• Participation in Government

    Erie 1 BOCES Northtowns Academy

    Mr. Ryder

    Course Syllabus

     

    Purpose of the Course:

     

    Students that are enrolled in Participation in Government will examine the real and substantive issues at the local, state, national and global levels of government. The students will use intellectual processes or operations necessary to deal with data generated by the issues or problems addressed in the course of study. In addition, the term “participation” must be interpreted in the broad sense to include actual community service programs or out-of-school internships, and in-class, in-school activities that involve students in the analysis of public issues chosen because of some unique relevance to the student involved. Defining, analyzing, monitoring, and discussing issues and policies is the fundamental participatory activity in a classroom.

     

    What is expected of you the student:

     

    1. Be on time to class. All classes will begin at their appropriate time. All classes will start after the bell rings.

     

    1. Please observe the rules of the classroom:

    (A. Do not talk out of turn in class.

    (B. Do not disrupt another student in class.

    (C. Do not disrupt the teacher during class.

    (D. Treat all classroom material provided to you with care.

     

    3.   All assignments (in class or otherwise) and/or quizzes are expected to be completed by you the student.

     

    1. Be prepared for class. The student should have the following in class at all times: pen or pencil, loose leaf paper for the folder, any materials requested by the teacher, and any previously given assigned work completed before the start of class.

     

    5.   All students are to observe the rules previously stated to you in the Student School Contract.

     

    Procedure:

     

                The 1st half of the course will deal with 20 topics on various issues that surround ideas about government. These topics will be dealt with on a daily basis (about one a day for 20 class days). The remaining days will be scheduled for quizzes on the material covered in class (about 4 or 5 quizzes). During this 1st half, work week assignments will be given. The assignment will be given on the Friday of the school week and due the Tuesday of the following school week depending on the school schedule. Each assignment will be scored on a 20 point basis. Despite the shortness of these assignments, they must be completed. Failure to compete the work week assignment by the due date will result in a five point penalty for every day that it is not turned in.

               

    The second half of the course will focus on the participation requirement:

    One week or so will be allotted for research into current events at the local, state, federal, and global levels. The student will produce a 2-3 page (written, but preferably typed) essay on an issue of their choice. All students are required to complete this assignment.

    One week or so will be allotted for preparation and a debate on various political issues at the local, state, federal, and global levels. The class will be broken up into teams and each team will take an informed, well researched and logical opinion for one side of the issue or the other. The issues for the debate have yet to be determined at this time.

    Two weeks or so will be allotted to a mock trial that will require all students to play a role in the trail at some capacity. The case/scenario still has yet to be determined at this time. All students have to participate in order to receive a grade for the mock trial.

    One week will be allotted for a class project that will involve the student in the community outside of the classroom. The student will select a project from a list of projects (to be provided at a later date) and show proof of completion.

               

    Grading Policy:

     

    The grading policy will include the following:

    Quizzes: each worth 10% of your final grade (50% percent total)

    Written Report: 10%

    Participation: 30% (the mock trial and debates)

    Final Exam: 10%

               

    Finally:

               

    The subjects and curriculum that we as a class will cover throughout the school year is not going to be easy. Anyone who has any problems with the material should seem me as soon as possible to work them out. I, the teacher, am here for your benefit. I ask that all of my students use my abilities to the fullest extent. There is nothing that cannot be done if we work together.

                Finally, I am looking forward to a school year that will be fun challenging and rewarding for us all. Good Luck!