United States-Virginia Government 2015-16
Potomac Falls High School – Ms. Michaela Ottenberg, J.D. & Mrs. Peg
Nielsen
Course Objective: The U.S.- VA Government course is designed to teach students something about how
people behave politically, and about the design of the American political system; that is, how the system is
structured and how it functions as a pluralistic system of various individual and group interests, all
promoting their own agendas as to what they claim is important and beneficial for the country. By the
completion of this course, it is hoped that students will have an interest in public, contemporary affairs,
can intelligently and civilly discuss the issues, have reasonable understanding of what is right and wrong,
and appreciate their responsibilities in the system to ensure that they continue to enjoy our traditions of
freedom and liberty.
Student Objectives / Students will be able to:
Explain & analyze the various definitions of democracy & how it is particularly manifested in the
American system
Assess the distribution of power, power struggles & problems
Analyze the significance of the Constitution in American political history & the contemporary world
Analyze the role of federalism, especially in regards to the structure of VA government
Evaluate the forces that influence political culture & the political socialization process
Explain the origins of both major & minor American political parties & their roles today
Assess the role of media, interest groups, & PAC’s in the electoral process
Evaluate the priorities & objectives of Congress, the Executive Branch/Federal Bureaucracy & Judiciary
Identify & evaluate the influence of diversity of interests on the policymaking process
Explain the ways in which the Constitution addresses civil rights, individual rights and civil liberties & the
changing roles of each in the American political system
Analyze contemporary values regarding the welfare system, expression, foreign policy, &
political/economic interests that influence public policymaking
Expectations: Students are expected to attend class regularly, prepared to discuss and expand on
previously assigned topics. Furthermore, students are expected to respect each other. In this course we
will discuss current events and often will discuss various topics. Respect for other student’s opinions will
lead to fruitful and engaging class discussions. I will place emphasis not only merely on the mastery of the
content, but the student’s ability to express their knowledge acquisition through the written medium and
oral discussion. Students should be prepared to invest a significant amount of out of class time into class
preparations. It is important to note that this SOL curriculum is required for graduation from VA
public secondary schools.
Grading: Grades will be calculated based on 90% summative assessments and 10% formative assessments.
Grades will derive from tests, quizzes, projects, and classwork/homework.
Tests: Students should expect summative reading quizzes and multiple-choice unit tests that will also include
critical writing assessments. Students may have the opportunity to re-test. (See: “Retake Policy,” below.)
Projects: There will be a number of smaller projects throughout each quarter to be completed both inside and
outside of class. In addition to these smaller projects, expect one large project (worth a test grade) each quarter.
Projects will require students to creatively analyze and show mastery of the material.
Homework: Any work not completed during the class period is expected to be finished at home. Homework is
relevant to class review, discussions, reading quizzes, debates, current events assessments, and projects.
Participation: Be in class prepared to contribute. Ask questions – if you have a question about a particular topic,
so does one of your peers. Lectures will be geared toward enriching the content in the expository text. You are
responsible to all aspects of a lecture even if they are not included in the text. All students will be expected to
participate in Socratic Seminars and debates or discussions throughout the year.
Current Events: Students will be expected to read the newspaper and watch news programs regularly.
Current Events Friday and Articles of Week will be summative assessment activities. It is the responsibility
of each student to bring a newspaper or news magazine to class each Friday in order to engage in these
activities. Read a newspaper. Watch the news. It makes you more interesting and overall a better person.
Retake Policy: Retakes are available on ALL tests and quizzes, as long as students have submitted all
corresponding homework for that chapter or unit. Students have the grading period (quarter) to sit for a retake.
Retakes replace the grade for the test or quiz and are final. In short, if you would like a retake you must: 1) have all
work completed for that unit; 2) take the retake before the end of the quarter in which the assessment was given.
LET’S RIDE THIS BALD EAGLE
ROCKET OF DEMOCRACY STRAIGHT
TO GRADUATION!