AMERICAN  GOVERNMENT     Fall 2007

Mr. Henley

 

Text:            Government   in America

                                                         Hardy 1996 edition

 

 

 

Course Description:  The course will cover the following concepts

The Foundations of American Government / Civil rights and Civil Liberties  /Political Participation  / The Legislative Branch  / The Executive Branch  / The  Judicial Branch  /Government In Action  / State Government  / Local Government  / Comparative Government .

 

Three interrelated themes that I hope that you will take away from this class.

            First, you must understand that government and politics are not something evil, but are great human endeavors.

             Second, you need to become aware of our political system, because it affects virtually every aspect of your life

            And finally ,you have an obligation to participate in our political system.                                                                                                                                                       

 

 

 

              “The less government we have the better” Ralph Waldo Emerson .

 

 

Grading System

 

   ALL UNIT TEST AVERAGE                 4 TIMES                 

   HOMEWORK AVERAGE                      2 TIMES

   CLASS   PARTICAPATION                     1 TIMES

   QUIZ     AVERAGE                                 2 TIMES

   CLASS AND GROUP PROJECTS      1 TIME

 

 

 

 

EXAMPLE

 

TEST AVERAGE            90   X  4 =                                         360

HOMEWORK AVERAGE     80 X 2  =                                   160

CLASS PARTICAPATION     85     X  1   =                             85

QUIZ   AVERAGE                        83  X 2                                    166

CLASS AND GROUP PROJECT    AVERAGE     90  X 1  = 90

 

                                                                                                                     TOTAL     861   GRADE  86 %

 

 

Class participation includes bring all materials to class.

 

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

Be prepared. Bring your textbook pens pencil to each class

Read all assigned material by the beginning of the class

During lectures, raise your hand and wait to be called on.

Be respectful and courteous. Rude, insensitive or inappropriate comments and interruptions can result in demerit, detention or removal from the class room.

Pick up after your self.

Students are expected to abide by the St. Wendelin’s dress code and code of behavior as described in the Student Handbook.

 

Assignments

You are responsible for knowing your assignment

Assignments are expected to be turned in at the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments will be graded as follows:50% will be deducted if it is turned in later than collected. No assignments will be accepted later than the next class period.

Show care for your work, write legibly in complete sentences.

Do your own work, if I determine that any answer on a homework assignment, quiz or test is copied from another student, both assignments, quizzes or test will receive a zero.

 

Absences

Work that is due on the day of an excused absence may be turned in at the next class period with no penalty. Work

 that is due on the day of an unexcused absence will follow the same rules as a late assignment.

In the case of an excused absence, it is your responsibility to see me and arrange for the work to me make up. All work must be made up by the next class period, unless other arrangements have been made. If the work is not completed, a zero will be given.