Royal High School

Mr. Perkins
Class Syllabus

American Government/ U.S. History

Intro:

In today's society it is important that our students are informed of their rights and responsibilities so that they can be productive citizens in a modern democracy. Students need to be able to think critically using problem solving skills in a cooperative manner.

The goals of the class are:

1. Students will be required to select national and international issues relating to democratic ideals.
2. Idenify and gather information on different viewpoints on issues.
3. Idenfity the rights and responsibilities of people with different points of view in addressing issues.
4. Summarize the various points of views and then civilly critique those viewpoints in a public forum.
5. Describe ways to revolve issues in a way that balances individual rights with the common good.
6. Write a personal position paper on an issue and argue that the position is worthy of thoughtful consideration using evidence and data from resesearch.

Grading System

Grades will be determined on a percentage system and will adherre to the following scale

100%-93% = A
92.9%-90% = A-
89%-87% = B+
86%-84% = B
83%-80% = B-
79%-77% = C+
76%-74% = C
69%-60% = D
59% & Below = F

Percentages will be determined by dividing the total points possible into the student's cumulative point total from all assignments, quizzes, test, and participation grade. The semester grade is a running total of both quarters.

Participation Grade

Each student will recieve 225 participation points per quarter (5 points per day) based on the following requirements.

1. Attendance - attendance and tardies are part of the grade. If a student chooses to be absent or tardy, they choose to forgiet their points for the day. All points lost as a result of school activities or excused absences can be made up, but must be complete within the time frame for all make-up work.

2. Organization - Every student is required to have a 3-ring binder notebook in which to organize their materials. For Government/World Problems students, this binder needs to be separate from all your other classes. The notebook is required to have dividers that separate it into sections for daily handouts and lecture notes, text and quiz papers, class standards and grade reports. Students must have these materials with them each day when they come to class. In addition, they must bring appropriate writing utensils (pen or pencil) and their textbook.

3. Classroom behavior - Classroom conduct will bein accordance with Royal High School's student handbook and will include, but it is not limited to the following:

A - Respect others at all times.
B - No profanity or vulgar language.
C - Stay in your seats and on task until the bell rings.

*Failure to comply with the rules for proper classroom behavior will result in the forgeiture of participation points. Points lost as a result of improper behavior cannot be made up under any circumstances.

Attendance

Good attendance is extremely important to a student's academic success. Absences that are excused are outlined in the student handbook. For excused absences, students will be given three days for the first day absence and one day for each additional day thereafter to make-up missed work. This may include the make-up of any texts or quizzes. However, if you are simply gone a day of a quiz or text, you must make it up your first day back. Students will not be given credit make-up work for unexcused absences. Three tardies equal one unexcused absence.

Participation Point Credit (Life got in the way)

Each student will be issued six "Life got in the way" passes each quarter. Each pass is worth 5 points. If not used during the quarter they may be redeemed for extra credit.