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Law
and Individual Rights
Course
Syllabus
Mr. Krieger
Ipswich
High School
2021-2022
School Year
Course
Overview
In
this course, we
will explore the American legal system and survey rights included in the
Bill of Rights. Using the U.S. Constitution as a foundation, students
will investigate landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases related to subjects found
in the Bill of Rights. Coursework
will emphasize individual rights and the influence laws have on our world
today. Students will gain a
greater understanding of the inner workings of our legal system through a
wide array of activities and lessons. We
will debate Supreme Court decisions, experience mock trial settings, and
discuss the scope and meaning of the Constitution as it affects our daily
lives. Topics for the course
include gun rights/gun control, religion freedoms, questions of free speech,
civil rights, and other matters facing the United States in current times.
The course includes a capstone project, the Government Action Plan
(GAP). We will work
collaboratively to define a problem, propose, build and implement a solution
strategy, and communicate the results to our broader community.
Students may take this course for College Prep. or Honors credit.
Below
are the units for our course:
|
Unit
I
Unit
II
Unit
III
Unit
IV
|
Introduction
to the U.S. Supreme Court & the First Amendment
Equal
Protection Under the Law
Freedom
of the Press
Rights
of Privacy
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Grading
Policy
Your
final grade for this course will be determined based on the following
formula:
|
Coursework
|
85% |
|
Classroom Contribution |
15% |
Assignments
and overall grades will be based on a points system.
Prior to each assignment, you will know the total available points. The grade will be based on the following calculation:
Total Points Earned ÷ Total Possible Points
|
Assignment |
Maximum
Points |
|
Homework |
10 |
|
Current Events |
100 |
|
Reading
Quiz |
15 |
|
Unit
Test |
100 |
|
Unit
Project |
100 |
|
Other
Assignments1 |
Varies |
1For
other assignments, such as in-class work, research in the library, or
special projects, you will be made aware of the possible points when the
assignment begins.
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Homework
& Assignments
Homework
is an important part of this course.
The homework is meant to enhance our work in the classroom.
Completing the homework will help you understand the subject matter
and, hopefully, make it more interesting.
You will be better prepared for class discussions, other assignments,
and tests or quizzes. Likewise,
you will have the opportunity to participate in many activities. These
activities will range from group presentations to individual projects.
I hope that the assignments will be engaging and enable you to demonstrate
your expertise in the field of constitutional law. Successfully completing
and handing-in all of the homework and assignments will improve your grade
for the course.
1.
Homework/assignments are due at the beginning of class or when collected.
2. Late
homework/assignments will not be accepted unless you have an excused
absence.
3. You
are responsible for obtaining homework/assignments if you are absent.
4. You
are responsible for submitting late homework/assignments if you are absent.
5.
Homework will be
evaluated using the following rubric:
|
Points |
Criteria |
|
10 |
Homework shows excellent
effort
and the work is fully completed |
|
5 |
Homework shows acceptable
effort
and the work is mostly completed |
|
0 |
Homework shows minimal effort or is not submitted when due |
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Classroom Contribution -- Sliding Scale
Classroom contribution will be included as part of your quarterly grade.
classroom contribution will represent 15% of the quarterly grade.
The
rubric below outlines the grading criteria:
|
Grade |
Criteria |
|
A+
(100%) |
Truly exceptional leadership and participation in
the classroom by
demonstrating an outstanding work ethic,
complete focus when working independently,
adds significantly to the culture of the class, and willingly goes
beyond to bring material from outside the classroom into discussions
and the learning environment. |
|
A
(95%) |
Excellent
participation in class discussions,
often asks
thought provoking questions, willingly
works with other students during classroom activities,
excellent
attitude, and/or shows extensive
effort towards creating a positive atmosphere in the classroom. |
|
B
(85%) |
Substantial
participation in class discussions,
usually works well with other students
during classroom activities, excellent
attitude, and/or shows substantial
effort towards creating a positive classroom atmosphere. |
|
C
(75%) |
Acceptable
participation in class discussions,
sometimes works well with other
students during classroom activities, and/or
meets some expectations
with attitude and contribution to the classroom environment. |
|
D
(68%) |
Rarely or
never
participates in class discussions,
negative attitude, and/or is
disruptive in
class. |
|
F
(25%) |
Rarely or
never
participates in class discussions, is
disruptive in class, does not engage in
group projects, and/or is not part of the "class environment." |
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Attendance
Attendance and classroom contribution are important
aspects of the course. Participating in class advances your knowledge of
the material and enables other students to learn from you. Class
sessions are also meant to supplement homework and individual research
rather than replace or repeat your readings.
Please refer to the Ipswich High School Student-Parent Handbook
for the attendance policy and the effects absences has on grades.
It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation for any
absences. College visits must receive prior administrative approval to
be considered for a waiver. Please note that voluntary student absences
(vacations, family trips, etc.) will not be considered for appeal and
will count towards a student's total absences for the year. Students are
allowed to make up work missed during their absence; however, it should
be noted that only individually completed work assignments, quizzes, or
tests can be made up. Class participation, collaboration with one’s
peers, and interaction with the teacher, from which much knowledge and
growth occurs, are all important learning activities that are impossible
to make up.
An
important note about field trips
Field
trips are valuable components of a course curriculum. Throughout the
quarter, it may be necessary for you to miss our class session(s) to
attend field trips. Please note that you are responsible for notifying
me AT LEAST TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE OF A FIELD TRIP if you are going to
be absent. Also, if you are working on a group project you are responsible
for notifying your team members that you will be absent.
If
you fail to provide prior notification (AT LEAST TWO SCHOOL DAYS) of
a field trip and are absent for a presentation, group work, or the due
date of an assignment,
you grade will be reduced.
An
important note about family vacations
Family
vacations must be approved PRIOR to your absence. Please be
prepared to provide approval in writing from the main
office. While I will provide assistance, advanced assignments are
not guaranteed. Make-up work must be submitted in accordance with
the policies included in the IHS handbook.
Honors
Contract
Students may take Law and Individual Rights for honors credit by signing
an Honors Contract. Students
who participate in an honors contract should:
-
participate
regularly in class discussions,
-
display
a high level of critical thinking during class discussions,
-
complete
all assignments with an excellent level of quality written and oral
work,
-
demonstrate
the ability to work independently and as a member of team, and,
-
collaborate
with other students to produce work that exceeds expectations.
If you are interested in taking the course for honors credit, please note
the following deadline:
Honors Contracts Due by the start of class
on Friday, September 10.
Once you sign and submit the Honors Contract, you may not drop the Honors
Contract.
Students who do not submit an honors contract by the due date will not be
eligible to take the course for honors credit. The due date is
posted on the Assignments/Topic page.
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