American Government

							                          American Government
                              Scott Craig
               sc04bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us or scraig27@comcast.net
              Available for consultation most Tuesday mornings 7:30-8:15
                    Please notify me if you plan to come in to meet.

OVERVIEW: American Government is a State of Michigan and Birmingham Schools
required course for graduation. The course covers the structure and function of American
government, along with the political processes that impact governmental decisions.
Students will study both the institutional aspects of American government, as well as the
mediating institutions such as the media, interest groups, political parties, and public
policy.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this course is to prepare young people to
become informed and active participants in the American democratic process. This
includes an understanding of the basic democratic institutions; how American democracy
developed; how decisions are made; and what are the rights and responsibilities of
American citizenship?

TEXT AND MATERIALS: Magruder’s 2007 American Government. Supplemental
materials will be handed out during the course. Students are expected to bring to class;
    Their primary textbook
    A notebook or spiral book containing all course notes and handouts.
    Writing utensils both pen and pencil.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: You are near adults now, ready to go to college. You
are expected to know your responsibilities and complete your work without having to be
reminded.

       ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES: Students are responsible for all material
       presented in class whether they are in attendance or not. The classroom may be
       locked after the start of class. Tardy students must wait quietly in the hall for
       admittance into the class. Excessive absences and/or tardiness will result in an
       attendance contract.

       TEST MAKE-UP POLICY: If you miss a test (one-day absences) you will take
       the test the next day, during class time, in the classroom. If you are absent more
       than one day and miss a test, you will have a set number of days to take the make-
       up test in the Testing Center before school. For example, with a 2-day absence,
       you must take the test within the first two mornings upon return to school. Failure
       to take a make-up test in a timely fashion will result in a score for the test 10%
       lower than the lowest score achieved by all students who took the test.

       HOMEWORK POLICY: Homework is due on the day assigned for full credit.
       Every student will receive one “freebie” for a missed homework assignment of up
       to 15 points during the trimester. Two additional late assignments may be graded
       at 50% if properly completed within two days of the due date. After that, all late
       or missing assignments shall be graded as a “0”.

       ELECTRONIC DEVICES: all electronic devices are to be stored out of sight and
       turned off. This includes cell phones, Ipods, and any device that can access the
       Internet. Exceptions may be made for Ipods at the discretion of the instructor.
       Devices, which are visible, which ring, or are otherwise used during class in
       violation of this policy, shall be confiscated.

       CHEATING AND PLAGARISM: All incidents will be reported to the
       administration. At a minimum, the student will receive a “0” on the test or
       assignment in question.

GRADING POLICY: All tests and assignments are assigned a numerical value. Grades
are calculated on a straight point system (NOTE: Missing tests or assignments will really
lower your grade). About 60% of points will come from tests. Expect about 8 tests
during the trimester, each covering two to three chapters. The remainder of points will be
earned from short homework, your note-taking journal, class participation, and a final
position paper on a key political issue. The percentage system in your Student Handbook
will be followed for calculating grades.

       CLASS PARTICIPATION: I like to run a lively class, encouraging students to
       participate with questions and discussion. Ten percent of your class grade will be
       based upon class participation. Non-participation in discussion is a “0”. Part of
       participation is the ability to listen and respect others. Those who don’t respect
       others will be graded down.

       NOTE TAKING: Students are expected to keep a notebook where all notes from
       readings are recorded. The notebook will be periodically checked and graded. If
       a reading is assigned for Monday, the notes from that section of the book are due
       on Monday. Students would also be wise to take good notes during class and
       during films used in class. Both lectures and films are fair game for additional
       test questions.

       CURRENT EVENTS POLITICAL ISSUE POSITION PAPER: Each student
       will choose a political issue to follow through the trimester. About once per
       week, they will report on the political issue and submit an article on the issue. A
       one-page response paper will accompany each article. In the 11th week of the
       trimester, students will write a 3-4-page position paper on the issue.

       FINAL EXAM: Your final exam will be a cumulative exam, covering material
       from the entire trimester. It will count for 15% of your final trimester grade.
       Your lecture and reading notes will serve as your study guide for the final exam.
       EXTRA CREDIT: Students may earn extra credit by attending/participating in an
       event, which is part of the American political process. Qualifying events will be
       explained and announced. When in doubt, ask if an event qualifies before
       attending. To gain extra credit points, students must write a one-page
       experience/observation paper (within three days), attach an event agenda or other
       proof of attendance, and briefly report the event to the class. The maximum for
       extra credit is 40 points for the entire trimester.

CONTENT: The following major subject area units will be studied in American
Government.

       1. Foundations of American Government, including the principles and origins,
       and the constitution and federalism.

       2. The Political Process, including parties, voters, the electoral process, interest
       groups, and the role of the media.

       3. The Legislative Branch, including Congress, its powers and actions.

       4. The Executive Branch, including the Presidency, powers and actions of the
       Presidency, the federal bureaucracy, financing the government, and U.S. foreign
       policy.

       5. The Judicial Branch, including the federal courts, civil liberties, and civil
       rights.



TESTING OUT FOR CREDIT

A student wishing to test out of Government to earn credit for graduation must complete
the following;

   1. Take the final exam and score at least 78%

   2. Complete the current events assignment, including writing the final position paper.

   3. Turn in a notebook demonstrating that they have read the primary text for the
   course. There should be approximately one page of notes for every section in the
   Magruder’s text.