Christian Community School
MR. Demchak’s Class Syllabus
American Government 2014-15
Course Description
James Madison in the Federalist Papers
said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary, and if government
were made up of angels no limits on its power would be necessary.” This course is designed to show how his
statement helped to shape the U.S. Constitution. Our aim is to give an overview of the
Constitution by studying its foundation, role, and organization. Students will be encouraged to become
informed and active United States citizens.
Things to bring everyday:
1. File folder- three ring binder
to be used exclusively for history class.
·
Notes/Handouts
to be kept in the three ring binder
·
Homework
Assignments completed on loose leaf paper.
2. Textbook: American
Government for Christian Schools Bob Jones University Press
3. Paper, Pencil, and Pen
·
Failure
to bring school supplies to class could result in disciplinary action or points
off your grade.
General
Rules for the Classroom
1.
Follow directions the first time they are given.
2.
Be in your seat when the bell rings.
3.
Come to class with all materials mandated by the teacher.
4.
Do not talk while the teacher or someone else is speaking.
5.
Stay in your seats unless given permission to get up.
6.
Keep hands, feet, and all objects to yourself.
Grading
A=
100-92 B= 91-83 C= 82-74
D= 73-65 F= 64 and below
How grade is determined
·
75%
Tests, Quizzes, Projects/Essays/Oral reports
·
25%
Homework Assignments
·
National
History assignments and final project are factored in during the 1-2-3
quarters. Refer to my NHD blog!!!!!!!!!!!!
·
Final
Exam 1/7
Specific Rules
National History Day-Students will be creating NHD projects during the course of this
year. NHD is a meaningful way for students to study historical issues, ideas,
people and events by engaging in historical research. The theme for 2014-15 is Leadership
and Legacy in History. Students and parents can access more information
by going to my NHD 2013-14 link in the upper right hand corner of this blog. I
have also created a web site CCS National History Day http://demchakmj2015.weebly.com/ it includes an overview and a set of guidelines
for the entire NHD experience. Please do
not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. (330-689-6267) I will be
introducing the students to the project on a step by step basis.
Journal Entries- From time to time either
to reflect on the homework assignment or following a class discussion I will
ask you to write a few sentences starting with some phrases like these. I
learned.. .Or I was surprised... Or I'm beginning to wonder... Or I'm gaining a
better understanding of... Or I cannot agree with... Or I would like to find
out more about... I will also be using a device I call “Hot Call”
I’m here to help- If you have problems or
questions I am here to help. See me before
school (I get here by 7:35), during the break, before class, at lunch, or after
school.
EMAIL demchakmj@aol.com
Absences- In the case of an ordinary
absence, students have the number of days they are absent to make up work. All absent work should be turned in marked “absent”
after an absence. In the case of
absences due to more serious needs or retreats, I will work with you to arrange
a plan by which you can make up missed assignments. Please initiate this effort if needed. Long term projects are due on the assigned
date regardless of whether you can come to class that day.
Late work – Students can turn in any
assignment late for half credit. The deadline for homework turned in late
is the day of the chapter test that the assignment pertains to. No late work is accepted after the deadline –
no exceptions. Please turn it in marked
“Late”
Plagiarism – All work turned into me
should be the students own work.
Plagiarism includes but is not limited to: copying someone’s answers on
a test, homework, or other assignment; letting someone copy answers on a test,
homework, or other assignment; copying information from a book, magazine,
encyclopedia, web site, or other source and portraying this information as
something you have written. Working with
someone else should not produce identical answers to every question. You are not prohibited from working with a
friend, but you are expected to form separate responses.
Extra
credit- Extra credit assignments will be given from time to
time. Extra credit cannot exceed 3% of
the student’s total points for the quarter.
One extra credit assignment that students can take advantage of is as
follows:
1. Using the pages assigned
for homework, the student is to write the main idea for each subsection
(highlighted in red and green) in the form of a topic sentence.
2. Write two supporting
sentences for each topic sentence.
Course Description: American Government
God gave human government
for the purpose of protecting life and property. James Madison in the
Federalist Papers said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary,
and if government were made up of angels no limits on its power would be necessary.”
This course is designed to show how his
statement helped to shape the U.S. Constitution. Our aim is to facilitate each
student’s understanding of the political development of the United States.
This class will provide students with the skills they need in
order to take on the responsibilities of citizenship (or residency) and to
participate in the political processes of the United States. Students will be
encouraged to become informed and active United States citizens. This is a
great challenge. As John Adams observed in 1787, “The people in America now
have the best opportunity and the greatest trust in their hands, that God ever
committed to so small a number, since the transgression of the first pair; if
they betray their trust, their guilt will merit even greater punishment than
other nations have suffered, and the indignation of Heaven.
Syllabus:
Semester One:
• God’s Purpose for the Institution of
Government
• Christian Beginnings in America &
The Meaning of Democracy
• The Constitutional Convention
• Constitutional Cornerstones
• Congress
Semester Two:
• The Party System & Campaigns and
Elections
• The Presidency
• The Judiciary
• Civil Rights and Civil Responsibilities
• Mock Trial
• Federalism