Syllabus
U.S. Government
Course: ______________________
Instructors Name: Mr. Robbie A. Murakami
Email: rmurakami@saintlouishawaii.org
Work Phone: (808) 739-7777
Classroom Location: BH 26
Office Hours: By Appointment
Course Link: http://
sls-murakami@wikispaces.com
Biography:
B.A. University of Hawaii, and J.D. William S. Richardson School of Law
Course Description
Course Title:
This course focuses on political theory, the foundations of American democratic institutions
and the criminal justice system. Specific topics of study include the federal system,
Constitutional law, civil rights and liberties.
Course Targets
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Be self directed and accountable for your actions.
Have a detailed understanding of politics and the Constitution.
Read and analyze data and documents
Write a persuasive essay and analyze other writings.
Write a term paper
Syllabus
Course Length
Length of Course: Semester
Required Text
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hippocampus
Other readings provided by instructor
Other Reading Material and Resources
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
7.
8.
Laptop
A black pen, red pen and highlighters.
A three ring binder
Color pens or pencils Materials List
Glue or scotch tape
4 poster boards
Other materials may be added at teacher’s discretion
Course Outline
Fall 2012
9. ClassOCalendar
10.
8/9
Discuss class rules and procedures, discuss projects Watch 39 Pounds of Love
11.
8/10 Continue
movie, get into groups and discuss, create a synthesis poster, and draft a reflection
12.
Scissors
paper. Hmwk: Complete Constitutional Beginnings through Policymaking Cycle
8/14 Discussion
on sections,
what
of government
Other materials
may be Essay:
added at
the type
teacher’s
discretion.does SLS most closely resemble?
ProvideYou
examples.
Hmwk:
last 2 sections
must bring
yourComplete
course materials
everyday unless told otherwise by your instructor.
8/15
Discuss last 2 sections, what is a contract? Complete through U.S. Constitution
8/22 Discuss, Review Declaration and SOAPSTONE Hmwk: Complete Rest of the sections.
Essay: which is the best form of government (federalism, unitary or confederation)? Explain your
answer.
8/23 Discussion on materials, begin working on Amendments Posters. Hmwk: Study for exam
on first 2 Units
8/27
Unit 1&2 Test, continue working on posters.
Syllabus
8/28 Finalize posters. Hmwk: Essay, Which Amendment has impacted your family the most?
Explain your answer. Due 8/31
8/29
Review for Amendment Test
8/31 Amendment Test, begin next two sections of American Federalism: Hmwk: complete first 2
sections
9/4
Discuss sections, answer essay listed after McCulloch v. Maryland, due 9/6 Hmwk:
Complete rest of Unit.
9/6
Discuss rest of the unit, study for Unit 3 mini test, Hmwk: Study for test, Complete first 2
sections of Unit 4
9/7
Discuss Unit 4, Complete rest of Unit 4 Hmwk: Complete rest of the Unit
9/10 Discuss rest of Unit 4, get into groups of 2 write down the party platforms of the 2 major
parties. Discuss pros and cons of each. Hmwk: Begin next 3 sections of Unit 5
9/12 Discussion of Unit 5, work on election poster. Hmwk: Complete rest of Unit 5 and essay
question that accompanies the end of the Unit.
9/13
Complete Unit 5, complete election poster. Hmwk: Study for Unit 4&5 Test
9/17
Turn in Unit 5 essay, Unit 4&5 Test, read book report book.
9/18
Read book
9/19
Read for book report
9/21
Oral Report Due
9/24
Work on Book Report
9/26
Work on Book Report
9/27
Book Report Due, work on research for research based slide show
9/28
Continue Research and work on slide show
10/2
Continue Research and work on slide show
10/3
Present Slide Show
10/5
Present Slide Show
10/8
Show election project
Syllabus
10/9
Continue to show projects, give lecture on life skills
End of Quarter
10/15 Complete first 3 Sections of Unit 6, answer essay question regarding the Great Compromise.
Hmwk: Complete essay, complete Unit 6
10/16 Turn in essay, discussion on Unit 6, complete how a bill becomes a law jigsaw puzzle.
Hmwk: Complete the 4 sections set forth in your outline on Unit 7
10/18 Discussion, look at presidential polls and complete budget game, Hmwk: Study for Unit
6&7 Test Hmwk: Skip the Bureaucracy and complete the next 3 sections in the Judiciary.
10/19 Discussion, skip Warren and Burgher and complete rest of Chapter.
10/22 Discussion, study for Unit Mini Test, Hmwk: Complete essay question. Study for Mini Test
10/24 Mini test, Complete 4 sections of Unit 10
10/25 Discussion, complete next 4 sections
10/29 Discussion, work on 1st Amendment Video project
10/30 Continue to work on project
11/1
Show Projects Hmwk: Read the next 3 sections
11/5
Discussion, complete rest of the Unit Hmwk: Complete Miranda Essay
11/7
Turn in essay, discussion, Start 4th Amendment Project
11/8
Continue to work on video projects
11/13 Watch projects, study for Units 9&10 Test
11/14 Unit 9&10 Test, Research for Term Paper Conduct research for term paper. You must have
at least 5 sources. Wickipedia is not a credible source. You will need to provide a written
summary of each source and print your documents. Your written summary will be due with your
oral report on 11/19. Your written summary is worth 25 points and your oral report is worth 50
points.
11/15 Research
11/19 Oral Report
11/20 Outline for term paper
Syllabus
11/21 Outline
11/27 Outline due, Start reading first 3 sections of Unit 11
11/28 Discussion, Complete rest of Unit 11
11/30 Discussion, study for Unit 11 Mini Test, hand back outlines
12/3
Unit 11 Test, work on term paper
12/4
Continue to work on paper
12/6
Continue to draft paper
12/7
Term Paper Due
12/11 Review for Final
12/12 Review for Final
12/13 Present Election Projects
12/17 Final
Grading Scale
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
Percentage
93-100%
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
60-66%
0-59%
Semester grades will be given on the following basis: Each quarter will be worth 40%, and the
semester exam will count 20%.
Classroom Management
CLASS RULES and BEHAVIOR POLICY:
Syllabus
1. All students will be in their assigned seats by the time the bell rings. Otherwise, you will be
marked tardy.
2. You will have your supplies. Otherwise, you will be marked down for class participation.
3. If you are caught eating, chewing gum, or drinking anything, you will be given detention
and be marked down for participation.
4. Cheating will not be tolerated! If you are caught cheating during a quiz or test, you quiz or
test will be taken away, and you will receive a zero. If you are talking during a quiz or test,
regardless of the subject matter, your test/quiz will be taken away and you will receive a
zero. Likewise, if you are caught looking at something other than your test/quiz, you will be
considered cheating. A test is not over until all members of your class have finished. If you
need to ask a question, raise your hand and wait until you are addressed before you ask your
question.
In addition, copying of homework will result in both parties receiving a zero, and being sent
to the office for additional punishment.
5. The following general classroom rules will also be in effect:
a.
You will raise your hand, and wait until you are addressed before answering any
question, or before you ask a question.
b.
You will not socialize with your classmates during any class activity.
c.
You will not engage in any activities that disturb the learning environment of the
classroom. This includes, but is not limited to, talking while others are speaking,
throwing objects, yelling and/or inappropriate language.
d.
No sleeping in class.
e.
You will actively engage in class activities. This includes, but is not limited to,
listening to classroom instructions, participating in group activities, and/or
completing assigned class work.
f.
You will not leave your seat without first getting permission by the instructor.
A violation of any of the Rules mentioned in 5a-f will result in a deduction of class
participation points. A second violation will result in detention. A third violation will result
in dismissal from the class for that period and parental notification.
6. All rules and regulations of Saint Louis School will be enforced.
Students will have a class participation grade worth 50 points every quarter. Each student will start
with 50 points a quarter. After every three strikes, a student’s grade will be dropped 5 points. A
strike includes not having your school supplies, not following class/school rules, not completing the
reading assignments, not participating in group activities, being unable to participate in class
discussions, being late for class, and being absent from class. A student will not receive more than
two strikes per day.
Policies
Instructor’s Grading Criteria/Timetable:
Syllabus
1. All assignments will be turned in by the start of class on the date that they are due. If you
are tardy and turn in a late assignment, your grade will be deducted. Assignments will not
be accepted beyond the first five minutes of the due date.
2. If you are absent, it is up to you to make up your work. You must meet with your instructor
on the day you come back to discuss a deadline to make up all missed work. This deadline
will be strictly enforced, and work will not be accepted after this period is over. Remember,
it is your responsibility to contact your instructor when you come back. If not, it will be
assumed that you are not making up the work. For all major projects, (including book
reports and research papers), if you are absent on the due date, you will need to bring
a doctor’s note upon your return.
3. Excessive absences or tardies will result in the student being dropped from the class
Plagiarism Policy
Students are expected to be the sole authors of their work. Use of another person's work or ideas
must be accompanied by specific citations and references. Though not a comprehensive or
exhaustive list, the following are some examples of dishonesty or unethical and unprofessional
behavior:
 Plagiarism: Using another person's words, ideas, or results without giving proper credit to
that person; giving the impression that it is the student's own work.
 Any form of cheating on examinations.
 Altering academic or clinical records.
 Falsifying information for any assignments.
 Submitting an assignment(s) that was partially or wholly completed by another student.
 Copying work or written text from a student, the Internet, or any document without giving
due credit to the source of the information.
 Submitting an assignment(s) for more than one class without enhancing and refining the
assignment, and without first receiving instructor permission. In cases where previous
assignments are allowed to be submitted for another class, it is the responsibility of the
student to enhance the assignment with additional research and to also submit the original
assignment for comparison purposes.
 Assisting another student with reasonable knowledge that the other student intends to commit
any act of academic dishonesty. This offense would include, but would not be limited
to providing an assignment to another student to submit as his/her own work or allowing
another student to copy answers to any test, examination or assignment.
In essence, plagiarism is the theft of someone else's ideas and work. Whether a student copies
verbatim or simply rephrases the ideas of another without properly acknowledging the source, it is
still plagiarism. In the preparation of work submitted to meet course requirements, whether a draft
or a final version of a paper or project, students must take great care to distinguish their own ideas
and language from information derived from other sources. Sources include published primary and
secondary materials, electronic media, and information and opinions gathered directly from other
people.
A discussion thread, computer program, marketing plan, PowerPoint presentation, and other similar
work produced to satisfy a course requirement are, like a paper, expected to be the original work of
the student submitting it. Copying documentation from another student or from any other source
without proper citation is a form of academic dishonesty, as is producing work substantially from
the work of another. Students must assume that collaboration in the completion of written
Syllabus
assignments is prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the instructor. Students must acknowledge
any collaboration and its extent in all submitted coursework. Students are subject to disciplinary
action if they submit as their own work a paper purchased from a term paper company or
downloaded from the Internet.
The teacher reserves the right to check all student work to verify that it meets the guidelines of this
policy.
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and may result in expulsion.
Classroom Expectations
Student Expectations – Students will be expected to come to class prepared to learn, they will be
expected to comply with class rules and school rules. Students are expected to complete assigned
work and meaningfully participate in class discussion. Students will respect the learning
environment of other students and not engage in any actions that will compromise the learning
environment. Students will demonstrate character and integrity and will learn from their mistakes.
Students will seek help from his instructor if he does not understand a lesson or assignment.
Students will engage in critical thinking and be aware of the world around them.
Teacher Expectations – Teachers in the Social Science Department will be communicate objectives
and course expectations with students and parents. The teacher will come to school prepared and be
available during non-class hours to help the student understand the material. Instructors will treat
students with respect and will hold students accountable for behavior and work that falls short of
the standards set by the school. All work will be graded and posted within a reasonable period of
time, and instructors will be available to answer questions that the student or parent has regarding
the student’s progress. Parents will be notified if a student’s behavior begins to affect the
classroom-learning environment. Consequently, the teacher will provide a safe and enjoyable
learning environment for students.
Major Assignments
SECOND QUARTER
Research based slide show worth 100 points
Book Report worth 200 points (oral report 50 points, written report worth 150 points)
First Quarter Campaign Service Project: 50 points. Students will complete 5 hours of volunteer
work for a political campaign. Students may work in groups of three. Students will create a power
point presentation documenting the work completed and a brief summary of what they learned.
Students will have a class participation grade worth 50 points every quarter. Each student will start
with 50 points a quarter. After every three strikes a student’s grade will be deducted five points. A
strike includes not having your school supplies, not following class/school rules, not completing the
reading assignments, not participating in group activities, being unable to participate in class
discussions, being late for class, and being absent from class. A student will not receive more than
two strikes per day.
Syllabus
SECOND QUARTER
Term Paper worth 320 points
Research Summary and Oral Report Due worth 70 points
Outline of Term Paper Due worth 50 points
Term Paper Due worth 200 points
Second Quarter Campaign Service Project worth 50 points (see above for explanation of the
project)
Tests worth between 50 and 100 points
All other projects and papers will be worth less than 50 points