United States Government

Course Information: Mr. Duensing

E-mail: duensrm@d11.org                 Website: http://duensrm.tripod.com

Office: Room 211                             Office Phone/Voice:  To be assigned later

Office Hours:  Monday- Friday 11:15-12:05 , 2:05-3:20

Welcome to the United States Government course!  This one semester course in United States Government is designed to enhance responsible and informed participation in civic life.  This course will incorporate the Colorado Civics Content Standards.  Key themes will include the purpose of government and heritage of United States government, comparative governments, the Constitution as a living document, political parties, state and local government and government involvement in world affairs, citizenship roles, rights, and responsibilities.

Thematic Units of Study:

q       Unit I:   Origins of U.S. Government                    

q       Unit II:  The Constitution and Courts                    

q       Unit III:  Political Parties & the Election Process 

q       Unit IV: Congress                                              

q       Unit V:  Presidency & Foreign Policy                  

q       Unit VI: Local Government & Citizenship

Materials and Supplies

q       3 section spiral notebook dedicated to this class only

q       Pencils and pens

Grading Average Points Per Assignment

q       Daily work/Homework:                                        25                   points

q       Quizzes:              (4-6)                                       50                   points

q       Notebook Checks (3)                                          50                   points

q       Tests:                  (4)                                         100                  points

q       Semester Exam                                                200                  points

q       Citizen participation project                                150                  points

q       Court Brief                                                      100                  points

q       Estimated Total Points                                    1300-1800          points

Mandatory AE

q       If your grade is failing you have mandatory AE to be served until your grade is passing

q       If you miss mandatory AE you will serve after school detention with me

q       If you miss after school detention you are referred to the office for In School Detention

Late/Make Up Work

q       You are given the same amount of time missed in class for an excused absence to make that work up except for long term projects or papers.

q       If working in teams, the excused absence will not give the team extra time

q       Late work will be penalized half credit and will not be accepted after 2 days.

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Read the above classroom guidelines.  Sign and detach this portion to return to the teacher by Monday.  This is the first assignment of the quarter.  This is worth 10 points.  If you have questions e-mail or call me at the numbers listed above.

Student Name:        _____________________________________

Student Signature:________________________    Date:__________________