U.S. Government Teacher: Mr. Dymoke: daniel.dymoke@mpls.k12.mn.us Room: 229 U.S Government is a one semester course that is a graduation requirement. Semester 1 will begin August 26 th, 2013 and end on January 16 th, 2014. Semester 2 will begin January 21 st, 2014 and end the week of June 2 nd, 2014. The semester will be comprised of two quarter marking periods. TEXTS: We will use Magruder s American Government 2007-08 edition as our class room text. We will also use We the People : The Citizen and the Constitution. GRADING: Students will be earning points toward their grade for assignments, tests, homework or projects. These points will be totaled at the end of the semester. Students will be assigned grades based on the following scale: A= 90%-100%, B= 80%-89%, C= 70%-79%, D = 60%-69%. Students must earn 60% of all points to receive course credit. There are no extra credit assignments. TESTS AND ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments are due on the day of the unit test unless otherwise noted. Test dates will be announced in class and listed on the classroom assignment board located on the west wall of the classroom. In addition unit tests will be listed on the course outline.
Students are responsible for all information on the course outline. I lost my course outline or I did not read my course outline will not be an acceptable excuse in this course. First & Third Quarter Units: Unit #1 Foundations of American Government Essential Questions for Unit #1: How does the American form of government reflect and express the ideals of the worth and rights of individuals, the rule of the majority and the rights of the minority, equality and justice, and the common good? How do the founding documents define the ideals of the United States? Dates: Semester 1: August 26 th, 2013-September 12 th, 2013 Test: Friday September 13 th, 2013 Semester 2: January 21 st, 2014- February 6 th, 2014 Test: Friday February 7 th, 2014 Chapter 1 of Magruder s Unit 1: Lessons 1, 3& 8 of We the People Unit #2 The Constitution Chapters 2 & 3 of Magruder s Unit 2: Lesson 2 Units 10-17 Essential Question for Unit# 2: What are the principles behind the constitution and how does it promote the concept of federalism. Dates: Semester 1: September 16 th, 2012-October 3 rd, 2013 Test: Friday October 4 th, 2013 Semester 2: February 10 th, 2014- February 27 th, 2014 Test: Friday February 28 th, 2014
Unit #3: The Bill of Rights Essential Questions for Unit #3: Explain how Americans commitment to freedom led to the creation of the Bill of Rights. What Rights does the Bill of Rights protect? Dates: Semester 1: October 7 th, 2013-October 22, 2013 Test Wednesday October 23 rd, 2013 Semester 2: March 3 rd, 2014-March 13 th, 2014 Test Friday March 14 th, 2014 Chapter 19 of Magruders Unit 5 Lessons 29-33 of We the People Unit #4: The Legislative Branch Essential Questions for Unit #4: How do the competing interests of stakeholders create public policy and to what degree do the policies created reflect public interest? Dates: Semester 1: October 12 th, 2012-November 1 st, 2012. Test: Friday November 2 nd, 2012 Semester 2: March 7 th, 2013-March 27 th, 2013 Test: Thursday March 28 th, 2013 Chapters 10, 11, & 12 Magruder s Second & Fourth Quarter Units: Unit #5: The Executive Branch Essential Questions for Unit # 5: What are the roles of the president? How does the government of the United States interact with other nations and how do these interactions impact the world? Dates: Semester 1: November 4 th, 2013- November 19 th, 2013. Test: Wednesday November 20 th, 2013 Semester 2: April 7 th, 2014- April 22 nd, 2014
Test: Wednesday April 23 rd, 2014 Chapters: 13 & 17 of Magruder s Simulation: The Cabinet Meeting Unit #6: The Judicial Branch & Civil Liberties Essential Questions for Unit #6: How does participation in civil discourse, civic action, and democratic processes benefit American society? Explain the freedoms found in the U.S. Constitution s Bill of Rights and other amendments. Dates: Semester 1: November 21 st, 2013- December 12 th, 2013. Test: Friday December 13 th, 2013. Semester 2: April 23 rd, 2014- May 14 th, 2014 Test: Thursday May 15 th, 2014 Chapters: 18 & 20 of Magruders Unit #7: State and Local Government Systems Essential Questions for Unit #7: How do state, county, and local governments serve the needs of the citizens? How does a nation s form of government impact social, political and economic aspects of people s lives? Dates: Semester 1: December 6 th, 2013- January 14 th, 2014 Test: Wed. January 15 th or Thurs. January 16 th, 2014 Semester 2: May 16 th, 2013-May 30 th, 2013 Test Week of June 2 nd. Chapter: 25 Magruder s Simulation: NIMBY
In addition to the above stated assignments students will be given other readings and maybe asked to right position papers based on information covered in class. Students will be expected to keep up on current events outside of the classroom; integrating current events into the curriculum will make the course more interesting and meaningful to the student. Students wishing for help outside of the classroom will need to make an appointment with the instructor. There is no extra credit!