Government & Economics CP
Mr. Nolan Gerencser
“Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don’t vote.”
Welcome to Government and Economics. During the course of the semester we will be studying the basics of
American government and economics. As a class, we will be devoting equal time to each topic. The American
Government portion of the class will help each student to develop an understanding of the Constitution, federal and
state governments, and political theory and behavior. The Economics portion of the class will provide the student
with a foundation of economic concepts, institutions, policies, and their impact on our global society.
This is a required course for seniors and the knowledge you will learn during our time together is vital to possess as
you begin your post-high school experiences.
Classroom Expectations
I expect everyone to succeed in this class. As your teacher, I will always be available to give you any help or
guidance you may need in order to do this. However, there are certain expectations that I have of you in order for me
to be able to help you to the best of my abilities.
1.) Be on time and prepared for class every day.
I cannot teach you if you are not prepared to learn. Arriving to class late and unprepared is distracting to
those students who are on time and ready to work. We will start class as soon as the bell rings. If you arrive
late more than THREE TIMES and/or are unprepared more than THREE TIMES you will receive a
Period 12 detention. You have more than enough time in between classes to use the lavatory and visit your
locker to get all required classroom materials.
Being prepared means you have a writing instrument, a notebook/folder and your I.D. I do not check
notebooks nor will I impose on you a required organizational system. Rest assured that an organized system
of keeping notes and class documents is imperative to success in this class. Disorganization almost always
leads to an unsuccessful experience. The choice is yours.
2.) Complete all assignments on time and as instructed.
Assignments are what determine your grade in this class. When I assign something I expect it to be handed
in complete on the due date I assign. Unless otherwise stated, assignments will be due at the beginning
of each class. If the assignment is handed in any time after that, it will be considered LATE and the
following penalties will be administered:
One Day: 25% deduction from total points
The best you could get on an assignment worth 100 points would be 75 points.
Two Days: 50% deduction from total points
The best you could get on an assignment worth 100 points would be 50 points.
Three (+) Days: The assignment is an automatic ZERO.
The assignment is a 0 even if it is handed in.
If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, I expect it turned in the day you return. If you are
absent for a length of time, I will work with you in order to establish a schedule for getting your work done.
Any unexcused absence will result in a ZERO for any assignment due that day.
If there is a technical malfunction with your computer or printer, you may email me the assignment in an
attachment before the time of class the assignment is due. I will confirm that I have received your
assignment. “My printer broke” or “My computer is not working” are not acceptable excuses. The
assignment is late and will be counted as such.
Make-Up Work
If you are lawfully absent from class, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make up any work you may
have missed. I will have a class folder where you can find any missed assignment. No class time will be
used to make up a quiz or test, so please see me to schedule time during Period 12 in which the quiz or
test in question can be made up.
****I do not offer extra credit. Please do not ask for such assignments.****
3.) Follow all directions exactly as they are given.
My instructions are to be followed exactly as they are given. Violations to this rule will not be accepted nor
tolerated. No more needs to be said on this topic.
4.) Respect everyone and everything in the room.
We will be discussing a variety of topics in this course. I encourage EVERYONE to share their opinion on
any topic we are discussing as long as it is in a respectful and non-offensive manner. Debating is a great
thing as long as it is kept professional. If you have something to share, please raise your hand and wait
patiently. DO NOT talk while I am speaking or when your classmates are speaking. When you leave
the classroom each day, it will be as clean as it was when you entered it.
5.) Always adhere to the policies of the class.
Please follow all handbook guidelines in this classroom. This includes the dress code.
The following items are not permitted in class:
-
Hats/ Jackets/Purses
Food/Drink
Cell Phones/iPods/any other electronic devices
Use of the lavatory is a privilege. If it is abused, it will be taken away except in the cases of extreme
emergency. Use of the lavatory should occur in the first fifteen minutes of class. I will not allow someone
to use the bathroom during a class discussion, student presentation, or video.
6.) Movies
We will be watching various movies in this class. Some of them contain profane language. By signing this
syllabus, you and your parents consent to having you view them.
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The Ascent of Money
American Feud
The Revolution: The Declaration of Independence
Please Vote For Me
Capitalism: A Love Story
Frontline: Inside the Meltdown
Frontline: The Madoff Affair
Grades
Grades for each marking period will be determined in many different ways. I employ a writing intense
philosophy in all of my classes. This does not mean that will be writing lengthy assignments at all
times, but we will write daily.
a.)
b.)
c.)
d.)
e.)
f.)
Research Project
Tests
Paramount Obligation Quizzes
Classwork (Per Diem Journals)
Homework
Projects
Please remember my policy on assignments handed in late. Late assignments will affect your grade
severely. If you hand in all of your assignments complete and on time and do poorly on tests, there is
still a good possibility you will pass this class. If you do well on tests, but do not hand in one
assignment, you will fail without question.
Parents can always monitor their son or daughter’s progress by accessing PowerSchool:
http://powerschool.svpanthers.org/public/
Contact
You can contact me via email at nolan.gerencser@svpanthers.org. I check this address many times
throughout the day and will always reply. Each email must be school related and professional as I will
block any address that sends me email I deem inappropriate. Please give this email address to your parents
as they can contact me at any time with any questions they might have. Email is the most expedient way to
open lines of communication with me. Before school and after school you can find me in Room #301. If
you come during the school day and I am not present, please feel free to leave a note as long as you are not
interrupting a class that is presently going on.
You can reach me via telephone at (610) 838-7001 at the extension #2010. My website address is
http://www.svpanthers.org/page.cfm?p=3747. Please use my website to check assignment due dates.
Sincerely,
Nolan Gerencser
Mr. Nolan Gerencser
nolan.gerencser@svpanthers.org
(610)838-7001 Ext: 2010
Student/Parent Information Sheet
Course: _________________________ Book #:__________________________
Name:___________________________Grade:_____Nickname:_____________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Name(s):_________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________
Phone Number:_____________________________________________________
Parent’s Work Number:_____________________________________________
Internet at home?
Yes
No
Email:________________________________
Parent’s Email Address:_____________________________________________
School Activities, other activities, clubs, and interests:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Three things you would like me to know about you:
1.)
2.)
3.)
Verification
Date:_______________
I have seen and read the course information packet given to my student on the first
day of Mr. Gerencser’s class. I consent to the information in it.
Student Name: ________________Parent/Guardian Name: __________________
Signature: _________________Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________