Public Affairs                                                                                                     Dr. Andrews

Course Description: This course will examine fundamental political concepts important to America and the world and changes in America's politcs, economics, and society.  Considered the capstone course to the Social Studies curriculum, Public Affairs offers a broad scope of consideration of current events, the role of mass media in our society, the changing nature of our democracy, and the importance of active civic engagement. 

Readings: various readings assigned in class 

Grading: Each quarter may consist of a slightly different number of tests, essays, projects, and homework assignments depending upon how test days fall in the calendar, etc. 

For any given quarter, add the following:                                                             Hypothetical numbers:

Essays/projects (100 pts. each)                                                                     

                                                                                          if 3 essays/projects, up to 300 points

Multiple Choice Tests

(each 100 point test covers 1-2 chapter readings/topic areas)                                                       

                                                                                            if 3 tests, up to 300 points

 Class Participation                                                                              up to 100 points

                                                                                                                                 700/7 = 100 pts.

The quarter grade will be computed by dividing the total number of points by the number of 100 pt. units assigned during a particular quarter.  A quarter that had more/less essays, tests, and/or other assignments than another quarter might have a different total number of points, such as 600-800 points and then be divided by 6 or 8 accordingly. 

Class Participation                                                        

(***Your attendance is very important.  You cannot participate if you are not here; class participation  includes in-class work, demonstrated knowledge of the readings in in-class discussions, and reaction papers to in-class videos.)

Tests (&/or Pop Quizzes)                                             

(Tests will be given every one-two weeks in the typical semester, usually on only one or two chapters  and usually in the objective (multiple choice or short answer) format.  While chapter tests &/or quizzes will usually be announced, they may be unannounced on occasion to ensure that readings are done in a timely fashion.) 

Projects/Oral Presentations/Research Papers (details to be given in class)           

News/Current Events Presentations (details to be given in class)                  

Absence:  

It is the student’s responsibility, not the teacher’s, to find out about and makeup any missing work, projects, papers, in-class assignments, &/or tests/quizzes missed because of legitimate absence*** either on the day of the student’s return or within one day of the student’s return either after school or during a period of the teacher’s choosing (if that student does not already have another class).  Sports &/or other after school activities do not excuse a student from making up missed work.   Assignments not submitted &/or tests/quizzes not taken because of a “cut” will receive a grade of a “zero.”  Any “cut” during an academic quarter will have a serious and detrimental impact upon a student’s class participation grade for that quarter. 

***Absences, other than for illness or attendance at funeral services, must be pre-approved by the teacher to be considered a legitimate absence for missing class in this course.

Lateness:

Students who are late must have a pass from another teacher.  Frequent lateness will have a negative impact upon a student’s grade.  Students who are scheduled to have a test or major assignment due that period are not excused from that period’s test or assignment simply because they “have a pass.”