AP Government & Politics
Mr. W.B. Brooks
Room HS-109
Email: wbrooks@windsor.k12.mo.us
Phone: 636.464.4429 ext: 4507
Congratulations!!! You have challenged yourself by choosing to take AP Government & Politics – a year-long, college level course (rather than a semester high-school course) devoted to exploring our national government and the politics that make it work.
Course Description : AP Government & Politics is a year-long course exploring six (6) major content areas. The content areas include:
1) Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government (5-15%)
2) Political Beliefs and Behaviors (10-20%)
3) Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (10-20%)
4) Institutions of National Government: Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts (35-40%)
5) Public Policy (5-15%)
6) Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (5-15%)
The content areas are taken directly from the College Board curriculum guidelines for the course. The percentages of each content area are in direct proportion to their appearance on the AP exam given in the Spring.
Expectations: This is a college-level course and expectations are high for each student. Students will be expected to do assigned readings, papers and other such projects that are assigned. The goal is for each of you to receive college credit on the AP exam in May.
History Class? This class is a political science class, not a history class. We will be looking at recent political history, however, particularly the last 30-40 years. And as you can see from the above topics, approximately 10% of the class will be spent on “constitutional underpinnings” which really means, what drove the framers to write the Constitution and why did they write what they wrote and what did they mean when they wrote it? That’s as much history as we’ll cover. We will spend the vast majority of time learning the nuts and bolts of how our government attempts to function and the politics that goes into it.
Current events: The advantage we have in this class is that the U.S. Government is playing out in real time every day.
In order to really understand the bigger picture and all the intricacies and nuances of government, you will need to pay attention to the media. Supplementing this class with various media from print, TV, radio and internet will undoubtedly help you understand and better comprehend what we study. In fact, not paying attention will make this class extremely difficult since you will need to notice events and trends that occur in our political lives.
You will be responsible for keeping up with the news. A news clippings file will be developed by you and a partner.
Class Structure : A combination of lecture, discussion, group presentation, project work, and independent study along with various multi-media outlets will be used in class. My goal is to provide the best vehicle possible for you to understand the content. Any suggestions you have to improve the class performance will be appreciated.
Differences with regular Government: Year-long v. a semester; this course has very much a national focus whereas the semester course will go into more depth in state and local governments; we go much deeper and broader into the content
(except in state and local); we cover the national political scene in much greater detail;
The AP Exam : We will be discussing this beast and how to slay it throughout the whole year. The test is given in early
May. You are not required to take it as it costs around $85. However, I will treat the class assuming everyone is taking the test. All of our unit exams will look like the AP test and will include the same type of very challenging multiplechoice questions and free-response essays.
Grading: All AP classes are weighted in our school district. Your grade will consist primarily of shortened or simulated
AP tests, class work, and a few projects. There will not be numerous little assignments or busy work to pad your grade.
As a college-level class, you will be expected to turn in college-level work.
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Notebooks: It may seem obvious to most of you, but having some sort of notebook (like a 3 ring binder) to keep materials, handouts, and written notes is a good idea, and one that I highly suggest. This class is cumulative so it’s important to save material throughout the year. We’ll return to the early stuff when we begin reviewing for the AP exam in April.
Study Partners: I would like everyone to have a “study partner.” You and your study partner will help each other keep up with missing notes, etc. when one of you is absent and you will also work with this person in group projects. When you and a partner have selected each other, please let me know.
Assignments: All assignments will be turned in on time. Late assignments will receive far less than full credit. If you are absent the day the assignment is due and are unable to get it to a friend for delivery (or emailed to me) then please turn it in the very next day you are in school. If for some reason you are out for a prolonged period of time, please try and touch base with me so I can keep you up-to-date and on schedule with the rest of the class. By the way, I pledge to not assign anything due “TOMORROW”. Hold me to this!
Tests : We will have at least 3 major unit tests each semester. In addition, you will take a US Constitution Test sometime in the first semester and a Missouri Constitution test sometime after Spring Break next semester.
Last Word on Grades : A final examination is required for this class, there are no exemptions for the first semester final.
It will count for 20% of a student’s final grade for first semester. Should you choose to take the AP exam, the final exam will be optional. (You would only take it to improve your grade, should it need improving.)
The Constitution Tests: All students will be required to pass the United States and Missouri Constitution tests as required by Missouri State Law ( RSMo . 170.011 RSMo Stands for the Revised Statutes of Missouri Chapter 170)
Grading Scale
A = 90 % – 100%
B = 80% – 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% and below
Student/Teacher Conferences:
Periodically throughout the semester time may be allotted for individual conferences between the teacher and student to discuss student progress in the class.
General Classroom Rules
1.
Be present and on-time everyday—tardies will be recorded.
2.
Bring necessary supplies to class everyday such as pen or pencil and notebook.
3.
Complete all assignments on time.
4.
Take proper care of textbooks, furniture and equipment in the classroom.
5.
Common courtesy is expected to all — living and dead.
6.
Doing work for other classes is prohibited during this class – it is due at the beginning of class or only by email
(by midnight) the day it is due to be eligible for full credit.
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All other rules, procedures, and policies are outlined in the Student Handbook.
Should you or your parents have any questions or concerns regarding the information contained herein, or regarding any other issues relating to the class, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 636.464.4429 ext: 4570 or via email at wbrooks@windsor.k12.mo.us. Thank you.
Mr. W.B. Brooks
AP Government and Politics
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Date:
Student Name:
________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________ Period ________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _____________________________ Phone Number ____________________
AP Course: AP Government and Politics AP Teacher: Mr. W.B. Brooks AP Coordinator: Ms. Andrea Haegele
You are currently registered to take an AP course this year. Taking an AP course and exam is a collaborative effort between you (the student), your parent/guardian, and the school. Each party plays a role and must make the commitment to meet the expectations noted below.
The Student agrees to organize his/her time and effort to successfully complete the AP course in which he/she is enrolled. The student will notify teachers immediately if he/she falls behind in class readings and/or assignments. The student will be expected to complete assignments, readings and projects outside of class time.
The Parent/Guardian agrees to be familiar with and accept the AP course requirements and policies, and to help his/her child organize study time in support of class assignments. The parent/guardian agrees to purchase required materials and to pay the exam fee as determined by the AP Coordinator. If the parent/guardian is unable to meet these requirements for financial reasons, they will contact the AP Coordinator immediately. See above contact information.
The School (AP Teacher and AP Coordinator) agrees to provide rigorous instruction and challenging course content as described in the AP Course Description. The school will provide the student with a copy of the
Bulletin for AP Students and Parents and agrees to administer the AP Exam in a fair and secure environment as outlined in the AP Coordinator’s Manual .
This contract shall be applied to the following courses: AP Government and Politics
By signing this contract, I understand that the following conditions and requirements apply.
• I agree to remain in the class for the first semester.
• I understand that my semester grade will be recorded on my mid-year transcript.
• NO schedule changes will be permitted AFTER the seventh day of school until the second semester and all
changes will be contingent upon space availability, extenuating circumstances, and the teacher’s appraisal of
my capabilities to do the work.
• Before permission is granted to drop an AP, seniors must notify the specific colleges. A withdraw grade will
be recorded on the transcript regardless of when I am allowed to drop the AP Course.
• I thoroughly understand the course description and expectations of a college-level course.
I affirm that I have read this contract and I will abide by its stipulations.
_________________________________________ ___________
Student Signature / Date
I support my student’s decision and I understand the ramifications of this selection.
_________________________________________ ____________
Parent Signature / Date
Students will be removed from the requested courses and placed in a substitute elective if the contract is not returned by the seventh day of school.
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