Participation In Government Course Syllabus & Requirements

Participation in Government Course Syllabus, Requirements & Curriculum Outline- Fall Semester 2013 Instructors: Mrs. Sheraw, Mrs. Lansing, & Ms. Lisa Suders

Welcome to the Participation in Government Course at Columbia High School. It is our hope that you will find this Twenty-week course to be an exciting look into the foundations of our government, society and the American political system. As a required course for graduation, the Participation in Government (P.I.G.) course is designed to bring local, state and national politics to life and to assist you in becoming active participants in the political process. You will use this knowledge to make well-informed decisions as individuals as well as members of a democratic society. Daily attendance is required and will part of your overall grade in the course.

The Participation in Government Course at Columbia High School is a semester long course (approx. 20 weeks) and is divided into two “quarters,” approximately 10 week periods. Each quarter has a series of required assignments that must be completely and turned in on or by the assigned due date. There will be a 10% deduction for each day that an assignment is late, unless accompanied by a “legal” written excuse.

Recommended Supplies 1 or 2 inch three ring binder with dividers labeled a. HW/Current Events b. Projects & Forms (Community Service & Public Meeting c. Packets d. Notes & Daily Activities

Overall Evaluation for the Semester: Approximately 1st 10 weeks Fall Semester (Quarter 1) 40% Approximately 2nd 10 weeks Fall Semester (Quarter 2) 40% Final Exam – P.I.G. Project (There will be an additional, cumulative Exam for this course at the end of the 2nd Quarter)

Quarter 1 - Evaluation, Assessment & Requirements:

15% Participation in debates, in-class round table discussions, and contributions made in class on a regular basis, you will be rewarded credit points for each class you attend/positive attitude & behavior. 15% Attendance/Community Service Attendance at one public meeting – this would include; county legislature, town board, town court, school board, town zoning or planning board meeting. You will complete a Government Meeting Summary sheet (see attached template) and have an official sign it. Please see the P.I.G. Website for information on upcoming meeting times, dates & locations. AND Five Hours of Community Service - this is not employment related or court ordered and may not be during school time. You will seek out community service on your own. Your teacher will occasionally have options for you. Check your classroom news & notes board or the P.I.G. website for details. Community Service is volunteer work that benefits the community. Therefore, is you get paid, it doesn’t count. You are required to submit a completed community service log sheet and evaluation (see attached). Due: BOTH REQUIREMENTS MUST BE DOCUMENTED & SUBMITED BY THE END OF THE SEMESTER

5% Current Event Review & Analysis/Quizzes and Homework Assignments & Classroom Projects– I. Weekly Current Event Analysis - unless otherwise stated by the instructor in class, this write-up will be due by the last school day of each week. (If school is not in session on a Friday as per the academic calendar you must submit the current event analysis by Thursday of that week or it will be marked & credited late. Current Event analysis must follow & be submitted on the attached guideline & requirement format. II. Bi- weekly current event quiz that requires you to be familiar with national and international leaders, law makers, political figures, as well as regions of the world

III. Homework Assignments consist of various tasks including, but not limited to finishing in-class activities as well as reading articles, selected passages and responding to accompanying questions

35% Quarter Long Library Project – you will be given one day of class time each week to work on this project in the library. If you use your time in the library wisely, this should NOT require additional time on your own. Details for the assignment will be forthcoming. *Please be advised that inappropriate conduct or behavior in the library will result in a significant reduction in your overall grade for this assignment & potential additional disciplinary action.

*Note: You will be assigned your P.I.G. Project during the 1st quarter. Projects and Presentations will be a part of your 2nd quarter evaluation/grade.

Quarter 2 - Evaluation, Assessment & Requirements:

15% Participation in debates, in-class round table discussions, and contributions made in class on a regular basis, you will be rewarded credit points for each class you attend/positive attitude & behavior.

15% Attendance at one public meeting – see Q1 description AND Five additional hours of Community Service – see Q1 description

25% Weekly Current Event Review & Analysis/Homework Assignments – see Q1 description

15% Exam- Consists of a comprehensive and cumulative Multiple Choice Exam as well as a Thematic Essay (2 days)

10% Legislative Bill – Your group will choose a topic and write a bill to address this issue. This is the first step in developing your final exam project (Bill Proposal & Presentation).

Final Exam 20% of Overall Grade in course – Participation in Government (P.I.G.) Project See attached project description and Requirements *Attendance at the P.I.G. Assembly is mandatory. The date will be announced as soon as possible.

Outline of Participation in Government Curriculum

I. United States Geography, U.S. Territories, World Geography (socio-political, cultural and climatic regions)

II. The History and evolution of U.S. Government Origins and development of democracy, foundations of our government, declaring independence III. The Constitution Branches of Government, Checks & Balances, Separation of Power, Federalism

IV. The Bill of Rights Citizens’ responsibilities, Constitutional Amendments

V. Political Parties Federalist Papers, History of American Political Parties, Political Parties & Ideologies today, the role of American Media in politics

VI. U.S. Government Leaders Names/Roles/Terms

VII. New York/State Government Leaders, Organization, roles, terms

VIII. East Greenbush/Rensselaer County Leaders Names/Roles/Terms

IX. Voting Rights Register to vote forms, selective service, why vote?

X. Jury Duty Selection, roles on a jury, number & members of a jury, outcomes of jury decisions

XI. Legal Terms Bail, Capital Punishment, Cruel/Unusual Punishment, Double Jeopardy, Writ of Habeas Corpus, Indictment, Probable Cause, Right to Counsel, Search Warrant, Self- Incrimination

Student Cell Phone/Electronic Device Use During Testing

Students cannot have their cell phones out during testing: quizzes, tests, Regents Exams, etc. Students observed in possession of a communication device, having it out of their pockets/book bags during testing, will receive a “zero”.