Government                                       Mr. Faulhaber                                    Room #302

Course Description:  This course is designed for high school seniors to gain insight into their basic rights and how those rights are governed.  During the course of the year we will examine the historical foundation of the Constitution, evolution and modifications to the Constitution, historical interpretations, current trends, and the future of our government.  Understanding of not only how the government runs, but the political processes that govern its functions will be explored. 

Our understanding of these diverse topics will be gained through participation in class discussions, relevant coursework, and testing.  Independent projects may be assigned throughout the year as well as out of class assignments.      

Text:  United States Government: Democracy in Action

Grading:  Grades will be based on a variety of in-class exercises, tests, and quizzes. 

• The exams will be worth 35% of the quarter grade and will be a combination of objective (identification) and subjective (essay) questions.   

• Each week there will be a number of homework assignments given.  This daily work will be worth 35% of the quarter grade.  Class assignments will be expected to be completed and turned in on time.  If the due date is at the end of the class, any material that is handed after the bell signifying the start of the next class period, the assignment will be counted as a zero.  If the due date is the following day, homework should be handed in as you enter the classroom and any assignment handed in thereafter will also be counted as a missed assignment.  

• Projects will account for the remaining 30%.  Each quarter a different project will be assigned and varying amounts of class time will be assigned for each project’s completion. 

• Semester grades will be figured with each quarter grade counting towards 2/5 of the final grade and the semester exam completing the remaining 1/5.

Grading Scale:                       A               100-90

                                                                        B                 89-80

                                                                        C                 79-70

                                                                        D                 69-60

                                                                        F                  59 and below

Absences/Makeup Work:  Attendance is extremely important! Much of the material that you will be tested on will come directly from class lectures.  Multiple absences will undoubtedly be reflected on your tests and quizzes.

Each student will be given three free percentage points per quarter that will be added on to their final grade.  For each absence, other than for school related activities, one of these percentage points will be removed.

Questions/Comments/Concerns:  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns throughout the course of the school year please do not hesitate to come and discuss the issue with me.  My door is always open for discussion and you may come and discuss any problem before, after, or during my prep period.  I would appreciate any feedback that I can receive and I hope you enjoy the class and the school year.