Government / Economics
Room 302
Academic Year 2015-2016
Instructor: Sarah Beattie
Office Hours: 7:15-7:40am MWF, or by appointment
Email: sbeattie@lcusd.net
Website: missbeattie.weebly.com
Course Description:
This course studies the structure and procedures of federal, state and local government and the fundamental
themes of government such as federalism, separation of powers, majority and minority rights. The purpose of
this course is to insure that students understand political decision-making and their responsibilities as citizens
of the United States of America. The course will examine and debate current issues while studying the
functions of our modern day government. Students will also be introduced to the basic concepts of
microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students will gain an understanding of how our economic system
functions in our political environment and in an increasing global economy. Students will also gain first hand
knowledge about the use of credit cards, budgeting, student loans, and the economic choices they make as they
move towards adulthood. Current events and case studies are used to explore topics such as the federal budget
and trade deficits and to exemplify government in action.
The course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion format. All students will be expected to keep up with the
reading assignments and demonstrate their preparedness by active participation in class discussions.
Course Bibliography:
McClenaghan, William A. Magruders’s American Government. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2006.
O'Sullivan, Arthur, and Steven M. Sheffrin. Prentice Hall Economics Principles in Action. Needham, MA:
Prentice Hall, 2007
Course Learning Objectives:
1. Students will identify their roles in civic life, politics and government.
2. Students will identify the foundations of the American political system.
3. Students will understand how the government established by the Constitution embodies the purposes,
values, and principles of American democracy.
4. Students will understand the relationship of the United States to other nations and world affairs.
5. Students will identify their roles in American democracy.
6. Students will become familiar with current events at the local, state, national and international levels as
they relate to government and how it functions.
7. Students will register to vote and participate in local elections. (As it applies)
8. Students will understand that economic problems faced by consumers in American society will have an
impact on their lives as well as the rest of the world.
9. Students will understand how businesses make economic decisions.
10. Students will understand the principals of value and investment to help them make knowledgeable
economic decisions.
11. Students will understand that economic policy affects the individual, state, nation, and world.
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Course Rules:
Respect
Show respect for your fellow students, the instructor, the school, and the subject under study. When one person
is talking, everyone is listening. Only one discussion will go on at a time. No “put downs” of any comment
will be tolerated.
Effort
Make use of every opportunity to learn. Try to relate your understanding of the subject matter under
examination to help better explain the period in which YOU currently live. You and I are embarking on an
exciting, interesting, and enriching intellectual journey. Each of you will share this excitement and sense of
discovery in direct proportion to the amount of effort you expend.
Self- Control
Control all of your actions, words, and emotions. Take responsibility for your actions!
Academic Honesty
Your commitment to academic honesty forms the corner stone of your intellectual development. If you are to
develop the skills necessary to succeed in this rigorous academic course and in later academic and professional
experiences, you must assume the responsibility of challenging yourself intellectually and academically. To
this end, this course will evaluate YOUR understanding of a variety of political and economic, concepts, and
trends. Cheating and plagiarism are considered serious offenses and will not be tolerated. Please be advised
that using the Internet and claiming another’s work found through such information technologies is a
fundamental betrayal of the ideal of academic honesty. DO NOT PUT YOURSELF IN THE POSITION TO
HAVE TO CUT AND PASTE INFORMATION FOUND ELSEWHERE, LIKE WIKIPEDIA, AND
CLAIM IT AS YOUR OWN. THIS IS NOT ALLOWED. Students who are found cheating or plagiarizing
will receive no credit for the assignment and your parents will be contacted. Your citizenship grade will also
suffer. Multiple offences will be cause for removal from the course or other disciplinary action deemed
appropriate by the instructor, working in consultation with the school administration, and the parent(s) of the
student. See me in office hours or after school if you have any questions related to plagiarism or cheating.
Class and Homework Assignments:
1. All written assignments must be either typed using a font size of 11-12 point or written in blue or
black ink only. Assignments written in pencil will not be accepted. I will emphasize NEAT
penmanship in all written work, in addition to the content and quality of thought presented in your
assignment. Assignments not adhering to these rules, including hastily written, illegible work, will be
returned ungraded and considered late. Students not able to comply with these stipulations should speak
with me immediately.
2. Homework, typically in the form of reading, and completion of study guides will be given Monday –
Thursday. I have every intention of NOT assigning homework over the weekends… You’re seniors, you
should have a little fun and spend time with your family and friends. I cannot guarantee that you will
NEVER have homework over a weekend or Holiday, but I always try my best to avoid it. In addition to
reading, students will be required to complete 6 short essays covering different politicians who have
announced their candidacy for President.
3. Late assignments will be accepted. Late work is defined as, an assignment not handed in on the day it
is due or any assignment that is deemed by the instructor as substantially incomplete. The penalty for
handing in work late is 50%. The assignments will be graded for accuracy and any errors will be deducted
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from the (already reduced) total. Example: If a 10 point assignment is late and two of the ten answers are
wrong, you will receive 3 out of 10.
4.
Students are responsible for making up and handing in all work missed due to absences. Students will be
given the amount of time to complete the assignment(s) equal to the number of days absent.
Class Procedure:
Readings: Careful reading of the textbook, handouts, and other related materials is critically important for the
successful and enriching study of history/social science. In order to complete the required course material, you
will be required to read about one chapter a week. You should take notes on readings and keep them for
reference and study guides. Pop quizzes may be given to monitor completion of reading assignments. The
textbook needs to be brought to class daily unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Class participation: See attached handout for detail.
Punctuality and Class Citizenship: Class begins when the tardy bell rings. If you are not in your seat when
the tardy bell rings, an unexcused tardy will be recorded. 5 unexcused tardies will result in a “U” in citizenship.
4 unexcused tardies will result in an “N” in citizenship. Citizenship grades of “O” and “S” will be determined
by the contribution each student makes to the learning community of which s/he is a part
Grades:
All work will be assigned a point value, although not all work will receive a letter grade. Grades are
based on total points accumulated during each grading period. I DO NOT ROUND UP GRADES; you
receive the grade you earn. You will have ample opportunity for extra credit each semester. I have
structured the class in such a way to approximate your grade breaking down into the following
percentages:
A+: 100%
A: 93-99%
A-: 90-92%
B+: 87-89%
B: 83-86%
B-: 80-82%
C+:77-79%
C: 73-76%
C-:70-72%
D+:67-69%
D: 63-66%
D-:60-62%
F: 59 or below
Weighted Grade Percentage Breakdowns
20%: Homework, In-Class Assignments, Quizzes: You will receive daily assignments in class and
homework will be collected regularly. Each chapter will have a study guide that will help you follow along
and keep up with the reading of the book. Additionally, there will be presentations and projects that are
required.
50%: Tests: Expect a test for every chapter of the textbook. The tests will be a combination of multiple
choice, fill in the blank, short answer, and essay questions. There will also be quizzes from time to time
based on my discretion. We will also be taking a test once a quarter to check your comprehension of the
material covered during that quarter of school.
10%: Class Participation/Group Projects/Presentations: Students are required to participate and be
active listeners in class daily. You will also be required to keep a notebook of this course throughout the
school year. These will be checked, and factored into the participation grade. You will also be responsible
for regular “warm-ups” which will be factored into your participation grade. Being absent, tardy, poor
behavior, or forgetting your class materials will affect your classroom participation grade. Group projects
and presentations as assigned are also in this category. Students are required to make a current event
presentation each quarter with their group.
20%: Final Exam: There will also be a cumulative final at the end of each semester.
Electronic Devices: As per the LCHS policy, cell phones, iPods or other such electronic devices are not
allowed to be used during instructional time. In my class, students will be placing their cell phones in a holder
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assigned to them in the front of the room. Upon entry into the room each day students will put their cell phones
up (preferably turned off, but silent is ok). If a student is caught with a phone out in class I will adhere to the
following cell phone policy. The first infraction (device out/being used/rings in class/etc.) results in the device
being taken from the student, they my pick it up from my desk after class. The second infraction results in the
device being turned into Ms. Hazlett’s office and the parent can pick up the device. Please see school policy for
details.
Sample Test Questions:
Multiple Choice:
1.) Structure of government where the central government and smaller units SHARE power. The United States
has this type of structure.
a. federal system
c. confederacy
b. unitary system
d. anarchy
2.) This origin of government is when People give up control a to government and the government agrees to do
what is best for the people.
a. Force Theory
c. Evolution Theory
b. Divine Right Theory
d. Social Contract Theory
Fill In The Blank:
3.) What are the four requirements of all nations (what do they have to have to be a nation)?
4.) Originally, only white males who owned property could vote. List the five major changes in voting
restrictions: ______________________________________________,
____________________________________, __________________________________,
____________________________________, __________________________________.
Short Answer:
“Man is by nature a political animal.
― Aristotle, Politics
5.) According to Aristotle men are political animals, born with the innate sense of order and control. How are
politics and government different, and what role did Aristotle play in the development of the two?
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6.) Describe three ways that Free Enterprise and Socialism are different.
7.) Identify and explain a cause of globalization.
RETURN THIS PAGE TO MISS BEATTIE BY AUGUST 14TH
I have read through the syllabus for Government / Economics for the 2015-16 School Year and I agree to
abide by its rules and guidelines.
Student’s Name (Printed): ___________________________________________
Period Enrolled:
Student ID#___________
Student Signature: _____________________________________________________
Date: ________
Student Email (please print clearly):________________________________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Name (Printed): _______________________________________
Date: ________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature: ____________________________________________
Parent’s Guardian’s Email (please print clearly): __________________________________________________
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