United States Government: SS 943
Instructor: Tracy K. Nondorf
-phone: 984-2866 (voicemail)
-e-mail: tnondorf@ursulinestl.org
Class Overview:
American Government is a review of the American government and our political process. Students will learn the basic principals of
our American democracy through careful study of the Constitution, and will begin to develop an understanding of the role and
function of each of the three branches of our government. Students will also reflect upon the forces that shape our government today,
and will come to understand the importance of political involvement on the part of all American citizens.
Requirements of the State:
United States Government is a one semester required course which fulfills the Missouri state graduation requirement in Government.
In addition to passing the course, each student must take and pass a test on the American Constitution to graduate from high
school in the state of Missouri.
The American Constitution test will be given in the first quarter of the class.
-the test will be in an online format – first grade to be the class grade
-if a student does not pass – the test will be reopened for her and she will have one week to keep retaking the test until she
receives a passing grade (this is to meet the state requirement / class grade will not change)
Educational Objectives: upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
 Understand the fundamentals of the American Constitution, and the workings of the modern American
government.
 Interpret and apply knowledge of current events to analyze the role and function of government today.
 Take responsibility for their learning experience, by completing all required work.
 Read and write critically and analytically in the area of political science.
 Use the library, community resources, and the internet for research / with appropriate documentation.
Topics to be Covered:
Unit I: Fundamental Principles: Chapters1-4
-The Constitution and Federalism: Chapter 3-4
-We will do minimal amounts from Ch. 1-2 – students will read them on their own, and
take a “review test” to show understanding.
Unit II: Political Behavior: Government by the People: Chapters 5-9
-Political Parties and Voter Behavior: Chapters 5-6
-The Electoral Process: Chapters 7-9
*The Nominating Process and Role of Money, The Mass Media and Public
Opinion, and Interest Groups
Unit III: The Legislature: Chapters 10-12
Unit IV: The Executive: Chapters 13-14
Unit V: The Courts and Civil Liberties Chapters 18-20
-The Federal Court System: Chapter 18
-Civil Liberties, First Amendment Freedoms: Chapter 19
-Civil Liberties, Protecting Individual Rights: Chapter 20
Text:
Mc Clenaghan, William A. Magruder’s American Government. Boston: Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2011.
Grading and Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on the basis of tests, written assignments, and daily work.
-I will use the grading scale in the UA Handbook
-I will not drop or curve any grades.
-Students will have LIMITED opportunities for extra credit – so should keep that in mind when work is due!
-ONLINE grade book – is set to ROUND at .5 – I will make NO other adjustments
You should keep track of your grades on FA WEB – and email me if you have any questions or concerns. I generally update grades
right after I grade work – weekly to bi-weekly, if you see a problem, let me know. Written assignments and tests may take me a bit
longer to grade due to their length – so please be patient!
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Grades generally break down as follows:
-50% of the grade, determined by test grades
-10% of the grade - daily work
-40% of the grade – writing / current events / and research based projects or assignments
Tests: will be given at the end of each unit (1-4 chapters each).
-most will be written in multiple choice and essay format
-you should expect to take smaller reading quizzes as well
-some tests will be in an on-line format through Quia. This means will need your computers – if they are not
charged or you forget them on a test date, the test will be considered a LATE ASSIGNMENT. If
you already used your late pass then NO CREDIT will be given.
- If the test is take-home via Quia – and you forget to take it / NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN!
-If Ms. N decides to reopen the test for you – it counts as 2 LATE assignments / and you lose your
exam exemption!!!!
Lecture and Presentation of Material:
History and Social Sciences classes tend to rely on lecture and discussion to help students grasp the concepts taught – my class is no
different. As such I require that you keep a notebook for this class and take notes on the subject
matter discussed.
-you will need a PAPER NOTEBOOK / BINDER – THAT CAN BE HANDED IN TO ME
-you are free to transcribe your notes into a computer file and are encouraged to do so – but I will expect
you to take notes in a paper notebook in class. Computers will need to be CLOSED during the lecture /
discussion portion of class.
-any student who does not comply with this will receive a demerit
-any student who does not have a paper notebook will receive no credit for note assignments
Written Assignments:
There will be approximately 1-2 short papers per quarter. These will be 1-4 pages in length and may require research or analysis of
assigned documents and articles.
-all written assignments MUST be typed / documented as per class guidelines (which are found in the writing guide
attached to the web page for the class)
Daily Work:
There is MINIMAL daily work in this class. Thus, students should not depend on daily work points to maintain their grades.
You will get a study guide to go with each unit. This will be the primary daily work for the class – and are worth minimal points.
Other daily work may consist of puzzles, work sheets, web quests – generally ONE assignment additional to the study guide per unit.
Class Web Site and Blog:
It is my expectation that students will check the class web site regularly (at least once a week) – I give due dates, assignments, links to
materials and current events on the site. If you miss something because you aren’t checking you will receive no credit and little
sympathy!
Students may be expected to participate in on-line blogging and threaded discussions to expand on class discussion. Again, it will be
your responsibility to find the time to do this.
Current Events:
Current events is an integral part of the study of government – in fact, it is usually the most fun part of the class. So, it is
IMPERATIVE that you get in the habit of watching the news on television or online, or of reading a newspaper or weekly
newsmagazine. You will be expected to participate in both oral and written current events assignments in the semester.
Semester Examinations:
Ursuline Academy requires that teachers give a semester examination; as such I will give one on the date and time scheduled by the
principal. All students WHO DO NOT qualify for an exam exemption MUST take the final exam on the scheduled date and time.
Failure to do so will result in her receiving a zero on the examination.
Exemptions will be given to all students who:
 Achieve an overall class grade of a B+ when Quarter 1-2 or 3-4 are averaged
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HAVE NO MORE THAN ONE LATE OR MISSING ASSIGNMENT per quarter – any combination of two 0’s
fornot turning in work / or 2 late assignments will disqualify you for an exemption! Failure to take on on-line test = 2
late assignments = loss of exemption!
Have MORE than 4 TARDIES in a QUARTER = loss of participation points / loss of exemption!
Classroom Expectations:
o Students are expected to be prepared, have all necessary materials and be on time for class each day.
 on-time: means that you are in the room when the bell rings. You must have a pass if you are late.
 All students will begin the quarter with 20 participation points – I will DEDUCT 5 points for every tardy
 If you loose ALL your tardy / participation points – you loose your exam exemption!
 prepared: means you have your book and notebook – and have done the assigned reading and homework for the day
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Technology – I feel the need to lay a few ground rules here so:
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If I tell you to close your computer (lids down) – they should be down – no exceptions. Computers CANNOT be
used for note-taking in class!
 If I see a phone – I will take it – give it to Ms. Williams and handbook punishment applies
 If you have an Iphone / or phone and MP3 combo – and I see it – I will take it, give it to Ms. Williams – and
handbook punishment applies (IT IS STILL A PHONE!).
 If I see you on Facebook / IM-ing or doing something on your computer that is not a part of the class I will give you
a demerit!
 NO CAMERAs in my classroom – read your handbook!
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Students are expected to hand in all assignments ON TIME (by 3:00 on date due).
 Each student gets ONE late pass per quarter – this allows you to hand in an assignment up to one week late with no
point deduction.
o Late passes CANNOT BE USED for oral current events / in class projects and presentations
 If you are ABSENT on a due date – you should hand in the assignment on the date of your return
o If you have multiple absences – I will give you a secondary due date (usually a week) to make up work
 If you have a PLANNED ABSENCE on a due date – work should be handed in BEFORE you leave – to get credit
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Students are expected to take all tests on the date assigned.
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If you are absent it is your responsibility to SEE ME / EMAIL me- to schedule a make-up test.
 To receive credit, all missed tests MUST be made up within ONE WEEK of the original test date.
 If you fail to take an on-line test in the allotted time – no credit will be given (re-opening the test will be at the
teacher’s discretion – and based on the students’ overall behavior in class – and will count as 2-late assignments
should it occur)
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Students should treat one another and the instructor with respect. That means you should listen when others are talking, try
not to be argumentative, and try to make the class a positive place. This can be challenging in a politics class – but we can do
it!
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All students are expected to know and follow the guidelines in the UA Handbook – this applies mostly to DRESS CODE,
CELL PHONES, and other disciplinary guidelines.
While rules are rules, and I believe mine to be fair, there may be occasions when you need some extra help and understanding.
I would hope that you would come to speak with me on those occasions. By working together we may be able to find a
compromise that works for both of us!
You should always try to be proactive, talk to me before a situation becomes dire! I honestly don’t bite 
SUPPLY LIST FOR THE CLASS:
Pens / Pencils
Markers (for the occasional project / coloring sheet or map)
Binder / Notebook –
 with loose leaf (for taking notes) – a binder is preferable because it is easier for me to “collect” notes for one chapter at a
time, if you must use a spiral notebook – make sure it is for this class only!
 You may also want dividers (sections for each unit – and you may want subsections for class notes / vocab – book notes /
returned papers / handouts) .
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