AP Government Syllabus
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
Comprehend the basic workings of our governmental system; this will include coverage of the development and structure of the American system. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills in order to analyze problems and issues in government, as well as developing an understanding of the diverse complexities which make up what on the surface appears to be a simple decision. This course will be taught on an entry collegiate level, this means that the ability to reason will be key to your success in this class. There will be a variety of readings which you will be expected to not only read but intelligently discuss. Since one of the key gauges of your success in this class will be the AP Exam, much effort will be expended on both our parts in preparing you for this exam.
TEXTBOOKS:
Wilson & Dilulio; American Government ; Houghton Mifflin Company 2005
OFFICE HOURS (Jones):
Room 208 Make appointment for any assistance.
MATERIALS:
Come prepared everyday to take notes, in addition to the textbook articles will be assigned from an additional reader, as well as numerous other outside sources.
GRADING:
All grades will be based on a point system. Assignments are given a specific point value based on the difficulty and/or length of the task. All grades will be calculated as a percentage based on the number of points earned versus the total number of points possible. Different tasks and their general values include:
1. Chapter and/or Unit Tests approximately 60%
2. Homework, (pop) quizzes, daily work, essays, presentations approximately 25%
3. Final Exam (cumulative) 15%
MAKE UP POLICY: .
According to the handbook you MUST make-up any work from an EXCUSED absence within the same number of days as was missed. (Example, if you miss two days with an excused absence, you would have two days from your date of return to make up missed work.) It is YOUR responsibility to contact the teacher and request what needs to be made up. Quizzes are not made up and count neither for or against you. If you do not have an excused absence then the work will be considered late; you will lose 20% for each day your assignment is late, (example; if you turn homework in one day late, the most credit you can receive is 80%, if it is turned in two days late the most credit you will receive is 60%, and after three days the most credit you will receive is 40%.) otherwise, you will receive a zero for that days assignments!
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT IF OUR CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT IS GOING TO BE ENJOYABLE AND PRODUCTIVE THIS SEMESTER.
Comprehend the basic workings of our governmental system; this will include coverage of the development and structure of the American system. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills in order to analyze problems and issues in government, as well as developing an understanding of the diverse complexities which make up what on the surface appears to be a simple decision. This course will be taught on an entry collegiate level, this means that the ability to reason will be key to your success in this class. There will be a variety of readings which you will be expected to not only read but intelligently discuss. Since one of the key gauges of your success in this class will be the AP Exam, much effort will be expended on both our parts in preparing you for this exam.
TEXTBOOKS:
Wilson & Dilulio; American Government ; Houghton Mifflin Company 2005
OFFICE HOURS (Jones):
Room 208 Make appointment for any assistance.
MATERIALS:
Come prepared everyday to take notes, in addition to the textbook articles will be assigned from an additional reader, as well as numerous other outside sources.
GRADING:
All grades will be based on a point system. Assignments are given a specific point value based on the difficulty and/or length of the task. All grades will be calculated as a percentage based on the number of points earned versus the total number of points possible. Different tasks and their general values include:
1. Chapter and/or Unit Tests approximately 60%
2. Homework, (pop) quizzes, daily work, essays, presentations approximately 25%
3. Final Exam (cumulative) 15%
MAKE UP POLICY: .
According to the handbook you MUST make-up any work from an EXCUSED absence within the same number of days as was missed. (Example, if you miss two days with an excused absence, you would have two days from your date of return to make up missed work.) It is YOUR responsibility to contact the teacher and request what needs to be made up. Quizzes are not made up and count neither for or against you. If you do not have an excused absence then the work will be considered late; you will lose 20% for each day your assignment is late, (example; if you turn homework in one day late, the most credit you can receive is 80%, if it is turned in two days late the most credit you will receive is 60%, and after three days the most credit you will receive is 40%.) otherwise, you will receive a zero for that days assignments!
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT IF OUR CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT IS GOING TO BE ENJOYABLE AND PRODUCTIVE THIS SEMESTER.
- BE ON TIME AND BE PREPARED FOR CLASS EVERYDAY. THE TEACHER WILL DISMISS YOU FROM CLASS, NOT THE BELL. (LEAVE THE ROOM AS YOU FOUND IT !)
- WE WILL DISCUSS A VARIETY OF "CONTROVERSIAL" TOPICS. YOUR RESPECT FOR YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS IS EXPECTED! THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH THIS TYPE OF DISCUSSION CAN FUNCTION IS IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF RESPECT.
- RESPECT FOR YOUR CLASSMATES, TEACHER, AND SCHOOL IS A MUST! YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES OF THE "STUDENT HANDBOOK."