Mr. Ron Jacobs
AGS from Lansing Community College
BGS from U of M - Ann Arbor
Teacher Certificate in Secondary Education from U of M - Flint
working on a Masters from Western Michigan University
COURSE PHILOSOPHIES
“An educated mind will not allow the chains of enslavement”- Jacobs
“An unexamined life is one not worth living”- Plato
“Education = Freedom and Freedom is not Free” - Jacobs
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to facilitate real life skills, so you can be pro - active participating citizens in your community, state, and country. The course begins by analyzing the social contract and the importance of a governing body of laws. The Government section of the course concludes with an in-depth analysis of the US’s governmental structure and policies that are born from that structure. You will be able to explain your understanding of these concepts though examinations, debates, simulations, presentations, and writing persuasive arguments. The Economic portion of the course is designed to develop a greater understanding of basic economic theory. Throughout the semester you will develop skills that will help you make money work for you. Finally, at the end of the school year you will have a stable foundation of the basic government and economic concepts, so that you can make sound decisions in you life.
COURSE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Student learning is my first priority of the class. Do not worry I will take care of poor behavior. I mark students tardy when they are not sitting in their assigned seat when the bell rings. Procedures will be explained once. I respect students and I listen and speak to students who behave and treat me with respect. I call on students after they raise their hand, and I speak to only one student at a time. Hall passes will be written when I am not teaching. MHS Student handbook procedures will be followed.
Grades: The Mini Economy Program, which I shaped and adapted, will be the cornerstone of the grading policy. You will be paid in M.E.P. dollars based on your attendance, grades on assignments, quizzes, and tests. The more money you procure, the higher your marking period grade will be and ultimately your semester grade.
Grade Percent Scale: A = 100-95%, A- = 94-90%, B+ = 89-85%, B = 84-81%, B- = 80-78%, C+ = 77-74%, C = 73-71%, C- = 70%, D+ = 69%, D = 68%, F = 67- 0%
Semester Grade Weights: Semester grades are calculated by weights of the following: 1st Marking Period 40%, 2nd Marking Period 40%, and Final Exam 20%.
Assignments: I accept late work. All late work will be graded after July 1, 2006 and not before. Do not worry I will get to it.
Absent Work: I am not responsibility for absent work. Former students have found it helpful to ask me before or after class, or they will look in the assignment folder for the assignment(s). Work that was due the day you were absent is due before class the day you return.
Absent Work Procedure: (1) Fill out a yellow Absent Slip (2) Stapled to front(3) Turn in before the same number of day(s) you were absent.
Attendance: This is your grade enhancement; you are paid in M.E.P. dollars for attending class, which you can use later for buying your grade. You could be paid a total of $2,700 for this school year, or 15 dollars a day.
Housing and Utilities
$5 per day for rent until the date of property purchase
$1000 per Desk Property – purchases can be made before or after class ($1700 Honors)
$5 per day for educational services, this includes one hour of educational class time per school day, and tutoring services after school from 2:45 to 3:30
$30 per pass - office, restroom, locker, phone, and another classroom
Classroom Ordinances
$10 for not working diligently on the assigned assignment in class
$20 per tardy (not sitting in your assigned seat when bell rings)
$20 a day for lack of a working writing utensil, or other materials
$30 per absence - suspensions included (No fine for hospitalization or funerals)
$30 Missing non-graded assignment(s)
$50 for poor behavior - sent to hallway to fill out behavior plan
$100 for poor behavior - sent to office to discuss options with principal
COURSE MATERIALS
It would be helpful to bring a three-ring binder/class folder, paper, pencil/pen, Grade Matrix, Transaction Register, class book and any assignments everyday to class.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THE CLASS
You should attend at least one local government meeting per marking period and fill out the corresponding Form. Honors classes must attend two meetings per marking period. The form must be completed in full and signed by a representative on the board of the meeting you attended on that date to receive credit for the marking period.
EXTRA CREDIT
As The World Turns - Find & read a current news article dealing with a political or economic issue. Staple the article to The As The World Turns Use the ATWT rubric to complete the extra credit I will grade one per week.
Local Government meeting(s) - Attend Local Government meeting and complete the Form. I will grade one per week.
Investments - Invest your M.E.P. dollars into the stock market, real estate (desk property), or in Jacobs’ Freedom Bank Certificate of Deposits. If you invest in the stock market you must complete a worksheet on the company that you want to invest in. If you invest in real estate you can collect $100 in interest if you sell it back after 30 days have pasted. If you invest in the Jacobs’ Freedom Bank $1000 CD you will receive 6% APR or .00016% per day, the maturity date or the roll over date is every 30 days.
All dollar amounts on this page are in Mini - Economy Program dollars. Mini - Economy Program dollars can only be used in Mr. Jacobs’ Government / Economics class. (play money)
COURSE SYLLABUS 2003 – 04
“In the long term, education must aim for active use of knowledge and skill. Students gain knowledge and skills in school so that they can put them to work in professional roles-scientist, engineers, designer, doctor, business person, artist and in lay roles-citizen, voter, parent-that require appreciation, understanding and judgment.”
I.THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT
A.History of Government: State of Nature to Democracy
B.Political Ideas: Anarchism to Fascism
II.AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
A.“Talk About a Revolution…”
B.The U.S. Constitution; Structure and Function of your Government:3 Branches, Separation of Power, Checks and Balances, Bill of Rights
C.Core Democratic Values
D.Bill of Rights
III.DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, PART 1: The “Camelot” simulation
A. How Communities are Organized- a history
B. Who Governs and to what ends
C. Constraints and Powers
D. “Show me the Money”-Getting the money needed to run the city
E. Interest Groups
F. Elections and the Issues and policies
G. Types of Local Governments and Structure
H. Creating Camelot- A Local Government Simulation
IV.DEMOCRACY IN ACTION, PART 2: “How to become an involved citizen”
A. Local Government- How to Access and Impact on it.
B. The Issue
V.INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT
A. Congress
B. President
C. Courts
1. Types of Courts
2. Civil/Criminal Law- Mock Trial
VI. AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY
A.Who Makes Foreign Policy in America
B.What Governs Foreign Policy Decisions
C.Up Close and Personal: Iraq, China, Cuba, Russia
D.International Relations Simulation