Classroom Expectations

MARINA HIGH SCHOOL

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Course: United States Government                     Telephone: 893-6571 Ext. 4104
Instructor: Mr. Clark                                               E-mail: bclark@hbuhsd.edu

MAJOR COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Students will be able to develop a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government with particular attention paid to such documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
2. Students will be able to discuss and analyze current events, with an emphasis on the Presidential Primaries & the June 7th, 2016 primary election in California.
3. Students will understand the rights and responsibilities that accompany American citizenship. 

COURSE UNITS

1. Liberalism and Conservatism
2. Origins of American Government
3. American Political System
4. Congress (Legislative Branch)
5. The President (Executive Branch)
6. The Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)
7. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
8. State and Local Government

 GRADING
Grades will be based on an accumulation of total points given from exams, essays, assignments, classroom activities, projects, participation, and the final exam.

Exams:                                 35%                                 100%-90%= A
Homework/Classwork:       35%                                 89%-80%= B
Projects:                              10%                                 79%-70%= C                        
Final Exam:                          20%                                 69%-60%= D
                                                                                     59%-0%= F

 TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS

United States Government: Democracy in Action (The McGraw-Hill Companies)

**Please bring your pen, notebook, and paper to class each day. The teacher will inform you if anything additional will be needed for the next class session.**

EXAMS
The course will consist of tests, quizzes, and a final exam. Quizzes may be given without notice to encourage responsible study habits. There will be a quiz for most chapters in the text to encourage positive reading/study habits.
ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments will include Cornell notes & study guides. Turn all assignments in on the due date for full credit. Assignments turned in late will receive partial credit. Late credit will be discussed in class.
PROJECTS
Various assignments may be required of students, which are more long term and involve research beyond a standard assignment. These might include a book review, current events journal, campaign notebook, research paper, power point presentation, etc.
IN CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
In Class Assignments consist of readings, group activities, and assignments completed in the classroom. It is your responsibility to keep up with assignments that you miss. I will accept late assignments up to the last week before the final. Anything after that will not be accepted. It is imperative that you attend class regularly. Please make every attempt to schedule appointments and vacations around the school calendar.
MAKE UP POLICY
Any make-up work for missed assignments (homework & in-class assignments) will be allowed up to the end of the semester, and up to the discretion of Mr. Clark. Despite the circumstances, any late assignment will not be given full credit. Exams and quizzes need to be made up within 5 school days of the date of the assessment and it is the responsibility of the student to notify Mr. Clark that they need to make-up an exam.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 
Click here to access the school calendar.
LIBRARY RESOURCES 
Click here to access the online resources from our library.