Government Syllabus 2014
Course Overview: Government is a semester study of the structures, processes and
issues of national, state and local government. The course gives emphasis to the
responsibilities and rights of citizenship, the skills necessary for critical thinking,
and the knowledge appropriate for wise decision making. National government
is the focus of one semester. State and local governments are stressed during the
second semester.
LENGTH OF COURSE
One Semester August - December
PLANNING AND CONFERENCE
3A
CLASS DAILY ROUTINE
Warm Up, Journal Current Events
Preview/Review
Lesson
Closure
Practice –Class Assignment, Quiz
15 minutes
10 minutes
45 minutes
5 minutes
25 minutes
SUPPLIES LIST:
 1 Subject Subject Spiral Notebook
 Blue or Black Ink Pens
 Textbook
CLASSROOM RULES:
 Be on time to class EVERYDAY
 Bring all required material to class everyday
 Be respectful of the teacher and each other
Grading Scale:
 Test Grade
 Daily Grade
 Quiz Grade
 Warm – Up Grade
 Total
Special Note*
Fall Semester Exam – 25% of Fall Semester Average
40%
30%
20%
10%
100%
I ____________________________ acknowledge that I received this syllabus and will follow
all classroom rules and expectations for the following school year.
Student Signature _______________________________
Date _________________
Parent Signature ______________________________
Phone Number _______________
Course Overview
Unit 1:
Foundations and Principles of U.S. Government
This three part unit serves as an introduction to United States Government and Politics.
It uses the concepts of political systems, political theories, and principles of government
to review the historical foundations of American democracy, to explore the
fundamentals of constitutionalism, and to understand basic principles upon which
democracies stand.
Unit 2:
Democracy in Action: The People
This three-part unit uses the conceptual lens of citizens’ rights and responsibilities to
establish the importance of civic responsibility, explore methods of political action, and
examine how public opinion is transformed into political power.
Unit 3:
The Institutions of Government: The Legislative Branch
This three-part unit examines the concept of legislative power by focusing on the
functions and structure of the national, state, and local legislative bodies. At the
national level, students analyze the development and implementation of domestic
policy.
Unit 4
The Institutions of Government: The Executive Branch
This two-part unit focuses on the executive branch by examining the functions and
structure of the executive at the national, state, and local level. At the national level,
students analyze the development and implementation of foreign policy.
Unit 5:
Institutions of Government: Judicial
This two-part unit examines the concept of judicial power by exploring the functions
and structure of the national, state, and local judiciary. This unit also teaches students
the impact of court decisions on American citizens and society.
Unit 6:
Civil Liberties & The Bill of Rights
This two-part unit examines the concepts individual rights, responsibilities, and
freedoms provided and protected by the Bill of Rights.