2. American Government Matthew White Room 2047 matthew.white2@cobbk12.org
cobblearning.net/matthewwhite
Remind: to 81010
Fall Semester

3. Course Description
American Government is a survey of the federal system of government. The class will provide students with an understanding of civic life, politics, and the constitutional process. It will also provide a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizens and a framework for active participation in government.

4. Course Outline
The content of the course will be broken down into 6 units of study. They include:
Unit 1: The Constitution and Federalism(Chapter 1-4)
Unit 2: Political Parties, Civic Responsibility, Elections, and Mass Media (Chapters 16, 17, 19)
Unit 3: Congress and Interest Groups(Chapters 5-7, 18)
Unit 4: The President and the Bureaucracy (Chapters 8-10)
Unit 5: The Judiary, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties(Chapters 11-15)
Unit 6: Policy Making and Civic Responsibility (Chapter 20-22)

5. Required Materials
Paper
Pencil
Pens (blue and black)

6. Grading Categories Unit Test (35%) Assignments/Quizzes (30%)
Projects (15%)
Final Exam (20%)

7. Make-up/Late Work Policy
All students are responsible for inquiring about and getting the work they missed while absent.
A student’s absence the day before a known quiz or test will not excuse or exempt that student from the assessment. Quizzes and tests may only be made up with an excused absence.
The amount of time students will have to make up work, missed tests and quizzes will not exceed the amount of time they were absent plus one day. In other words, if a student out for three days, he or she will have four days to make up any assignments or assessments that were missed during the period of absence.
Late homework work will not be accepted under any circumstances. Projects and papers submitted after the assigned due date will receive a 25% grade reduction for each day they are past due.
Any missing assignments will immediately entered into Synergy as a zero (0).

8. Classroom Expectations
All classroom rules are based on common courtesy, responsible behavior and the policies of Wheeler High School as outlined in the student handbook. All rules will be strictly enforced. In addition to said policies, the following will also be expected:
Sitting at assigned desks BEFORE the bell ring, throughout class, until dismissal by the teacher.
Food and beverage will be not be allowed at any time. Water is permissible, but all other food and beverage must be thrown away before entering the classroom.
Having all required materials: pen/pencil, paper, notebooks, and textbook (when specified).
Complying with all reasonable requests without the drama – cellphones/headphones/dress code.
Being courteous during reading assignments, lectures, videos, and especially assessments.
Arriving on time to class, sitting in your assigned desk by the time the bell rings.

9. Classroom Rule Violation Consequences
1st offense – a warning and/or student conference
2nd offense – teacher detention* and a phone call home
3rd offense – administrative referral

10. Cheating Policy
The following are considered scholastic dishonesty in schoolwork and will be disciplined:
Taking information of any form into a test situation for the purpose of responding to test items
Plagiarism – Using the ideas or words of others without proper documentation
Copying the work of others when the copied material will count as part of the semester grade. This includes the copying of computer disks.
Communicating test information to others in or out of class
Taking test questions (complete test, answer key, teacher’s edition) to provide assistance in later test situations
Selling, buying, or using papers written by another party
Talking, communicating, or displaying cell phone during testing

11. Disciplinary procedures when cheating is discovered:
Individual teacher handles situations A, B, C, D and G above. Mandatory actions by teachers will include the following:
Assignment of a zero for that particular grade
Teacher/student conference
Parent notification
Misconduct form to be filed in student’s disciplinary file
Teacher refers situations E and F to the appropriate administrator. Disciplinary action will include the following:
Student/administrator conference
Teacher /parent conference
Assignment to ISS for a minimum of two days

12. Disciplinary procedures when cheating is discovered (continued):
Once a cheating incident has occurred and the teacher has discussed the matter with the student, the teacher should refer the student to the appropriate administrator so that it can be determined if a previous cheating incident has occurred. After the first offense, all subsequent offenses must be directed immediately to the appropriate administrator for action. National Honor Society and other organizations do not allow membership by students who have cheated. Incidents of cheating are cumulative over the student’s high school enrollment.

13. Learning Questions What am I learning today?
What am I going to do today?
How will I show that I have learned it?

14. Weekly Tutoring Opportunities
Per individual appointments compatible with instructor’s schedule
If you feel you are falling behind or don’t understand a topic, please see me before it is too late. Right before a test is too late! Right before the final exam is way too late!

15. Odds and Ends… Economics will begin on Monday, 2 October.
EOC course
Course required for graduation
Economics EOC (tentative) date: Monday, 11 December
For more information about WHS, please visit the school’s website ( to sign up for the e-newsletter
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to me to set up an appointment to meet.