Basic Class Rules:

The basic class rules, which must be signed by each student and their parent or guardian can be found here as an html file.  Other rules are generated by students themselves, subject to existing rules, laws, and codes.  Each class will determine its own rules, above and beyond the basic rules.  See the Class Rules Group Project for more details.

Class Rules Q & A:

Q: What are the rules for this class?  How are they determined?

There are certain ground rules I have established for the class.  I require that every student read and sign their assent to these rules.  They can be downloaded as either a Word Document or an html file.

The remainder of the rules in this class will be determined by the students themselves. Early in the semester we will have a series of rule-making sessions in which we will craft classroom rules and policies.  These rules will be subject to a 2/3 vote by the class for approval.  I, the teacher, can either veto or approve the rules.  If I veto a rule, the class may override the veto, but it will take a full 100% of the class vote.  A full explanation of the process can be viewed at this link here.

Q: So what kind of class government is this? Is it a democracy? 

No.

A true democracy is one in which every citizen has an equal say in the crafting of rules, laws, court decisions, and executive actions.  Historically, ancient Athens is perhaps the best large-scale example of a true democracy we have.  I, as your teacher, have not been democratically elected by you.  I have been appointed by the school administration.  That's not democratic.  Furthermore I have set ground rules (like respect for others - e.g. no fighting, racial slurs, etc.) which cannot be repealed by the class, even with a full 100% approval.

Q: Okay, so this class is  not a democracy.  What is it?

It's a benevolent dictatorship.  A dictatorship vests all power and decision-making in one person who has power (usually through seizure of power by military force) to make rules and laws, determine legal judgements, and carry out the duties of governing (executive power).  A benevolent dictatorship is one in which (theoretically) the dictator is motivated by providing that which is best for the people.  As your class dictator, I hope the class serves your educational interests (learning about government) far more than it serves my bloodthirsty power-hungry quest for total control and slavish worship of my sycophantic minions (that's what my freshman classes are for).

Q: So, if you can just go ahead and do anything you want, why put us through this charade of making our own laws and rules?

Two reasons:

(1) it produces a healthier classroom environment, and that generates a better learning environment.  You are (almost) all seniors, 17 or 18 years old and are soon to be viewed fully as adults in the larger society.  You are capable of making decisions to control your own careers, family decisions, and destinies.  Putting you in charge of your own decision-making empowers you and respects the fact that you will be regarded fully as adults in society.  When you have a significant say in what happens in the classroom environment, you are more likely to learn the material better.

(2) it's a good (simplified) way to see how the legislative process works.  And that's part of the material we will be learning.  So, turn it to your advantage as best you can!

Q: So we can pass any laws we want?  We can legalize pot and pass rules allowing us to bring guns to class?

You can try to pass such laws.  I'd veto both of those particular examples.  Let's say you overrode my veto.  Above classroom law are school rules, above that, district policies, higher up, state law, and even higher, federal law.  Either of those laws mentioned would be nullified by any of those higher level laws. 

Q: So we can't change a thing?

Wrong!  You CAN change things.  This can be done in three ways.  You can pass illegal laws, you can pass legislation filling in gaps (where no laws have gone before), and you can find laws which support your laws (in the greater body of law above you).  People pass illegal laws all the time.  Those laws stand until they are challenged.  You can do the same.  Or you can find an area of the law which you can exploit to your own advantage, where no previous laws have covered it, and write your own laws.  Lastly you can find laws which protect your rights - higher laws - and if your rights are violated, you can call upon those laws to achieve your goals.  This isn't just the way it works for the class, it's the way it works in real life.

Good luck on your legislation!