United States/Virginia Government
Instructor: Ms. D.Lett-Joseph
Office: Room 503
The United States/Virginia Government course is designed to provide a thorough understanding of the
American political process. During this course, students will engage in activities that analyze the
foundations and institutions of government and assess how political behavior and public policy promote
the democratic process. A variety of topics will be discussed including:
Principles and Origins of Government
The Constitution
Civil Rights and Liberties
Branches of Government
Foreign Policy
Political Parties and Elections
Federalism
Public Opinion
Materials
Students are expected to bring the following materials to each class meeting:
Textbook: Magruder’s American Government- Prentice Hall. 2003
Government Alive!: Power, Politics, and You - TCI. 2009
Readings: current articles from various news sources
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Agenda
Three ring binder (2” or 3”) with loose leaf paper and dividers (a pack of 10-12)
Spiral or composition notebook
Index cards
Grading
Grades in this class will reflect a student’s proficiency in relation to course learning targets and will show
the level of a student’s knowledge of each unit of study. The grade earned is a reflection of a student’s
progress as measured against a set standard and not as a comparison or rating amongst peers.
Grades will be based on a variety of summative activities such as projects, essays, research papers, oral
presentations, bell ringers, quizzes, and tests.
Attendance and Make up Work
 If a student is absent on a day an assignment is due, that assignment is due on the day the student
returns to class.
 Test dates will be announced in advance. If a student is absent from the class before a test, student
must complete missed assignments in order to prepare for the test. See teacher for help.
 Students will have three school days to make-up a missed test. See teacher as soon as possible to
schedule a make-up time.
 If students have questions on information covered on a day that they were absent, please see
teacher as soon as possible.
 Students are required to submit all given assignments by the deadline date. If you do not meet the
deadline date, you may forfeit a percentage of your grade for that assignment at the teacher’s
discretion.
Assignments and Projects
Homework and classwork are designed to provide students with opportunities for independent practice
that will prepare students to increase their understanding of course content.
These assignments may or may not be tracked for completion. If homework is graded it will be evaluated
by the teacher. Homework will be graded at the teacher’s discretion; whenever homework is to be graded,
this will be communicated to students prior to the due date. No late assignments will be accepted
during the last week of the quarter.
Tests will be given every two to three weeks, depending on the length of the unit. (3-4 tests per quarter)
Projects will be assigned throughout the year. For all assignments and projects, make sure to plan ahead
and avoid procrastinating. A printer running out of ink is not an acceptable reason for not having work
turned in on time. If a student is absent on the day a project is due, the project must be turned in the day
the student returns to class.
Assignments and due dates will be posted on Vision.
Re-Assessment Policy
Throughout the year, students will be given an opportunity to have areas of weakness on tests reassessed. For students to be eligible for re-assessments, the following guidelines must be adhered to:
 All formative assignments given prior to assessment must be turned in for that topic area
 Quiz corrections must be completed
 Students will have one week from the time the graded assessment is received to submit all work
and corrections, and to complete the re-assessment process.
 No corrections will be allowed during the last week of the quarter
 Re-assessment opportunities are not meant to be a substitute for preparation and will be
given at the discretion of the teacher.
Bell Ringers
Each day at the beginning of class students will be given a topic to write briefly about. The topic will be
based on material already covered. The purpose of this exercise is to
 provide lots of writing practice.
 make sure students understand topics of study.
 form and express opinions.
 help make connections between the past and the present.
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Writing entries must:
 Be at least one paragraph (5-7 complex sentences).
 Answer the question (not just restate it several times).
 Thoroughly explain answer, and put some thought into it. “I don’t know” is not a valid answer.
 If the bell ringer is a worksheet, place the completed worksheet in the spiral notebook.
 Unless otherwise noted, it IS acceptable to use notes or textbook to complete assigned topics.
 Make sure to get the topic missed due to absence as soon as you return. These topics must be
completed outside of class.
 On due date, have spiral/composition notebook ready to turn in at beginning of class.
Current Events
Students need to stay abreast of current events in national politics and are expected to read articles from
newspapers or news magazines regularly. This will provide practical insight and examples of the
American political process in action.
Following are some of the news-oriented broadcasts that may assist in keeping up with current political
issues. Please check your local listings for channels and broadcast times:
1. “The News Hour” on PBS. weekdays
2. Any of the major network national, daily newscasts (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, FOXNEWS,
MSNBC)
3. “C-SPAN” and “C-SPAN2”
4. Sunday morning broadcasts:
 “Fox News Sunday”
 “Meet the Press”
 “Hardball”
 “This Week”
 “Face the Nation”
There is vast amount of information related to American politics available. Following are a list of websites
that may be helpful:
www.newyorktimes.com
www.time.com
www.ushouse.gov
www.thenation.com
www.washingtonpost.com
www.whitehouse.gov
www.uscourts.gov
www.nationalreview.com
www.newsweek.com
www.ussenate.gov
www.archives.gov
www.loc.gov
The above sites are good resources, however, some have a conservative or liberal leaning so students
may not agree with all the information. Feel free to find other sites to provide additional information or for
conducting research. Just keep in mind, not everything on the internet is true. Do your research!
Expectations
Government is a fast paced course that provides a wealth of information about American politics. To be
successful students must attend class, be on time, and be prepared.
Students are expected to conduct themselves with the utmost integrity, be respectful of teacher
and classmates (even during class discussions when the opinions of others may differ from
yours), and refrain from engaging in any dishonest activity such as cheating on tests and
plagiarism. Keep in mind that to graduate from high school, students are required to pass US/VA
Government Course.
Please read, sign, and return the bottom of this page and return next class. Keep the remainder of this
syllabus in your binder/notebook at all times and refer to it as needed.
United States/Virginia Government
Instructor: Ms. D.Lett-Joseph
Office: Room 503
I have read and understand the class requirements and expectations referenced in this syllabus. I agree
to follow the guidelines presented.
Student Signature ________________________________________ Date _______________
I have read the preceding syllabus information. I understand my child’s responsibility to abide by the
guidelines.
Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________________ Date __________