American Government

COURSE SYLLABUS

2010-2011
INSTRUCTOR: Matthew D. Woods

A. DESCRIPTION

This course involves a careful examination of American government.

B. ORGANIZATION

This is a lecture course in which topics are presented by the instructor. 

The students are expected to follow along with the teacher and be interactive

with the lessons. 

The use of multi-media is an integral part of the course. 

The Students will be exposed to videos on the various subjects as well as

extensive use of computers to help with there learning of the subjects

C. COURSE OBJECTIVES

1.     To introduce students to the workings of American citizenship and

the American form of government

D. COURSE TOPICS

The course will cover the following topics:

1.   Citizenship

2.   Forms of Government

E. TEXT AND REQUIRED SUPPLIES

1.     Required text: Civics in Practice: HOLT

2.     Supplies: Pencil/Pen and paper. Part of participation is coming to

class with required material.

F. GRADING PLAN

Coursework will be weighted as follows:

Assignment Grades

For assignment grades the students will either receive a 100% or a 0% on

individual assignments.  The reason for this is to ensure maximum student

learning. An assignment is usually, but not always, a follow along worksheet

that the teacher assigns the students during a lecture.  The assignment will

be graded during class by the teacher and the students and given back to

the students.   It is up to the students to correct the missed items to a

score of 100% and then turned into the teacher.  At that time the student

will then receive a 100% on that assignment.  Even though they may have

answered questions incorrectly originally.  This policy is to insure the

students learn the material.  A 0% may be awarded if the assignment

wasn’t turned in or not corrected to 100%.  The student has one week

after the assignment has been made to receive 100% on that individual

assignment.  Each assignment is a portion of 35% of the students’ 9

week grade.

Example: 10 assignments for the 9 weeks will make each individual project

worth 3.5% of the students 9 weeks grade 35% divided by 10 = 3.5%   

 If there are 20 assignments    35% divided by 20 = 1.75% per individual

assignment

Participation
This is a course that requires participation form the students.  If the student

is attentive and asking questions and is generally involved in the learning

process they will earn maximum credit in this area.  If a student is not

coming to class with required material, falling asleep, or disrupting class they

are not fully participating in class.  If a student is not fully participating in

class their participation grade will reflect that. A total of 25% of the students’

9 week grade comes from participation.

Test Grade:
Test grades includes test and quizzes.  Test grades account for 40% of the

students’ 9 week grade

G. CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1.     School rules apply in Mr. Woods’s classroom, but respect for others is

strictly enforced.

J. SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS

For most students this will not be a "difficult" course. However, there will

probably be some students who did well in academic courses where information

was most important and who will be surprised at the relative difficulty of this

course where participation is most important. So do not think that if you are

a "B" student you will probably get a "B" in this course. You might get an "A"

with relative ease . . . or a "C" with difficulty.  In the past students who followed

along and paid attention have done very well in this course.

15DEC10

To all students and parents:

As of the Third of January, Mr. Woods will no longer accept late class work.  School policy regarding absences will still be honored. 

Parent /guardian signature _____________________________________________