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American Government
Course
Syllabus
Mr. Krieger
Ipswich
High School
2024-2025
School Year
Course
Overview
In
this course, we will explore the foundations of the United States
government and evaluate the role that our government has today.
Focusing on modern day issues which impact our country and community, we
will consider ethical dimensions and tough moral questions. Civic
awareness is the primary focus of this course. By understanding our
government's impact on Ipswich and around the globe, we will be more
prepared to take on our roles in U.S. society. The politics of
today will become the history of tomorrow.
Appreciating our rich diversity and recognizing
the significance that diversity has on our nation are goals of this
course. We will look at the American political system from many
angles and challenge each other to respect varying views while defending
our own belief systems.
President Warren G. Harding said, "Our most dangerous tendency is to
expect too much of government, and at the same time do for it too little."
We will make a difference during this course and hopefully the lessons
learned throughout American Government will inspire future civic
action.
SKILLS
Snapshot
Using the above topics as the foundation of American Government, we will
sharpen many skills. We'll employ the Ipswich Public Schools
Successful Habits of Mind while refining skills that will be useful
well-beyond our course. We will develop and master a wide array of
skills. By the end of the course, skills that were once
"introductory" will become powerful skills.
Below
are the units for our course:
|
Unit
I
Unit
II
Unit
III
Unit
IV
Unit
V
Unit VI |
Foundations of the U.S. Government
The Constitution
The Legislative Branch
Political
Parties, Elections and the Executive Branch
The Judiciary
Issues Facing the Nation |
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Grading
Policy
Your
final grade for this course will be determined based on the following
formula:
| Coursework
|
85% |
| Classroom Contribution |
15% |
Assignments
and overall grades will be based on a points system.
Prior to each assignment, you will know the total available points. The grade will be based on the following calculation:
Total Points Earned ÷ Total Possible Points
|
Assignment |
Maximum
Points |
|
Homework
/ "In Class" Work |
10 |
|
Current Events |
100 |
|
Reading
Quiz |
15 |
|
Unit
Test |
100 |
|
Unit
Project |
100 |
| Classroom
Activities1 |
Varies |
|
Other
Assignments1 |
Varies |
1For
classroom activities and other assignments, you will be made aware of the possible points when the
activity or assignment begins.
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Homework & Assignments
Homework
is an important part of this course.
The homework is meant to enhance our work in the classroom.
Completing the homework will help you understand the subject matter
and, hopefully, make it more interesting.
You will be better prepared for class discussions, other assignments,
and tests or quizzes. Likewise,
you will have the opportunity to participate in many activities. These
activities will range from group presentations to individual projects.
I hope the assignments will be engaging and enable you to demonstrate
your expertise in the field of politics and American government. Successfully completing
and handing-in all of the homework and assignments will improve your grade
for the course.
1.
Homework/assignments are due at the beginning of class or when collected.
2. Late
homework/assignments will not be accepted unless you have an excused
absence.
3. You
are responsible for obtaining homework/assignments if you are absent.
4. You
are responsible for submitting your homework/assignments if you are absent.
5.
Homework will be
evaluated using the following sliding-scale rubric:
|
Points |
Criteria |
|
10 |
Homework shows excellent
effort
and the work is fully completed |
|
5 |
Homework shows acceptable
effort
and the work is mostly completed |
|
0 |
Homework shows minimal effort or is not submitted when due |
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Classroom Contribution -- Sliding Scale
Classroom contribution will be included as part of your quarterly grade.
Classroom contribution represents 15% of your quarterly grade.
Classroom Contribution grades will be posted every 3 weeks.
The
rubric below outlines the grading criteria:
|
Grade |
Criteria |
|
A+
(100%) |
Truly exceptional leadership and participation in
the classroom by
demonstrating an outstanding work ethic,
complete focus when working independently,
adds significantly to the culture of the class, and willingly goes
beyond to bring material from outside the classroom into discussions
and the learning environment. |
|
A
(95%) |
Excellent
participation in class discussions,
often asks
thought provoking questions, willingly
works with other students during classroom activities,
excellent
attitude, and/or shows extensive
effort towards creating a positive atmosphere in the classroom. |
|
B
(85%) |
Substantial
participation in class discussions,
usually works well with other students
during classroom activities, excellent
attitude, and/or shows substantial
effort towards creating a positive classroom atmosphere. |
|
C
(75%) |
Acceptable
participation in class discussions,
sometimes works well with other
students during classroom activities, and/or
meets some expectations
with attitude and contribution to the classroom environment. |
|
D
(68%) |
Rarely or
never
participates in class discussions,
negative attitude, and/or is
disruptive in
class. |
|
F
(25%) |
Rarely or
never
participates in class discussions, is
disruptive in class, does not engage in
group projects, and/or is not part of the "class environment." |
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Attendance
& Make-up Work
It
is your responsibility to make-up missed work. Please come see me
when you return to school after an absence. While an email is ok,
I'll ask you to see me in R-Block, before school, or after
school.
Attendance
and classroom contribution are important aspects of the course. Participating
in class advances your knowledge of the material and enables other students
to learn from you. Class sessions are also meant to supplement homework
and individual research rather than replace or repeat your readings.
Please refer to the Ipswich High School Student-Parent Handbook
for the attendance policy and the effects absences has on
grades.
It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation for any
absences. College visits must receive prior administrative approval to
be considered for a waiver. Please note that voluntary student absences
(vacations, family trips, etc.) will not be considered for appeal and
will count towards a student's total absences for the year. Students are
allowed to make up work missed during their absence; however, it should
be noted that only individually completed work assignments, quizzes, or
tests can be made up. Class participation, collaboration with one’s
peers, and interaction with the teacher, from which much knowledge and
growth occurs, are all important learning activities that are impossible
to make up.
An important note about field trips
Field trips are valuable components of a course curriculum. Throughout
the semester, it may be necessary for you to miss our class session(s)
to attend a field trip for another course. Please note that you
are responsible for notifying me AT LEAST TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE OF A FIELD
TRIP if you are going to be absent. Also, if you are working on a group
project, you are responsible for notifying your team members that you
will be absent.
If you fail to provide prior notification (AT LEAST TWO SCHOOL DAYS) for
an absence due to a field trip, you will not be able to make-up any of
the missed work done in class.
An important note about family vacations
Family vacations must be approved by the Main Office PRIOR to your
absence. While I will provide assistance, advanced assignments are
not guaranteed. If you are eligible to submit make-up work, the
work must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines included in
family vacation policy.
Honors
Contract
Students may take American Government for honors credit by signing
an Honors Contract. Students
who participate in an honors contract should:
-
participate
regularly in class discussions,
-
display
a high level of critical thinking during class discussions,
-
complete
all assignments with an excellent level of quality written and oral
work,
-
demonstrate
the ability to work independently and as a member of team, and,
-
collaborate
with other students to produce work that exceeds expectations.
If you are interested in taking the course for honors credit, please note
the following deadline: Honors Contracts are due by the start of
class on Wednesday, September 11.
Once you sign and submit the Honors Contract, you may not drop the Honors
Contract.
Students who do not submit an honors contract by the due date will not be
eligible to take the course for honors credit. The due date is
posted on the Assignments/Topic page.
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