Advanced Placement American Government

Advanced Placement American Government

2016-17

Instructor Information

Mr. Kotselas

Phone: 480-279-7462

E-mail:

Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 7:00am-7:25am, and 2:15-2:45pm (scheduling an appointment is best)

Mr. Kotselas

I am extremely excited to continue my career at Higley High School's Knighthood! This is my seventh year as a teacher, and this is my third year at Higley. I have obtained a BA in Education with an emphasis in history, and I have earned my MEd in Education Leadership, go DEVILS! I am also going to finish my second MA in Gifted Education by the end of this school year. Prior to my education career, I served in the U.S. Army for four years. I was stationed in Germany and had the unique opportunity not only to experience military culture but also see almost all of Europe and parts of the Middle East. I love foreign cultures and World History, and I cannot wait to grow with you in our experiences as Knights!

Philosophy

I embrace teaching as an opportunity to inspire and empower. As a teacher, it is my goal to enhance student learning as a transformative experience. Ideally, I want students to feel personally changed by their participation in a course I am teaching. Promoting an understanding that social and political forces shape the construction and utilization of knowledge is central to my philosophy of teaching because it helps students sharpen critical thinking skills in order to enable them to transgress epistemological limitations. One way I work to encourage students to challenge existing boundaries is by teaching them to make the familiar strange and question how they have come to know what they believe to be true about their world. This helps students see boundaries, whether personal or social, as constructed and affords them an opportunity to challenge and move beyond them. It is this movement “against and beyond boundaries” that both empowers and transforms learners.

Mr. Kotselas’ Course Description & Objective:

This course is a one-semester, transformative experience that will start to prepare you for college, whether bound for it or not. We will meet for one period a day (M-F) and will collectively study the political, economic, religious, social, geographical, philosophical, and cultural perspectives within our government’s infrastructure. We will also study what our government is not by exploring different political ideologies, current or historical. You will think politically and continue to build all of the cognitive and writing skills that come with it, e.g., thinking objectively, if it is even possible.

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.

-Socrates

Mr. Kotselas’s Expectations

Follow all school policies within the Student Handbook.
Act in a respectful manner towards peers, staff members, guests, and any property.
Being on time to class means in the classroom in your assigned seat. Sitting in another seat will get you to be marked incorrectly causing attendance issues.
Come to class prepared:

Pens and pencils
Notebook specifically for this class only (interactive notebook)
3x5 notecards cut in half—when cut in half there should be 300 for the entire year.
4 different colored highlighters (any 4 kinds of colors will work)
Keep all of your graded work and this syllabus

Take responsibility for getting assignmentsby asking your peers first. If they cannot help you, then talk to the teacher. You must self-advocate and approach the teacher.

Participate in all class related activities outside of class or in class. Lack of participation can affect your grade.
Speak in turn by raising your hand, respect!

Bathrooms-no bathroom breaks in the first or last ten minutes of class. All bathroom passes require teacher permission and signing out & in upon return, unless the student has a medical release or IEP/504 requirements (teacher requests a copy of documentation). You will each be given 2 bathroom passes per quarter, that’s it. Use them wisely.
No Insubordination. If you don’t know what it means, look it up!
No Food, Candy, or Drinks. You are only allowed to drink BOTTLED water. The teacher reserves the right to throw away any kind of food or drink that is not bottled water. Save your money by not buying or finishing your Starbucks!
No bags or backpacks on your desk because you will be prone to texting.

No Cell Phones, headphones, iPods, CD Players, Pagers, or Radios. The teacher can confiscate these upon the visual sight of these. Just be respectful and use your electronics at respectful times.
No plugging in charge cords or any other electronic devices into the classroom walls. If the teacher sees any of it for even a split second, then he can confiscate your phone and charger.
Dismissal. The teacher dismisses the class, not the bell. DO NOT line up at the door or put any work away until you are given notice.

Disrespectful Behavioral Consequences:

1. Conference with student (possible parent communication), 2. Parent communication, 3. Assign ASD/Mr. K. Detention, 4. Office Referral (Saturday School is in effect this year).

Grading Weights:

Interactive Notebook/Classwork/Notecards20%

Essays/Writing30%

Tests/Quizzes/Mid-Terms30%

Semester Finals20%

*There will be a minimum of 2 grades per week.

Grade Rounding:

Grades that are .5+ will be rounded to the next percentage point (89.56 = 90%). There is no other rounding to grades. I will not round an 89% to a 90%. You must earn the 90%.

Student Vue/Parent Vue:

Updated grades will be posted once or twice per week in Synergy. Grades can be accessed anytime by parents or students. Parents should contact the district office if they do not have a user id and password.

Required Materials and Assignments

Interactive Notebook- Daily Journals (bell work with dates), notes, reflective questions that are in complete sentences, pictures, graphs/charts, or anything else that is expected to go in your notebook. I will check these for completion at random times. It is worth 20% of your grade, and it is a study guide.

Vocabulary Cards- 3x5 note cards that are cut in half will work. We will use these like flashcards to practice conceptual knowledge. This is a great way to prepare for any AP exam. Vocab word needs to be hand written on one side of the card with the definition on the backside. No typing, printing, or quizlet copies as you will receive a zero.

Quizzes and Tests – Expect to have weekly quizzes and monthly exams. This is to show you where you are at in your understanding and reading of the content while practicing for the AP exam. AP questions are more thematic and are not so much identification based. You are not allowed to use any notes on any quizzes, exams or finals. Tests and finals (no quizzes) will be curved based on the highest grade in all of my AP World History classes. Quizzes will not be curved.

Quizzes-Expect either 10 multiple choice questions or an essay (usually CCoT or CC essays—will be explained later). You can complete quiz reflections for multiple-choice quizzes to “fix” your quiz grade. You must meet the following requirements before you obtain credits for quiz reflections: no missing assignments for the last 2 weeks, you must write down what page the right answer is on, why it is the right, and then write why all the other answer choices are wrong. You must write your answers in your own words, plagiarism is assumed when students have exact same answers. Do not write answers directly out of the textbook, summarize in your own words. Finally, your quiz grade will only go up one letter grade for completion of the reflection for all missed questions. You must “fix” all missed questions, or your grade will not change.

Independent Learner – You are ultimately responsible for your own learning. You are expected to take notes, fully participate in classroom activities, and complete all assignment. Failure to do so will affect your grade.

MLA Headings on assignments-Practicing this will help prepare you for college. Get used to format, your way is not necessarily the professional way. Every professional has to conform to some degree. Example of MLA heading:

Barack Obama

Period 1

1 July, 2016

WH Ch. 1 Quiz

*You can lose up to 10% of your assignment grade if the heading is incorrect or you name is missing completely. Have pride in your work.

Late Work – -50% automatically if you do not have the assignment in the classroom when it is due. Doesn’t matter if it is on campus, it is late. If it is not turned in by the next day’s class period, then it is a zero with no chance of credit. If you have an excused absence, then you have as many days as you were gone to make the work up. You must know when assignments are due, do not rely on the teacher.

Midterm Exam – Midterms will be given at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters. A complete and organized interactive notebook will be your study guide. Any study guides that are given will resemble official AP test study guides, percentages of concepts only. You need to actually read your textbook to be successful in this class.

Final Exams – Final exams will be given at the end of each semester. These exams will be cumulative, covering all content material from both semesters of the school year. Again, a complete and organized interactive notebook while having read the actual textbook will be the key to doing well in this course.

Tutoring – I will be tutoring on Tuesday after school between 2:15-3:00pm. Be respectful and schedule tutoring with me in advance.

Homework –You are expected to read about 5 (give or take) pages of the textbook per school night. Actually reading the textbook will give you the greatest chance of success in this class and on the AP test. If you skim, then you might as well poke holes in your grade as well. If you do not read, then you will struggle in this class. You will also be expected to complete your vocabulary notecards outside of school.

Quarter/
Unit / Content / Skills/Activities/ Reading/Writing / Assessment / Notes
1st Quarter
Course Overview /

Syllabus
Expectations
Supplies needed
Student Handbook Review
Time Management
Goals & Dreams
Study habits

How to use a textbook
First textbook assessments chapter 1.1 (classwork)
Calculating grades
Microwave Mentality article (class discussion).
Rhetoric skills discussion & presentation
Metacognitive writing exercise
Bias interpretation

(class activity)

Your Politics Today

(writing)

Online gov’t pretest

Syllabus & Student Handbook signoff
Class participation
Daily Journals
Reflective writing
Discuss your politics today
Introduction Activity

Chapters
1 & 2 Foundation of American Gov’t & The Constitution /

Greek direct democracy Roman Republic
Territory, sovereignty, and government
John Locke and social contract
Minority and the majority rights
Monarchies, dictatorship, theocracy, oligarchy, parliamentary, unitary, proportional elections
Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights
Federalist and Anti-Federalist
The Constitution

Representative government
Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Amendment Process
Preamble to the Constitution
Constitutional Amendments
Discuss right to work laws
Voting rights
Native American citizenship

Chapters 1 & 2 Key Terms pg. 30 & 67.
Socratic discussions
American Revolution Documentary
Lord of the Flies
PowerPoint presentation
Framers simulation

(class activity)

Western philosophical and political thinkers

(group activity in class)

Chapter 3 Critical Thinking assessment questions for each section in each chapter along with identified vocabulary for all chapter(s)
Constitution reading (class activity)
Class Constitution writing

(class activity)

Relevant chapter section assessments, all questions
Socratic discussions
Relevant documentary
PowerPoint presentation
Thomas Hobbes, excerpts from Leviathan (1651)

•John Locke, excerpts from Two Treatises on
Government (1690)

Antifederalist, excerpts from Centinel I
Antifederalist, excerpts from Brutus I
Articles of Confederation
U.S. Constitution (see Wilson text)
The Bill of Rights (Amendments #'s 1-10) (see
Wilson Text)

Daily Journals
Class participation
Chapter Assessments
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Significant Facts sheet
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions
Students Teach Students project presentation.
Daily Journals
Class participation
Class Constitution
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Vocabulary check
Significant Facts sheet
Class Constitution
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions

FRQ To introduce students to the many complexities of
government in the U.S. arising from the adoption
of the federal system and how the nature and
effects of federalism have changed throughout
history and continue to change today

Chapters 3
Federalism /

National government
State governments
Powers of the people
Implied and inherent powers
“The Supreme Law of the Land”
Cooperative federalism
Examine Interstate relations and cooperation
“Full Faith and Credit,” Extradition, Privileges and Immunities
Local government

Chapters 3 Key Terms pg. 122.
Relevant chapter section assessments, all questions
Socratic discussions
Relevant documentary
PowerPoint presentation political ideologies and Traidic Model of Freedom
Division of Power simulation (class activity)
James Madison, Federalist # 10
James Madison, Federalist #51
Alexander Hamilton, excerpts from Federalist #84

Daily Journals
Class participation
Chapter Assessments
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Vocabulary check
Significant Facts sheet
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions
FRQ

Chapters
7 & 16
Congress & Interest Groups /

Structure & powers
Roles of the legislative
Competing factions

political parties

Qualifications
Representations
House of Representatives
Senate
Overriding function
Article 1
Expressed, implied and inherent powers
Influence the taxes,

commerce, & currency

Foreign relations
War & naturalization
Postal, copyrights, & patents
Weights and measures
Amendments
Electoral duties
Impeachment, executive powers, and investigatory powers
Different positions in Congress
Committees
Bill becomes a law
Passing or vetoing
Bill in the Senate
Legislative staff, lobbyists, special interest groups, and political action committees (PACS).
Propaganda
Lobbying
Political parties
Domestic policies
Plight of Social Security
consumer protection, environment, health, labor, transportation, and communication.

Chapters 7 & 16 key terms pgs. 274 & 609
Socratic discussions
Relevant documentary
PowerPoint presentation
Passing the bill Congress simulation (class activity)
SB1070 analysis and interpretation.
PETA Organization

Daily Journals
Class participation
Chapter Assessments
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Vocabulary check
Significant Facts sheet
Participation in Congress simulation
Research paper and presentation
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions
Reflections
FRQ

Mid-Terms /

Chapters 1,2,3,4,13 & 14

Study Guide
Review Jeopardy

/ Mid-Term Essay
Mid-Term Exam
2nd Quarter
Chapters
8 & 9
The Presidency
& Executive Branch & the Federal Bureaucracy /

Powers and roles of the president

Article 11 of the Constitution
Qualifications & term
Executive branch
Cabinet and

federal bureaucracy

Election process
Primaries
Caucuses
National conventions
Electoral college
Steps to remove a president
Veto power
Reprieve & clemency

Chapters 8 & 9 Key Terms pg. 310 & 340.

Socratic discussions
Relevant documentary
PowerPoint presentation
President’s speech

Washington’s State of the Union to Congress. /

Daily Journals
Class participation
Chapter Assessments
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Vocabulary check
Significant Facts sheet
Opinion of President’s speech paper
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions
Reflections

FRQ
Chapter 10 Judiciary /

Structure of the judicial branch federal courts, Supreme Court, and inferior courts

Jurisdiction
Types of inferior courts
Marbury v. Madison
McCulloch v. Maryland
Gibbons v. Ogden
How a court operates including the procedures
Trial system

Chapters 10 pg. 382
Socratic discussions
PowerPoint presentation
Trial simulation

(class activity)

Case readings

(group activity and presentation)

Casey Anthony Mock Trial
Court Decision readings and analysis.

Daily Journals
Class participation
Chapter Assessments
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Vocabulary check
Significant Facts sheet
Participation in Trial simulation & verdict
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions
Casey Anthony Verdict
FRQ

Chapter 4
Local Government and Finance
Arizona Government
(NO CHAPTER IN TEXTBOOK) /

Structure, power, and organization
Arizona Constitution
Initiative, referendum, and recall processes
Redistricting

gerrymandering, clean elections

Voter registration and primaries.
Arizona’s legislature
Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Election of judges
Roles of local government

of county governments, boards of supervisors, sheriffs, county attorneys

Mayor, council, city manager
School, sanitation, water, fire, library, community college

Chapters 4 pg. 155.
Socratic discussions
Relevant documentary
PowerPoint presentation
Debate about Arizona’s current propositions/laws
Constitution readings and analysis.

Daily Journals
Class participation
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Vocabulary check
Significant Facts sheet
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions
Reflections
FRQ

Chapters
19
Foreign & Defense Policy,
Independent Agencies,
Organized Crime /

World governmental and non-governmental organizations
Security alliances such as NATO, United Nations, & European Union
Non-profit organizations, Red Cross
Trade, political tensions, sanctions, & terrorism that influence United States foreign policy
Civil Rights review and historical context with case studies.

Chapter 19 on pg. 728
Socratic discussions
Relevant documentary
PowerPoint presentation
Creating an interest group and lobbying

(group activity)

Your Politics then and now writing assignment.

Daily Journals
Class participation
Chapter Assessments
Current events analysis
Pop Quiz
Vocabulary check
Significant Facts sheet
Your Politics then and now writing assignment
Vocab Identification & Critical Thinking questions
Reflections

Semester Final Exams /

All Assigned chapters throughout the semester

Study Guide
Review Jeopardy

/ Final Exam
Final Essay

Higley High School