COURSE SYLLABUS

AP US AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Mrs. Ellen Burnett
Room 325
ellen.burnett@killeenisd.org
http://coachburnett.weebly.com
Tutorials: M/W afternoon 4:15-4:45
Or by appointment
No AM tutorials available
Remind @burnettap 484-494-2963
COURSE OVERVIEW
This course is designed to be challenging and reflective of a college level course. Students will be expected to
grasp abstract concepts and apply them to real world situations. In addition to the state standards for
education, students will be held to the standards provided by the AP College Board. An overview of each
course and what will be covered is listed below. For a detailed outline of each course please refer to
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/home.

A well-designed AP course in United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical
perspective on government and politics in the United States. This 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. While there is no single approach that an AP United States Government and
Politics course must follow, students should become acquainted with the variety of theoretical
perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Certain topics are usually covered
in all college courses. 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). Students will 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. (source: collegeboard.com)

Required Textbooks:

George C. Edwards, Martin P. Wattenburg, and Robert l. Linesberry. Government in America: People, Politics, and
Policy 15th ed. New York: Addison Wesley Education Publishers, Inc., 2011.
Suggested Textbook: 5 Steps to a 5: AP U.S. Government and Politics 2014-2015 edition can be purchased at Barnes

& Noble or online ISBN-13: 9780071803014

Materials Needed by Tuesday January 6

1 Binder with tab dividers
Classroom Expectations
Bring to class EVERY day:
1. Blue/black pen & pencil
2. Interactive Journal/Binder (check the board for which one)
3. A positive attitude
Because this is a college level course, the AP student will be expected to perform at the level of college
freshman for the duration of this course. This course will require outside work and a level of dedication
exceeding that of a regular course. The student is expected to be respectful of their peers, their teacher and
the learning environment at all times. If at any point a student exhibits disrespectful behavior or disrupts the
learning environment disciplinary action will be taken.
Classroom Management Plan
Each teacher instruction will be followed
All Hands, feet, and objects are to be kept to yourself
Get a pass and permission prior to leaving the classroom
Leave any form of disrespect at the door swearing, teasing, yelling or rude gestures included.
Each student will be in his/her seat when the bell rings ready to work
Consequences
1st offense: Verbal warning
2nd offense: Teacher-Student conference
3rd offense: Parent contact & detention
4th offense: POD-student conference (AP/Counselor)
5th offense: Referral to AP
Severe offense: Referral to AP
WARNING: Bullying of any kind will NOT be tolerated in my classroom. This room is place where students should
feel safe and free to express themselves. If a student is bullying or threatening another student in any way the
sever behavior consequence will be enforced.
Grading policy: All grades given in this course will follow an AP scale/curve (see the attached handout)
30% Formative Grades (daily work, quizzes)
70% Summative Grades (tests, projects)
Daily Work: This consists of anything done in class including, participation in class discussion, handouts,
group activities, individual work, etc.
Quizzes: Three types of quizzes will be given over the duration of this course; vocabulary, notebook, and
reading. Students can expect to take a quiz once a week and the material on these quizzes will come from
the required reading for that week, the list of vocabulary words provided to the student, or information that
can be found in the students notebook. *Note: students are required to keep every handout in their
notebook unless otherwise instructed.

Tests: Test will be made up of a combination of multiple choice and FRQ questions. Each test will be over
only the material covered in that unit with the exception of practice AP exams or Midterms/finals. They will
be graded on an AP scale and curved at the teachers discretion. A review sheet for each test will be
provided at the beginning of each unit.
Projects: We will conduct various projects throughout the year some will be for extra credit and optional.
The two required projects for this course are the Cost of Living personal finance project and the
Documentary project. More information will be provided on these during the second semester.
Absence/Tardy Policy: Due to the nature of this course and the amount of material covered students cannot
afford to arrive late to class. If a student is tardy to class they will be required to sign the tardy book and a tardy
will be recorded in the grade book. If tardiness becomes a consistent problem the parent will be contacted
and it can result in an ISS assignment. A tardy student is expected to enter the classroom quietly and without
disruption. If the student does not adhere to this they will be considered a disruption to the learning
environment and disciplinary action will follow.
If a student knows he/she will be absent they must inform Mrs. Burnett at least 2 days prior to their absence.
Students are highly encouraged to collect work before an absence to keep from falling behind.
Make-up Work: Mrs. Burnett will adhere to the 5 day make-up policy implemented by EHS for anything a
student misses in class that was not announced prior to their absence. If you miss a class and the work was
assigned prior to your absence it is due upon your return this goes for quizzes and tests as well. It is highly
recommended that a student schedule a time to make up quizzes/tests prior to their absence if they know they
will be gone. If the student misses a multiple choice exam they will receive an essay make-up exam regardless
of the reason for their absence. Late work will not be accepted in this class.

Schedule/Topics Covered:
This course will combine college level classes into one year long course. We will be switching back and forth
between units. I have designed this course to follow a comprehensive schedule and each unit will build upon
the previous one. Because this course will be very fast paced and sticks to a rigorous schedule students are
HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to attend tutorials if they do not understand a specific concept or unit. For a detailed
weekly schedule see my website: http://coachburnett.weebly.com

Weeks 1-3 Unit One: Constitutional Underpinning of Government

Weeks 3-4 Unit Two: Political Beliefs & Behaviors
Weeks 5-6 Unit Three: Congress
Weeks 7-8 Unit Four part I: The Presidency
Weeks 9-10 Unit Four Part II: Bureaucracy
Weeks 11-12 Unit Five: Courts, Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
Week 13 16: REVIEW FOR AP EXAMS (ECON & GOV)

***THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME STUDENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF CHANGES IN A TIMELY MANNER
They will also be posted on the website for this class at http://coachburnett.weebly.com***