Dual Credit Government Syllabus - THS
In this course you will earn college credits through Lone Star College and earn your required
high school credits. Although this course takes place at THS, this is a COLLEGE level course,
and as such, there will be college level expectations on your effort and quality of work.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will cover the origin and development of the U.S.
Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process,
public policy, civil liberties and civil rights.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
1. We The People: An Introduction to American Politics, 10th Ed. by Ginsberg, Lowi, Wier,
& Tolbert ISBN: 978-0-393-90622-6
**The textbook for this course is the FULL EDITION version. It is recommended by Lone Star
that you purchase the textbook from the LCS Campus Bookstore.
2. Taking Sides Clashing Views on Controversial Political Issues, 13th Ed. McKenna and
Feingold. ISBN: 978-0072933079
3. In Our Defense.: The Bill of Rights In Action by Alderman & Kennedy. Avon Books.
1992. ISBN: 978-0-380-71720-0
You MUST have the books no later than August 31, 2015.
COURSE GRADING: This course is a dual credit course where you will earn credit from both
THS and LCS-Tomball. The college and high school have different letter grading standards and
may have different number of days of instruction. Your percentage grade will be very close BUT
your letter grade may vary due to the grading standards and your percentage/letter grade may
vary due to the variance in the number of days of instruction.
Lone Star
100-89.5% A
79.5-89.4% B
69.5-79.4% C
59.5-69.4% D
0-59.4%
F
THS
100-90%
80-89%
75-79%
70-74%
0-69%
A
B
C
D
F
ASSIGNEMENTS: All assignments are to be completed and submitted by the due date. No late
assignments will be accepted.
1. Writing Assignment: You will be given writing assignments that will cover the
information that we are discussing in class/online, you are reading in your book, and you
working on in class. There will be 4 papers due in this course
2. Quizzes and Exams: You will be expected to take quizzes and exams. There will be
quizzes given throughout the course, at the instructor’s discretion. There will be an exam
at the end of each unit. There will be a cumulative final for the course.
3. Other Assignments: Other assignments may occur throughout our time together. Every
single assignment given is an important tool for your learning. As such, you will be
expected to do your very best on every assignment and have every assignment turned in
by the due date.
ATTENDANCE: Please keep in mind that this is a college class. You are expected to be here
and be here to participate. Lone Star has a policy to DROP a student who misses 3 or more
days!!! THS won’t drop you, but you NEED TO BE HERE TO GET A GOOD GRADE!
Please know that I very much look forward to the time we will spend in class together. If you
need help with anything please feel free to reach out to your instructors. I am here to HELP
YOU!
Mrs. Mawyer
Room 1246
281-357-3220 ext 2348
lauriemawyer@tomballisd.net
Schedule: First Six Weeks (tennative)
Monday
Thursday
Friday
25
Introduction to
American Politics
26
Foundations of
American
Government
What led to
America?
27
Foundations: DOI &
AOC
28
Foundations:
How to fix the DOI
& AOC
31
MUST HAVE
BOOKS
Foundations:
Federalists v AntiFederalists
Sept 1
Foundations:
Federalists v AntiFederalists
2
Federalism: Intro
National
Government
3
Federalism: State
Government
4
Federalism: Dual
Federalism
7
8
Federalism:
Changing Role of
the States
9
Federalism: FDR’s
New Deal &
Grants
10
Review
11
Exam
15
Constitution:
Legislative
16
Constitution:
Executive; Judicial
17
18
Constitution:
Limitations on
Federal
Government
Aug 24
First Day!
Syllabus & Course
information
No School
Labor Day
14
Federalism:
Devolution?
Tuesday
Wednesday
CONSTITUTION
DAY!!!!!
21
Essay
22
Essay
23
Essay
24
Review
25
Exam