Course Syllabus

Civic Literacy Honors

Mr. Kevin Henehan ("Mr. H")

kevinhenehan@fcschools.net

Room # 708
919-494-2332  ext. 266
Tutoring and test help available by request

 

Civics Course Guide for This Week

FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS: Are you committing these common logic errors?

FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS: How did it go? Anonymous Feedback Form

 

Why do I teach this class the way that I do?

Please watch this intro video to help you take good notes!

 

Civic Literacy Honors is a course that will teach students the skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible and effective citizens in an interdependent world.

UNIT 1. Citizenship. What does it mean to be an American?

UNIT 2. The Three Branches. What does government actually do, and who does it?

UNIT 3. Political Philosophy. What are the big ideas that go into America?

UNIT 4. Revolution. When is it okay to overthrow a government?

Interlude: ALTERNATE HISTORY PROJECT. Should the Revolution have happened differently?

UNIT 5. Constitution. How does the Constitution protect you from power?

Interlude: FASCISM. What happens when your rights are taken away?

UNIT 6. Elections. How do we pick our leaders?

Interlude: MOCK ELECTION PROJECT. Do you have what it takes to be President?

UNIT 7. Economics. What is "the economy" and how does it work for us?

 

Materials Required Every Day (PLEASE READ)

1. Notebook with a pocket (or binder with loose leaf paper), pencil or pen. Most days, we will take notes by hand ONLY.

2. Charged Chromebook or other Internet-capable device that can stream content.  ALL STUDENTS MUST OBTAIN A CHROMEBOOK REGARDLESS OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. I will not print out materials or give other special treatment to a student who has refused to obtain or retain a Chromebook.

3. Periodically, students may lose access to their Chromebooks because of password resets, paperwork deadlines, or device fees. Staying on top of these situations is YOUR responsibility. I am not tech support! If you have student device or account questions, email FCStechhelp@fcschools.net.

 

Classroom Expectations:

1. Phones, headphones, earbuds, and handheld games are not allowed in my class.
2. Be seated and ready for class (with all necessary materials) when the bell rings.
3. Remain seated for the duration unless directed.
4. Do not talk or interrupt during the lesson.
5. You may talk quietly during group time or work time.
6. No cursing in my class. Cursing includes use of the n-word. While I understand there is a cultural context for the use of that term within the Black community, I prefer not to hear it in my classroom.
7. No discussions about unsavory topics in my class. Any talk about sexual relationships, drug use, or fighting (including sharing fight videos) will be redirected. In addition, I will record any names dropped or other identifying information and immediately notify administration. This is also the case for anything else I overhear or oversee. You should not have an expectation of privacy in my classroom.
8. Bathroom passes must be used for every bathroom break. The students should take a pass from the pile of pre-printed passes on the back table. Bathroom passes are good for the nearby 700 hall bathroom only. Spending excessive time in the bathroom will be written up as skipping class.
9. Other passes for any reason require special permission from me. Being caught without such a note outside my classroom will result in being written up as out-of-place. Spending excessive time outside the classroom will be written up as skipping class.
10. Treat a substitute the same way you would treat me.

The class and I will also come up with additional rules collaboratively via discussion in the first week, and post them in the classroom.

 

Consequences for Infractions (in order of severity):

1. Verbal warning(s)
2. The student will be asked to step outside and wait by the door until they cool down.
3. An Assistant Principal will be called to deal with the student. 
4. If the behavior is part of a pattern, the student may be written up for that behavior. This is an administrative action that triggers an additional automatic response from one of the Assistant Principals. This could include parent contact, parent-teacher conferences, multiple days in ISS, OSS (suspension), or other actions.

 

Grading:
This course consists of two 9-week grading periods. The final grade is based on the two 9-week scores (40 percent each) and the final exam (20 percent). Nine-week averages are calculated based on student assignments, quizzes and tests. Classwork and homework are assessed at a weight of 20%, quizzes 30% and tests are 50%. The final exam is teacher-made and accounts for 20% of the final grade. Exemptions from the final exam are based on a combination of good grades and regular attendance.

​Grade Scale:                 Exam Exemption:
90-100 – A                     up to 4 absences
80-89 – B                      up to 3 absences
70-79 – C                       up to 2 absences
60-69 – D                      up to 1 absence
Below 60 – F                 no exemption available

 

Attendance:

The School Tardy Policy will be STRICTLY enforced. In practice, this means that the classroom door will close as soon as the bell rings. If you arrive after that, please knock SOFTLY to be let in to class and record your name on the sheet on the back of the door.

If you are absent on a normal day, YOU are responsible for the lesson and the assignment. Check Canvas every day!

If you are absent on test day, email me to tell me when you can make up the test (see below).

   

Missing and Late Work:

All assignments must be completed on time! Year after year, failure to complete daily assignments on time is the most common reason for doing badly in this course.

CLASSWORK grades that are not received on the due date will be marked in PowerSchool with a "0," a "Late" tag, and a "Missing" tag. CLASSWORK grades may be submitted up to two days after the due date without penalty, but the "Late" tag will remain. On the third day and later, the assignment will be graded as half points, and the "Late" tag will remain. CLASSWORK assignments for a given unit will remain open on Canvas until the end of that unit. After that, they will be permanently closed.

If a student is absent on the day of a QUIZ or a TEST grade, a "0" will be entered in PowerSchool with a "Missing" tag and a "Late" tag. Yes, I will enter a "0" for your test or quiz even if you are absent that day. This is your reminder to take it when you get back. Students are expected to contact me in order to make up missed tests in person. When the test has been received, the proper grade will be entered in PowerSchool and the "Missing" and "Late" tags will be removed. QUIZ and TEST grades will not be subject to late penalties. QUIZ grades will remain open on Canvas until the last day of the semester and may be completed at any time.

Please note that this late work policy is already more generous than the policy suggested in the Academic Contract used by Franklin County Schools when a student is at risk of failure.

 

A Word About Missing Work:

This course is presented on Canvas like an online course at a community college. The notes for every lesson plus all associated activities and assignments are posted and available to all students on Canvas beginning at 12:01 AM of that day. This means students are able to review each day's notes and complete each day's work even if they are not physically present in class that day. I will not chase down students and bug them to complete missing work. It is always available.

Younger students often have trouble with this level of responsibility, so make sure you are checking Canvas every day even if you are absent, suspended, quarantined, or otherwise not in class for any reason.

This is an Honors course. Students are expected to perform and complete assignments at an Honors level.

 

Plagiarism: 

Younger students may be unaware of how serious an offense it is to plagiarize an assignment. Plagiarism occurs when you steal someone else's words and submit them as your own, or when a program completes an assignment for you. The most common way students do this is by copy/pasting an answer from somewhere online instead of producing an original answer in their own words, or using a program designed to write essays. Any classwork assignment, quiz, or test which contains 1 or more answers that have been copy/pasted from anywhere (including my own lecture notes) or produced with a program, will be marked in PowerSchool with a "0" and a blue "Incomplete" tag. Such assignments may be re-submitted with original language for an appropriate grade, upon which the blue "Incomplete" tag will be removed.

 

Proofreading:

Students are expected to proofread all their work for spelling, grammar and usage errors. 100's will be awarded ONLY to assignments free of all such errors. 

 

Class Discussions:

Honors Civics will have regular class discussions. These are meant to be wide-ranging and free. The students will be graded on preparation: the prep work (notes, research, etc.) for each discussion will be graded as a QUIZ.

Rules for Class Discussions:

1. Question ideas, not people. Unlike adult politicians and activists, no one here has an ulterior motive for what they say.
2. Respect personal experiences. A belief or opinion drawn from someone’s own life story or a real personal experience should be handled gently. You can disagree, but don’t invalidate.
3. Check your privilege. We come from diverse backgrounds. Be aware that not everyone experiences a given situation like you do.
4. Don’t troll. Let everyone feel safe in giving their opinion. Think about what you say. Don’t say things just to get a laugh or make someone angry.

 

Look at the top of this page. You should see the following:

"FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS: Are you committing one of these common logic errors?

FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS: How did it go? Anonymous Feedback Form"

The first link provides some helpful suggestions relevant to political discussions. The second link allows you to complete an anonymous Google Form telling me how well I moderated the discussion and succeeded in handling everyone's viewpoints. Please give me honest feedback after every discussion.

 

Contact Information:
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
By phone: 919-494-2332  ext. 266
By email (preferred): kevinhenehan@fcschools.net

Tutoring, Extra Help, and Office Hours:
I am available for tutoring, extra help, or other needs by request. I generally stay late each day, so after school is the best time for this.