Government Course Syllabus

Course Title: Government

Term (duration): Fall 2014 Credit Value: .50
Period/Instructional Time: 5th Room: 133
Teacher: Ms. Doft Email: doft_d@jmsk12.com
Telephone: 575-638-5491

Course Description
Course provides an understanding of the ideals, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship and
understand the content and history of the founding documents of the United States including the
New Mexico and United States Constitutions and how governments function at the local, state,
tribal, and national levels. In addition, 9-12 Social Studies Benchmarks and Performance Standards
(History, Civics, and Government, Economics and Geography) should be included as appropriate to
the course.

CCSS: Common Core State Standards

This course follows all state standards according to New Mexico Public Education Department.


Course Goals:
Students understand the ideals, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship and understand
the content and history of the founding documents of the United States with particular
emphasis on the United States and New Mexico constitutions and how governments
function at local, state, tribal, and national levels.

Units/Timeline
Week 1 Principles of Government
Week 2 Principles of Government
Week 3 Origins of American Government
Week 4 Origins of American Government
Week 5 The Constitution
Week 6 The Constitution
Week 7 The Bill of Rights
Week 8 Federalism
Week 9 Political Parties
Week 10 Quarter 1 Review and Final
Week 11 Voter Behavior
Week 12 The Electoral Process
Week 13 Congress
Week 14 Powers of Congress
Week 15 Congress in Action
Week 16 The Presidency
Week 17 The Presidency in Action
Week 18 Financing Government
Week 19 Federal Court System
Week 20 2
nd
Quarter Review and Final

Resources/Materials
Text(s)/Books (Teacher Supplied)



Materials (Student Supplied)
1-1 Three-Ring Binder, spiral notebook, Pen,
Pencils, etc.
Thumb drive or other computer storage device
Loose-Leaf notebook paper
(Not required but helpful: calculator, computer,
home internet access)

Course Assessments
Assignments
















Notebook Rubric:
90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% Below
60%
Student
turned in
organized
notebook on
time with
90-100%
completed
assignments.
Student
turned in
organized
notebook on
time with
80-89%
completed
assignments.
Student
turned in
organized
notebook
with 70-79%
completed
assignments.
Student
turned in
organized
notebook
with 60-69%
completed
assignments.
Student
did not
turn in a
notebook.
Teacher will assist students with organization of notebook on a bi-weekly
basis for all students to turn in an organized notebook.
Assignment
Notebooks
(organizational
practice)
10%
Unit and
Vocabulary
Quizzes
(content
information)
20%
Assignments
(reading,
writing,
geographical,
research and
application
skills)
50%

Final Tests
(formal
assessment)
20%
Totals 60% Totals 40%
Grading Scale

A = 100 90
B = 89 80
C = 79 70
D = 69 60
F = 59 0

Grading Policies
Students will be assessed
according to their mastery of
course standards,
demonstrated through class
work, homework (including
chapter questions and other
nightly writings), projects,
essays, tests, and quizzes. All
student work is assigned a
point value. A students
percentage is based on how
many points earned divided by
how many points were
possible.

Remember: Your grade is
what you earn, not what I
give you!


Classroom Expectations:
Behavior:


Do what is right, do your best, treat others how you want to be treated.
Be ready to work independently, in small groups, and as a class.
Act mature and be flexible.
Come to class with a positive attitude and prepared to do your best each day!
You can learn something every day.
Read, write, and problem solve every day.
Do not ask for free time.
Spend your class time thoughtfully engaged in the class activities.
Follow the student handbook!

Attendance:


Students are expected to attend class daily as per the JMS student handbook. When a
student has accumulated more than ten (10) unexcused absences in class, they will receive
an incomplete for the class. Be on time, 20 minutes late = 1 absence.
Late Work
It is the students responsibility to turn work in on time and ask about missed assignments
due to absences. Students who ask for missed assignments or tests are to complete the
make-up work by the following class. For example, if a student is absent on Monday,
he/she will need to ask for the missed assignments on Wednesday and turn in the
assignment on Friday. Tests need to be made up within a week, no later. It is the students
responsibility to schedule the make-up date.

Classroom Procedures:

- As students come into my class they will need to grab their journal from the designated class
basket and proceed to answer the bell ringer, which will be on the smart board, daily.
- When finished with the bell ringer, students need to put away their journal and wait quietly for
the class to finish.
- Students, who were absent, look in the were you absent folder for your class. Do your best to
keep caught up on your assignments. It is your responsibility to get your make-up work.
- You have until the next day to turn in all make-up work. If you have an excused absence you will
receive the amount of time gone to
- Students must demonstrate respect for themselves and others at all times. That is students must
not talk when others are talking, and will not exhibit disrespectful or disruptive behavior. Be kind
to others and listen when others are speaking.





Success in this class is linked to a students commitment. Attitude and willingness to learn are also very
important. Learning to organize the materials in a thoughtful essay will be critical.
Parents can help by encouraging students to talk about their daily activities and homework. I am looking
forward to a great year!
Please do not hesitate to contact me. You can email me at doft_d@jmsk12.com or reach me by phone at 505-,
best time to call is between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Dorinda Doft



Students name ____________________________________________ Class Period ___________
Student Signature__________________________________________ Date __________________
Parent Signature___________________________________________ Date _________________
Parents email address _____________________________________________________________
Phone number ______________________________________________________________