reproducing the deliberations of the Supreme Court and discussing legislative
action. They will then attend a luncheon at the Union League Club where they will have
a chance to share proposals and questions with a panel of experts.
During the first semester, there will be a required research paper. The due date
will be announced at the beginning of the semester, and there will be no late papers or
excuses accepted. During the second semester, Students will participate in the Youth
Summit project, also sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. This will
require classroom work, school leadership projects, and there will be leadership
opportunities for some students. Second semester, there will also be a campaign video
presentation, done in a group. The students will be notified of the due date for this
project at the beginning of the second semester.
Current Events
Students will be expected to keep informed of current events. This will be
assessed through weekly current events assignments, described separately.
Class Participation
In view of the fact that good citizenship in a representative democracy is one of
the goals of this course, participation in class is vital to successful learning. On days
when the instructional format is class discussion, three points will be given for
participation. Students will receive participation credit for asking or answering questions
related to the topic under discussion. The use of the student’s own notes on reading and
prior discussions is encouraged, but the use of internet note services and other shortcuts
will result in the loss of participation points and other disciplinary action. Students who
are tardy and/or lacking required materials will not receive participation points. Students
who are absent with an excuse will be allowed to make them up, but must see the
instructor to do so.
Homework
Homework will be assigned regularly. For some assignments, students will have
to conduct out of class research.
All written work should use the following heading on the first line at the far left of
the paper.
Student’s Name
Date
Class and period
Assignment description
Typing of homework assignments is preferred, and some assignments will not be
accepted if handwritten. Students who type their homework should do so on white typing
paper, double space, and use a size 12 font. Handwritten work needs to be done on loose
leaf paper, neatly written in blue or black ink. All written work must be neat and legible.
Work which does not meet these standards will receive no credit. Late work will be
accepted only as described in Mrs. Logas’ class policy.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be given frequently on assigned reading and material discussed in
class. Although quizzes are usually announced in advance, students should be prepared
for quizzes at any time.
Tests
Tests based on the readings and on lecture, discussion, and film materials will
be given on a regular basis and will be significantly weighted in the student’s grade.
Barring extraordinary circumstances, tests will be given on the day assigned for
American government. Generally, students will be notified at least one week in advance.
Tests will include multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and essay questions.
Cheating
Cheating and plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Any incident will
result in the student receiving a grade of zero for the assignment in question and will be
reported to the student’s counselor and parents. Depending on the magnitude of the
offense, other consequences may occur.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is vital to good academic performance. Students are
expected to know any material covered in class, including lectures and class discussions.
Makeup work stemming from an excused absence will be treated in accordance with
school policy. Students will be responsible for making up late work due to an excused
absence.
Behavior
Students are expected to treat the instructor and their colleagues with courtesy and
respect. This is especially important in this class, given the often controversial nature of
the topics addressed and discussed. Every member of the class has an important
contribution to make, and belittling comments and other rudeness will not be tolerated.
Sanctions will include being kept after class with no excuse provided, discussion with the
student’s parents and counselor, detention, etc.
American Government
Current Events Assignment
Students are required to know what is going on in the news that pertains to the
subject matter of this class. This assignment will be due the last day of class each week
throughout the school year.
The Assignment
Cut out or photocopy, or print out one article of at least 150 words that discusses a
newsworthy event pertaining to American government. You may use acceptable,
accredited online sources that are run either by a major news agency or which have a
print version. Acceptable sources include:
The New York Times (print or online version)
The Washington Post (print or online version)
The Chicago Tribune (print or online version)
The Chicago Sun-Times (print or online version)
Time
Newsweek
U.S. News and World Report
The Christian Science Monitor
Roll Call
The Hill
Online news centers run by broadcasters such as ABC, NBC, and CNN may also
be used. News stories only!
Once you have your article and you have read it carefully, write a summary of
what the article says and how it addresses a subject we are discussing or need to discuss
in American Government. Then write a paragraph of your own reaction to the article.
Do you agree with the author? Do you think there is bias shown? Do you think this is a
matter of enduring interest or only temporary importance? When you have finished
either writing neatly or typing your response, staple the article printout to the back of the
paper.
Credit
Each week’s assignment turned in promptly and in the proper form will receive
10 points.
Political Cartoons
No more than once a month, you may use a political cartoon. They take less
time to read, but they take longer to write about. Your summary must include an
explanation of exactly what the political point is that the cartoonist is making. You must
have a complete explanation of the figures in the cartoon. You also, of course, need to
include your own reaction. You will need to address whether or not you think the
cartoonist intended to be funny, whether or not you think the cartoon is funny, and who
you think might not find it amusing.
Stories on state and local government are acceptable and even encouraged. Crime
& entertainment stories are not useful unless a connection can be clearly made to a
governmental issue. Students who submit such stories without the necessary connection
will be required to do the assignment over for a deduction in credit, or take a zero.
Permission to watch films:
The following films are on the list of materials used in American
Government. The films with the asterisk are the ones the instructor considers especially
important. As some of these films contain language the instructor would not use in a
high school classroom, and situations which may include violence or sexual references,
parental permission is required.
All the President’s Men *
Runaway Jury*
The Candidate (?)
Primary Colors *
Hotel Rwanda
Wag the Dog
Ghosts of Mississippi
I, _____________________________________________, hereby give
permission for my child, a student in Mrs. Logas’ American Government class, to view
any or all of the above-listed films.
Signature _____________________________________
date ___________________