Course Expectations and Grading Policies
AP Government
Welcome to Class! First of all, this is a college level class, no whining! This year-long class in American
Government will take an in depth look at the workings of our nation’s governmental system. It will challenge you
to look at government from God’s perspective and see that sometimes the objectives of our government coincide
with God’s and other times they don’t. There are some hard questions to deal with such as: “If we are ‘One nation
under God,’ why does our government go to great lengths to exclude Him?”; “How can the Supreme Court
continually make rulings that seem to disregard the will of the people and the tenants of God’s law?” Hopefully, by
the end of this course, your appetite will be whetted as to how you can participate in government and to change
things for the better. We will explore ideas from the foundation to the structure, to the functions, to the roles the
government plays in our lives.
What Can I Expect to do in Class? Good question. First off, you will be doing a lot of discussion and interaction
with the lecture. The media is the major source of information about the government, we need to see how the
media work and learn how they filter information through their screens for us to consume. You will be required to
examine bias throughout the year. The approach to class will be a little different because a lot of the responsibility
for learning will be on your shoulders. Through the use of problem based assignments, we will explore that various
areas of government. Each unit will have its own theme and project attached to it. This will require you to stay on
top of assignments, so that you will be able to actively participate and contribute to your group. The other students
in your group will be depending on YOU to hold up your end of things, so don’t leave them hanging. We will be
working with the media and there will be assignments that will go along with that. We will do some practice
exams and essays along the way to help you be ready for the big test in May. There will be tests which will
comprise the majority of your grade. You are expected to take the AP Exam in May.
Textbook: As you can see, our textbook is a little out of date. Whereas it contains the basic information common
to all government books, there are some more recent developments that this book does not contain. It is my
STRONG recommendation that you purchase your own textbook. You may find these on Amazon and in
paperback form, you can buy them for $15 to $20 depending on shipping costs. A used book is just fine, but you
will find that this purchase can be a big help not only for our class, but also for the exam in May. I WILL make sure
you are adequately prepared with class instruction, but for many the extra help of a more current textbook has
proved invaluable. The book title is: American Government: Roots and Reform (2011 edition) by Karen O’Connor,
Larry Sabato and Alixandra Yanus printed by Longman Publishers.
Standard Assignments:
Article Response/Editorial Cartoons:
You will find the format for these on Royal Notes in the Persistent Information section. Please
follow the directions there. Since this is a college level class, I expect college level writing. No
single sentence answers to those questions or your grade will reflect that lack of analysis.
Problem Based Learning Projects:
These are group assignments. There will be a different one for each unit we study. You will be
expected to follow the instructions given for each and pay attention to the due dates specified.
This is critical as the others in your group are depending on you. At the end of each project, you
will have a test over that unit, so you must also make sure to stay on top of the reading
assignments both in your textbook and others that are assigned.
Class Expectations:
Attendance:
 In the event of an absence, it is your responsibility to determine what you have missed and how
you can make it up. You are allowed 2 days for every day you missed to make up an assignment.
Failure to do so in the allotted time will result in a “0” in my grade book.
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Make-ups for tests: If you miss a test, then that test will be placed in the Library. You must go in
before school, during lunch or afterschool to make-up that test. You will not be allowed to go
during class time. You have 3 days from the day of the test to make-up the test. After that time,
the test “expires” and you will not be allowed to make it up. Consideration will be given for long
term absences.
Homework:
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All homework assignment are posted on the board and on Royals Notes. It is your
responsibility to get your assignments written down; you will not be reminded.
Homework is due at the beginning of the period, not the middle, nor the end.
I do not take late work. For long term projects, I follow the procedure of 10% per day it
is late as per the student handbook
All homework/assignment MUST be typed unless otherwise stated.
If you have printer problems, you must email me the document that is due. This,
however, only serves as your “time stamp” that the work was done on time. It is up to
you to bring it on a flash drive to print at school, email it to a friend for them to print for
you or to print it later yourself when the problem is resolved. If you fail to resolve the
problem and print a copy within 3 days, the assignment will be counted as a zero.
Class Rules:
1.
Beginning Class: When I am ready to start, you are expected to be quiet.
2. Talking: I expect you to be quiet when I need you to be. I also expect you to quickly come
back to order when we’ve finished group work, etc. I expect you to be quiet when either I or
another student are addressing the class.
a. If you have something to add to the class discussion or a question, please raise your
hand and wait to be acknowledged.
3. Moving around the classroom: You must have permission to be out of your seat. Tissues,
drinks and the like require you to raise your hand and ask.
4.
Cell Phones: Off, Off, Off! If it audibly goes off in class, I take it. There are special procedures
for final exams.
5. Respect for Persons and Property: If it isn’t yours, leave it alone. Don’t abuse books, desks, etc.
The water fountain is a privilege, not a right.
6.
Another Class’ Work Out: If you have homework out for another class during my class, I will
take it from you. I may be generous and give it to that teacher to whom the work belongs the
first time I confiscate it, but the next time, it is MINE. To help you avoid this issue, I have a firm
class policy, only my notebook/spiral and text are allowed on your desk during my class. If I
release you to work on something else, then it is appropriate.
7. I WILL DISMISS YOU. Not the bell. Remain in your seats until I have dismissed you.
Grading Policy:
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An Approximation of How You Make the Grade:
Tests
Article Responses/Cartoons
In Class Work
Summer Work
Economics Quizzes
Projects
Final Exam
30%
15%
15% (1st Semester Only)
20% (2nd Semester Only)
10% (1st Semester Only)
5% (2nd Semester Only)
15%
15%
If you have any questions, you can e-mail me at mrs.pounders@wcss.org or zookeeperbeth@yahoo.com . I may see
it or I may not before the next morning, but you can try.