American Government

Course Description/Information

American Government is taught to enable students to pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government. An emphasis is placed on analyzing the relationship among federal, state, and local governments, with particular attention paid to important historical documents such as the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, The Mayflower Compact, The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, The Massachusetts Body of Liberties, The Articles of Confederation and The Federalist Papers. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.

Memorization Work

Students will be required to memorize and write the following from memory:

  • Proverbs 14:34 (Quiz # 1)
  • The first verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” (Quiz # 3)
  • Romans 13:1-4 (Quiz # 5)
  • Romans 13:5-7 (Quiz # 7)
  • The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States (Quiz # 8)
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (Quiz # 16)
  • 1 Peter 2:13-16 (Quiz # 18)

Normally the point total for quizzes ranges between 10 and 30 points, but for memorization work, students receive 1 point for every correct word. Romans 13:1-4 is made up of 125 words. Consequently, the student may earn 125 points on this effort alone, the equivalent of some tests.

Current Events

Current events (newspaper, magazine, and Internet articles) assignments are generally due on Thursdays. Students are advised to pay close attention to their syllabi. Current event assignments may be required on a different day of the week or not at all during some weeks. Each article is to have some reference to federal, state, or local government. Articles that are in no way related to government will receive no credit. Students are required to read an article of no less than three (3) paragraphs and become familiar enough with it to discuss it in class, answer questions and point out the most significant points regarding the issue. The student is required to cut the article out in its entirety. Internet articles must be printed out in their entirety. The entire article must then be presented neatly to the teacher either attached securely to another sheet or presented in a folder. On a separate sheet, the student must summarize the article and point out significant features of the article. The student‟s summary must be at least two (2) paragraphs in length. Current events assignments, like all other homework assignments, are to be placed in the tray which is designated for homework at the beginning of the class period. (I will not ask students to hand in their homework. I will collect homework from the homework tray.)

Patriotic Project

‘The Diminishing Influence of Biblical Values in Public Life Today’
One research paper in MLA format is assigned for the semester. (A link to the MLA guide is available at the school‟s web site on the Social Science Department home page under „Quick Links‟.) Each student is required to research the life of one of America‟s Founding Fathers as assigned. The project will consist of a composition, an editorial (Letter to the Editor), and related articles. Failure to complete this project will most likely result in failing the class! Points for the project will be awarded as follows:

  • Composition (105 points)
    The composition should be a minimum of 3 to 5 pages in length and should summarize the life of the assigned Founding Father. The composition must include:
    a. biographical information and
    b. the Founding Father‟s beliefs regarding government and the importance of Christianity and/or religion in government; and,
  • Editorial/Letter to the Editor (105 points)
    The project must include an editorial (Letter to the Editor) concerning the topic, „The Diminishing Influence of Biblical Values in Public Life Today‟. The editorial is strictly the student‟s opinion based on information and learning that has shaped the student‟s opinion. The editorial must meet a minimum of three paragraphs.
  • Articles (150 points)
    The project must include three to five articles (no more than one year old) which reflect the topic („The Diminishing Influence of Biblical Values in Public Life Today‟). An example might show public school administrators being brought to trial for praying over a meal. Another example might show a move by certain state governments to legalize gay marriages. Examples abound. Articles should be cut and neatly attached to separate sheets of paper and placed in the project folder.
  • Format (220 points)
    • Margins (20 points)
    • page numbering (20 points)
    • spacing (20 points)
    • reference citations (50 points)
    • works cited page (20 points)
    • font (Times New Roman or Courier)(20 points)
    • type size (12) (20 points)
    • number of sources (50 points)
  • Grammar (120 points)
    • Sentence structure
    • Punctuation
    • Mechanics (spelling, capitalization, abbreviations, numbers, italics, underlining)
    • Clarity
  • Appearance (50 points)

The wise student will start working on this project right away. The student is encouraged to contact historical museums, hometowns, etc.
The paper may not be typed in bold print. The MLA format is to be followed to the letter. Do not add a space between paragraphs. No fewer than two books may be used. Encyclopedias and textbooks may be used but do not count as sources for purposes of this research assignment. Each student should arrange his/her work neatly in a composition/presentation folder.

Related Deadlines

Requirement                                                                                 Due date
List of Sources/Points of Contact Tuesday                     October 13, 2009
Outline Tuesday                                                                         October 27, 2009
Draft Thursday                                                                           November 19, 2009
Final Tuesday                                                                              January 19, 2010

Patriotic Project Oral Presentations

Students are required to report on their research papers to the class. All students must be prepared to make their presentations on the first day of scheduled presentations. Students will be called upon to make their presentations in random order. However, students may volunteer to make their presentations instead of waiting to be called upon. Students who are unable to make their presentations on the first scheduled day will make their presentations on following dates. All presentations will be graded and must include but are not limited to:

  • a brief biographical sketch of the Founding Father
  • a brief overview of the Founding Father‟s faith and his views regarding the role of the Bible or religion in government
  • a brief review of the articles and
  • a reading of the student’s “Letter to the Editor”  in its entirety.

All presentations are limited to between 7 and 10 minutes. Penalties will be assessed for not meeting this standard. Additionally, each student will be evaluated with regard to  preparation, animation, voice speed, and voice volume. Presentations may take almost any form. Students may lecture, sing, act, make power point presentations, do display boards, use recordings and videos. Students may not present someone else‟s work as their own.