American Government Course Syllabus 2017-2018
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Why do I have to study government?
Many high school students will say that studying government is boring or uninteresting. Government and politics can be exciting subjects. I hope to create a personal interest in politics that you can carry with you for the rest of your lives. To understand and appreciate that people may even fight and die for one’s political beliefs. Government has to do with events that occur in the world from rising unemployment to elections, conflicts in the Middle East, and education. Government addresses the most basic issues in our lives such as the quality of our food, personal safety, and the right to voice opinions about our leaders. As students prepare to leave high school, they must be prepared to participate in the world as active and informed citizens.
Course requirements
U.S. government is a yearlong class. Passing U.S. government is a requirement for graduation in Douglas County. There is no state-mandated End of Course Test (EOCT), but there will be a comprehensive final exam.
Students MUST come prepared for class each day and the following items are essential for students to remain organized and be successful in class.
* Pen or pencil
* Red or black folder
* 3-ring binder and notebook paper,if you can or just paper.
GRADING GUIDELINES
Grades
All grades taken on assignments, tests, and/or projects shall be recorded in the Student Information System (electronic grade book).
Grading Scale
Grades shall be calculated on assignments, tests, and/or projects in the following method:
A = 90 to 100
B = 80 to 89
C = 71 to 79
D = 70
F = Below 70
Weight of Grades
All grades can be categorized into two groups, summative and formative. All grades will be academic and relevant to the course. Extra credit work will be academic. The following defines the differences between these two groups:
Summative Grades
Summative grades will comprise 50% of the 36 week average in all high school credit courses.
Summative categories or grades could include but are not limited to: Examinations/Tests, Projects, Labs, Term Papers, Compositions, Benchmarks, Common District Assessments, Quizzes, midterms, and other similar assignments
Formative Grades
Formative grades will comprise 30%of the 36 week average in all high school credit courses. Formative grades could include but are not limited to: Class Work, Notebooks, Labs, Quizzes, Homework, and other similar assignments
EOCT/Final Exam End of Course Tests or SLO’s will count 20% of the 36 week average in all high school courses.
Infinite Campus is the school’s online grading software. Parents/guardians may review their child’s grades at any time by using a pass code. Parents/guardians may obtain their code for Infinite Campus by going to this website:
Course content
Topics include in depth studies of the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial; the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights; federal, state, and local governments; participating in our government. We will be including the Medal of Honor program.
Absences
According to Douglas County Board of Education policy, students must bring in an excuse for any absence upon return to school in order to make up missed class work. Missed class work must be made up within the same number of days that he/she is absent. For example, if a student is out for 3 days, he/ she has 3 days to make up the work. Students must arrange a time to meet with the teacher to make up a test or quiz. If the absence remains unexcused, or the student fails to meet with the teacher, the student may receive a zero for any class work, quiz, or test given during that time. A CDA Re-take will be provided if the student meets with the teacher before or after school to go over the material and the test is taken again within 5 school days of the original test date.
Students must be on time to class.
Classroom Rules and Procedures
Students may not behave in ways that take away from their own learning or the learning of other students. Students will be subject to consequences such as detention, a phone call home, administrative referral and others found in the rules of discipline found in the Douglas County student handbook should their behavior be disruptive or disrespectful. This includes talking or making noise without permission, acting up, and sleeping, among others. *****Students must follow the school dress code. No food may be consumed inside the classroom.
Cell phones will NOT be tolerated in class. Any cell phone, which is taken up, will be returned to the front office, so a Parent/Guardian can be contacted.
Contacting the Teacher
The best way to communicate with Mr. Ritchie, about any concerns you may have is by email () However, phone messages may be left on voicemail and calls will be returned as soon as possible.
*NOTE: Please post this entire Syllabus in the front of your notebook*
Academic Honesty:
At Alexander High School, the student is urged to seek truth and beauty in and for themselves, as well as skills needed for a productive life. Academic honesty is essential in preserving one's own integrity, the integrity of the school, and in gaining a true education. The Alexander High School student pledges not to lie, cheat, or steal in the pursuit of his or her studies and is encouraged to report those who do. Improper academic conduct on the part of the student shall be interpreted to mean the obtaining and using of information during an examination by means other than those permitted by the teacher, including the supplying of such information to other students. Improper academic conduct shall also include plagiarism, i.e., the purchase and use of ghost-written papers and reports, or incorporating into a report, term theme, research paper, or project, ideas and information obtained from another person without giving credit to the person from whom such information was obtained. Further, inclusion of the published or unpublished writings of another person without duly noting these sources according to normal scholarly procedures shall be considered plagiarism. The above definition of academic misconduct applies equally to improper use of electronic sources of information and opinion (adapted from
Parent/Guardian Contact Information
Student name ______Parent/Guardian name______
Relationship to student ______
Home address:
______
Work phone # ______
Home phone # ______
Cell phone # ______
Email address ______
I have reviewed the information found in this syllabus and understand teacher expectations.
X ______(Student signature)
X ______(Parent signature)
Date ______