SYLLABUS: AP US Government Course Number: 2106420 Ms.

Mills, Room N39

CONTACT INFORMATION: Ms. Jennifer Mills Class Website: millsapgovt.weebly.com Phone: 863-965-6200 Available for helping students: Mon., Wed., Fri., 2:00pm 2:30pm e-mail: jennifer.mills@polk-fl.net

PREREQUISITES TO THE COURSE: Students should have successfully completed previous AP coursework or honors social studies coursework with a positive recommendation from a previous social studies teacher. Students should possess the ability to read and understand written communication above the high school level. Students must have good oral communication skills and a desire to learn and to be in an accelerated AP class for US Government. Keys to doing well in this AP US Government class and on the AP Exam include desire for high level classes, maturity, and work ethic. GENERAL LEARNING GOALS OR OBJECTIVES: Students successfully completing this course will: know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics. understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures). be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats). be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum. COURSE MATERIALS: Text: American Government (Wilson); replacement cost: $60.00 (provided by school) Various supplemental texts provided by school Folder or binder dedicated only to this class 1-inch 3 ring binder and at least five dividers with tabs

Colored pen for grading (preferably red, no light colors) NO spiral notebooks or notebook paper Other Suggested Items Access to a removable drive for creating presentations and bringing to class Colored pencils (class set is provided) COURSE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to AP US Government. This course is a rigorous examination of AP US Government in preparation for the AP exam in May. The AP exam is a difficult one and the best students in the country take this course. It will be one of the most challenging and rewarding History courses you have taken thus far in your academic career. The course will be conducted as a college seminar with a great deal of class discussion and greater responsibility placed on you than perhaps any course you have taken thus far in high school. In addition to the academic content, the class will work on developing skills that are necessary to do well on the exam and will benefit you in your future academic life. These skills include writing analytically, interpreting historical documents, evaluating history from multiple perspectives, speaking skills, and so on. To assist us in achieving these ends, the following may be utilized: teacher lecture/class discussion additional readings & research working with & making charts/graphs working with & constructing maps individual & group debates COURSE CONTENT AND OUTLINE: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government Political Beliefs and Behaviors Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Institutions of National Government Public Policy Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Exam Review (AP Exam Date is Tuesday, May 14, morning session) note-taking essay writing worksheets media clips text readings quizzes/tests internet use poster projects

COURSE POLICIES: Classroom Procedures and Conduct Follow these procedures: 1. Enter the classroom in an appropriate and timely manner. Once the bell has sounded, you are tardy. AHS school policy on tardies will be followed in this room. Please note the following: - Students not in the room when the bell rings due to using the restroom are still considered tardy, even if they stopped by the room before going to the restroom. Stop on your way to class so as not to waste time. - No restroom visits should be necessary except in the case of illness or emergency as students have 8 minutes between classes to take care of restroom needs. Students with medical need to have free access to the

restroom must bring a doctors note or have a parent contact me immediately to make arrangements. - Tardy passes will only be accepted from administrative staff (principal, asst. principal, deans, guidance counselors or office secretaries). Passes from other teachers/coaches WILL NOT be accepted - you will still be marked tardy. - AHS tardy policy is as follows: 1. Arrival within ten minutes of bell without a pass from administrator, student is marked tardy 2. Arrival after ten minutes without a pass from administrator, student is written up for skipping 3. Arrival more than thirty minutes late without a pass from administrator, student is marked absent/unexcused and is written up for skipping 4. Arrival more than thirty minutes late with a pass from administrator, marked absent/excused 2. AHS school policy will be followed when dealing with minor infractions in the classroom. Generally this involves discussion with student and contact with parent. Major infractions will be referred to an administrator. 3. Cell phones are not to be seen nor heard in the classroom. Students will receive one warning for the year before a parent or guardian is called. The next infraction will be referred to an administrator. AHS school policy will be followed when dealing with cell phones. 4. I-pods, mp3 players and other electronic devices with or without headphones are generally not permitted in class unless authorized by the teacher. 5. Sit in your assigned seat unless directed to move for a class activity. 6. During class instruction, talking with each other is not permitted unless otherwise instructed. 7. Do not leave your seat during class instruction without obtaining permission. 8. During work time, quiet discussion relative to the assignment is permitted with those in your area. Students are permitted to help each other with class work and homework. COPYING another students work is not considered HELPING and will result in a zero for all parties involved. 9. Students may move about the room as necessary during work time. Examples of necessary movement include sharpening pencils, throwing away trash, and talking with the teacher. Moving to speak with students located in other parts of the room is not permitted. 10. Class work, homework and projects are due on the designated date. Late work will be eligible for up to 50% if submitted within 2 school days of the due date. I reserve the right to alter the late assignment in order to discourage copying students who had their work in on time or in the case that we discuss the work in class. Your name must appear on all work. NO NAME = NO GRADE! 11. Students with 504 plans outlining the need for additional work time are responsible for communicating with the teacher the need for additional time for any assignment on which additional time is needed. Failure to request additional time within a reasonable time before or after the assignment is due will result in a zero. I understand the need for discretion and that students may not be able to speak with me privately at the time an assignment is due, however, you must find a moment to talk with me as soon as possible when you realize you are unable to complete an assignment. It is okay to email me if you can not find a moment to talk with me (email address appears at the top of this syllabus). Blanket extra time will NOT be given. That is, it is your responsibility, if you have a 504 plan indicating you are allowed extra time, to request extra time for each assignment on which extra time is needed. 12. Upon returning from an absence, students are responsible for obtaining make-up work. Obtain your makeup work from your class folder. If no work is in the folder, ask me if there was any work on the day you were absent as I may have been absent the same day or may not have updated the folder. Students have one week from their return to school to turn in makeup work. Under extenuating

circumstances the teacher may extend the due date for makeup work; however, students must initiate the request for an extension in a timely manner and will NOT be allowed to make up the work at the last minute before interims or report cards. 13. Students have one week from the date of an absence to make up tests and quizzes. I will not remind you as the deadline nears. Makeup tests and quizzes may be essay style and will always be different from the test or quiz taken by the class and are generally more difficult. Makeup tests are not eligible for the test curve. Students who prearrange to take tests or quizzes before an absence will take a test equivalent to the rest of the class and will receive the curve. All makeup tests and quizzes are to be taken after school. 14. Any and all talking during tests and quizzes will be considered cheating. Talking during a test or quiz will result in a 10% reduction for each occurrence. Blatant cheating on a test or quiz will result in a score of zero on that item for all students involved. There will be absolutely no sympathy and no exceptions to this procedure. 15. All other policies as outlined in the student handbook and code of conduct will be followed in this classroom. 16. The bell does not dismiss the class, the teacher does. Do not pack up and do not leave your seat until dismissed by the teacher. GRADING/EVALUATION: Final grades will be weighted 55% Mastery (tests, quizzes, projects, essays) and 45% Acquisition (notebooks, daily participation, classwork, homework, etc.) NO EXTRA CREDIT WILL BE OFFERED IN THIS CLASS. There MAY be occasional limited opportunities for bonus points. Points will be assigned as follows: Acquisition (45%) - Daily Assignments (varies by assignment, approximately 10-30 pts. ea.) - daily assignment MAY include a participation grade as follows: - no participation 0 points - minimal participation, but offers no verbal input 5 points - active participation 10 points - Notebooks (100 points) Mastery (55%) - Timed Quizzes (2 points per question) - DBQs/FRQs (100 points) - Timed Unit Tests (200 points each) an AP curve will be given on tests, not on quizzes - Individual and group projects (up to 200 points each) - There will be NO midterm or final exam given ASSIGNMENTS/RESPONSIBILITIES: The assignments and assessments described above will be assigned to assist the student in covering and understanding the material and in reaching the goals of this course. The teacher will assign these activities as necessary to carry out these ends. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: Students with special needs are invited to contact me during the first week of school. SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY: This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Course Syllabus Student/Parent Agreement Ms. Mills AP US Government I have read and understand the course syllabus and policies for Ms. Mills AP US Government class. Student Name Student Signature Parent Signature Date Date

This signed sheet is to be returned no later than Friday, August 24. Failure to return this form by that date will result in a zero for this assignment until the form is returned.

Course Syllabus Student/Parent Agreement Ms. Mills AP US Government I have read and understand the course syllabus and policies for Ms. Mills AP US Government class. Student Name Student Signature Parent Signature Date Date

This signed sheet is to be returned no later than Friday, August 24. Failure to return this form by that date will result in a zero for this assignment until the form is returned.