Worth County High School
Course Title: AP US Government and Politics
Teacher: Mr. Josh Miller
Phone: 229-776-8625email:
Room: 115
Course Description:The AP course in United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The 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.
The AP course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by college courses.THIS IS NOT A REGULAR HIGH SCHOOL COURSE. The AP course should develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format. If you want to succeed in this course you MUST study and prepare.
Materials:
3 Ring Binder: You will need a 3 ring binder with loose leaf paper for this class. Spiral notebooks or tablets should not be used. You will be receiving handouts that need to be kept in the binder. You should keep all of your materials throughout the year in preparation for the AP Exam in May.
3X5 Index Cards: These are particularly useful to create note cards to aid in studying for exams.
Pens and Pencils: You can’t write without them.
Grading Policy For 10th Graders:
Your first and second nine weeks grade average will count as your first semester grade. The first semester average will count 40% of your final grade. The same formula will be used for you 3rd and 4th nine weeks grades to figure your second semester grade.
The US History EOCT counts 20% of your final grade. Each semester grade of 40% will total your yearly average (80% of total) and the EOCT of 20% equal your final grade.
1st 9weeks + 2nd 9weeks = First semester average = 40% of yearly average
3rd 9weeks + 4th 9weeks = Second semester average = 40% of yearly average
US History End of Course Test = 20% of yearly average
Grading Policy For 12th Graders:Grading Policy:
Your first and second nine weeks grade average will count as your first semester grade. The first semester average will count 42.5% of your final grade. The same formula will be used for you 3rd and 4th nine weeks grades to figure your second semester grade.
The US History EOCT counts 15% of your final grade. Each semester grade of 42.5% will total your yearly average (85% of total) and the EOCT of 15% equal your final grade.
1st 9weeks + 2nd 9weeks = First semester average = 42.5% of yearly average
3rd 9weeks + 4th 9weeks = Second semester average = 42.5% of yearly average
US History End of Course Test = 15% of yearly average
All students grades will be calculated as follows:
Tests 45%All tests must be corrected once returned. On notebook paper, write the complete question and complete corrected answer for each question missed. Corrections are due two days after receiving a test back. Corrections will be counted as a quiz grade. This is not optional. If a test correction is not completed and turned in, you will receive a quiz grade of zero. Tests are multiple choice with fifty questions. You should expect and exam about every week and a half-two weeks. Some units may take as long as three. Two weeks is an approximation.
Quizzes 30%Quizzes are shorter than test and consist of vocabulary and short answer descriptions. You will have a least one quiz each unit approximately at the mid-point of each unit. All test corrections will be counted as quiz grades.
Homework/Classwork and Start-ups10%Any assignment started in class and not finished should be completed as homework.
Start-upsEach day two questions will posted on the board. You are to WRITE and ANSWER these questions upon entering class. The same paper will be used each day. On Friday, your list of ten questions and answers will be turned in.
Essay, Essay Prompts, and DBQ’s 15% You will be assigned essay assignments as well as DBQ’s (Document Based Questions) throughout the year. Practice with these assignments is essential to prepare for success on the AP Exam.
Expectations:
- Be on time for class each day!!! The tardy policy will strictly be enforced.
- Keep up with your reading assignments, both your texts and handouts.
- Be prepared daily. (Notebook, paper, pens, pencils, any assignments needed, and update on your reading assignments)
- Daily study will be required to be successful in this course. Tests dates will be posted in advance.
- Be respectful. This includes respect for yourself, your peers, and your teacher.
- This is US Government time—this is not the time to eat, sleep, text, Facebook, etc.
- You are responsible for work missed due to absences. I strongly encourage you to attend class daily. You will have enough to do when here, so do not add to your work load by being absent all the time. ABSENCES AND AP DO NOT GET ALONG!
- All students are REQUIRED to take the College Board AP US Government and Politics Exam in May. Details and outline of exam will be given at a later date.
- READ, READ, READ
Policies and Procedures:
1. Bring all materials needed for class. You will not leave to go get them.
2. Use the restroom during breaks. You may not leave during instructional time. (Unless emergency) You will be given TWO emergency passes to the restroom each nine weeks.
You may turn in unused passes at the end of each nine weeks for extra credit.
3. All work is due on the due date assigned. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. This demands academic standards of a college student. You should be held to the same procedural standard. (Except excused absences)
4. Do not get up to throw paper away. Place all trash in the garbage can when leaving class.
5. Raise your hand to sharpen pencil.
6. Do your own work. Do not copy someone’s assignment. You only hurt yourself in the long run. This includes letting someone copy your assignment. Any copying of answers will result of a grade of zero for all students involved.
7. All policies included in the WCHS code of conduct will be enforced.
Reading Assignments List: I will distribute all reading assignments for each unit. It is up to you to keep up to date with these lists. The lists will also be posted on my webpage. The reading packets will contain documents that you will need to READ, analyze, study, and keep in your notebook. We may not talk about all of the readings but they will help you in your preparations for class and provide you evidence and outside information to use in the writing of your essays.
Website Info: I have a website for you to keep track of class info and assignments. Go to Click on the WCHS tab (top right).On the left side of the page hover on “staff directory”, click on “teacher websites” when it appears. Scroll to my name and click. On the left side of the page is APGOV. Click on this link. For here you will be able to access a calendar of important dates, chapter summaries, syllabus, unit reading lists, and other important information.
Academic Honesty Policy: All students are expected to uphold the highest standard in the student code of conduct. Academic dishonesty includes the following: plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to school materials, misrepresentation/falsification of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification. Violation of Academic Honesty is a serious offense; it not only shatters trust, but these actions can follow a student throughout his/her entire academic career. Any violations will be subject to the punishments and reprimands of the Administration as well as receiving a 0 for the assignment.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings
Unit 2: Politics, Beliefs, and Behaviors
Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, Mass Media, and Elections
Unit 4: Institutions of National Government
Unit 5: Public Policy
Unit 6: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties