Welcome to A. P. Government and Politics- - affectionately called AP Gov. The Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics class is designed to teach students something about how people behave politically and the design of the American political system. That is, how the system is structured and how it functions as a pluralistic system of various individual and group interests, all promoting their own agendas as to what they claim is important and beneficial to the country
Throughout this course, we will examine and try to evaluate our institutions of government, the individuals who serve in these institutions, the public policies made by these individuals and institutions, and the influences of the electorate on policies. Every day, all of us are affected by dozens of governments and hundreds of governmental agencies. Even sitting in one place, we are within the jurisdiction of national, state, county, municipal and various other single-purpose governments (e.g.-school districts). Simple acts such as chewing gum, buying a hamburger, driving a car or riding in a bus are affected by a myriad of governmental agencies at the national, state and local level. This course serves as an introduction to these governments and to the politics by which they operate. Those successfully completing this course will have a greater appreciation for the Structures of American government and how they operate.
This class is interesting, challenging, enjoyable, educational, and, at times, entertaining. Below are a few important pieces of information that you will need to know for the class this year. Please do not lose this packet of information.
Class Goals
Upon completion of this class student will:
- Ø be prepared to become active participatory citizens of the 21st Century
- Ø have an understanding of the theory and practices of the United States government
- Ø gain and display an understanding of American politics and the processes of government that help shape our public policies
- Ø be prepared for the AP United States Government and Politics test
- Ø posses basic technology skills necessary for submitting tests, papers and assignments electronically
- Ø refine communication skills including writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Guidelines for Success
Take Responsibility
Commit to Learning
Honor Self and Other
Serve and Contribute
Classroom Rules
Above all else, I will enforce the Commodore 4. They are:
*Follow all school rules
In addition, I have the following expectations of you while you are in this class.
- Ø Food and drink shall not be consumed in class.
- Ø Appropriate language must be used at all time. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
- Ø Students will sit with their feet on the ground.
- Ø All students will be given an equal opportunity to speak.
- Ø All students will respect the opinion of the others in the class.
- Ø All students will be in the room when the tardy bell rings.
I follow all school rules and I expect you to do so as well. While I do not expect any behavior problems in a class of juniors and seniors, there are a few classroom expectations that must be mentioned. Of course, if you are found in violation of the school’s skipping policy, closed campus policy, smoking policy, dress code or any other Fayette County Board of Education policies, immediate and appropriate action will be taken.
Grading Policy
This is an academic class and is social studies elective for most. However, if you did not successfully complete Topics in Citizenship, you need to successfully complete this class to graduate. Most of you are in the class because you want to be here and not because you have to be here. As such, every effort will be made to make the class interesting, educational and enjoyable. However, it is still a course with a defined curriculum and will be treated as such. Assignments will be posted on my web site. All assignments are to be turned in on the day they are due. I do not accept late work for unexcused absences. All assignments and activities will be graded. Grades are based on a points earned/points possible total. The grade for the class will be based on the percentages listed below.
50 % - Daily Work - -includes all assignments done in class or as homework
45 % - Assessments (essays, tests, quizzes, projects, practice tests, released questions)
Final Exam - -5%
Fayette County’s Grading Scale applies. (100-92= A 91-83=B 82-74=C 73-65=D 64-0 =F)
A word about integrity - - - it is my expectation that all assignments you submit for a grade this year in this class will be original. That means anything and everything that will be graded is your work and only your work. Any unusual similarities between your paper and the same assignment of another student enrolled in AP Government, will result in neither of you will receiving points for the assignment. Obviously things we do together in class are the exception. Likewise, any time you submit information from an outside source and fail to document where you found the information, you will receive a point deduction from the total assignment point value. More about this later
Five (5) bonus points will be awarded to each student IF every student enrolled in the class is present on the day of a test, quiz or final exam.
You will receive a grade print out approximately every three to four weeks. If you grade is below a "C", I will contact your parents to notify them of the less than satisfactory performance in this class. I sincerely hope this is not necessary. You may also acquire a log in password for Infinite Campus which makes it possible to check your grades from any computer.
Materials
For this class you will need”
Ø a three-ring binder of at least two inches
Ø college-ruled notebook paper
Ø #2 pencils with erasers
Ø blue or black ink pens
Ø Internet access and an email address either at home or at school.
You are expected to bring your materials with you to class every day. If you do not have these materials, please borrow them from a class member or me. The textbook for this class is American Government and Politics Today by Schmidt, Shelly and Bardes. Henceforth, the book will be known as Schmidt. There is no need for you to bring this book with you to class each day but you do need to read it. If you lose the book assigned to you, the cost is $83.25. Please do not lose this book. Books checks will be made throughout the school year.
It is suggested that you avail yourself to several news-oriented broadcasts in order to keep up with current political issues. Most of these have to do with your awareness of the United States government as portrayed in the media. You should watch all, or at least several, of these television programs in order to become aware about the political world around you especially as it references the upcoming election.
The Macneil/Lehrer Newshour (PBS)
Any of the three national, daily evening newscasts
ABC’s "Nightline" (11:30 p.m. weekdays)
"Crossfire" (CNN , weekdays)
"Washington Week in Review" (PBS)
Any of the Sunday morning national news broadcasts, e.g. "Face the Nation"
“Hardball” (MSNBC)
“Inside Politics with Judy Woodruff”
"Meet the Press"
Any of the local government broadcasts.
“The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report” are political satire and should be viewed for entertainment purposes only. Do not rely on these shows for your political news
It is also suggested that you make reading the newspaper and watching local news broadcast part of your daily routine. The term "reading the newspaper" includes more than reading the sports, comics and horoscopes. When possible, reading a national news magazine such as "US News and World Report", "Time" or "Newsweek" is highly recommended. All of these are available on line and may be accessed through my web page.
Tardies, Absences, Hall Passes and Make-Up Work
Tardy
- Ø You will not be admitted to class late without a note from an acceptable source.
- Ø I usually stand by my classroom door during class change. If I see you turning the corner or coming toward the room, you may enter.
- Ø You are expected to be in the room and in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings.
- Ø If you arrive to the classroom late, I will not interrupt what I am doing and I do not expect you to interrupt the class. If you can’t figure out what we are doing, I will get you started at a logical time in the class period without disturbing the instructional flow of the class
- Ø You are expected to be in your seat when the dismissal bell rings. I dismiss the class, not the bell.
Absences
- Ø If you are absent from class, you must provide the attendance clerk with a written absence excuse in order to make up any missed work.
- Ø Late work for unexcused absences will not be accepted
- Ø Be advised that the Fayette county Board of Education is in the process of adopting an attendance policy.
Hall Passes
- Ø All students who wish to leave the room must use the hall pass.
- Ø All students are expected to be in the room the first ten or the last ten minutes of class.
- Ø All students will remain in the room during direct instruction or what I call “my time”
- Ø Only one person will be permitted to leave at a time and you must take the hall pass with you at all times unless you are requested by the administration, law enforcement or the counseling office.
Make-Up Work
- Ø Make-up work will be permitted for excused absences only. Upon returning to school, it is your responsibility to see me about missed work. Usually the week’s assignments will be posted on my web page.
- Ø The school’s adopted make-up work policy is in effect.
- Ø No assignments will be accepted after the makeup days have expired.
- Ø No assignment will be accepted if the absence is unexcused
- Ø You will have ten school days to make up all tests and quizzes. All tests and quizzes must be made up before school after school or during your study hall. Arrangements must be made with me prior to taking the test.
- Ø Tests will not be administered after the ten days has expired.
- Ø If you are absent from class for a project presentation or project/paper turn in date the has been announced in advance, I expect you to HAVE IT DELIVERED BY ANOTHER STUDENT OR EMAIL IT TO ME ON THE DUE DAY TURN IT IN TO ME ON YOUR FIRST DAY BACK AT SCHOOL.
- Ø I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK.
My schedule for the 2008-2009 school year is:
- A Day B Day
- A1- A.P. Government B1- A. P. Government
- A2- US History B2- A. P. Government
- A3- IB History of the Americas 2 B3- US History
- A4-Planning B4-Planning
Please feel free to contact me when necessary. The school’s phone number is 381-3620. My extension is 1406. My home phone number is 278-2243. A call after 7:00 p.m. is usually the best time to reach me. Email addresses and web page address are listed at the top of the page. Email is the best way to get in touch with me.
Let’s have a great year.