2023-2024 U.S. Government/ Economics Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Houze
Morse phone number: (619) 510-4700 (my ext. is: 2214)
Email: [email protected] (This is the best way to contact me)
My Website (to see homework & test dates): http://mrhouze.weebly.com
Also we will be using Canvas to turn in certain assignments
Morse Website: https://morse.sandiegounified.org/
Grades Online: https://powerschool.sandi.net/public (this can also be accessed on Morse’s website on the left-hand side “Shortcuts” under the name “Parent Portal”) Parents/guardians who do not yet have a username and password must go to the school office with identification to receive access to this website. Parents/guardians with multiple children in the district may have access to all of their students with one account.
Parents and Guardians: Please do not call or text your student on their cell phone during class time. If you have an emergency and MUST talk to your student during class time, please call the school number and our office will alert your student immediately. Thank you.
***Note on planning Family Vacations: Final Exams for Quarter 1 are October 19-20, 2023. Quarter 2 are January 18-19, 2024. Quarter 3 are March 28-29, 2024. Quarter 4 are June 5-6, 2024. (June 6 is the last day of school). These dates, and the week before finals, are very important dates that students need to be in school. Please mark these dates on your calendar if you are considering a family trip during the school year.
***Also, since we are now on a quarter system, students who take long family vacations will result in a negative effect on their grades. Per the student handbook: “Morse High School will NOT approve Independent Study Contracts for 15 school days or more. Only contracts between 3-14 school days will be considered.” So, after 14 school days missed on a vacation, students will NOT be able to make up work or tests they missed for days #15 and beyond.
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
Welcome to 12th Grade U.S. Government/Economics. I am happy to be teaching here at Morse, and I look forward to getting to know you and working with you this year. I am excited about the opportunity to do the most I can in helping my students excel in high school and accomplish their academic goals. I am a native San Diegan and a graduate of Helix High School. It was in high school that I conceived of my desire to become a teacher. I attended the University of San Diego and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in History. History, learning, and teaching are my passions, and my goal is to pass on to my students my passion for history and learning about the world around us. Also, I can speak well in Spanish, and can communicate with you in Spanish if necessary.
Again, I look forward to getting to know you (both students and parents/guardians), and please feel free to contact me and discuss any concerns about grades, behavior, the class, or curriculum. I know we are going to make this a great year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Houze
Major Topics of the courses broken down by California Standards:
U.S Government Economics
1. Principles of democracy in the Constitution 1. Common economic terms and concepts
& other U.S. documents 2. America's market economy in a global setting
2. Rights and obligations as democratic citizens 3. Influence of the federal govt. on the U.S. economy
3. Fundamental values & principles of civil society 4. Elements of the U.S. labor market in a global setting
4. The three branches of government 5. The aggregate economic behavior of the U.S. economy
5. Landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases 6. Issues of international trade
6. Political campaigns
7. The powers and procedures at each level of govt.
8. The influence of the media on American political life
9. Different political systems in history
10. Analyses of tensions within our constitutional democracy
Recommended Classroom Materials: A divider in your binder for history, plenty of lined paper, your planner, a personal sharpener, a highlighter, and 3 to 4 pencils and ballpoint pens to be brought to class daily.
Text: United States Government: Democracy in Action and Economics: Principles in Action
A fine from the librarian for the cost of the book will be charged for lost textbooks.
Grading Policies: Students will receive a scholastic letter grade based on the following percentages:
*Also, if a student has less than a 70% grade they may not be granted permission to go on field trips.
*Students with IEPs or 504s please see the teacher privately to discuss your accommodations.
History Department Retake and Revision Policy for Assignments:
If an assignment does not meet standards, students will have until the end of the unit to resubmit work for a higher grade. As per district policy, which assignments qualify for resubmission is up to individual teachers. Individual teachers will also determine the number of resubmissions allowed per assignment.
For Assessments:
After a student submits an assessment and receives a grade of D or lower (on essays, MC test, projects), the student will have up to ONE week from the date of the assessment was returned/score given to revise the assessment and resubmit it for a higher grade. One revision per assessment.
Academic Honesty:
Each student must do their own work. The following is considered cheating: Copying or allowing someone else to copy work for any class, looking at someone else’s work during a test, plagiarism.
Attendance Policies:
Citizenship Grade: Students must maintain not only a 2.0 GPA to play sports and to be involved in certain school activities, but they must also maintain a 2.0 Citizenship Grade Point Average.
MORSE HIGH SCHOOL’S EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Students are expected to…
1. Arrive to each class period on time
2. Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the property of others
3. Engage in productive work
4. Maintain a safe and clean environment
Respectful Behavior Respectful behavior is my first expectation. Disrespect in any form will not be tolerated. No profanity, inappropriate or rude comments, throwing, tagging or damaging property
Prohibited Items: Electronics (incl. head phones), hats, head gear, food, gum, make-up, sunglasses
NO photography, video, or voice recording is permitted in the classroom at any time.
Restroom Policy:
Tutoring: After school by appointment or walk-in. Most days I am available after school.
Morse’s Electronic Devices Policy:
The usage of electronic devices in the classroom is a distraction. These devices divert students’ attention, making it difficult for them to focus and learn.
Unless specifically permitted by a staff member, electronic devices (i.e. cell phone, earbuds, and headphones) are not allowed to be used in classrooms during instructional time. Students may use their electronic devices before school, during passing periods, nutrition break, and lunch.
During the class period, students must keep their electronic devices in their backpacks, bags, or another location, away from their desks, unless a teacher specifically requests students use them.
All students are expected to follow Morse’s Electronic Devices Policy. The following will take place for violations. 1st offense: student will receive a verbal warning and be reminded of the policy. 2nd offense: student’s device will be confiscated by the teacher and returned at the end of the period. Parents will be contacted. 3rd offense: the student’s device will be confiscated and given to an administrator. 4th offense and beyond: the student’s device will be confiscated and given to an administrator and the student’s parent/guardian will have to retrieve the device from the administrator. Repeated violations will result in more severe consequences.
Traits of a Morse Graduate:
Lifelong Learner Service Oriented Future Ready
Proactive Leader Effective Communicator
Instructor: Mr. Houze
Morse phone number: (619) 510-4700 (my ext. is: 2214)
Email: [email protected] (This is the best way to contact me)
My Website (to see homework & test dates): http://mrhouze.weebly.com
Also we will be using Canvas to turn in certain assignments
Morse Website: https://morse.sandiegounified.org/
Grades Online: https://powerschool.sandi.net/public (this can also be accessed on Morse’s website on the left-hand side “Shortcuts” under the name “Parent Portal”) Parents/guardians who do not yet have a username and password must go to the school office with identification to receive access to this website. Parents/guardians with multiple children in the district may have access to all of their students with one account.
Parents and Guardians: Please do not call or text your student on their cell phone during class time. If you have an emergency and MUST talk to your student during class time, please call the school number and our office will alert your student immediately. Thank you.
***Note on planning Family Vacations: Final Exams for Quarter 1 are October 19-20, 2023. Quarter 2 are January 18-19, 2024. Quarter 3 are March 28-29, 2024. Quarter 4 are June 5-6, 2024. (June 6 is the last day of school). These dates, and the week before finals, are very important dates that students need to be in school. Please mark these dates on your calendar if you are considering a family trip during the school year.
***Also, since we are now on a quarter system, students who take long family vacations will result in a negative effect on their grades. Per the student handbook: “Morse High School will NOT approve Independent Study Contracts for 15 school days or more. Only contracts between 3-14 school days will be considered.” So, after 14 school days missed on a vacation, students will NOT be able to make up work or tests they missed for days #15 and beyond.
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
Welcome to 12th Grade U.S. Government/Economics. I am happy to be teaching here at Morse, and I look forward to getting to know you and working with you this year. I am excited about the opportunity to do the most I can in helping my students excel in high school and accomplish their academic goals. I am a native San Diegan and a graduate of Helix High School. It was in high school that I conceived of my desire to become a teacher. I attended the University of San Diego and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in History. History, learning, and teaching are my passions, and my goal is to pass on to my students my passion for history and learning about the world around us. Also, I can speak well in Spanish, and can communicate with you in Spanish if necessary.
Again, I look forward to getting to know you (both students and parents/guardians), and please feel free to contact me and discuss any concerns about grades, behavior, the class, or curriculum. I know we are going to make this a great year.
Sincerely,
Mr. Houze
Major Topics of the courses broken down by California Standards:
U.S Government Economics
1. Principles of democracy in the Constitution 1. Common economic terms and concepts
& other U.S. documents 2. America's market economy in a global setting
2. Rights and obligations as democratic citizens 3. Influence of the federal govt. on the U.S. economy
3. Fundamental values & principles of civil society 4. Elements of the U.S. labor market in a global setting
4. The three branches of government 5. The aggregate economic behavior of the U.S. economy
5. Landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases 6. Issues of international trade
6. Political campaigns
7. The powers and procedures at each level of govt.
8. The influence of the media on American political life
9. Different political systems in history
10. Analyses of tensions within our constitutional democracy
Recommended Classroom Materials: A divider in your binder for history, plenty of lined paper, your planner, a personal sharpener, a highlighter, and 3 to 4 pencils and ballpoint pens to be brought to class daily.
Text: United States Government: Democracy in Action and Economics: Principles in Action
A fine from the librarian for the cost of the book will be charged for lost textbooks.
Grading Policies: Students will receive a scholastic letter grade based on the following percentages:
- Grade Scale: A: 90-100% B: 80-89.9% C: 70-79.9% D: 60-69.9% F: 0-59.9%
*Also, if a student has less than a 70% grade they may not be granted permission to go on field trips.
*Students with IEPs or 504s please see the teacher privately to discuss your accommodations.
- Posting of Grades: Grades will be posted on a regular basis and will be available online to both parents and students (Parent Portal). In addition, students and parents will receive periodic grade updates via grade print outs, phone, email, mailings, or parent conferences.
- Assessment Retake Policy (if earned a low score & want to improve score):
- May be retaken (in a different format) after school and may only be improved to a
- Assessment Make up Policy (if absent on day of test):
- If an excused absence occurs on the day of an assessment, the student must take the test the first day they come back to school. If excessive excused absences on test days occur, the student will no longer be able to make up tests.
- If an unexcused absence occurs on the day of an assessment, the student must take the test the first day they come back to school, but the test will not count until the absence is excused.
History Department Retake and Revision Policy for Assignments:
If an assignment does not meet standards, students will have until the end of the unit to resubmit work for a higher grade. As per district policy, which assignments qualify for resubmission is up to individual teachers. Individual teachers will also determine the number of resubmissions allowed per assignment.
For Assessments:
After a student submits an assessment and receives a grade of D or lower (on essays, MC test, projects), the student will have up to ONE week from the date of the assessment was returned/score given to revise the assessment and resubmit it for a higher grade. One revision per assessment.
Academic Honesty:
Each student must do their own work. The following is considered cheating: Copying or allowing someone else to copy work for any class, looking at someone else’s work during a test, plagiarism.
- Anyone caught cheating will face severe consequences.
- 1st offense –will result in a “U” in the Citizenship and an F for the six week progress report.
- 2nd time- will result in an “F” on semester Report card and a “U” in citizenship
Attendance Policies:
- If you are absent for any reason, please email me. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what assignments were missed when you are absent.
- School-wide Tardy Policy: Upon 3rd tardy in a 6 week progress report, citizenship will be lowered a grade. Each additional tardy will lower your citizenship by a grade.
- You are considered tardy if you are not in the room ready to work when the bell rings.
- Citizenship grades are reset at the start of a new progress report.
- Tardiness will also affect how many daily class work points can be earned.
Citizenship Grade: Students must maintain not only a 2.0 GPA to play sports and to be involved in certain school activities, but they must also maintain a 2.0 Citizenship Grade Point Average.
MORSE HIGH SCHOOL’S EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Students are expected to…
1. Arrive to each class period on time
2. Respect yourself, respect others, and respect the property of others
3. Engage in productive work
4. Maintain a safe and clean environment
Respectful Behavior Respectful behavior is my first expectation. Disrespect in any form will not be tolerated. No profanity, inappropriate or rude comments, throwing, tagging or damaging property
Prohibited Items: Electronics (incl. head phones), hats, head gear, food, gum, make-up, sunglasses
NO photography, video, or voice recording is permitted in the classroom at any time.
Restroom Policy:
- Please use breaks and lunch time to use the restroom
- Students should not abuse restroom passes
- For students with medical issues, please notify me or have the nurse or parent/guardian notify me.
- No restroom passes during the first or last 10 minutes of class, unless it is an emergency
Tutoring: After school by appointment or walk-in. Most days I am available after school.
Morse’s Electronic Devices Policy:
The usage of electronic devices in the classroom is a distraction. These devices divert students’ attention, making it difficult for them to focus and learn.
Unless specifically permitted by a staff member, electronic devices (i.e. cell phone, earbuds, and headphones) are not allowed to be used in classrooms during instructional time. Students may use their electronic devices before school, during passing periods, nutrition break, and lunch.
During the class period, students must keep their electronic devices in their backpacks, bags, or another location, away from their desks, unless a teacher specifically requests students use them.
All students are expected to follow Morse’s Electronic Devices Policy. The following will take place for violations. 1st offense: student will receive a verbal warning and be reminded of the policy. 2nd offense: student’s device will be confiscated by the teacher and returned at the end of the period. Parents will be contacted. 3rd offense: the student’s device will be confiscated and given to an administrator. 4th offense and beyond: the student’s device will be confiscated and given to an administrator and the student’s parent/guardian will have to retrieve the device from the administrator. Repeated violations will result in more severe consequences.
Traits of a Morse Graduate:
Lifelong Learner Service Oriented Future Ready
Proactive Leader Effective Communicator