United States Government

Lawrence Free State High School

Spring Semester – Room 250
Course Outline

Instructor Bobby Nichols

Email: rnichols@usd497.org Phone: (785) 832-6050 ext. 4946

My website: http://freestatepolity.blogspot.com/

The following information is for your benefit. This will give you a good idea what to expect out of this class. Keep
this sheet for future reference.

Textbook

Magruders American Government is the textbook to be used and will be provided. You will need to supply your
own paper to take notes and also a pen or pencil. You will also need to supply a folder (preferably a three-ring
binder) to put your papers in. Please do not store papers and assignments in your textbook.

Course Objectives

The student shall:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the major themes and essential questions of American Government.
2. Understand the nature and value of history and literature in Government.
3. Demonstrate the process of collecting and interpreting historical evidence and developing well-reasoned
arguments to sustain viewpoints.
4. Comprehend and achieve the necessary characteristics to work effectively both independently and in a group.

Course Materials

Please bring to class on a daily basis the following:

1. Your books.
2. A notebook.
3. Your organizer which should include a downloaded class schedule from the class website.
4. Something to write with. Written assignments should be done in black or blue ink while tests are done in
pencil.

Organization

Quiz and test dates and assignment due dates will be noted at the beginning of each unit. Students are responsible for
keeping up with reading assignments and being aware of, and ready for, quizzes and tests. Class will be a
combination of lecture, group work, coverage of assigned readings, and answering student questions. Periodically,
student essays, reports, or presentations will be required. All essays will be scored according to the 5-point rubric
that will be given to students later.

Grading

Graded material shall include written assignments, essays, projects, quizzes, tests, participation points, a research
paper and a comprehensive final. It is not the job of the instructor to make you aware of what you have missed or
failed to turn in. This is your responsibility! Unless unusual circumstances arise, no late work shall be accepted.

EXAMS = 80%
PARTICIPATION = 20%
Exams

There will be nine exams given during the semester – each following the appropriate Unit and a semester final.
Exams are a combination of objective (i.e. multiple choice) and essay questions and will be given over the course of
two days (multiple choice first, then essay.)

Quizzes

The quizzes will mostly take on a matching format. Please be aware that impromptu quizzes are a possibility,
particularly if the reading and discussion level of the class is less than desirable. However, most quizzes will be
given after each completed chapter.

Guided Readings and Section Quizzes

You are responsible for going to my website

(http://studentaccess.emporia.edu/~rnichols/mrnicholspage/index1.html) to obtain guided readings and section
quizzes to be turned in the day of the chapter test.

Comprehensive Final Exam

All students will be required to take a comprehensive final examination at the end of each semester.

Cheating

Although collaboration of effort is encouraged in this class, the instructor expects each student to produce their own
individual work. Any students caught cheating or plagiarizing the works of others will receive a zero for the
assignment in question and can face further disciplinary actions.

Classroom Rules

The rules and policies of Lawrence Free State High School will be enforced. Please be respectful to others and
different ideas. There are a few specific rules you need to be aware of:
1. You are not allowed to leave the classroom unless an emergency arises.
2. You are allowed one free tardy. On the second tardy, a 30 minute detention will apply and can be made-up
the following morning at 6:30.

Content Area/Objectives
Percentage of Class time
1. Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government 5-15%
2. Political Beliefs and Behaviors 10-20%
3. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 10-20%
4. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, The Presidency 35-45%
the Bureaucracy, and Federal Courts.
5. Public Policy 5-15%
6. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 5-15%