Mr. Keyes
Fall 2012
AP US Government & Politics
Course Syllabus
Expectations:
1. Students are expected to be on time and prepared each day.
2. Students are expected to work to their maximum capacity.
3. Students are expected to respect all individuals in the class.
Grading:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Homework Assignments
Quizzes
Tests (objective and essay)
Written Assignments
/Classroom Activities
5. Final Exam
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20% of final grade
15% of final grade
30% of final grade
15% of final grade
=
20% of final grade
Grade Determination:
Most assignments are written and require you to do more than simply answer
the question directly. You should always explain your answer fully, even if the
directions do not indicate you to do so. Also, you should also be sure to include
examples in your answers. DO NOT simply assume that I know what you are
talking about.
Homework assignments contain a fair amount of vocabulary terms. Full credit
will be given only if you correctly define the term, but also use it properly in a
sentence.
Written assignments are either practice AP FRQs or Readings packets. You must
treat every writing assignment as an opportunity to improve your craft as a
writer and your knowledge as a student. You must support your answers, give
examples and answer the questions with as much detail as possible.
Example:
Assignment of Points possible 100
100-90 -
Best Effort, quality answers with support and proper use of vocabulary
89-80
Good effort, some examples, some support no use of chapter
vocabulary
79-70
Average effort, no suitable examples, poor use of vocabulary, just going
through the motions
69-60
Attempted to answer questions, usually shortly before class. No depth
to any answer, just bullet points and one sentence responses. Minimal
effort
59-0
Attempts and humor, directly asking teacher questions, personal
commentary (when not asked for). Ink not clearly on the page.
Assignments, Quizzes and Tests:
1. Homework assignments will be given periodically. All assignments are to be
typed, single-space with an extra space between each question. Vocabulary
definitions need to be in bold or italics with the definition in regular print.
Pop quizzes may be used in place of written homework to check reading
assignments.
A. All assignments must contain the following across the top of their paper:
Student’s name
The assignment specifics (Chapter 7 Questions etc..)
Example:
Mr. Keyes
Chapter 1 Questions and Vocabulary
The Class and hour
The date the assignment is due
AP Government Per. 1
August 20, 2010
B. Each chapter will have assigned questions and a vocabulary list.
C. Vocabulary must contain the word (either underlined or in italics) and
the COMPLETE definition as it pertains to class.
a. Example:
b.
Homework – assignments designed to reinforce, extend and further the material
covered in the classroom during class.
Alternative:
Create a crossword puzzle using the vocabulary words.
D. All questions must have the question written out in bold or italics and
then answered in a complete sentence. Please avoid first person, unless
the question asks for your opinion.
a. Example:
Discuss three compromises that are evident in the original Constitution.
The three compromises evident in the original Constitution are…
E. All assignments are due at the BEGINNING of the class. Assignments
are to stapled and placed in the appropriate hours’ box. Students who
are late to class are NOT permitted to turn in any homework.
F. Absolutely NO late work will be taken. Students who are absent with a
proper excuse must hand in the complete assignment on the day they
return to class.
G. Absent students should make every effort to email me by the hour we
would meet in class to ensure that I know you did your work on time.
Brendan.Keyes@gilbertschools.net
2. Seatwork will be assigned at the beginning of the hour. Students who are
late CANNOT make up their seatwork.
3. Note Questions are given out weekly. These will be checked periodically
and will be graded on an all or nothing basis. Please take the time in class to
complete your notes.
4. Chapter Review Questions are given with each chapter. These are actual
test questions from upcoming unit tests. Students may need to hand them in
with their chapter homework.
5. Quizzes and or Timed Writings will be at the conclusion of every two
chapters. Shorter chapters may be combined with other chapters.
a. Quizzes may be in the following forms:
1. Short answer/paragraphs
2. Fill in the blank
b. Quizzes will be scheduled at least 2 days in advance.
c. The best way to study is to know the chapter(s) vocabulary
d. Pop quizzes – will be given in the first two minutes of class and
CANNOT be made up. Don’t be late.
6. Notebooks –Students will have the opportunity to have their chapter notes
emailed to them. Students will be expected to print the notes and bring them
to class. Notebooks will be reviewed, about every 4-½ weeks. This is done to
see that the student is staying up to date. (If a student does not have the
means to print the notes, please contact me and other arrangements will be
made.
a. Student’s notebooks should be a 2 – inch binder.
b. The notebook will contain the following:
1. A copy of Class Cornell Notes – used properly.
2. Answers to the questions in the note summaries must be
written on the notes – failure to do these will result in them
becoming a required part of the chapter homework
3. All terms need to be defined (see #2)
4. All class distributed hand-outs
7. Tests will be given at the end of each major section. There will be 4 tests
given this semester.
A. ALL Tests are cumulative.
B. The test format will be similar to the multiple-choice AP Exam that many
will face in May.
C. These will be old AP Test questions that cover the chapters discussed in
class.
D. The BEST way to study is to review notes and vocabulary and old AP
exams or a review book
8. Final Exam – Will be given in accordance with the final exam schedule.
Make Up Work:
1. Students will have the opportunity to make up assignments, quizzes, and
tests in accordance with the GHS Student Handbook guidelines. The student
must arrange this on his/her first day back to school.
2. Students who miss a quiz or test, for any reason, will have to make it up on
their own time, within 24 hours of their return to school. No make ups are
permitted during the class time.
3. Students leaving on a prearranged function (school trip, sporting events,
family events etc.) must contact the teacher prior to leaving. A schedule will
be arranged for make-up work at that time. Students not following this
guideline WILL NOT are allowed to make up the assignment, quiz or test.
Please email the instructor for actual proof that this notification did occur.
4. Only excused absences will be given the opportunity to make up
assignments.
5. IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SEEK OUT
WHAT WAS MISSED DURING THEIR ABSENCE.
Student Success Policy
1. Failure is not an option for this class.
2. Students who fall behind in class will be required to spend extra time before,
during or after school working on improving their skills and strengthening
their areas of weakness.
3. Students unable to meet with me for extra help, will be assigned lunch time
recovery with another Social Studies teacher.
4. Please make every effort to maintain a 2.0(C) or higher in this class.
Attendance Policy:
1. Students are expected to be in class, seated and prepared to learn when the
final passing bell rings.
2. Periodic quizzes will be given in the first five minutes of class. Tardy
students WILL NOT be able to make up these quizzes for any reasons.
3. If a teacher or anyone asks you if it is okay to be late to class or miss class
your answer to them should be NO.
4. Unexcused absences result in the non-opportunity to make up the missed
class work.
5. Students will be reported to the administration on the 7th absence.
6. Students will be dropped on the 11th absence excused or unexcused, unless an
extenuating occurs.
7. Students missing class for school activities are excused, but if a pattern forms,
no make-up work will be allowed
8. Students who sleep in class will receive an absence for the day
Class Strategies:
1. Preview the chapter.
a. Read your notes before class. It will only take a few minutes to read
the upcoming two or three pages and have a working knowledge
even consider answer the questions.
b. Read your text book. It is a tool, please use it. Also, one never knows
when there is a pop quiz.
2. Prioritize, I know you have other important classes and activities, but spend
the time on the front end. NOTHING irritates me more than students
waiting to the last minute to do work or study.
Dress Policy:
Students are expected to follow the GHS dress guidelines. No hoods will be allowed up
in the class. All ears must be visible.
Cell Phone and Other Electronics Policy:
In accordance with GHS guidelines, there is no cell phone or other electronics use
permitted during class. All phones and electronic devices should be turned off and put
away prior to the start of class. Those wearing an Ipod or other music player should
remove them and place them in their bags. At no time shall phones or other electronic
devices be removed from your bag. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in the
confiscation of the phone or device. If a class or an individual continues to violate this
policy, the instructor reserves the right to collect all the phones and electronic devices
every class period for the remainder of the semester
Cheating Policy:
Students who find it necessary to cheat, copy, cut and paste assignments from fellow
classmates or other sources will receive a zero for that assignment. Any student caught
cheating runs the risk of the instructor notifying the college/university of choice and all
scholarship granters that the student is unethical and therefore unworthy of the
scholarship, grant or acceptance.
Cheating is defined as not doing your own work, gaining information about tests,
quizzes from fellow students, using sources and not giving them credit or passing it off
as your own work.
Students who copy one another’s homework or other assignments will forfeit the
privilege of typing their homework. All subsequent assignments for the those students
involved in answer sharing or copying will be required to turn in hand-written
assignments for the rest of the semester.
General information, which may make life easier:
1. Be honest. If anything goes wrong, an honest explanation, no matter how
unbelievable, will be treated with respect.
2. Be on time. Our class time is far too important to waste.
3. Be respectful of the class, teacher and classroom.
4. If you are not sure, ask.
5. Understand that you are not the only person in the world.
6. Opinions are good, but they are neither right nor wrong.
7. Humor is appreciated and tolerated, but clowns tend to annoy people.
8. Remember that this is a Government Class, other work should not be out
without permission.
9. Don’t speak unless you can improve the silence
Drop Dead Words and Phrases:
In formal writing, mistakes should be at a minimum. Therefore, misspelled or misused
words will result in the termination of grading at that point. Example, if you misspell a
word in the opening paragraph, the entire assignment will be graded up to that
misspelled word. This is only for formal assignments – ones you have over two days to
prepare.
What is expected of you in class:
This is a discussion based class. While you may be the type that does better just
memorizing facts, terms and data, your success in this class will be based partly on how
much you participate. In order to participate to your fullest potential, you will need to
read ahead in both your notes and your text. There are questions at the bottom of your
note pages that you may want to pencil in the answers to in order to help you in the next
day’s discussion.
If it becomes clearly obvious that students in the class are not pre-reading, then we will
have a bell quiz daily.
Course Description and Syllabus
Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics
“American Government, Sixth Edition”
Authors: James Q. Wilson & John J. Dilulio, Jr.
Published: D.C. Heath and Company
ISBN 0-669-34088X
I.
Constitutional underpinnings of democracy in the United States
A. Federalism
B. Separation of Powers
C. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
II.
Political beliefs and behaviors of individuals
A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
C. The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
D. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs
and behaviors.
III.
Political parties and interest groups: mechanisms that facilitate the communication of
interests and preferences of like-mined citizens
A. Political parties and elections (including their functions, organization historical
development, and effects on the political process)
B. Interest groups (including PACs)
1. the range of interests that are not represented
2. the activities of interest groups
3. the effects of interest groups on the political process
IV.
The Congress, the Presidency, the Federal Courts, and the bureaucracy: institutions and
policy process.
A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of powers
B. Relationships among these four institutions
C. Links between these institutions and political parties, interest groups, the media, sub
national governments, and public opinion
D. Policy process and outputs
E. Policy making in a federal system
V.
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
A. The Development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation.
Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics
FAll 2012
Chapter 1: The Study of American Government
Chapter 2: The Constitution
Chapter 3: Federalism
Test Chapters 1-3
Chapter 4: American Political Culture
Chapter 5: Civil Rights
Chapter 6: Civil Liberties
Test Chapters 4-6 (cumulative)
Chapter 7: Public Opinion
Chapter 8: Political Participation
Chapter 9: Political Parties
Chapter 10: Elections and Campaigns
Chapter 11: Interest Groups
Chapter 12: The Media
Test Chapters: 7-12 (cumulative)
Chapter 13: Congress
Chapter 14: The Presidency
Chapter 15: The Bureaucracy
Chapter 16: The Judiciary
Test Chapters: 13-16 (cumulative)
Chapter 17: The Policy-Making Process
Chapter 18: Economic Policy
Chapter 19: Social Welfare
Chapter 20: Foreign and Military Policy
Chapter 21: Environmental Policy
Test Chapters 17-21 (cumulative)
Final Exam