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This course is about power. Most of the questions we will analyze are about who has power and when, how power shifts from one institution to another and the ebb and flow of power over time. This course also introduces the central features of United States politics and government. By completing this course, students will be able to think
politically about the foundations of United States government. One way to “think politically” is to look for trends.
Political scientists do this so they can make predictions and explain political phenomena. In addition, students will identify the institutions within the structure of United States government, analyze the relationships between such institutions, and appreciate the role of government in American development. While this is not a history course, we will focus on changes in government institutions and political processes over time, because much of today’s politics is difficult to decipher unless this historical context is understood. Students completing this course should be able to better analyze the key issues that confront any participant in day-to-day politics.
Thomas E. Patterson, The American Democracy 10 th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2011.
Our textbook has a useful website that you can use for self-assessment quizzes and chapter reviews. The address is: http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0002072011/ .
You may access all other class information by going to SharePoint. Go to the Palmer home page, and click on
“Teacher Websites” on the left column. From there, click on “Social Studies.” Once there, find me, “Sara Osborne” and click on “Teacher Website.” From that home page click on the calendar function – that is where I will post most handouts for class. Things will be posted on the days that they are given out. For example, this syllabus will posted on Tuesday, August 19 th .
You should have one composition notebook dedicated to this class. All study guides should be completed in your comp notebook. Study guides will due on the same day as each scheduled quiz. For example: The quiz for Chapters
1 & 2 will be on 9/5. The study guide for Chapters 1 & 2 will be on 9/5 as well.
Students should expect to spend a substantive amount of time in preparation for this class. Please set aside at least one hour per day. You will fill this time with reading, reviewing and working on your study guide. Because this class is accelerated in nature, personal commitment on the part of the student is imperative. The expectation of this class is that the assigned reading is completed by the time you meet for class each day. There will be periodic (1-2 times per week) formative assessments on the reading assignments. All reading assignments will be posted online on

SharePoint and on a hard copy calendar. Approximately every other week will conclude with a quiz. Some quizzes will be open note, but all exams will be closed note.
Students should have a clear grasp of daily news events. Throughout the semester, we will weave state, national and world events into our class discussions. Part of the focus of this class is to analyze the power of the media and so we should be on constant lookout for how daily events and their perception shape the nature of United States government and political culture.
Late (1 day or more) assignments will be given a 50% reduction in points. No credit will be given for assignments that are more than 5 school days late. This will be the case unless alternative arrangements have been prearranged
(before the due date). You may only make up assignments for excused absences. If you miss a quiz, you will be given an alternative version to complete.
Please, refrain from chewing tobacco in my class. It is against school policy and a level II disciplinary infraction.
Grades will be determined by the following combination:
Formative Assessments (quick, at the beginning of class, usually between 5-10 points each)
Quizzes (approximately every two weeks, usually between 25-40 points each)
Examinations (infrequent yet comprehensive, 100 points each)
Writing assignments (analytical and of varied lengths, usually between 20 – 50 points each)
Class participation (class discussions, presentations and group work, usually between 15 and 30 points)
Study guides for every unit (approximately every two weeks, always weighs the same as the quiz for that unit)
Grading standards are as follows: 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, and below 60=F.
Please be proactive about your grade. You have more power over it than anyone.
This is the general outline of the course of study we will follow.
Semester I
August: Chapters 1 & 2: Politics and Founding
September: Chapters 3, 4, & 5: Federalism; Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
October: Chapters 6 & 7: Public Opinion and Participation
November: Chapters 8 & 9: Parties and Interest Groups
December: Chapter 10: the Media
Semester II
January: Chapter 11: Congress
February: Chapters 12 & 13: the Presidency and the Bureaucracy
March: Chapters 14, & 15: the Judiciary, Economic Policy
April: Chapters 16 & 17: Welfare, Education, Foreign Policy
May: Review and TEST!