Text:

• McClenaghan, William A., Magruder’s American Government.
• Many, many supplemental readings on current events (so make sure you have a binder dedicated to AP U.S. Government)!

Course Description

This challenging class is meant to be the equivalent of a freshman college course and can earn students college credit.  AP U.S. Government includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It is taught with the conviction that students want to know not only who governs but also what difference our leaders make.

As citizens, we all deal with the consequences of federal, state and local laws and regulations. For example, at what age are we allowed to drive?  Serve on a jury?  Drink legally?  These are all determined by some type of government. As a student in high school, your rights of privacy (freedom from searches, freedom of speech and expression, etc.) are all subject to, and often determined by the power of the government. Understanding both who governs and to what end cannot be done without investigating the politics of policymaking. You will examine the government institutions which make these types of policies and the impact they have on people throughout the United States.

Students will examine general political concepts as well as specific case studies. It is important that every student in this class stay abreast of current events in order to be able to intelligently and logically connect this knowledge to what we are learning in class.

This course is semester long and will culminate with the expectation that all students earning AP credit will take the May 2009 AP U.S. Government exam.  For those students taking the class in the Fall, we will have several extra sessions (after school and/or on a Saturday) to review for exam during the Spring semester.

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to demonstrate:

A)     A thorough knowledge of the principles, institutions and processes of the national, state, and local levels of government in the United States;

B)      Increased skills of analysis, synthesis, and communication, both written and oral;                       

C)      Understanding of the organization and functions of the American government; branches, bureaucracy and budget;

D)     Familiarity with the complexities of the U.S. Constitution and development of federalism;

E)      Recognition of and tolerance for competing viewpoints on issues, and the ability to distinguish convincing evidence from unsupported opinion;

F)      Knowledge of the role of politics, political parties, and interest groups in the public policy process;

G)      Understanding of the court system and evolution of public policy concerning civil liberties sand civil rights;

H)     The ability to pass and excel on the U.S. Government and Politics exam given in May 2009.

Class Structure:

Challenging assignments involving reading, analysis, synthesis, writing, and presenting will give the students the opportunity to develop along the lines of the course objectives. Lectures will be given in order to develop the course curriculum and make clear any themes or objectives not understood by the students. Group discussions and presentations as well as Socratic discussions based on primary and secondary readings will be used in class. Class simulations, debates and videos will be used in order to enrich and expand the student’s knowledge of U.S. government and politics.

Homework:

Usually, reading every night. It is essential to bring the textbook to class most days in order to be prepared for class discussions. 1-2 page typed essays will accompany almost every unit studied. Any problems or questions with the homework must be dealt with BEFORE the due date via communication with the teacher. If you are having difficulties or just want some extra input, it is your responsibility to avail yourself of academic advising time!

Late Work:

It is to your benefit to hand in your work on time in order to ensure that you receive full credit.  All late assignments will be graded down for every day they are late.

Grading:

All work is assigned a point value.  Please note that not all work will receive a letter grade.  Grades are based on the total points accumulated in each grading period.  The range of grades is as follows:

90 -100% of total points =   A

80 - 89% of total points =    B

70 - 79% of total points =    C

60 - 69% of total points =    D

Participation/Attendance:

As seniors on the verge of becoming adult members of our society, you are ready to take a more active role in your education.  That is why participation is an important component of your grade.  You will be assessed on your contributions to class, your involvement/responsibility in group activities and consistent attendance. Your attendance is important to maintain quality work and to ensure a good grade.   Please note that tardies will also be reflected in your grade, so come to class on time!

If you are absent, you are responsible for finding out what was missed.  You must check with a reliable classmate, “Edline Homework” or me about due dates for make-up work, including tests scheduled for the period following the absence.  Exchange phone numbers and e-mail addresses with your classmates today, and use the “Edline Homework” tool available on Mercy’s website.  “I wasn’t here last class” is not a valid excuse for missing assignments or tests.

Classroom Behavior

Students are expected to abide by the school rules and policies contained in your handbook.  Some policies, such as those applying to tardies, have changed since you started at Mercy.  It is your responsibility to inform yourself of these changes. 

As “Women of Mercy,” maintaining a respectful and dignified demeanor in the classroom towards your teachers and your classmates is a given.  Unacceptable and/or disruptive behavior will result in detention, and a pattern of infractions will negatively affect your grade.

Staying in Touch:

I encourage you to come see me to discuss any questions, issues, problems, or concerns.  Also, parents and students should feel free to contact me via e-mail or to leave a message on my voicemail during non-school hours.

Let’s have a great semester together!