GOVERNMENT 121

AMERICAN NATIONAL EXPERIENCE

GREETINGS PARENTS – WELCOME TO OPEN HOUSE!

I APPRECIATE YOUR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE TODAY. WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE YOUR CHILD SUCCESSFUL.

MRS. MILLS MARTIN

Government 121 American National Experience

Participation in Government

United States History and Government

Arlington High School

845-486-4860

nmillsmartin@acsdny.org

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at my email address or set up an appointment through your Guidance Counselor.

Course Description – Govt 121 American National Experience is a 3 credit

course dealing with the philosophy, structure, functions and processes of our

national government. Topics include the methods of political and historical

analysis, the machinery of government, the political process and political behavior.

Historical events and personalities in American politics will be used to illustrate

the issues and processes of American government. The course will fulfill the

History, Government, Economics requirement for Liberal Arts and Humanities

majors and may be designated as either a GOV or a HIS course depending on

the needs of the student for transfer.

TextbookBy the People: Debating American Government

James A. Morone & Rogan Kersh

Oxford University Press, 2013 3rd edition

IBSN 978-0-19-021614-6

Students have reading and written homework assignments.

The due dates for all assignments, projects and test dates

for each chapter or unit are in the syllabus distributed the

first week of class.

Students are expected to complete all assigned readings BEFORE the

first day of each chapter presentation [see syllabus for dates], come to class

prepared with questions, contribute constructively to class discussions, exercise

a respectful and cooperative attitude toward fellow students, and successfully

complete all components of the course as outlined in this syllabus.

This is a college course. It is generally accepted that for every hour in the

classroom, the student will need to find at least two hours outside of class to

keep up with the content.

TOPICS COVERED:

The role of political culture, values, and the very diverse social environment of politics in the United States in the development of social and foreign policy.

The Constitution as the foundation of our political structure and how it has developed to the present.

Federalism as an aspect of the constitutional political structure and its historical development. New York State and Local Government of the present day.

Public opinion and mass media as linked institutions.

Interest groups and linkage institutions.

The historical development of American political parties and their role as linkage institutions.

The role of money, media, parties, and interest groups in campaigns and elections.

Congress as a political institution and its effectiveness in representing the public interest.

The role of the President in American politics and the development of the presidency as a political institution.

The presidency and the bureaucracy-how the executive branch functions.

The role of the Supreme Court as a political institution and the role of the Federal court system.

The role of our political institutions and our linkage institutions in the development of our civil rights.

The development of our civil liberties.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon Completion of this course, Students Will have improved:

Critical Thinking and Analysis Skills

Written and Verbal Communication Skills

Content, Knowledge and Methods

PARTICIPATION PORTFOLIO -

Students choose 2 tasks to complete during the course of the Semester.

Info about these choices was given to students the 1st week of school.

Portfolio Project Due Dates

October 2

December 11

We will explore how citizenship effects

and shapes our lives in the United States,

New York and our local community.

Students will participate in their local

community.

Students should pay attention to current

events about government for daily

discussion.

CURRENT EVENTS /POLITICAL CARTOON/

TEXT SYNTHESIS

Rationale:

Effective citizenship requires each individual to cultivate a deepening understanding of events at the local, national, and international levels.

Task:

Students should read and highlight key facts from an article that addresses American government. Topics could include events in local communities, the State of New York, the United States, or events that involve America’s foreign policy.

The article may be no more than one-month old. It is a “current” event analysis.

Each GOV 121 student will complete five (5) current events assignments this semester.

Current Event / Political Cartoon/ Text Synthesis

Due Dates: 9/25, 10/23, 11/6, 12/18 1/8

Grading Policy

Examinations/Assessments 30%

Projects /Synthesis Papers 20%

Current Events Analyses 20%

Portfolio Assignments/Quizzes 20%Attendance/Participation 10%

GRADE SYSTEM

Grade A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F

Grade Point 4.00 3.67 3.30 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.00 0.00

Numerical

Equivalent

93+ 90-92 87-89 83-86 80-82 77-79 70-76 60-69 0-59

Office Hours

Every Thursday after school.

Supplies

Students should have and bring to

class a notebook, folder, blue or black

pens and a positive attitude. At home

you should have stapler to attach

papers that must be turned in.

College Prep time is now

Schedule College Visits for this fall

Check with Guidance for info about SAT dates

Students wrote their

COMMON APPLICATION ESSAY the first week of class

Many College Applications due in early Fall