COURSE SYLLABUS

							                                           GIFTED AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND
                                         AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY COURSE SYLLABUS
                                                     45.07110 / 45.05110
                                                   Druid Hills High School

Teacher: Trey Palmer                                       Phone Number: 678-874-6386
Room Number: 107B                                          Email: Trey_Palmer@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Semester: Fall 2012                                        Tutorial Days: Monday - Thursday
Textbooks: World Geography, McDougal/Littell;              Tutorial Hours: By appointment in the afternoon
Civics: Government and Economics in Action, Pearson
Replacement Price: Replacement Cost                        Tutorial Location: Room 107B

Department Philosophy: It is the philosophy of the Druid Hills Social Studies department that all
      children can learn given a nurturing environment incorporating diverse approaches and
      modalities and operating in the belief that education is a collaborative effort on the part of
      students, teachers, and parents. It is the goal of the Druid Hills Social Studies Department to
      create a lifelong learner with a genuine interest in the subject matter who will be able to survive
      and thrive in the adult world in which they shall live.

Course Description:
World Geography
      This course investigates regions of the world and how these regions influence the historical, economical,
      political, and cultural development in an interdependent world. It includes geographic concepts, physical
      phenomena, and the relationship of people to their environment. It includes environmental issues and
      requires that students use decision-making skills. It covers regions, location (position on earth's surface),
      place (Physical and human characteristics), relationships within places, and movement (human interaction
      on the earth).
American Government
      This course meets the state citizenship requirement for graduation. It focuses on basic concepts and
      principles of the American political system. It covers the structure and function of the American system
      of government, the roles and responsibilities of citizen participation in the political process, and the
      relationship of the individual to the law and legal system. It stresses critical analyses of public issues and
      integrates various social studies skills.

GPS Standards/QCC Objectives: See attached page.

Course Outline:

 Week 1:     Roots of Democracy                            Week 10:      Introduction to Geography
 Week 2:     Declaration of Independence                   Week 11:      Introduction to Geography
 Week 3:     Constitution                                  Week 12:      Population Geography
 Week 4:     Legislative Branch                            Week 13:      Population Geography
 Week 5:     Executive Branch                              Week 14:      Population Geography
 Week 6:     Judicial Branch                               Week 15:      Culture Geography
 Week 7:     Civil and Criminal Law                        Week 16:      Culture Geography
 Week 8:     State Government                              Week 17:      Culture Geography
 Week 9:     Local Government                              Week 18:      Culture Geography
Grading Scale*

         Area                               % of Total      Area                                   % of Total
         Class work                           25%           Homework                                 15%
         Projects                             15%           Tests                                    25%
         Quizzes                              10%           Final Exam                               15%
        * Based on established national/international standards for the Advanced Placement and International
        Baccalaureate Programs, these courses are exempted from and/or may make modifications to the system-wide
        grading percentages. However, the approved syllabi template established by the DeKalb County School System
        will be used.

Required Materials: Every student should come to class with their notebook, and a writing utensil. A
        composition notebook for the class vocabulary will be needed. All additional reading materials will be
        provided primarily online on the Homework web page. Bringing your textbook to class will be good,
        but can be left at home unless instructed to do otherwise. Most of the class time is spent in discussion,
        so having the book at home for reference doing homework is a safe place to keep it.

Classroom Expectations: It is expected that all students will treat others in the class with the respect they
        want returned to them. Disrespect will not be tolerated and will be dealt with immediately. Students
        are expected to be in attendance everyday and be early for class. The Tardy Policy will be enforced.
        Tardiness will effect the ability to complete the journal entries that must be completed for each day in
        the first 10 minutes of class. Each student is expected to complete all assignments to the best of their
        ability, so that every student will earn the highest grade they can. When a student is not following
        directions, one warning from the teacher is all that should be needed to get the student back on task.

Late Assignments: No late assignments will be accepted unless accompanied with an excused absent note.
        All homework assignments will be given at the beginning of the week and will be due at the end of the
        week, extensions will be at the discretion of the teacher. Tests need to be made up with in the same
        number of days absent and will be recorded as zeros if not. Projects will lose 10% of their grade per
        day late, which includes weekend days.

Make-up Policy: Students need to check the homework board, the homework site on the school website, or
        with other classmates for missed assignments. All students needing to make up a test will need to
        discuss the make up date with Mr. Palmer. Acquiring all make-up assignments will be the
        responsibility of the student.

Re-do Policy: There will be no re-do’s or retakes for projects, quizzes, or tests.

Honor Code: The policy of academic honesty will be held sacred in the classroom and with all assignments.
      This policy covers the areas of lying about information with the purpose misrepresenting the truth,
      stealing property without permission violating copyright laws or plagiarizing, and academic dishonesty
      with regards to giving or receiving information or assistance on graded work that is supposed to be
      individual work. A full disclosure of the Honor Code policy will be signed by all parents and students.
Georgia Performance Standards
American Government
SSCG1 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the political philosophies that shaped the development of United States
          constitutional government.
SSCG2 The student will analyze the natural rights philosophy and the nature of government expressed in the Declaration of
          Independence.
SSCG3 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution.
SSCG4 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government.
SSCG5 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the federal system of government described in the United States
Constitution.
SSCG6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights.
SSCG7 The student will describe how thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is characterized by obeying the
law, paying         taxes, serving on a jury, participating in the political process, performing public service, registering for
military duty, being          informed about current issues, and respecting differing opinions.
SSCG8 The student will demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections.
SSCG9 The student will explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate with emphasis on
terms of office, powers, organization, leadership, and representation of each house.
SSCG10 The student will describe the legislative process, including the roles played by committees and leadership.
SSCG11 The student will describe the influence of lobbyists (business, labor, professional organizations) and special
interest groups on the legislative process.
SSCG12 The student will analyze the various roles played by the President of the United States including Commander-in-
Chief of the        Armed Forces, Chief Executive, Chief Agenda Setter, Representative of the Nation, Chief of State,
Foreign Policy Leader,        and Party Leader.
SSCG13 The student will describe the qualifications for becoming President of the United States.
SSCG14 The student will explain the impeachment process and its usage for elected officials.
SSCG15 The student will explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy.
SSCG16 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the operation of the federal judiciary.
SSCG17 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of state and local government described
in the Georgia Constitution.
SSCG18 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the powers of Georgia's state and local governments.
SSCG19 The student will compare and contrast governments that are unitary, conferral, and federal governments; unitary,
oligarchic          and democratic governments; and presidential and parliamentary governments.
SSCG20 The student will describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy (diplomacy, economic, military
and,      humanitarian aid, treaties, sanctions, and military intervention).
SSCG21 The student will demonstrate knowledge of criminal activity.
SSCG22 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the criminal justice process.

World Geography
SSWG1 The student will explain the physical aspects of geography.
SSWG2 The student will explain the cultural aspects of geography.
SSWG3 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary North
         Africa/Southwest Asia.
SSWG4 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Sub-
Saharan Africa.
SSWG5 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary South
Asia,    Southeastern Asia, and Eastern Asia.
SSWG6 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Europe.
SSWG7 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Latin
America.
SSWG8 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Canada
and the United States.
SSWG9 The student will describe the interaction of physical and human systems that have shaped contemporary Oceania,
including        Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica.