Government (20163)

Carolyn Burkes

2007-2008

Materials

 

Text:

American Government, Tenth Edition, Wilson, James Q. and Dilulio, Jr., John J., Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, c2006.

 

Other:

In addition to your text, bring paper, pen or pencil to class.  All notes, handouts, readings, outlines, homework assignments, and previous tests are to be organized in a folder or a sectioned notebook.  These will be important in your review for mid-term and final comprehensive exam, as well as, the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam.

 

 

Curriculum:

 

 

The requirements of the OKCPS District are incorporated into the State of Oklahoma PASS objectives for this course.  Students examine basic American political values, the political structure of the United States, the Constitution, the roles of important political leaders, and the structure and functions of state and local governments.  Students study political policy, the decision making processes and the influence of our pluralistic society on the policymakers.

 

 

Course Outline:

 

 

Part I – The American System – Chapters One through Six

 

Part II – Opinions, Interests, and Organizations – Chapters Seven through Twelve

 

Part III – Institutions of Government – Chapters Thirteen through Sixteen

 

Part IV – The Politics of Public Policy – Chapters Seventeen through Twenty One

 

 

Text Theme:

Who Governs?  To What Ends?

A detailed course outline is provided in the text’s ‘table-of-contents’.

 

 

Grading:

 

50%

The average of all exams will be taken.  This includes quizzes, chapter or unit tests, and mid-term/final examinations.  There may be pop quizzes.  The format for all exams could be a combination of multiple choice, true or false, completion, or brief essay.  Essay skills will emphasis document based questions.

 

50%

Daily work includes reading and workbook assignments in preparation for class participation.  Class work could be cooperative learning exercises, analyze and discuss sources, or interpret data, etc.  Students should be prompt, attentive, and bring materials to class.  Further, there are guidelines defined I the classroom rules and the school assertive discipline code.  Respect these.

 

 

 

Extra Credit:

 

 

For extra credit, students may elect to do one of the following department endorsed activities:  National History Day, YMCA Youth & Government, Model U.N. or Oklahoma Close-Up.

 

 

In Addition:

Given the 2008 election year, all students will select one candidate to follow throughout the course.  A simple portfolio will be required and students may be as extensive as they wish—from merely reviewing media coverage to office internships to political campaigning.