Mr. Tuccillo
Course Syllabus
AP Government
AP Government and Politics/Honors Economics
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AP Government and Politics/Honors Economics is a full year 1-credit course.
Students who opt to take this course will fulfill both their ½ credit Government and
½ credit Economics requirements. The heavy emphasis of this course will be AP
Government material. Understanding economics however, is essential to
understanding our political system and material from the former Honors Economics
course will be incorporated into this course as often as possible. Students who take
this course will be eligible to take the AP Government & Politics exam.
Advanced Placement American Government and Politics:
This course is designed to teach American constitutional government based on principles of
philosophy, political beliefs and behavior, political parties and interest groups, national
institutions and policy processes, and law. Emphasis is given to the relationship of the
citizen to the structure and function of the American constitutional system.
The course is designed to enable students to develop a critical perspective of government
and politics in the United States. The nature of the American political system, its
development over the past two centuries, and how it works today will be examined. Both
general concepts and specific case studies will be stressed. Emphasis will be placed on
increasing the techniques of evaluating, refuting, comparing, contrasting, analyzing, and
documenting and supporting ideas. Although major emphasis will be given to national
politics, we will also examine the governmental structures of New York State and also Ulster
County.
Grading:
25% Tests/Projects/Reaction Papers/Quizzes/Pop-Quizzes
50% Classwork/Participation
a) In addition to any classwork, you will be given a participation grade in class
everyday. If you are present in class, participate, and are prepared to participate
(having all the required materials - pen, pencil, notebook, text, etc.) you will receive a
“2”. If you are present, but do not participate and/or are unprepared to participate
in any way, you will receive a “1”. If you are not in class or are a discipline problem
you will receive a “0”. Participation grades can be made up. (see absences below)
25% Homework
Any plagiarism or cheating will result in a zero for all those involved.
Projects/Assignments:
1. Students, in addition to the text, will be required to do readings on both historical and
contemporary documents.
2. Students will also be writing research papers, participating in debates, simulating a session
of Congress, and keeping up with current events.
3. Students will also be completing a 40-hour community service project and will also be
required to attend both town and School Board meetings (4 total) so that they can see
government at work first hand.
Course Rules:
1. This is a college level course and students are expected to act accordingly.
2. Students will be on time for class. Lateness without a valid pass will result in a loss of
participation points.
3. It is the student’s responsibility to see me the first day back in school after an absence
This is to not only to get missed work but also to make up missed exams.
Missed exams/quizzes/participation points are to be made up no more than 5 days after
the student returns to school. If you are absent from my class but are in school on that
particular day you are still responsible for any assignments given and any work that was to
be handed in that day. If a student should cut a class they will not be allowed to make up
or hand in any of the work that was due or done on that day. This includes major tests
and projects.
4. Homework will mostly be reading the text and other documents. Students are expected
to be prepared to discuss each reading assignment on the day it is due.
5. Students should bring a notebook (preferably a three-ring binder), pencil or blue/black
pen, and any necessary papers to class every day.
Meeting with the teacher:
I will be staying after school at least two times a week for extra help or to discuss any
problems or answer any questions you may have. If you need to see me outside of that time
please ask. If it is still impossible to meet or you have a problem and are not in school,
please feel free to email me:
EMAIL: anthonytuccillo@saugerties.k12.ny.us
I have read and understand these rules.
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Parent/Guardian
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