Civics Syllabus

Civics

Trillium Charter School

2006/7 Quarter 1

Instructor: Ken Gadbow

Email: gadbow@gmail.com

Phone: 503-348-9849

Class text: Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Course Structure:

This course focuses on the development of the student as a life long learner. The material we read and discuss is selected to encourage students to become more critical thinkers and practice looking at issues from multiple viewpoints. This class is interactive. It requires the participation of the students to make it a success. Small group discussions dominate this course, supported by short lectures, reading, and writing assignments.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the purpose of laws and government, provisions to limit power, and the ability to meet changing needs as essential ideas of the Constitution.
• Understand the interrelationship between local, state, and federal government.
• Understand how the branches of government have powers and limitations.
• Understand the role of the courts and of the law in protecting the rights of U.S. citizens.
• Understand the civic responsibilities of U.S. citizens and how they are met.
• Understand how government policies and decisions have been influenced and changed by individuals, groups, and international organizations.

Course Overview:

This course will focus on the mechanics of the United States political system and what it means to be a citizen. Students will explore their personal obligation to participate in society, if they have any choice, and if not, what their responsibilities are. We will discuss options for participation in the political process and gain a deeper understanding of local and national government structures.

Code of Conduct:

All Trillium students and staff are accountable for respecting themselves and each other as laid out in the Trillium Constitution. This class is no exception. We may design our own practices specific to this course, but only within the framework of fair action and fair language. Any speech or action that creates an environment in which any member feels unsafe is unacceptable. Students have the right to learn in this space and the responsibility to respect the learning of others. As in any Trillium space, violating the rights and responsibilities of another student or staff member may put the student into the OVRR system.

Assignments and grading policies:

Preparation and Participation: 50%

Quizzes: 15%

Mid term essay 15%

Final project 20%

Preparation and participation will be graded according to the student’s involvement in weekly small group discussions. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. I will accept assignments via email. Late assignments will lose five percent of the possible credit each day the assignment is past the due date, including weekends and holidays. Rework is gladly accepted. Students may re-submit corrected or rewritten assignments in order to receive full credit. The better of the grades is always the one used.

Plagiarism policy:

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s words or other work and pretending they are your own. It is, in effect, stealing and is not tolerated. Papers found to be plagiarized will receive an automatic zero.

Demonstration of learning:

Students will be encouraged to display their work from this course during the end of term ILP Exhibition Day on Friday, November 17^th.