American Government and History
American Government and History is a survey course that traces the origin and foundations of the U.S. Democratic system and its evolution through modern times. There will be an emphasis on the key social, political, cultural and economic events that shaped American policy to be learned through presidential succession. Students will be able to identify the theory, organization, principles, and function of the American national government, and various elements within the political system that work to shape policy outcomes.
Instructor: Mr. St. Peter
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Louisville 2002
Masters of Arts in Teaching ECE, Western Kentucky University 2005
Master of Arts In Education – Social Studies – University of the Cumberlands 2009
Rank I – High School Curriculum – University of the Cumberlands 2009
Bardstown High School Social Studies Teacher/ECE Teacher - 2003- present
Course Outline
Unit 1: Foundations of the Democratic System
Unit 2: American Colonial Society
Unit 3: Revolutionary Period
Unit 4: President Washington Leads the Way
Unit 5: President Adams and Federalism
Unit 6: Presidents Jefferson – JQ Adams – Democratic Republicans
Unit 7: Presidents Jackson and Van Buren – Democrats
Unit 8: Presidents Harrison – Fillmore - American Expansion
Unit 9: Presidents Pierce and Buchanan – Sectionalism
Unit 10: President Lincoln – Civil War
Unit 11: Presidents Johnson and Grant – Reconstruction
Unit 12: Presidents Hayes – McKinley – American Industrialization
Unit 13: Presidents Roosevelt and Taft – Progressivism
Unit 14: President Wilson – World at War
Unit 15: Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover – Roaring Twenties and Depression
Unit 16: President FDR – WWII and Domestic Reform
Unit 17: President Truman – America as a World Power
Unit 18: President Eisenhower – America in the 50’s
Unit 19: Presidents JFK and Johnson – America in the 60’s
Unit 20: Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter – America in the 70’s
Unit 21: President Reagan – America in the 80’s
Unit 22: Presidents Bush and Clinton – America in the 90’s
Unit 23: Presidents Bush and Obama – Current Era
CLASSROOM
EXPECTATIONS
- Arrive to class and be seated on time. Tardies will be counted
for not being in seat when bell rings or being late because of a lack of materials.
- Bring proper materials to class, including pencil/paper, book, agenda, and binder.
- Refrain from speaking until instructed
- Food and drink are not permitted; water bottles with screw-on caps will be.
- Students will not be allowed to exit the class room the first and last ten minutes of class.
Grading Policy
56% Summative (Major exams or unit projects)
31% Formative (Quizzes)
13% Daily Work and Home Work
** Finals will constitute 20% of the end of course grade
My goal is for students to master the content, and therefore there will be opportunities for students to retake quizzes and exams. The student must meet with the instructor and schedule all retakes on an individual basis unless otherwise stated. Retakes must be taken within 2 weeks of the given exam, and must be taken before or after school. *Retakes may be subject to instructor approval and/or student meeting qualifying criteria.
GRADING SCALE
A 90 – 100
B 80 – 89
C 70 – 79
D 65 – 69
F 64 and below
St. Peter’s E-mail
School Website
Infinite Campus
campus/bardstown.jsp
Makeup Work Policy
What can I make up?
All graded assignments and notes need to be made up. Binder checks, questions that go along with a video, and quizzes cannot be made up and will not count against you in the case of an EXCUSED ABSENCE. Exams will be made up at a designated date with the Instructor.
Where do I get my work?
I no longer take care of providing makeup work during class hours. To check what assignments
you are missing there are two options:
A) Go to Infinite Campus and check your grades
B) Check the school website for the weekly assignment log
Once you have figured out what you are missing, the next step is to get the materials. All assignments are online for you to access, copy, or print out. You can do this from home or if you don’t have internet access, from school in the library afterschool.
When is it due?
Students who miss because of an excused absence will have a number of days equal to the amount of days missed to make-up assignments for full credit. After this period no assignments will be accepted, regardless of their completion, unless the student attends learning lab. It is the student’s responsibility to accumulate and complete missed work, not the teacher’s. With absences deemed unexcused by the Office, work given out will be marked as zeros, including work that was to be turned in that day. Work not completed for disciplinary reasons such as suspension, ISAP, or removal from class will also result in a zero.
Required Materials: Three ring hardback binder (minimum 1 inch) with tab dividers. 2 pocket folders. Paper and writing utensils. Regular internet access.