SYLLABUS FOR AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Mr. Bayles & Mr. Barbee
SPRING SEMESTER 2012
Overview
American Government is a one-semester course. It includes units from the We the People,
The Citizen and the Constitution, Level 3 text, and one comprehensive unit on Missouri’s
government and state constitution. This overview includes topics for each unit but other
topics may be included at the discretion of the instructor. The units may be presented in any
order that the instructor selects. Be sure to note and record all target dates supplied for the
study of a unit.
Important Note about Electronic Updates!
This syllabus and other important documents—including links to syllabi, quizzes, and study
aids--for American Government are accessible through Mr. Barbee’s SchoolWires web
page. From the main CHS web site (http://www.clayton.k12.mo.us/chs/) click on STAFF,
then navigate to Mr. Barbee’s name and follow the links. Be sure to check this web site
regularly, especially if you have missed a class. Students who unavoidably miss class are
expected to take the initiative in keeping up with assignments, including downloading
handouts from the web site or picking up them up in the classroom. We will also link to Mr.
Barbee’s Quia.com web site from time to time for quizzes and other assignments.
American Government Course Outline
Unit A: Constitutional Foundations and Framework
 Philosophical underpinnings of the U.S. Constitution and the development of the
American governmental system
 Major principles of democracy
 Major events and circumstances that led to the creation of the Constitution
Unit B: United States Constitution
 Separation of Powers
 Checks and Balances
 Bill of Rights
 Pass required exam
Unit C: The Legislative Branch
 Organization of the Congress
 Functions and roles of Congress members
 Political linkages
Unit D: The Executive Branch
 Organization of the presidency
 Functions and duties of the presidency
 Organization of the bureaucracy
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Unit E: Political Culture and Participation
 The role of political parties, interest groups, and the voter in the political process
 Steps in the political process
 Voter opinions and attitudes
Unit F: The Judicial Branch
 Federal courts organization
 Procedures in the Supreme Court
 Political influences on the judiciary
Unit G: State Government
 Missouri Constitution
 Functions and roles of Missouri state government and state officials
 Pass required exam
Unit H: Civil Liberties, Rights, and Responsibilities
 Rights and responsibilities of citizens as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court
 The U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Civil Rights Amendments
Course Objectives
In this class students are expected to:
1. Examine the historical and philosophical roots of our ideas about constitutional
government.
2. Extend their understanding of the creation of the U. S. Constitution.
3. Explain the organization of the national government.
4. Examine the development of the U. S. Constitution and its amendments.
5. Comprehend the meaning of the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
6. Develop an understanding of the expansion of rights during the last two hundred years.
7. Prepare to become informed, active citizens in the American political system.
8. Develop their skills in application, analysis, and evaluation of the fundamental American
principles, including an understanding of civil and political rights guaranteed by the
United States Constitution.
9. Comprehend the essential elements of the Missouri Constitution and examine the nature
and workings of our state government.
10. Analyze the structure and roles of the three branches of government, and their
relationships to one another and other political institutions.
11. Improve their understanding of the processes and methods of political participation
common to the American political system, including interest groups, parties, voting,
attitudes, ideologies, and the media.
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Course Materials
 We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Level 3, Published by the Center for
Civic Education, Calabasas, CA 2009.
o THE ABOVE BOOK IS ISSUED TO EACH STUDENT INDIVIDUALLY. EACH
STUDENT BEARS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF RETURNING HIS OR HER
BOOK IN GOOD CONDITION. LOST OR DAMAGED BOOKS RESULT IN
SUBSTANTIAL COSTS.
 The Missouri Constitution
 Historical Primary Documents such as Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, The Articles
of Confederation, Virginia Declaration of Rights, John Locke’s Two Treatises on
Government, Federalist Papers, and many more.
Activities
Note: The amount of time we can devote to specific activities depends upon students’ levels
of preparation for class. If students have read the assigned materials, we can conduct
activities. Otherwise the instructor must “teach the book.”
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Using Internet and library sources to research issues, candidates, court cases etc.
Constitutional Convention, Bill Writing, Mock Congress, Agency Research, Civil Rights
Presentation
Guest Speakers
AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THIS CLASS
Students must meet three requirements to earn the state-required ½ credit for this
American Government course.
1. Earn a passing course grade for the semester (> 60% semester average).
2. Earn a passing score on the United States Constitution test (> 70%).
3. Earn a passing score on the Missouri Constitution test (> 70%).
Any student who does not meet one or more of these three requirements by the conclusion
of the semester will receive a failing grade for the course. Missouri law (Section 170.011.3
RSMo) directs that no student “shall receive a certificate of graduation from any public or
private school other than private trade schools unless he has satisfactorily passed an
examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States and of
the state of Missouri.”
Please make sure that you understand these requirements and take the necessary steps
(regular class attendance, completion of assigned class work, and adequate test
preparation) to successfully complete these requirements.
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End of Course Exam: This state-required test will be administered near semester’s end
and will be worth approximately 20% of your final exam grade.
Mr. Bayles’ and Mr. Barbee’s Classroom Expectations for All Students
Class Participation:
1. Listen to and respect everyone in the classroom. Take time to be kind to others.
2. Participation scores often are built into the grading rubrics. From time to time daily
participation will be graded separately.
3. You will be called upon to participate. No one can hide. Learn to enjoy it.
4. Sit up. Placing your head on your desk likely will result in a visit from your teacher or a
visit to the nurse.
5. Take good notes every day. Not only is note taking a valuable skill for college, but also
you will need your notes for the comprehensive open-note final exam.
Graded Activities:
1. Keep one binder, notebook, or organizer section for American Government NOTES,
HANDOUTS, and ALL RETURNED WORK.
2. Keep all originals of all returned assignments, tests, articles, and quizzes in your
notebook. Should a question arise about your grade, you will need to produce the
evidence.
3. Be prepared to take pop quizzes over the readings, assignments, and class lectures.
Time-limited on-line quizzes may occur from time to time. Be sure to budget time for
Internet access at home or at CHS.
4. It is essential that you pass both the U.S. and Missouri Constitution exams in order to
satisfy our state’s graduation requirements. A score of 70% or above on these tests is
required to pass. The exams are rewritten every year. Retakes will be scheduled at the
instructor’s convenience.
5. Tests cover the material studied in class including lectures, discussions, movies, projects,
presentations, reading assignments.
6. Ink or typewritten material is preferred for all assignments, tests, and quizzes.
7. Neatness, spelling, and all standards of English are applied in varying degrees
depending upon the time allotted for the task. For example, correct spelling is expected
on a research paper, but not essential on an in-class exam.
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Attendance and Timeliness:
1. It is important that you are in your seat with all needed materials, ready to begin class
when the bell rings. Mr. Bayles and Mr. Barbee support the CHS attendance and tardy
policies, including assignment of after-school detentions as necessary.
2. Students who arrive late MUST SIGN IN. If you have a pass or note be sure to give it to
Mr. Bayles or Mr. Barbee upon arriving and without disrupting instruction.
3. Bring all the materials such as texts and handouts that you will need to each class;
leaving to get an item likely will result in a tardy mark.
4. Under no circumstances will an exam or quiz be made up or extra time granted for an
unexcused absence or tardy.
5. Should you miss class for any reason it is your responsibility to get any missed work
assignments and handouts from Mr. Bayles or Mr. Barbee. It is a good idea to obtain
missed lecture notes from a classmate and to check Mr. Barbee’s Schoolwires web
pages.
6. If you are ill, you must receive permission from the nurse or administrator before missing
class. A visit to the Nurse’s Office is not an excused absence.
Late Work Not Accepted Policy:
1. Timely submission of assignments is extremely important to your success in this class.
Assignments are due on the date given by your teacher. Additional time may be
provided for students who have an excused absence on the due date. No other excuses
are acceptable without prior express authorization from Mr. Bayles or Mr. Barbee.
2. Papers are deemed late if turned in after the time the teacher collected the papers.
Example: A paper collected at the beginning of class but turned in at the end of the class
period is late.
No Excuses Make Ups Policy
Only students with excused absences will be permitted to make up missed assignments,
quizzes, and tests. Make up tests and quizzes must be scheduled in writing with Mr.
Bayles or Mr. Barbee. Students who without advance notice miss a scheduled make up
will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment. If you cannot attend a scheduled make up
notify Mr. Bayles or Mr. Barbee as soon as possible. No Excuses.
An Important Note about Electronic Devices (Especially Cell Phones):
Put away and turn off all cell phones before entering my classroom. This rule extends to
all iPods, MP3 players, headsets, CD players, Blackberries, calculators and any other
device not specifically approved in advance by your teacher. This rule will be enforced
strictly and your cooperation and compliance will be greatly appreciated. No exceptions.
Food and Drink:
Classes that demonstrate a commitment to keeping the classroom tidy may be permitted
to bring food and beverages into the classroom. Please be mindful of this policy and
take steps to keep the area around your desk clean.
Meetings with Mr. Bayles and Mr. Barbee outside of your class:
You can make an appointment to meet with us before or after school or during Periods 2
and 8. Other mutually convenient meeting times may be arranged.
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