Barren County High School
Course Syllabus
Course Title: Political Science
Instructor: Mr. Miller
Contact Information: Email: jody.miller@barren.kyschools.us
School phone: 270-651-6315
Planning Time: 11:38-1:24 (5th Period/3rd Block)
Twitter: @BCHS_Miller
Remind:
Number: 270-505-4236
Class Code: @ec2548
Course Resources: Textbook: Glencoe United States Government.
Students will need to provide the following:
Binder (any type)
Paper
Writing Utensils
Course Objective and/or Description:
The study of government and civics equips students to understand the nature of
government and the unique characteristics of American representative democracy,
including its fundamental principles, structure, and the role of citizens. Understanding the
historical development of structures of power, authority, and governance and their
evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society and other parts of the world is essential
for developing civic competence. An understanding of civic ideals and practices of
citizenship is critical to full participation in society and is a central purpose of the social
studies. In this course, students will learn about the various types of government, the U.S.
Constitution, the roles and purposes of government, and the rights of U.S. citizens.
Students will also study and debate many of the constitutional and governmental issues
that are currently facing our nation and government.
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
Units of Study:
There will be 8 units of study:
 Forms of Government
 Origins of the United States Government
 The U.S. Constitution
 Branches of Government – will be divided into 3 sub-units
 First Amendment Rights
 Rights of Privacy
 Rights of the Accused
 Political Role in Economics
There will be at least one special project that will be a substantial element of the student’s
grade.
Writing Component: The following writing components will be utilized: Writing to
Learn (note taking) Writing to Demonstrate Learning (open responses, essay questions,
on-demands, etc) Writing For a Real World Purpose (speeches, editorials, letters,
research papers, feature articles, etc.)
Classroom Rules:
Rule #1 Be Respectful
Rule #2 Be Prompt
Rule #3 Be Prepared
Consequences:
Verbal Warning
Teacher /Student Conferences
Parent Contact
Office Referral
Grading Policy:
Grades will be assigned using the school approved grading scale:
A= 100-90%
B= 89-80%
C= 79-70%
D=69-60%
F=59% and below
Weighted Grades:
TESTS
QUIZZES
DAILYWORK
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
35% of nine weeks grade
35% of nine weeks grade
30% of nine weeks grade
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.
Late Work Policy: Late assignments will be penalized at the rate of 10% per day up to 5
days. Late work will not be accepted after 5 days.
Attendance Policy: Students having excused absences will be allowed the same number
of days to complete make-up work/tests as they were absent. (i.e. student missed
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday then they have 3 days to make-up work/tests). It is
the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher regarding make-up assignments and
schedule a time before, during (WIN), or after school. Unexcused absences will receive a
zero.
Semester Test Policy: ALL students are required to take the semester test/final exam.
This will be worth 20% of the students overall grade according to state regulations.
Plagiarism / Academic Dishonesty Policy: Plagiarism and academic dishonesty are
serious offenses. The academic work of a student is expected to be his/her own effort.
Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To represent ideas or
interpretations taken from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a
borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also
plagiarism. Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty (i.e.-students who are
caught cheating on an assessment) will receive a failing grade in that portion of the
course work. Acts of academic dishonesty will be reported to the administration.
*I reserve the right to add other classroom expectations as may be deemed
necessary during the semester.
I have read the course syllabus for Political Science and I understand the
expectations and requirements for this course.
Parent Signature: __________________
Student Signature: __________________
The teacher reserves the right to alter this syllabus at any time during the course.