1 American Government and Economics Course Syllabus 2015-2016 year---12 th Grade Government: 1 st semester Economics: 2 nd semester Mr. Biedel, Room #213 josh.biedel@johnadamsacademy.org cell: #(916)799-3966 This capstone senior class is, in many ways, the culmination of your time here at John Adams Academy. In exploring the government and economics of the United States, we will actively, intensely, passionately, and scrupulously explore both the foundations of such and their current functions. The overarching point of this class is to let the material get in you, rather that you/us getting through the material. In other words, the point is not to blow through the syllabus schedule or be held hostage to it, but instead for you to adequately grasp the concepts, ideas, and arguments; it s my job to help guide and lead you in that endeavor. It will be rewarding and stimulating, rigorous and analytical, I assure you. Student Objectives: Scholars who successfully complete this course will: 1. Be able to read and comprehend important philosophical treatises, and key political documents that have led to the Founding of the government of the United States of America and its modification since its founding. 2. Be able to articulate the meaning of these documents and their opinions concerning them with clarity and grace, verbally and in writing. 3. Be acquainted with the philosophical ideas that led to the American Founding. 4. Understand why the Founders structured the government as they did, including the debates and compromises in the Constitution s formation. 5. Understand the various methods of Constitutional interpretation, and how different methods have dominated different political eras 6. And understand the historical, political, and economics forces that have facilitated fundamental changes to our form of government over time. 7. Make immediate and relevant associations between our class material and their own lives. Texts: The Republic, Plato, Translated by Allan Bloom. Second Treatise on Government, John Locke Democracy in America, Tocqueville Readings Packet America s Founding: The Constitutional Convention of 1787 Game Book J Patrick Coby See http://reacting.barnard.edu/curriculum/games-in-development Political Philosophy Selections: Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle, Politics, Aristotle, Writings, Polybius, On Spiritual and Temporal Power, Galasius I, City of God, Augustine, The Prince, Machiavelli, Leviathan, Hobbes, Spirit of Laws Montesquieu, Origins of Inequality & Social Compact, Rousseau, and others. 1
2 Key Documents & Speeches: Mayflower Compact John Winthrop s A Model of Christian Charity The Divine Right to Occupy the Land, John Cotton Declarations and Resolves of the First Continental Congress Declaration of Independence U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights Federalist Papers 10, 15, 51, 68, 78-81, 84 Antifederalist Papers (Federal Farmer and Brutus Selections) Washington s Farewell Address Debate on First National Bank (Jefferson & Hamilton) Missouri Compromise Debates on Manhood Suffrage Compromise of 1850 Kansas and Nebraska Act A House Divided Speech, Abraham Lincoln Cooper Union Speech, Abraham Lincoln Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln Progressive Party Platform On Lend Lease, Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Speech, Franklin D. Roosevelt Economic Bill of Rights, Franklin D. Roosevelt Truman Doctrine, Harry S Truman Evil Empire Speech, Ronald Reagan Brandenburg Gate Address, Ronald Reagan Landmark Supreme Court Cases: Marbury v. Madison (1803) Dred Scott v Sanford (1857) Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Roe v. Wade (1973) Suggested Movies (extra credit) 5 points per movie: John Adams (Part II) A More Perfect Union Gettysburg Lincoln Twelve Angry Men (black and white version) Assignments/Grading Class Participation (10%): As much of the class is based around Socratic seminars, a major portion of your grade will be based on your participation in class. Primarily I will grade your participation 1) do you have a quote (or several) or question from the reading to share with the class, 2) does your discussion in class give evidence of your reading, 3) are you courteous and respectful of others thoughts and opinions. Class participation will be 20% of your final grade. Journals (10%): Each journal should consist of your interpretation of a key text. It should focus on answering two questions. What is the author saying? And why do you agree or disagree with him/her. The main focus of your journal should be on the first question. You should choose 1-3 quotes that represent key ideas of the text and paraphrase them in your own words, including the inferred meaning. Give the reasons why you think that this is what the author means. Evaluate what the author says, is he/she right or wrong. As part of the evaluation you may want to apply the idea to today. Is he/she still right today? Each journal is limited to 500 words and should 2
be hand written in your commonplace book. Journals are due immediately after class in which the reading was discussed. JOURNALS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE. Journals will be evaluated primarily on how well they exhibit your understanding of the text, however you must use proper grammar, word choice, spelling and pronunciation. Also you must write legibly so that I can read it. Up to 10 points will be awarded for each journal. 13 journals are assigned and 10 required. I will count any journal over the required 10 for extra credit. Quizzes (20%): Short answer quizzes will be randomly given throughout the semester and will constitute 20% of your grade. UNLESS YOU MAKE PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENTS, IF YOU MISS A QUIZ YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT UP LATER. Constitution (Compact) Analysis (10%): Diagram a power structure of the organization. Where does the power come from? What is the extent of the power? Who holds the power? How is the power exercised? Are there any checks to the power? Up to 10 points will be awarded for correctly answering each question for a total of 50 possible points. You will analyze the US Constitution, League of Nations Covenant, and the UN Charter. Late assignments will decrease your great 10% per day late. Final Oral Examination (20%): I will ask you questions covering the course material and you will answer them verbally. I will provide you a list of possible questions, but the list will be extensive. Each oral examination will last 10 minutes and will be worth 100 points. Final Written Examination (20%): Each student will take a written examination. The examination will consist of 4 questions, each worth 50 points for a total possible of 200 points. You will have up to 500 words to answer each question. Answers will be based on, logic flow of argument (40%), strength and accuracy of evidence provided (40%), and the accuracy, beauty and clarity of expression (20%). US Constitutional Convention Reenactment Game (10%): You will be assigned a specific role with specific objectives in the game. You will be grade on how well you perform your role, and how well you achieve your assigned objectives. Total possible points are 200. Movie Extra Credit: Watch a movie on my list and write a 2 page summary for an extra 5 points per movie. Summary should include your interpretation and evaluation. 3 93%-100% A 90%-93% A- 87%-89% B+ 85%-86% B 80%-82% B- 77%-79% C+ 73%-76% C 70%-72% C- 67%-69% D+ 63%-66% D 60%-62% D- Below 60% F Classroom Participation/Conduct: 1. Effort + Input = Greater Class experience for you. I can only do so much as a teacher; I promise to give my all at all times in all areas for you. If you, the scholar, do the same, our class will be guaranteed to be dynamic and one of the most memorable classes you will ever experience. This class is what YOU make it, scholar. Let s do this! 2. Respect for peers, for the instructor, opinions and ideas of classmates (most especially during Socratic Seminar), for property of others and the property of the school district. I won t tolerate any behavior unfitting to 3
this aforementioned list, and will promptly discipline as necessary. Be aware, however, that your views and opinions may be challenged and that good intentions must always be presumed! Come see me outside class times for ANY concerns, comments, honest venting, feedback, offense, further questions, etc.; I m here for you. 3. Be prepared! Always have all of your materials in class. Act scholarly (for yourself, for others, & for me, please). 4. I am a strong believer in self-control and self-discipline. To maintain order within the classroom, only one person may speak at a time. Always raise your hand before speaking and respect those who are speaking by remaining silent until they are finished. 4 Social Skills Work Skills 1. respects others and property 1. prepared for class 6. completes tasks on time 2. takes responsibility for actions 2. uses time wisely 7. displays effort/produces quality work 3. seeks positive solutions to problems 3. follows directions 4. practices self control 4. pays attention 5. demonstrates honesty 5. actively involved in learning ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weekly Schedule: (will be adjusted as necessary!) FIRST SEMESTER---Government Week 1 Class and teacher/student introductions Aug. 24 th -28 th Ice breakers, class procedures, overview, syllabus reading, purpose of history/gov t/econ./etc. Week 2 What is man s constitution? Aug. 31 st Sep.4 th Review Timeline and basic principles; Discuss Hesiod Theogeny; Discuss Genesis 1-3 Week 3 Early World Constitutions Sep. 7 th 11 th Read Plato s Digression (Democracy and Tyranny); Discuss Plato s Digression (Democracy and Tyranny); Read Polybius (QUIZ) Week 4 Early English and Colonial Constitutions Sept 14 th 18 th Read Aristotle; Discuss Aristotle (Colby); Discuss Polybius (JOURNAL); Read New England Charter and Mayflower Compact (QUIZ) Week 5 Colonial Constitutions Sep. 21 st 25 th Discuss the New England Charter and Mayflower Compact; Read A Model of Christian Charity; Discuss A Model of Christian Charity (JOURNAL); Read Pennsylvania Frame of Government (QUIZ) 4
5 Week 6 Locke and the Enlightenment Sept. 28 th Oct.2 nd Discuss Pennsylvania Frame of Government (JOURNAL); Discuss 2 nd Treatise on Government (America s Founding); Discuss Montesquieu (America s Founding); Discuss Montesquieu (America s Founding) (QUIZ) Week 7 Oct. 5 th 9 th The Question of Independence Lecture: Montesquieu and Rousseau; Lecture A Summary View of British Americans & Declaration and Resolves; Discuss Declaration of Independence (JOURNAL); Discuss Declaration of Independence (QUIZ) Week 8 U.S. Constitution Oct. 12 th 16 th Discuss U.S. Constitution Article 1 (JOURNAL); Discuss U.S. Constitution Article 1; Discuss U.S. Constitution Article 2; Discuss U.S. Constitution Article 3 (QUIZ); Discuss U.S. Constitution Articles 4-7 Week 9 Federalist Debates Oct. 19 th 23rd Discuss Brutus #1; Federalist 10 (JOURNAL); Discuss Federalist 15 (QUIZ); Discuss Federalist 51 Week 10 U.S. Constitution Oct. 26 th 30 th Discuss Federalist 68 (JOURNAL); Discuss Tom Payne Common Sense; Discuss Adam s Defense of Constitutions of the United States (PSAT); Discuss Adam s Defense of Constitutions of the United States; Constitutional Convention Reenactment Week 11 Nov. 2 nd 6 th U.S. Constitution Constitutional Convention Reenactment Week 12 Setting precedent: Constitutional Interpretation Nov. 9 th 13 th Constitutional Convention Reenactment Week 13 Precedent Continued, Democracy in America Nov. 16 th 20 Constitutional Convention Reenactment --------------------THANKGIVING BREAK!!---------------------- Week 14 Democracy in America Nov. 30 th Dec. 4 th 5
Welcome back and de-brief; Discuss Bill of Rights and de-brief Constitutional Convention Reenactment; Discuss Jefferson on 1 st National Bank (JOURNAL); Discuss Hamilton on 1 st National Bank Bill of Rights (QUIZ) Week 15 Slavery Question Dec. 7 th 11 th To be determined.... Week 16 Judicial Review Dec. 14 th 18 th Read Marbury v. Madison; Discuss Marbury v. Madison; Read Scalia: Constitutional Interpretation; Read Scalia: Constitutional Interpretation; Quiz 6 ----------------------------CHRISTMAS BREAK!!--------------------------- Week 17 Jan. 4 th 8 th Tocqueville Welcome back and de-brief; Discuss Tocqueville s introduction (JOURNAL); Discuss New England townships, counties, and administration (V1, B1, C5 first ½) (QUIZ); Read State powers and decentralization (V1,B1, C5 second ½); Discuss State powers and decentralization (V1,B1, C5 second ½) Week 18 Slavery Jan. 11 th 15 th Discuss State powers and decentralization (V1,B1, C5 second ½); Read Dred Scott v. Sanford; Discuss Dred Scott v. Sanford (JOURNAL); Read Douglass Deb. #7 (QUIZ); Discuss Douglass Debate #7 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECOND SEMESTER ---- Economics --Will be given before second semester commences... 6