Government Syllabus 2014
Course Overview: Government is a semester study of the structures, processes and issues of
national, state and local government. This course examines the structure, philosophy,
accomplishments and failings of the American government. Students will examine and analyze
why the American political system operates as it does, who wins and who loses in the process and
why this system endures.
LENGTH OF COURSE
One Semester August - December
PLANNING AND CONFERENCE
Period 8B Day & Time: Tuesday & Friday from 2:25 – 3:55
CLASS DAILY ROUTINE
Warm Up, Journal Current Events
Preview/Review
Lesson
Practice –Class Assignment, Quiz
Closure
15 minutes
10 minutes
45 minutes
25 minutes
5 minutes
SUPPLIES LIST:
 1 Three Ring Binder
 Dividers Labeled (Warm Up, Objectives, Notes, Homework, Assessments)
 Blue or Black Ink Pens & Pencils
 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
 Quiz Grade
 Daily 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: August 27 – September 12, 2014
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: September 15 – October 2, 2014
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: October 6 – October 21, 2014
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: October 22 – November 7, 2014
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: November 10 – November 25, 2014
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: December 1 – December 12, 2014
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.
*Final Exams will be given December 15 – 19, 2014