SYLLABUS
GOVERNMENT
TEACHER INFORMATION:
Name:
Office Telephone Number:
Preparation Period:
Jerry D. Ingram
231-7000
Third Block
TEXTBOOK(S):
PRENTICE HALL, MaGruder’s American Government
Primary Text:
MATERIALS:
1 ea notebook (spiral or three ring binder)
1 ea folder for keeping returned papers
Loose-leaf paper
Pen and pencil
Other materials as required
Students may use either a spiral notebook or a three binder. If a student prefers to use a spiral notebook,
the pages should have perforated edges for ease of tearing. Students should not turn in papers with jagged
edges.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
American government is a required one-semester social studies course for the twelfth grade. Students draw
on the knowledge and skills from their previous study of United States and World History and Geography,
as background information. The course focuses on the origins and functions of government as well as the
intellectual influences in the development of representative democracy in America. Through a detailed
study of the United States Constitution, students become knowledgeable of the structure and workings of
government at all levels in the state and nation. While a great deal of factual information is necessary in
this course, facts alone do not meet the requirements for the study of American Government. It is
imperative that students acquire an appreciation and understanding of what it means to be a citizen.
Week 1
.
----------Chapter 1
Introduction to Course
Principles of Government
Week 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Principles of Government
Origins of American Democracy
Week 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
The Constitution
Federalism
Week 4
Chapter 4
Federalism
Week 5
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Congress
Powers of Congress
Week 6
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Congress in Action
The Presidency
Week 6
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
The Presidency
The Presidency in Action
Week 7
Chapter 14
The Presidency in Action
Week 8
Chapter 18
The Federal court System
Week 9
Exam Prep/9-Weeks Exam
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance, lateness
A student must be in attendance for the required number of days as established by the State of Alabama for
each term in order to complete one of the minimum requirements for class. The student must attend class
for the specific number of clock hours established by the state and pass the assigned work.
Six (6) or more absences from a class, whether excused or unexcused, may result in loss of credit. In cases
of prolonged absence due to illness, the parent or guardian should seek assistance from the Homebound
Program.
Students are expected to arrive in class on time, prepared to begin work immediately. A student is late if
not in the room and seated when they the tardy bell rings. The tardy bell is not the signal to rush into the
classroom.
The school will request a parent conference when a student is tardy or absent an excessive number of days.
Class Participation
Students are expected to participate in class, but only positive participation will be rewarded. They are
many ways to participate. I realize that some students are shy and will have to be called upon to encourage
active participation, but that’s all right. For example, answering a question correctly, voluntarily, or when
called upon in class, is an example of positive participation. Even saying awake in class and taking notes
as required is an example of positive participation. Sleeping and talking at inappropriate times are
examples of not participating, or of participating in a negative way. You are not contributing to the class if
you are disrupting the class.
Missed exams or assignments
When a student returns to school after an absence, an excuse must be presented within three (3) days.
Students MUST accept responsibility for scheduling make-up work on the first day that they return to
school. STUDENTS HAVE A MAXIMUM OF 3 DAYS TO MAKE UP WORK. This does not mean
that students automatically have 3 days to make up work. Three days is the maximum allowable
time. If the excuse is not presented to the assistant principal during this time period, the absence will
be coded unexcused, and make-up work will not be permitted. Also, the 3 days refers to school days,
not class days in a particular class.
Work should be turned in the first day that a students returns to class when possible.
If a student fails to turn in an assignment on time for reasons other than being absent, the student may still
submit the assignment for reduced credit. The maximum amount of time allowed for make-up work will be
three days from the due date. Each day that the work is not turned will result in an increase in the grade
reduction.
A physician’s excuse is required to make up a missed 9-weeks or semester exam.
Academic dishonesty
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. This includes both cheating on exams, copying homework, and
plagiarism. Plagiarism means taking credit for other people’s work or not properly documenting the use of
their work. When in doubt as to what is acceptable, ask, and I will be glad to explain. As a minimum,
academic dishonesty will result in a zero for the assignment.
Grading
Grades for each nine week grading period will be on a percentage basis as described below:
Tests
50%
Quizzes
10%
Daily Work
20%
Projects
20%
Grades will be posted on I-Parent on a continuing basis and mid-term progress reports will be sent home
with students.
The average for each nine weeks grading period will count as 40% of the final grade. The semester exam
will count as 20% of the final grade,
MISCELLANEOUS
Students are not allowed to bring food or drink into the classroom.
AVAILABLE SUPPORT SERVICES
Tutoring will be provided at Ramsay High School in all subject areas, provided that funding is available..
Additional support service is provided by the Alabama Virtual Library at http://www.avl.lib.al.us/.
The Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) provides a world of quality library information for Alabama library
users. Materials include magazine articles, newspapers, encyclopedias, and other reference sources. Access
is granted to all Alabama citizens at Alabama public libraries and at libraries of public education facilities.
Home access is also provided to Alabama citizens through local public libraries. To register for an access
card, an individual must visit his local public library and meet local library registration policies.
Another aid for students is the stateside homework service, LIVE HOMEWORK HELP! This is an
innovative program that connects students with expert tutors for live, one-on-one help with homework
assignments via the Internet. This service operates Sunday thru Thursday from 3:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.
and be accessed at http:// www.homeworkalabama.org/.
Finally, let’s not forget the school library, and other public libraries, which provide valuable resources for
student use, including Internet access. Each classroom also has three computers that can be accessed with
the teacher’s permission.