Welcome to Civics: Mr. HarcarufkaMr. Harcarufka

Course Description: This course explores rights and responsibilities associated with being an active citizen in a democratic society. Students will explore issues of civic importance such as healthy schools, community planning, environmental responsibility, and the influence of social media, while developing their understanding of the role of civic engagement and of political processes in the local, national, and/or global community. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate, and express informed opinions about, a range of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today's world and of personal interest to them. This course explores rights and responsibilities associated with being an active citizen in a democratic society. Students will explore issues of civic importance such as healthy schools, community planning, environmental responsibility, and the influence of social media, while developing their understanding of the role of civic engagement and of political processes in the local, national, and/or global community. Students will apply the concepts of political thinking and the political inquiry process to investigate, and express informed opinions about, a range of political issues and developments that are both of significance in today's world and of personal interest to them.

What is Civics? Civics: The study of how public decisions are made, of issues that are important to the public, and of the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Values: Beliefs about what is most important or valuable in life. Civil Society: Voluntary organizations of citizens that work to make a difference on important public issues.

Course Outline: Unit #1 – The Good Citizen – (Beliefs and Values underlying Democratic Citizenship). Ex: Rights, Basic Principles of a Democracy. How Can you be a “Good Citizen”? Unit #1 – The Good Citizen – (Beliefs and Values underlying Democratic Citizenship). Ex: Rights, Basic Principles of a Democracy. How Can you be a “Good Citizen”? Unit #2 – The Informed Citizen – (Government Structure and Processes of Decision Making). Ex: Electing Representatives, Balance of Power in Government, How Laws are made and enforced. How can you be an “Informed Citizen”? Unit #2 – The Informed Citizen – (Government Structure and Processes of Decision Making). Ex: Electing Representatives, Balance of Power in Government, How Laws are made and enforced. How can you be an “Informed Citizen”?

Course Outline: Unit #3 – Active Citizen – (Citizen Participation and Community Involvement, Inquiry and Research Skills). Ex: How Citizens create Change in Society. Political Participation. How Can you be an “Active Citizen”? Unit #3 – Active Citizen – (Citizen Participation and Community Involvement, Inquiry and Research Skills). Ex: How Citizens create Change in Society. Political Participation. How Can you be an “Active Citizen”? Unit #4 – Global Citizen – (Understanding how the World is becoming Interconnected. Rights and Responsibilities of a Global Citizen). Ex: Act Locally to Impact Globally. Basic Human Rights. How can you be a “Global Citizen”? Unit #4 – Global Citizen – (Understanding how the World is becoming Interconnected. Rights and Responsibilities of a Global Citizen). Ex: Act Locally to Impact Globally. Basic Human Rights. How can you be a “Global Citizen”?

Course Breakdown: Final Summative (30%): Final Summative (30%): Final Exam 15% Final Exam 15% Current Events 15% Current Events 15% Course Work (70%): Course Work (70%): Includes 4 Unit tests and all assignments. Includes 4 Unit tests and all assignments. 25% Think 25% Think 25% Communication 25% Communication 25% Application 25% Application 25% Knowledge 25% Knowledge

Class Expectations: Tests: Tests: Tests will be given at the end of each Unit. If a test is missed due to illness or some other excused absence, it will be made up on the first day back to school (the only exception is in the case of some extended absence.) Tests will be given at the end of each Unit. If a test is missed due to illness or some other excused absence, it will be made up on the first day back to school (the only exception is in the case of some extended absence.) Assignments: Assignments: Assignments will be handed in the day they are due. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each subsequent late day. Late assignments will be accepted for up to five days. Assignments will be handed in the day they are due. Late assignments will be penalized 10% for each subsequent late day. Late assignments will be accepted for up to five days.

Class Expectations: Attendance: Attendance: Although attendance will not be counted into the students’ final marks, it is imperative that they attend each and every class. This is only a forty-day class and the information will come at a high speed. The class will also be doing on-going projects which will require them to have all of the necessary background knowledge and understanding. Although attendance will not be counted into the students’ final marks, it is imperative that they attend each and every class. This is only a forty-day class and the information will come at a high speed. The class will also be doing on-going projects which will require them to have all of the necessary background knowledge and understanding. Discipline: Discipline: As, at least, second-year students at RSS, all of the students should be informed of all student policies and procedures. This includes dress codes, attendance, and behavior policies. All of which will be followed in Mr. H’s classroom. Those who choose not to follow the school policies, as well as Mr. H’s classroom policies (see back of room), will be the Wrath of Mr. H. As, at least, second-year students at RSS, all of the students should be informed of all student policies and procedures. This includes dress codes, attendance, and behavior policies. All of which will be followed in Mr. H’s classroom. Those who choose not to follow the school policies, as well as Mr. H’s classroom policies (see back of room), will be the Wrath of Mr. H.

Class Expectations: Responsibilities: Responsibilities: All students are responsible for getting missed notes and information from their classmates if they are absent. I expect each student to come to class prepared. This means brining writing utensils, notebook, and textbook to class every day. If these simple rituals prove to be a problem, the offending students will again meet the wrath of Mr. H. All students are responsible for getting missed notes and information from their classmates if they are absent. I expect each student to come to class prepared. This means brining writing utensils, notebook, and textbook to class every day. If these simple rituals prove to be a problem, the offending students will again meet the wrath of Mr. H.

The Wrath of Mr. H: Brazen Bull The Rack Chair of Torture Thumb Screw Judas Craddle The Picquet