U.S. Government and Politics Course Expectations
Mr. Janette
Email: cdj502@interact.ccsd.net
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey examination of federal, state and local
governments. Emphasis is placed on understanding the basic political philosophy and principles
of the US Constitution, along with an understanding of civil rights and citizen responsibilities.
Students are introduced to political and economic interrelationships and a basic understanding of
the workings of government and the American political process. Students will also develop an
awareness of the law as it affects the notion of individual civil liberty.
COURSE OUTCOMES: Students must be engaged to examine the institutional, political and
economic framework of their world and to solve problems. Critical inquiry and analysis are
integral to the management of our changing political, sociological and economic environments;
and to the preservation of democracy. Course objectives are designed to meet the standards set
by this philosophy.
Students will, upon completion, be able to demonstrate knowledge of the facts, concepts and
theories pertaining to US Government and politics, to understand the integrative functioning and
independent functioning of America’s political institutions, and to be able to analyze and
interpret data and relationships in and among the various levels of government in the United
States. An ability to observe the political significance of and interaction between various levels
of government and to understand the range of responsibilities of each level of government is also
an expected outcome. Students will be able to compare and contrast the American system of
governance with those of other countries, including representative nations from the European
Union, Asia, Latin America and the developing world. Students will gain an understanding of
the essential elements of domestic economic policy and US foreign policy, as well as a
foundation in key international issues, such as globalization and democratization. Finally,
students should be able to write an analysis and interpretation of the subject matter of US
Government and politics and to rationally defend their own political values and perspectives.
LESSON TOPICS: The course topics are scheduled over two semesters.
During the first semester we should examine:
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Foundations of American Government
Political Behavior and Opinion
The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
During the second semester we should examine:
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The Judicial Branch
Policymaking
Comparative Political and Economic Systems
State and Local Government
Selected Topics in Comparative Politics and International Relations
TEXT AND MATERIALS: United States Government: Democracy in Action by McGraw-Hill
will be assigned to each student. The book will be provided as a class set. American
Government by Magruder’s will be checked out for the stay at home text. If the textbook cannot
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be accounted for or is damaged in any way, the replacement cost is $60.00. Multi-media
resources and primary source documents will also be used throughout the duration of the course
and may be provided to the student. Many materials will be posted to my.ccsd.net and will be the
student’s responsibility to access those materials. If any student does not have any internet
access, please see Mr. Janette to make other arrangements.
All students are required to keep their school materials in a 2-3 inch 3 ring binder, with a pencil
pouch, and dividers. Their section for U.S. Government should keep all returned work for the
semester, any active work we are doing in class or at home and their lecture notes.
For U.S. Government, the students will need to purchase a 1 subject notebook for daily journals.
GENERAL COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS: Students in any honors courses are expected
to have well developed study skills and be motivated self-directed learners willing and able to
take on demanding workloads. Honors courses are designed to challenge the student at a higher
level than regular classes and to prepare the student for the work environment that of a college
level class.
Testing/quizzes/Projects comprises 70% of the quarter grade. Chapter quizzes emphasizing a
thorough understanding of vocabulary and key concepts will be given, unannounced quizzes will
also be included in the test component of grading. Testing may include any of the following:
multiple choice, true/false, matching, and essay. Notes and texts will NEVER be permitted as an
aide for testing.
Homework and class activities comprise 30% of the quarter grade and may include: chapter
notes/outlines, chapter terms and objective questions, free response writing exercises, debates,
presentations, Socratic discussions, simulations (role playing project-based research usually from
the field of international relations), and country studies (analysis and evaluation of specific
countries and oral presentations on said studies). Students may draw upon the text, various
policy analyses, outside research and scholarly writing to complete these assignments. Students
are expected to take comprehensive lecture notes. Lectures do not necessarily come from text
materials assigned students.
Use of the technological resources available at Spring Valley will be an important part of the
lessons and research for this course. The SVHS Library maintains computer workstations that
may aid the student for individual and group research assignments. Please note that, unless
expressly permitted by Mr. Janette, only those Internet sites of a high quality from recognized
and credible organizations posted on the .edu, .gov or .org domains, or those subscription sites
accessible from the SVHS library web site may be used for any class assignment.
Essays and other writing exercises are graded according to the following general rubric as well
as the content rubrics appropriate to each essay or exercise:
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Excellent
(A)
Achieves purpose – to
inform, persuade, reflect,
interpret, etc. – very well
Purpose
Organization
Elaboration/Support
Language Arts
Develops ideas from
thesis (as applicable)
onward in a very clear and
logical manner
Explains ideas and
supports thesis with facts
and details or examples
Uses excellent vocabulary
and sentence structure
with no errors in spelling,
grammar or punctuation
Good
(B)
Generally meets
purpose in a
reasonably clear
fashion
Presents ideas and
thesis in a
reasonably
organized manner
Explains most
ideas and thesis
with facts and
details or examples
Uses good
vocabulary and
sentence structure
with very few
spelling, grammar
or punctuation
errors
Acceptable
(C)
Reader cannot
easily tell if
the purpose is
met
Reader has
difficulty
following the
organization
Includes some
supporting
facts and
details
Includes some
errors in
spelling,
grammar and
punctuation
Unacceptable
(D/F)
Lacks purpose
Lacks organization
Lacks supporting
facts and details
Includes many
errors in spelling,
grammar and
punctuation
Proper citation in APA or MLA format is required for all research used in student assignments.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Documented cases of plagiarism will result in 0% for the
assignment and a possible referral for further disciplinary action.
GRADING MEASUREMENT:
All individual assignments, examinations or other work products are graded on the basis of
assigned point values. The individual assignments, examinations or other work products are then
averaged within each category noted under General Coursework Requirements. These averages
comprise the weighted basis for the quarterly and semester grades as noted in Semester
Evaluations. Students will be awarded grades for work as noted:
A = 90%-100%
B = 80%-89%
C = 70%-79%
D = 60%-69%
F = Below 60%
INC = Incomplete or Missing (0%)
NG = No Grade
O = Outstanding Citizenship
S = Satisfactory Citizenship
U = Unsatisfactory Citizenship
Grade reports will be posted daily on Infinite Campus. Students requiring a printout of their
grades should pick up a weekly progress report from the House office. Final grades will be
reported at the end of each semester.
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POLICY ON ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Preparing students envisions more than understanding course content and process. It
includes a fundamental respect for personal achievement and accomplishment. Academic
honesty demands that each student is responsible for his or her own work and that no student
will engage in any form of academic dishonesty nor encourage, support or tolerate any other
student attempt to engage in such activity.
 Criteria of Academic Dishonesty
o Cheating: using any unauthorized notes, study aids, including electronic
information exchanges, or other information on examinations or assignments;
changing work after it has been returned or graded in class for credit; allowing
others to do one’s work; submitting identical papers for credit in more than one
class without receiving prior approval from each courses’ teacher; stealing
examination materials; unauthorized reproduction and circulation of examination
materials and assignments; unauthorized retention and redistribution of prior
examination materials or assignments; taking unfair advantage of other student’s
work; or such other similar or related acts which may reasonably be construed to
be academic dishonesty.
o Plagiarism: submitting material that is in part or in whole not one’s own work
without proper attribution to, or documentation of, the correct source.
o Fabrication: falsifying or inventing any information, data or citation.
o Aiding Others Academic Dishonesty: providing material, information or other
assistance to another student with the knowledge that such assistance could be
used to violate any of the definitions previously enumerated.
 Penalties and Procedures for Academic Dishonesty:
o A failing grade will be issued for the assignment, examination or other work
product,
o A Request for Parent Conference may be filed,
o No make up work will be permitted,
o The student’s citizenship grade for that quarter and the semester will be
automatically reduced to U,
o Students that have any documented case of academic dishonesty will not receive
any recommendation, whether formal or informal, from me for any scholarship,
college application, employment application or similar matter.
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o Such further action as may be warranted for future violations will be taken in
accordance with Spring Valley’s progressive discipline policy and/or other
applicable Clark County School District disciplinary procedures and regulations.
SEMESTER EVALUATIONS: Please refer to the course requirements and related grade
measurement above. Each quarter will count toward 40% of your semester grade, and the
semester final will count toward 20% of your semester grade.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP/LATE WORK:
The policies and attendant regulations regarding attendance may be found in the student
handbook. For the record, my classes start on time and I tend not to repeat information for
those who are late. Being on time is an important skill for the future. Neither college
professors nor employers are tolerant of late arrivals.
 Tardy: Students who exceed 3 tardy marks per Qtr will earn an S in citizenship;
students with greater than 5 tardy marks earn a U.
 Make-up work: CCSD Regulation requires teachers to give make up work and
requires students to contact the teacher within three days of a student’s return for
such. A minimum of three days will be given for students to complete make-up work.
 Late Work: Late work will be accepted for up to 60% until the assignment is handed
back, or until the end of the chapter. (Once an assignment has been returned to
students, or we complete the chapter test, that assignment can no longer be turned in).
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR:
A. Progressive Discipline:
I believe that all students can behave appropriately in the classroom. All students have the
right to an education and no student should take that right away by disrupting the education
process by inappropriate behavior in the classroom. Remember that you will be accountable
for what you do or say. Think carefully about your actions.
First offense – Teacher Warning
Second offense – One-on-One Conference
Third offense – Parent Phone Call
Fourth offense – Dean’s Referral
B. Citizenship
Students behavior on the progressive discipline will determine their citizenship
grades. Their preparedness for class and appropriate discussion will also contribute to
their citizenship grade.
"O"=Student has achieved a superior performance in all areas of self control,
respect, attitude, cooperation; excellent tardies
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"S"=Student has achieved a average performance in all areas of self control,
respect, attitude, cooperation; very good tardies
"N"=Student has achieved a needs to improve performance in all areas of self
control, respect, attitude, cooperation; fair tardies
"U"=Student has achieved a below average performance in all areas of self
control, respect, attitude, cooperation; poor tardies
C. Materials Needed
Textbook, a section of a 3 ring binder (labeled U.S. Government), 1 subject
notebook, paper, colored pencils, red/green pen.
D. Tardy Policy
See school wide tardy plan.
E. Classroom Rules
1. Students come prepared to class.
2. Respect all people and property.
3. Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
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PRINT THIS PAGE, SIGN AND RETURN BY SEPTEMBER 26, 2014
PRINT STUDENT NAME:
LAST NAME: _____________________________FIRST NAME: ____________________
PERIOD: _______
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students:
I am looking forward to a successful year with your student. Please sign this paper to show
that you and your child have read and understand the student behavior expectations as well as
the course expectations. Should you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to
contact me.
Sincerely,
Mr. Janette
Student Signature:
______________________________________________________
Parent Signature:
______________________________________________________
Parents: Please provide the following information. Should a situation arise that needs
to be brought to your attention, I will be able to contact you immediately.
Parent/Guardian Names:
________________________________________________
Best Phone Number to Contact: ______________________________________________
Email Address:
________________________________________________