American

 Government

(Fall Semester of 2011-2012 school year)

Developing requisite knowledge and skills for informed and responsible participation in our democratic society.
 

 

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."

-Patrick Henry

 
             

American Government Fall 2011 Semester Syllabus

Cell Phone/Electronic Devices Policy 2011-2012

American Government-AZ Standards (2006 Edition)

TUSD Governing Board Policy-Teaching about Controversial/Sensitive Issues

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Understanding by Design (UbD) Unit Lesson Plans: (Click on the Unit to pull up the UbD lesson plan in Word format.)

 

 

WEEKLY LESSON PLANS: (Click on the dates to pull up the weekly lesson plan in Word format.)

10/17/11 to 10/21/11

10/24/11 to 10/28/11

10/31/11 to 11/4/11

11/7/11 to 11/10/11 (Nov. 11th is Veterans' Day)

11/14/11 to 11/18/11

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I.  Handouts/Assignment Sheets: (Click on the numbered item to pull up the document in Word format.)

FOREIGN POLICY UNIT:  NOTE: You must take notes during lecture on Foreign Policy Roles of President and Congress from the outline used in class.  This outline will not be posted to the website.

1.  Vietnam Overview

2.  President Johnson's Speech to Congress and Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

3.  Use of Military Force Resolution (Passed by Congress after the 9/11 attacks)

4.  Iraq Resolution to Use Military Force (Passed by Congress pursuant to President George W. Bush's request to authorize the use of military forces against Iraq)

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH UNIT:

1.  Congress PPT

2.  Senate Simulation Project Instructions-(Was handed out in class)

3.  Topic Outline Format-(Was handed out in class: Save it as a Word document and use it for your Outline)

4.  Bill Format-(Was handed out in class: Save it as a Word document and use it for your Bill)

Fall Final Review Sheet-(Was handed out in class)

 

PLEASE NOTE RE: YOUR PRESIDENTIAL POWERS ESSAY-

    If you want Mr. Sierra to review your graded essay, please do the following:

    1.  Pull up and read the student sample essay and compare it to your essay: STUDENT SAMPLE ESSAY

    2.  Pull up Mr. Sierra's sample essay and compare it to your essay:  MR. SIERRA'S SAMPLE ESSAY

    3.  If after comparing your essay with the sample essays you believe you should receive more points, please identify on your essay where you believe more points are warranted and return it to Mr. Sierra, NO LATER THAN 10:00 A.M., MONDAY, 12/19, so he can review your request.

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II.  Use the following websites: (Click on the website link.)

Exploring Constitutional Law Website: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/home.html (This website will remain posted all year.  You will find it very useful.)

Constitutional Law Terms:  http://topics.law.cornell.edu/wex/category/constitutional_law#  (Use this website to assist you in understanding constitutional law terminology/vocabulary.)

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III.  ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES: (All assignments due at the BEGINNING of the class period.)

1.  See NOTE above about taking notes on the Foreign Policy Roles of the President and Congress lecture!!

2.  You should be printing up ALL documents that have been posted above to use during class lecture/discussions and so you will be prepared for the final exam!!