AP GOVERNMENT Syllabus
James Clemens High School Teacher: Ms. Brandi Harper "[click to insert name]" 11306 County Line Road Madison, AL 35756 Email: [email protected] "[click to add name]" @madisoncity.k12.al.us
Phone: 256-261-5313 ext. 95138 256-261-5313 ext. "[click to add ext.]"
I. Course AP United States Government and Politics is an intensive study of the Description: formal and informal structures of government and the processes of the American political system. It is heavily content-oriented and aims to further skill development through a rigorous course of study. Challenging assignments involving student reading, analysis, syntheses, and writing are given.
II. Course This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Exam. The course is Objectives: designed for the highly motivated student who wishes to earn college credit in government.
III. Classroom Be respectful. Expectations: Be prepared. Be responsible.
Accommodations: Requests for accommodations for this course or any school event are welcomed from students and parents.
Concerning laptop utilization: 1. Student laptops should not be hard wired to the network or have print capabilities. 2. Use of discs, flash drives, jump drives, or other USB devices will not be allowed on Madison City computers. 3. Neither the teacher, nor the school is responsible for broken, stolen, or lost laptops. 4. Laptops and other electronic devices will be used at the individual discretion of the teacher.
IV. Grading Policy: Test grades will account for 70% of the 9-weeks grade, with the remaining 30% being determined by quiz/daily grades. The grading scale is as follows: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (65-69), and F (below 65). Grades will be a reflection of mastery of the standards. Make sure all absences are excused as class work can be made up and graded for excused absences only. The Final Exam counts for 1/5 of final grade.
Page 1 V. Make-up Work It is the responsibility of each student to check in with the teacher for Policy: missed work. If you miss a day of school, assume that you missed something. All work not completed when assigned will be recorded as a zero until turned in and graded. All work should be completed within THREE days of the student’s return to class. See teacher for extenuating circumstances.
VI. Text and Other The primary text for the class is American Government, 13th edition by James Required Wilson, 2014. A workbook, titled Fast Track to a 5, is also provided to accompany Reading: the text. This will be used primarily in class to support the textbook and to assess learning.
There will also be numerous other readings including, but not limited to, Supreme Court cases, the U. S. Constitution, The Federalist Papers, etc. Also, selected readings will be taken from The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, 5th edition by Ann Serow and Everett Ladd and from American Government: Readings and Cases, 18th edition by Peter Woll.
VII. Materials and Pen (black) and pencil, textbook, paper for note taking and assignments, Supplies index cards for vocabulary, and a 3 ring binder or folder for notes are Needed: needed on a regular basis.
Course Calendar Week 1-2 Constitutional Underpinnings of the US Government ( and Chapters 1-3 Federalism) Week 3-4 Political Beliefs and Behaviors Chapters 4, 7, 8
Week 5-7 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Mass Media Chapters 9 – 12
Week 8-9 Legislative Branch Chapters 13, 17-21 Week 10-11 Executive Branch & Bureaucracy Chapters 14, 15, 17-21 Week 12-13 Judicial Branch Chapter 16 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Chapters 5, 6 Week 14-15 Review for AP Exam
Week 16-17 AP EXAMS 5/10 THURS-AP GOVERNMENT EXAM Week 18 FINAL PROJECT
*The class will also discuss current events and major Supreme Court decisions in each unit. * The syllabus serves as a guide for both the teacher and student; however, during the term it may become necessary to make additions, deletions, or substitutions. Adequate notice will be provided to students of any necessary changes.
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