Government AP Green Sheet & Syllabus Mr. Maisel

Office hours: lunch, 4^th block, after school (by appt) Email: mrmaisel@yahoo.com

Phone message: 408.522.2400 ext. 3864

Course Description

US Government AP is an intensive and rigorous 9-week class dedicated to preparing students to pass the College Board AP examination in May. Although the class officially ends at end of the semester in January, I will also offer extra assignments and review sessions to prepare for the AP exam. Students should understand that the course includes extensive reading, and it must be completed in advance of the material covered in class. By reading each day’s assignment before coming to class, the presentation and discussion for that day will mean more to you. Class discussions are intended to enhance the readings, not repeat the material. Readings, activities, and discussions are meant to supplement rather than duplicate each other (although some repetition and reinforcement is intended and desirable).

Materials

TEXTBOOK: Edwards, George, et. Al. Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy. San Francisco, CA: Pearson-Longman. 11^th Edition.

NOTEBOOK: Students should bring it to class everyday.

It will be used primarily to take notes on the nightly readings.

3-RING BINDER: Students need to organize and keep all handouts, quizzes, exams, etc.

Student Responsibilities:

Instructor Responsibilities:

Read all required readings before class;
Attend class regularly;
Be respectful;
Think; and
Ask questions when you do not understand

Inform the teacher when you will be absent

Give clear instructions

Identify assignments in advance

Provide a safe, yet challenging learning environment

Model strong academic behavior

Update grades regularly

Policies and Procedures:

Attendance

* If you are absent the day an assignment is due, you turn it in the day you return.

* If you cut class on the day of an exam other assignment, you get a “0”.

* On the day you return from an absence, it is your responsibility to pick up handouts or assignments from the government materials box. I will be happy to discuss missed work, but not during class. It is also your responsibility to get class notes from another student. * * You will be responsible for all information discussed in class.

Cheating

Cheating takes on various forms and is a major problem at school of all levels. I do everything in my power to limit the temptation to cheat. Every exam and quiz will have various forms to make copying answers impossible. Reading notes must be hand-written and in your own words. I strictly follow the school policy on cheating. For the first offense, I give a 0 on the assignment and contact your parents. On the second offense, you will receive an F, be dropped from the course, and therefore, not graduate in June.

Exams. To build knowledge over time, weekly exams will be given in a Spiral pattern. Generally, exams will focus on the most recent unit, but up to 30% of the questions may come from previous units. All essay questions will be from the current unit.

Late Work. Late work will not be accepted unless arrangements are made in advance.

NEWSSTAND Presentations: Every week, groups of three students will present current issues to the class that relate to the week’s topics. They will be responsible for researching issues and designing a lesson. In addition, students are encouraged to follow the news, either by watching, on a regular basis, at least one national news oriented program (PBS Newshour; Nightline; Crossfire; Washington Week; etc) OR by reading one national newspaper (or internet paper) on a regular basis (New York Times, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal, etc.)

Weight of Grade Categories Grading Scale

Exams 40% A 89.5-100

Quizzes 20% B 79.5-89.4

Final Exam: 20% C 69.5-79.4

Presentations: 10% D 59.5-69.4

Participation: 10% F less than 59.5

Class Schedule

Week	Dates	Chapter	Topics
1	1.18 – 1.21	1,2,3	Introduction, Constitution, Federalism
2	1.24 – 1.28	6,7,11	Political Opinion, Media, Interest Groups
3	1.31 – 2.4	8,9,10,	Political Parties, Campaigns, Elections
4	2.7 – 2.11	12	Congress
5	2.14 – 2.18	13, 14	President and the the Budget
--	2.21 – 2.25	---	WINTER BREAK
6	2.28 – 3.4	15	Federal Bureaucracy
7	3.7 – 3.11	16, 4	Federal Courts and Civil Liberties
8	3.14 –3.18	,5, 17,18	Civil Rights, Economic and Social Policy
9	3.21 – 3.25	,19,20	Health, Environment, Foreign and Defense Policy

Weekly Schedule

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Quiz

Review Exam

Intro Lecture/ Activity

Quiz

Review Essay

Discussion

Quiz

NEWS STAND?

Jeopardy!

Multiple Choice Exam

Timed Essay

We have read and understand the requirements of this AP GOVERNMENT class.

Student Name (PLEASE PRINT): ____________________________________________

Please sign below:
Student ______________________________________________Date:______________

Parent/Guardian: ______________________________________Date: ______________

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child.

How should we contact you? Phone (Home) _______________________- hours _____

(Work)________________________- hours________

email: _____________________________________

When should we contact you?

Please call me: _____Periodically, just to update me.

(Check any that apply)

_____If s/he misses class frequently

_____If his/her grade drops below:

(circle one) A B C D

_____Other Reason:_______________________________

Please use the space below to tell us anything you think we should know about your child