US Government and Politics
Department: Social Studies
Teacher: Allen South
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Course Description: US Government & Politics gives students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics.
Course Goals: Students successfully completing this course will know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics, understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures), be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats), and be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum.
Course Planner: Below you will find an outline for the class. Students can expect some kind of reading or writing assignment every day, often using primary source documents. All out-of-class assignments, include readings, must be completed before the beginning of class on the assigned due date.
Unit 1: Foundations of Government
Unit 2: Political Behavior
Unit 3: The Legislative Branch
Unit 4: The Executive Branch
Unit 5: The Bureaucracy
Unit 6: The Judiciary
Unit 7: Public Policy
Description of Major Assignments:
Reading Assignments: Students will be assigned reading homework (i.e., textbook, primary source documents, articles) every night. Most reading assignments will also include a written task (i.e., questions, graphic organizers). Assignments and their due dates will be posted in the classroom and online.
Free Response Questions: For each unit, students will complete at least one Free Response Question. These require students to show both analytic and organizational skills and to incorporate specific examples in their responses. In addition, students may be expected to interpret and analyze material in a table, chart, or graph and draw logical conclusions from such data in relation to general concepts or relationships in politics. Whenever possible, students will answer questions used on previous AP exams.
Term Paper Assignment: During the first semester, students will complete the research for a 5-8 page term paper addressing an important topic in American government. Students will work to write their papers in their English classes.
Additional Assignments: In addition, students will complete a number of long-term assignments throughout the year. Projects and their due dates will be posted in the classroom and online.
Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
Class Materials: You will need to purchase following items for class.
The faculty and administration reserve the right to change this class syllabus as deemed necessary
Please take this syllabus home and review it with your parent(s)/guardians. You are expected to return this portion, along with the required information and signatures on or before Monday.
Student Name________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name(s)_______________________________________________________________
Student Lives With ____________________________________________________________________
Home Address________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone #________________________________________________________________________
Work Phone #________________________________________________________________________
Which phone number do you prefer I try first? _______________________________________________
Best time/place to reach you_____________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian E-mail ________________________________________________________________
What is something that your child does really well? ___________________________________________
What is something that your child is nervous about? __________________________________________
Does your child have any medical issues I should know about? Please explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
I have read & understand the course expectations for Mr. South’s class for the 2017-2018 school year.
Student Signature_____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature______________________________________________________________
Department: Social Studies
Teacher: Allen South
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Course Description: US Government & Politics gives students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics.
Course Goals: Students successfully completing this course will know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics, understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures), be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats), and be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum.
Course Planner: Below you will find an outline for the class. Students can expect some kind of reading or writing assignment every day, often using primary source documents. All out-of-class assignments, include readings, must be completed before the beginning of class on the assigned due date.
Unit 1: Foundations of Government
- Approximate Length: 40 Days
- Major Topics:
- Introduction to U.S. Government
- The U.S. Constitution
- Federalism
- Civil Liberties & Public Policy
- Civil Rights & Public Policy
Unit 2: Political Behavior
- Approximate Length: 40 Days
- Major Topics:
- Public Opinion & Political Action
- Mass Media & Political Agenda
- Political Parties
- Campaigns & Voting
- Interest Groups
Unit 3: The Legislative Branch
- Approximate Length: 15 Days
- Major Topics:
- Members of Congress
- Congressional Elections
- Congressional Organization
- Powers of Congress
Unit 4: The Executive Branch
- Approximate Length: 15 Days
- Major Topics:
- The Presidents
- Roles of the President
- Presidential Power
- The Executive Organization
- Presidential Leadership
Unit 5: The Bureaucracy
- Approximate Length: 12 Days
- Major Topics:
- The Bureaucrats
- Organization of the Bureaucracy
- The Bureaucracy & Policy
- Bureaucratic Accountability
Unit 6: The Judiciary
- Approximate Length: 15 Days
- Major Topics:
- The American Judicial System
- The Federal Court System
- Selection of Federal Judges
- The Supreme Court in Action
Unit 7: Public Policy
- Approximate Length: 25 Days
- Major Topics:
- Economic Policy
- Social Policy
- Foreign & Military Policy
Description of Major Assignments:
Reading Assignments: Students will be assigned reading homework (i.e., textbook, primary source documents, articles) every night. Most reading assignments will also include a written task (i.e., questions, graphic organizers). Assignments and their due dates will be posted in the classroom and online.
Free Response Questions: For each unit, students will complete at least one Free Response Question. These require students to show both analytic and organizational skills and to incorporate specific examples in their responses. In addition, students may be expected to interpret and analyze material in a table, chart, or graph and draw logical conclusions from such data in relation to general concepts or relationships in politics. Whenever possible, students will answer questions used on previous AP exams.
Term Paper Assignment: During the first semester, students will complete the research for a 5-8 page term paper addressing an important topic in American government. Students will work to write their papers in their English classes.
Additional Assignments: In addition, students will complete a number of long-term assignments throughout the year. Projects and their due dates will be posted in the classroom and online.
Grading Scale: Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
- 90-100% - A
- 80-89% - B
- 70-79% - C
- 60-69% - D
- 59% or Below - F
Class Materials: You will need to purchase following items for class.
- 3-Ring Binder (1”-2”)
- Loose Leaf Paper
- Tab Dividers (8 Tabs)
- Index Cards (4”x6”)
- Highlighters
- Post-It Notes
The faculty and administration reserve the right to change this class syllabus as deemed necessary
Please take this syllabus home and review it with your parent(s)/guardians. You are expected to return this portion, along with the required information and signatures on or before Monday.
Student Name________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name(s)_______________________________________________________________
Student Lives With ____________________________________________________________________
Home Address________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone #________________________________________________________________________
Work Phone #________________________________________________________________________
Which phone number do you prefer I try first? _______________________________________________
Best time/place to reach you_____________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian E-mail ________________________________________________________________
What is something that your child does really well? ___________________________________________
What is something that your child is nervous about? __________________________________________
Does your child have any medical issues I should know about? Please explain.
____________________________________________________________________________________
I have read & understand the course expectations for Mr. South’s class for the 2017-2018 school year.
Student Signature_____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature______________________________________________________________