Home - Rules of Play in Class


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Coursework

Coursework will consist of readings, discussions, and portfolio projects all specially designed to prepare you for your tests. They are tailored to assist you in developing a clear understanding of the framework, institutions, and issues of the U.S. Government. There are six basic categories of coursework to be completed, as assigned, inside and outside of class:
  1. Current events journal and discussion.
    (5% - journal/discussion)
    You get 5 minutes at the beginning of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes to read the San Francisco Chronicle. In addition to the articles we briefly discuss in class, you will need to keep a current events journal. Each week, your analysis on one article is due. The articles need to have a political theme. They may be found online or in print from Time, Newsweek, USA Today, the San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, New York Times, or other political news sources. A careful analysis on your part will greatly expand your understanding of politics and increase your potential score on the AP Exam. For each article, your assignment is to neatly cut out the article and attach it in your journal so that it can be read in full. Then identify the following in this format:
    • A. Author and Date
      B. The article's thesis
      C. Three major points to support this thesis
      D. Two counter arguments


  2. Textbook Digest.
    (8% - notebook, quizzes)
    Your primary evening homework is reading from James Wilson and John Dilulio Jr's, American Government. YOu will have approximately 10 pages of text to read and analyze each evening. Your analysis will consist of notes in the form of outlines, Q & As, and other stratgies aimed at helping you identify key points and checking your comprehension. It will also provide an excellent source of review in May before the AP Exam. THe textwork will not be discussed directly in great detail. You will be responsible for keeping up with the definitions and descriptions in the text so that we can focus on explanations and deeper analysis in class. We will host question and answer sessions for each assigned reading to clarify difficult concepts. Stay on top of the assignments so that you don't get lost in class discussion and lecture.

  3. Specialized readings from Peter Woll's American Government (7%- dialectic notebook, quizes, discussion)
    Your secondary homewrok reading is from Woll. These readings will be assigned for reading at home. You will develop a critical eye for reading and a careful mind for analysis. We will discuss these readings in great depth in class. You and a partner will be responsible for leading the discussion for approximately two readings over the course of the semester. YOu will prepare questions and an organized guide for the discussion regarding your reading. (more details later)

  4. The Politics Portfolio
    (10%- product and presentation)
    Each unit of the course will be covered by your work on a projcet to link your learning in class with t he real world. The seven projects you complete will make up your politics portfolio. Each will be outlined for you at the beginning of the project. They consist of:
      A. The Living Constitution
      B. Opinion Makers
      C. Congressional Term
      D. The Media Project
      E. Policy Makers
      F. Attorney at Law
      G. Hi Five Assignments- Semester 2

  5. Multiple Choice and Free Response Exams
    (50%- scantron AP style exams/ in class and take home "free" responses)
    We will work hard to develop critical thinking skills ans strategies. Think of the test as the main event. It is the performance for which you practice so hard to succeed.
    Many of the questions on these exams will be directly from past AP exams. MORE TO COME......




Course Overview
Expectations
Grading Scale
Coursework
Syllabus

Content
Calendar
Lecture Notes
Practice Exams
Disco Board
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