Amer i ca n Gover nment 2010 – 2011 Course Syllabus
Truman High School Teacher: Mr. Byrne
Contact Information: Phone: (Truman) 816.521.5350 Email: jared_byrne@indep.k12.mo.us
COURSE DESCRIPTI ON: The aim of this course is to encourage thoughtful examination of American Government and the Missouri Constitution. This aim will be accomplished by focusing on the visions, documents, practices, and accomplishments of particular individuals and groups as they helped America’s Government.
COURSE COMPETANCIES: The IndependenceSchool District outlines six goals for students who complete this course, otherwise known as course competencies. In short, the competencies are designed to measure your understanding of both content and skills. As outlined in these competencies, students who complete American Government will be able to: 1) Identify major themes within the Missouri and U.S. Constitutions; 2) Evaluate the rights and responsibilities of members of local, state, and national communities; 3) Analyze the three branches of government as they affect individuals in our society;
4) 5)
Examine major milestones in the development of U.S. democracy; and Design a major project utilizing research, writing, and speaking skills.
EXPECTATIO NS: First and foremost, be courteous. Treat your fellow class mates as you would want them to treat you. Be respectful of their opinions, and listen to their viewpoints. That doesnot mean you have to agree with them, but every individual in this classroom will have an equal opportunity to expresstheir beliefs. Cometo class on time. Truman’s tardy policy will be followed in this classroom. We are here to learn first, which means we have to build a safe learning environment for each and every student. What you can expect from me is respect, honesty, my complete attention, courtesy, and my absolute best effort to ensure a successful learning experience. If you are working on homework from another class, I will take it and you will not get it back. Additionally, I will talk to the teacher about it as well.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class. Each student is expected to do her/his own work. Failure to do so will result in a zero for the assignment, quiz, or test. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: copying another student’s work, allowing another student to copy, plagiarism – taking another person’s ideas and presenting them as one’s own – this includes copying and pasting information for a paper from another publication or the Internet, failing to cite sources of information in a bibliography
and/or within the text of a paper, paraphrasing ideas from another work without citing that work, and obtaining exam questions prior to the exam without the teacher’s knowledge.
QUIZZES: A quiz can (and throughout the semester will) be given at any time. The students must come to class prepared. Thesequizzeswill generally be based on a reading assignment; therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to complete the assigned readings the day before a quiz.
TESTS: Any talking or distractive behavior DURING AND AFTER the test will result in a ZERO . This class is a state requirement and a failure to pass the course will result in a FAILURE TO GRADUATE! The student’s overall grade will heavily depend on how well she/he does on each test. Since the test will be assessing the overall knowledge of the students, the tests overall point values will be more than any other assignment.
SUPPLIES: For this class you will need an email address, paper, pen/pencil, and 3x5 index cards. You also need an EMAIL ACCOUNT;this will be used to set up an account on turnitin.com, where you will submit all major components of the Senior Project. Any other supplies that may be used throughout the semester will be announced prior to that class period. We do not loan pens, pencils, or paper so make sure you are prepared for each class period.
ASSESSMENT: The Grade: I follow a standard grading scale – 100-90 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, 59-0 = F. Nothing hurts your grade like zeroes, so turn in everything, follow directions and always give your best effort.
LATE WORK POLICY: “We must help hold students accountable in completing coursework becausethis increasestheir chancesof reaching high academic achievement. As an educator at Truman High School, my policy on incomplete work is that I will be incorporating the “Power of I” in American Government. However, different aspects of the course will require different late work policies. The following is what you can expect for homework/ daily work, the Senior Project, and tests.
Senior Project: You will receive full credit of the points you earn if you turn in your Senior Project on the assigned due date. If not, you will receive the following point reductions:
• •
Up to one week late = 70%credit. Eight days late and further = 50%of credit to NO CREDIT; however,
Homework: Homework is designed to provide quality, independent learning that has a purpose. Each and every assignment must be completed prior to taking that unit’s exam. You will receive full credit if turned in on the date assigned. After that you will receive 70%credit of what you turn in. If by the day of the unit test you have not completed the homework assignments, you will not be eligible to take the test. From that date you will have one week to get every missing assignment turned in. If that has not been accomplished within one week, you will receive a ZEROon the test as well.
Tests: Becauseof the nature of this course certain knowledge is necessary before moving on to the next section. Therefore, if you have not passeda unit test, you must do so before attempting the next unit’s test. For example, you must:
Passthe Unit 1 Exam prior to taking the Unit 2 Exam My individual extra help times will be posted in the classroom. CLASS PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIO NS: Be respectful toward your peers, your teacher, and yourself. Watch the language, be considerate, listen, and participate. Tardies: I expect you to be in the classroom when the bell rings. That doesnot mean sliding into the room while the bell is ringing (no matter how much you complain). I will follow the school procedure, so if you are tardy, just hand over your tardy card before I ask for it. Nothing makes me grumpier than having to wait on you to get your agenda after you are tardy to my class. Pleasekeep in mind as well that asking permission to be tardy doesnot absolve you of tardiness. Use your passing time wisely.
Unexcused Absences: I do not anticipate this being a problem; however, if unexcused absencesbecomean issue I will issue Wednesday Schools for missing my class, as your student handbook clearly outlines. I will not accept any assignments due the day you were unexcused, nor can you make up the class work, but you will still want to find out what you missed, as you will be responsible for that information later.
Make-up work for excused absences: Make-up work is due within two class periods of your return to school. Exceptions can be made for extended absences,but you should discuss that with me on an individual basis. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, I will expect the assignment the next time I seeyou in class. It is your
responsibility to find out what you have missed (I will not approach you).
Electronic Devices: If I seean electronic device in the classroom I will take them. This includes cell phones, Ipods, mp3 players, and any other electrical devices. If you have these devices out, make sure they are put away prior to entering the classroom. “I was just checking the time!” is not an excuse.
Parent Communication:
Parents can email or call the school, and I will respond within 48 hours.
NEED HELP?: Pleasemake an appointment with me to discuss any disability or deficiency that may hinder your learning experience. For example, not being able to seethe overhead clearly. Every student has the right to an equal education opportunity, and I will always be here to provide that opportunity for you. Of course, any and everything discussed will be confidential from other students. My Extra Help hours will be posted in the classroom. I will be available Tuesdays from 6:45-7:15AM, as well.
WAYS TO SUCCEED: Of course, it will be to your great advantage to use class time as productively as possible as many of the activities and assignments cannot be duplicated outside of class. If you are not already, become organized so that preparing for class, a quiz, an essay, or other assignment will not be as difficult. The best way to succeed in this class (as with most classes) is by working hard, staying organized, contributing to class discussion, and having fun. However, following these guidelines will help you earn an A: 1.) Have your class book with you each and every day. 2.) Complete all aspects of the Senior Project on time. 3.) Take notes during lectures. 4.) Ask as many questions as possible. 5.) DONOT PROCRASTINATE. Turn in homework on time. 6.) Find a study partner to quiz each other before quizzesand tests. 7.) Study 10 – 15 minutes a night on the material we covered that day. 8.) If you get behind early, seeme IMMEDIATELY. It will be easier to catch up the opposed to waiting until the last minute.
sooner we addressthe problem as
How to reach me: Talk to me before or after class about a time to meet. I will be more than glad to work with you, but I just need to know you need help. Talk to me.
Extra Help -- All students may take advantage of teacher led tutorials as posted in rooms.
End of Course Exam As part of a Missouri State requirement, ALL American Government students will take an End of Course Exam in December. This exam will comprise 5% of the student’s semester grade at Truman High School.
"(Please detach and return to Mr. Byrne)
The American Government course syllabus outlines the expectations and procedures of the class. Students will be responsible for knowing these procedures and following them all semester. Please sign below to indicate you have read and understood the course policies. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns. _________________________ Student name (please print)
____________________________ ____________ Student signature date
_________________________ Parent/guardian name (please print)
____________________________ ____________ Parent/guardian signature date
Parent/guardian email: o Email
Preferred email address: _________________________________________________