American Government 4 - CP                                                   Mr. Borneman

Oxnard High School                         office hours: 9:30 - 9:45 a.m. daily                        2008 - 2009

e-mail: sanskrit@pacbell.net                                          web-page: www.bornemania.com

Class Rules

Purpose: This course is designed to expand students’ civic and political awareness, with an emphasis on both knowledge of historical and current significance of government at all levels of society.   Projects (25%), quizzes (50%), and tests (25%) will be used to evaluate student achievement in conjunction with a comprehensive final exam.  (Percents are approximate.)  This course satisfies the CA State Social Science Standards Requirements for an American Government course: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/hstgrade12.asp

Materials: Students will be issued Magruder's American Government (Pearson/Prentice Hall edition).  Students will also need to have pens, pencils, a notebook for notes and assignments, and paper for notes, tests and quizzes.  Media access to current events, including Internet access will be required, if not at home, then through the school computers.  Students will select two study partners at the beginning of the course, in case of absences.  Additionally it will be required that students obtain a copy of George Orwell's novel: 1984.

Class Rules:

1.      Respect for people – students must show respect for other students, the teacher, administrators, substitutes, visitors, and others in the class.  Most importantly, students must respect themselves and their ideas.

2.      Respect for materials – students must show respect for the property of others and of the school.

3.      Work – Written work must be in blue or black ink, or typewritten.  (Typed work receives extra credit.)  Names must be on papers.  Papers without names will not be graded.  I do NOT accept late work.

4.      Preparation – Students are expected to be prepared for class, having completed their readings and brought their materials as needed.

5.      Class Time – Missed quizzes due to tardies or absences (excused or unexcused) cannot be made up except by extra credit.    Class begins when the bell rings and ends when the teacher says it does. 

Other Rules:   Talking, disruptiveness, or cheating on quizzes or exams will result in a grade of zero (0) and an equal amount of points deducted.  Cheating on homework will incur the same penalty.  Students will determine many of the rules in class in addition to the rules outlined above.  These student adopted-rules will be considered binding.  Student-adopted rules must be compliant with California State Educational Code, District guidelines and the above rules.

Grading Scale:

Grades will be given on a points system.  Missed assignments will count as zero (0).  Missed quizzes must be made up through extra credit.  Students are requested to arrange to have study partners to keep them informed of homework assignments.   Re-admit slips are required for late homework.  Extra credit is offered occasionally but infrequently.  Transcripts will not note grades above A+.  The grading scale is as follows:

A++                             101+ %

A+                               97 – 100%

A                                 93 – 96%

A-                                90 – 92%

B+                               87 – 89%

B                                  83 – 86%

B-                                80 – 82%

C+                               77 – 79%

C                                 73 – 77%

C-                                70 – 72%

D+                               65 – 69 %

D                                 60 – 64%

D-                                50 – 59%

F                                  less than 50%

Final Exams:

The final exam is open-note (handwritten, not photocopied) and fully cumulative.

The final exam can alter a student’s grade one full letter.  It is not graded on the same basis as the rest of the points in class but it constitutes approximately 10% (on the above scale) of the student’s grade. 

Students with an A++ are EXEMPT from taking part or all of the final exam.

Students with a C- through A+ need only 50% on the final to maintain their grade. 

Students with a D or D+ MUST pass the final with 50% or better to pass the class.

Students with a D- MUST pass the class with a 60% or better to pass the class.

Students with an F MUST  pass the final with 70% or better to pass the class.

Students who receive less than 50% on the final may have their grade lowered one letter.

Students who receive more than 90% on the final will have their grade raised one letter.

Be warned: Just because you are seniors does NOT mean you will pass automatically.

Signatures of Acceptance:

Signatures indicate that both student and parent/guardian understand and have discussed these rules and agree to these conditions.

 

___________________________    ______    _____    __________________________

(student signature and date)                  Period     Date          (signature of parent/guardian)

__________________________                                    __________________________

(printed name of student)                                                    (printed name of parent)