North East ISD • James Madison High School • Alamo Colleges District • San Antonio College •
Federal Government GOVT-2305
AP & Dual Credit Full Term Fall 2018
3 Credits
Meeting Times
NEISD Academic Calendar
Contact Information
Instructor: Mr. Gilberto Avila
Email: :
Office: M-106
Phone: 2103561400
Website:
Description
Origin and development of the U.S. Constitution, structure and powers of the national government including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, federalism, political participation, the national election process, public policy, civil liberties and civil rights. This course fulfills the Government/Political Science foundational component area of the core and addresses the following required objectives: Critical Thinking, Communication, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.
Texts and Materials
Edwards, George C., Robert L. Lineberry, and Martin P. Wattenberg. Government in
America: People, Politics, and Policy. 16th ed. New York: Longman, 2016.
Supplemental Readings: Will be provided by instructor:
Student Learning Outcomes
1 Explain the origin and development of constitutional democracy in the United States.
2 Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system.
3 Describe separation of powers and checks and balances in both theory and practice.
4 Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government.
5 Evaluate the role of public opinion, interest groups, and political parties in the political system.
6 Analyze the election process.
7 Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
8 Analyze issues and policies in U.S. politics.
9 Express oneself with precision and clarity, whether orally or in writing.
Student Responsibility for Success (Alamo Colleges District Policy F.6.2):
As members of the NEISD and Alamo Colleges District learning community, students, faculty, staff and administrators all share the responsibility to create an atmosphere where knowledge, integrity, truth, and academic honesty are valued and expected. A clear acknowledgment of the mutual obligations of all members of the academic community emphasizes this implicit partnership in fostering the conditions necessary for student success.
In this relationship, NEISD and the Alamo Colleges District provides institutional policies, procedures, and opportunities to facilitate student learning that encourage interaction, involvement and responsible participation. Inherent in the academic climate is the expectation that students will assume responsibility for contributing to their own development and learning. Academic success is directly tied to the effort students put into their studies, the degree to which they interact with faculty and peers, and the extent to which students integrate into the campus life.
1. Engagement
- Create connections and build relationships with faculty, staff and students (visit during office hours, join clubs and organizations, participate in student activities, etc.);
- Stay informed of policies, procedures, deadlines and events for academic and co-curricular activities;
- Complete all requirements for admission, registration, and payment by deadlines;
- Apply for financial assistance, if needed, complying with all federal, state and local regulations and procedures;
- Meet all federal, state and local health care regulations.
2. Communication
- Seek guidance from faculty, advisors or counselors for questions and concerns in regards to degree plans, major selection, academic status, grades, and issues impacting college success;
- Develop a peer support system to identify student contacts for questions, group assignments, etc. regarding academic and co-curricular activities;
- Communicate with College personnel promptly regarding academic or co-curricular concerns and assistance requests;
- Carefully consider the information provided by College personnel and make decisions using that information;
3. Academic Success
- Complete courses with passing grades and maintain good academic standing
- Read and follow all syllabi;
- Attend classes regularly and on time, with as few absences, late arrivals, and early exits as possible;
- Arrive to class with all needed materials and completed assignments for that class period;
- Be attentive in class and actively participate as appropriate;
- Devote sufficient time for studying;
- Ensure integrity in all aspects of academic and career development;
- Accurately represent one’s own work and that of others used in creating academic assignments. Use information ethically and exercise appropriate caution to avoid plagiarism on all assignments;
- Notify faculty in advance or as soon as possible about absences and provide documentation as appropriate;
- Consult faculty members in advance when unable to complete projects, assignments, or take examinations as scheduled.
4. Self-Responsibility and Responsibility to Others
- Maintain accurate and complete degree/certificate major selection and contact information including name, address, phone number and emergency contact;
- Balance personal obligations and educational pursuits. Work with a counselor / advisor to design a realistic schedule that dedicates adequate effort to be successful in college studies;
- Know and follow the regulations and guidelines outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook;
- Maintain respectful and appropriate behavior within and outside the classroom;
- Ask for help when needed. Use all available resources and facilities provided by the College to enhance the learning experience;
- Attend scheduled advising sessions, tutorials, and other appointments. Arrive prepared for tutorial sessions, bringing all needed materials (books, syllabi, rough drafts, calculators, assignment sheets, etc.).
Pace and Sequence: Noted on Class Calendar
Unit One: American Foundations and Federalism [Ch. 1-3]
Unit Two: The Courts (Judicial Branch) & [Ch. 15] Civil Rights and Liberties [Ch. 4-5]
Unit Three: Elections & Congress (Legislative Branch) [Ch.8-11]
Unit Introduction: Political Participation [6-7]
Unit Four: The Presidency (Executive Branch) and Bureaucracy [Ch. 12 & 14]
+ Nuts and Bolts –
Like, Really Read the following details, I will not repeat the information after orientation and simply ask you to refer to the class syllabus.
Quizzes/Journals: The quizzes explicitly cover the material in the textbook and students are to use the quiz schedule as a reading schedule. Students are responsible for all the information provided from the textbook for the chapter assigned. For each chapter, the vocabulary must be provided in the class journal (vocabulary must match the vocabulary provided in the margins but for the quizzes the information in the text is ultimately where the questions from quizzes reside) and answers for the section questions must follow the corresponding chapter. The answers for the questions will be provided during class presentations. The class journal must contain the ACE response for the assigned sections for the unit and a “greatest hits” response including the question for the remaining sections will meet the requirement for the journal checks. In addition “Warm Ups/Focus Activities” should also be documented in the class journal. (If we are using the projector or whiteboard, WRITE IT DOWN, it is also in best practice to take notes from class discussions and lectures) For each unit, the class journal must also contain a mock answer to the FRQs assigned and a rough draft of your ACE response. The class journal should document the formal and informal progression of content discussed throughout the course and will be taken up at the end of each unit. In sum, the class journal should contain the following for each unit: the vocabulary, subsection questions and answers (ACE for assigned – Greatest Hits for the others), mock FRQs, rough draft of ACE responses, and all “Warm Ups” or “Focus Activities” “Class Discussions/Lecture Notes”.
Unit Presentations: For each unit, you will be assigned in partners/trios to provide a presentation using Google slides and the presentation will be assessed using the rubric provided. Due dates for presentations will be provided on the class calendar it is expected that the presentation be shared and completed by the beginning of class and any delay will trigger the district Late Grade policy of a 20% reduction. Given the size of our classes, we cannot afford to have delays in the schedule. A substantial portion of the rubric involves class participation and though class participation is expected throughout the course, it is here where explicit points will be taken from your average for off task or improper posture. For example, on presentation days the expectation is that your journal and book are open to the proper section and when there is any dead time as the groups or tech is being prepared, all students are reading the section that is about to be presented. The presentations are interactive, so class input is required; if students are unable to make connections to the text or current events the student’s familiarity of the assigned content becomes clear.
Free Response Questions: You will be responsible to prepare for the FRQ prompts in class one to two days before unit assessments. Unless otherwise noted, all AP FRQs will be administered after the multiple choice portion of the exam. All FRQs are posted on the calendar and though the class will be provided one or two days to prepare for all the questions in class, it is expected that students are meditating on how to best address the prompts through the unit during quizzes, presentations, and class discussion. One or two of the prompts posted will be selected for examination the day following the multiple choice section of the unit exam. Students must complete a mock answer in their class journal for all prompts and be ready to answer any of the prompts posted on test day.
ACE Responses: These responses are due on the schedule dates posted on the class calendar and must be in the MLA format, typed, double-spaced, and 12 ft. The ACE responses will address the supplemental readings provided designed to not only highlight critical components of the unit but also reading comprehension, written, and verbal communication. Please include pg. number and attribute the source quoted in your response, parenthetical citations are fine…ex. (Avila, 5) The length varies on the prompt provided but generically speaking one ACE response is required for each questions and sub question assigned. (A good response is not always long response (though it may be long) rather answers that addresses the prompt fully, accurately, briefly, and at best, creatively are expected) Please read the text carefully and be sure to represent the author’s argument/perspective before providing your own. Since the typed response is due at the beginning of class and will be the centerpiece of class discussion for the day, this exercise in comprehension and written/verbal communication fails if students come to class not prepared. Students not prepared will be asked to complete the assigned in the hallway or library and will be penalized 20pts for a late grade meaning the highest grade possible would be an 80 and point deductions begin at an 80. When prepared, experience has proven this particularly portion of the course, as it centers primarily on discussions, to be quite enjoyable and those not prepared will definitely be less likely to have a positive experience; thus, they will be asked to work on their late work in another setting. I have found y’all (the students) to be the greatest asset in the course and I look forward to learning how you have been impacted by the reading and sharing your findings with myself and your peers. The insight gained heavily depends on the perspectives and efforts brought forth by the majority of those in the course which, again, happens to be y’all, the students.
Unit Exams: Unit exams will comprise of a multiple choice section of released AP exam question and/or quiz questions. In addition, one or two FRQs will be administered the day after the multiple choice exam unless otherwise noted.
Corrections: If a student has a failing grade on a VQ, MQ or FRQ, item analysis is available. For a VQ, the student must rewrite the vocabulary on a loose leaf paper and submit it before re quizzing for a 75. For a MQ, the student must write full question and answer for each of the items missed and provide a quote with pg number from the text book indicating where the answers appears on a loose leaf paper and submit before re quizzing for a 75. For FRQs, the student must schedule a tutoring session to answer the FRQ for the unit that was not selected for their particular assessment. All correction MUST be complete BEFORE THE UNIT SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT.
Housekeeping: Printers can be used during lunch and before/after school if the assignment is due the same day. Any presentation or papers due must be printed and ready to turn in at the start of class. If you use the class computer to print or share an assignment due the same day, it will trigger the districts Late Work policy of a 20% point reduction. - -
Thank you for taking the course, you will gain much from this coursework: – A student, through coursework of the AP Government College Board Curriculum and DC San Antonio College coursework, will obtain the following marketable skills:
COMMUNICATION: A student will effectively convey and understand information verbally, in writing, and/or visually.
CRITICAL THINKING: A student will explore, identify, analyze, and evaluate issues, documents, and circumstances before teaching a conclusion.
EMPIRICAL AND QUANTITATIVE SKILLS: A student will generate, frame, and analyze data to make informed conclusions.
TEAMWORK: A student will be a flexible and resourceful team member who looks at different points of view and works with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: A student will connect personal choices, actions and consequences, with a commitment to excellence and success.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: A student will build rapport and establish competence within diverse multicultural settings.
PERFORMANCE: A student will create artistic or technical demonstrations through the means of self-expression, language, technology, and/or learned skills.
LEADERSHIP: A student will maintain a productive work environment and confidently motivate others to meet high performance standards.
Official Class Schedule is noted my website: Be mindful of due dates and scheduled assessments.
- The course categories :
- Quizzes (VQs) (MQs): 20%
- Unit Presentations/Participation/Journal: 25%
- Writing (FRQs): 30%
- Unit Exams: 25%
Tutoring Times: Tuesday and Th: 8:00-8:40am & 4:10-4:40pm - by appointment. Extra Credit is available and make-up assignments provided during tutoring only.
Please sign the following page indicating your Dual Credit status and provide the following contact information indicating information has been reviewed and cut then staple the slip to the Dual Credit form.
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Student Name: ______
Guardian Name: ______
Contact Number: ______
Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______