AP US Government and Politics
Parents keep this page
Independence High School 2014-2015
Emily Williams
emily.williams@cms.k12.nc.us (best method to contact me)
Parents keep this page
Course Description
Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics will provide students an intellectual foundation for observing, analyzing, and
understanding national politics in the United States. Using primary and secondary source documents, as well as analysis of specific
examples, students will examine and evaluate the institutions of American government, political parties and elections, mass media,
political behavior, public policies, and the development of individual rights and liberties and their impact on citizens. The content of
this course is the equivalent to that of an introductory college course in U.S. government and politics.
Course Outline
First Semester
1. Constitutional Underpinnings
2. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
3. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
4. Institutions of Government
a. Congress
Second Semester
5. Institutions of Government cont’d
b. Executive Branch
c. Judicial Branch
d. Bureaucracy
6. Political Parties and Interest Groups
7. Public Policy
8. Exam Review
Required Materials
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3 ring binder
Tabbed dividers (one package of 10)
3x5 notecards
Required Texts
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Hardball, Chris Matthews
o Student-purchased or available at the
public library
o make sure to get the revised edition,
published in 1999
Grading Policy
Grading Scale
93-100- A
86-92- B
85-77- C
76-70- D
69 & below- F
Quarter Grading Percentages
 70% - Formal assessments – One test per unit; individual and group projects; major papers
 30% - Quizzes –regular quizzes of reading assignments; certain writing assignments; homework; classwork
A note about grades
 Please keep in mind that Advanced Placement classes are different from standard high school classes. Typically, far
fewer grades are accumulated in an AP class, meaning every grade is important. Failing to turn in an assignment
has greater consequences in an AP course. Tests are modeled after the national AP exam and are significantly more
challenging than a traditional multiple choice exam.
Late Work
I DO NOT accept late homework, class work, warm-ups, cool-downs, and unit assignments (your college professor won’t,
either). A ten-point deduction per day will be given to projects turned in late.
Parents keep this page for your reference
Make-up work
Students who are absent for a test, quiz, or assignment have ONE WEEK to make up the work. Tests and quizzes must
be made up either before school or on Thursdays during tutoring. Work that is not made up within one week will receive
a grade of “zero.”
Attendance
Attendance Policy
CMS and IHS policy states that students who have more than 10 absences will fail the course for the semester.
Students may “recover” or make up absences by staying after school for tutoring and recovery days. Attendance in
an AP course is especially critical.
Tardy Policy
Independence High School policy:
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1st tardy=warning to student
2nd tardy=referral to administration/ISS
3rd tardy=written referral to administration
School Rules
 Dress Code: Please make sure your student is in compliance with the school dress code. Students out of compliance will be
sent to administration. Students will not return to class until they are in compliance.

Electronic Devices: In general, electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players are not allowed at school. Students
may listen to music with headphones before and after school only. Headphones are not permitted during the instructional
day, either in classrooms or in the hallways between classes.
Students are not allowed to make or receive phone calls on their personal cell phones during the instructional day. Students
are not allowed to send text messages or check their cell phones during class or in the hallways between classes. If a student
attempts to use a cell phone during class, it will be confiscated and turned into the main office until it can be picked up by a
parent or guardian. The school will not conduct a search for lost or stolen electronic devices.
*****Texting is extremely disruptive in the classroom. Please help me maintain an efficient and focused atmosphere
by discussing with your student the consequences of texting during class.*****
How can I help my child successfully pass this class?
Students who are taking an AP course for the first time can experience difficulty.
1. Ask your student, “What did you do in school today?” Discuss current events with your student, or better yet, watch news
programs with them. Log onto Powerschool to view your child’s grades and attendance in all of their classes. Login
information can be found at the school’s website ( http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/independence/ ) or by calling the school for the
appropriate information.
2. Make sure you child is attending school on time every day with supplies.
3. Contact me as often as possible. The best way to reach me is via email.
4. Parent/Teacher Conferences: Please contact your student’s guidance counselor to set up a P/T conference.
5. Tutoring will be most Thursdays after school from 2:30 – 4:00…arrive on time.
Special Considerations for an AP Class
Advanced Placement classes are, by definition, college-level classes. Students who enroll in AP classes take on responsibilities not
required of standard high school students. AP students must work independently on most assignments. They will have considerably
more homework than other students. They are expected to produce high-level work on a consistent basis. I should not have to contact
the parent of an AP student regarding behavior issues. The reward for this hard work is an extra quality point averaged into the
student’s GPA and (assuming success on the AP Exam) college credit. Please discuss with your student the commitment he/she is
making in enrolling in an AP course. No student should enroll in an AP course who simply wants to inflate their GPA.
The AP Exam
It is my hope that all students enrolled in AP Government will take the AP exam in May. Students who work hard during the year and
perform well in class will be well prepared for the exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions (45 minutes) and 4 Free
Response essay questions (100 minutes). At the 2014 administration, about 51% of test-takers nation-wide scored a “3” or higher.
Students who choose not to sit for the AP exam will complete an additional project.
Return this page to Ms. Williams by Friday, August 31
Email Ms. Williams by Monday and your student will receive a bonus “100!”
Syllabus Assignment
I, ______________________________ (print name here), have read the course syllabus, and will explain Ms. Williams’ AP
Government Syllabus to my parents/guardians and return completed for a homework grade.
X_____________________________________(student sign here)
I, ______________________________ (print name here), have read and understand the course syllabus for AP Government.
X ___________________________________ (parent or guardian signature)
Parent and Teacher Contact Form
Contact Information
Parent Contact
Please print legibly and complete all parts.
This section will be used to help document our
communication.
Parent/Guardian Names:
____________________________________
____________________________________
Phone Number:
Home:______________________________
Parent Cell: _______________________________
Work: ______________________________
Parent Email: ______________________________
Preferred method of contact: ________________________
Student Contact Information
- I will contact you (the parent/guardian) with behavior or
academic issues. This is just to verify that students are not
giving their personal contact information instead of their
parents’ or guardians’.
Student Phone Number: _______________________
Student Email:_______________________________