1. Syllabus
Instructors: AdamPenman
Anthony Simmons
Course Description:
U.S. Governmentisdesigned togive students the skillsandknowledge necessary tobecome responsible
and effective citizensinaninterdependent world. Studentswill study the USpolitical systemand
become aware of theirrightsand responsibilities. Thiscourse will focusonthe workings andrationale
behindthe U.S. political andeconomicprocess, policy making, andhow itimpactscitizens. Emphasis will
be givento equipeachstudentwiththe knowledge andcritical skillstoengage productivelyandthink
critically aboutthe greatissuesthatface American modern government,aswell asperennial problems
of all governmentsystems. The course isrigorous and requires studentstomasterthe contentthrough
application of concepts toreal worldsimulations.
Objectives: In thisclass, students will
 Analyze the confluence of real worldproblems withsolutions andcontradictions thataffect
policy-makinginthe U.S. government.
 Develop problem-solvingskillsinthe contentareascovered.
 Develop oral communication skillsinpresenting, sharinganddebatingideas.
 Develop research andwritingskillsasitpertains toadvocacy, reflection andargumentation of
social issues.
Course Materials:
 Putnam, RobertD. Our Kids:The American DreaminCrisis.2015. Thiswill serve asthe summer
readingandit will alsobe usedintermittently aswe investigatevarious case studies.
 Janda, Berry & Goldman. The Challenge of Democracy,9thEd. 2008. We will use aclassroomset
of these textbooks intermittently aswe investigatevariouscase studies. We will alsouse
readings froman updated version forsome units.
 Choices Program(http://www.choices.edu/about/) Case studieswill be usedfromthe program
includingforeignpolicy andenvironmentalpolicy.
PA Upper School: U.S. Government & Economics

2. Assessment:
The followingpercentagesare approximations dependingonthe numberof pointsgivenfor
research/projects eachquarter.
 40%: Tests/Quizzes—Testswilltypically include multiplechoice, shortanswer, andessays.
Major testswill covercontentovereachunit. Most weeks there willbe currenteventquizzes.
 30%: Projects/research papers—Majorprojects include:National History Dayandthe second
semesterresearch paper.
 30%: Unit Performance Tasks/Participation/ReadingAssignments—Unitassignmentswill help
students todevelop oral communication, problem-solvingandwritingskillsasitapplies to
unitcontent. In orderfor some of these assignmentstowork, itisimperative thatstudents
come to class prepared havingdone the reading, homework, andotherassignments.
Late and Make-upWork:
Upon returnfroman excused absence, itisthe student’s responsibility tocheck withthe teacher
concerningmissed assignments ornotes. Allottedtime formake-upworkdepends onhow many days
missed. One classabsence corresponds totwodaysmake-uptime;twoclassabsences correspond to
three daysmake-uptime,andsoon. All pre-announced assignments, researchpapersandprojectsare
due as scheduled. Studentsmusteithersubmitthe assignmentearly orhave a family memberbringiton
the due date. Pre-announced tests, quizzes andpresentations willbe made uponthe firstdaythe
studentreturns toclass. If youare goingto missclassdue to a school event, youmustcomplete/turn in
any assignmentortestbefore the missed class. Make-upworkforunexcused absences willnotbe
allowed.
Policies/Rules:
There are nopunishments, only consequences. Please make yourself familiarwiththe policies inthe
studenthandbook. A few policies of importance are listedbelow:
 Many of the case studieswe willdiscuss are controversial topicswithmanydifferentopinions.
Democracy thrives ondebate andconversationsthatare protected byhealthy procedures. In
our class, we want to model healthy debate and conversation by avoidingad hominem
arguments and sarcasm, while promotingactive listeningandopenness.
 Cell phones are strictly prohibited duringclasstime (unless approvedbyinstructorfora
special occasion). Any unapproved cell phoneuse duringclasswill resultinthe phone being
sentto the NSA for temporary impoundment. Pleasereadthe studenthandbookoncell
phones forcell phone violation measures.
 We are a laptopfriendly campus;however,studentsneedtounderstand the use of
laptops/tablets isaprivilege, andthatprivilege canbe revoked. If students are caughtsurfing
the webor are “distracted”bytheirtechnology, thenitwill nolongerbe allowed forthat
student.
Parents: We encourage any comments or questions you may have regarding your student in this class.
Please feelfree toe-mailusat anytime:
 anthony.simmons@pulaskiacademy.org 501-339-7435
 adam.penman@pulaskiacademy.org 479-886-0402