American and Arizona Government Syllabus

Deer Valley High School

12th Grade
Social Studies Building 7 - Room 16
Fall 2017-Spring 2018
Contact Information
Instructor: Ms. Amber Barlow
E-mail: aebarlow@asu.edu
Phone number: 602-422-0631
My office hours are 7:30am-4:00pm Monday-Friday. To meet me in person, come by my
classroom before 8:15am, during my planning period 10:45am-11:30am, or after 3pm. If these
hours do not work for you, we can meet by appointment. The best way to reach me is by e-mail;
I will reply to your e-mail within 24 hours during the week, and if you send me an e-mail Friday
I will respond Monday. If I miss your phone call, I will return your phone call within 24 hours
before or after school or during my planning period.
Course Description:
This course covers the foundation and structure of government of the United States and
Arizona, the functions of federal, state, and local government, rights, responsibilities, and roles
of being a citizen, and the government systems around the world. This course will assist and
encourage my students on how to be active citizens and know their rights as a United States and
Arizona citizen. American and Arizona Government will educate the students on how local, state,
and federal governments affect their lives every day including how it affects their school, their
current and future jobs, and the laws they have to abide. Everyone has the opportunity to be
involved in their government and make a change, and this class will help the students acquire the
skills and tools they need to do so.
This class will require the students to use the content knowledge and apply it in the real
world by analyzing current events involving their government. Every week the students will have
to use a news source (online news site, newspaper, televised news clip) and relate it to what they
are currently learning. At the end of the year the students will write an argumentative essay of a
topic of their choice. There will be many activities and lessons teaching them how to properly
write an essay so they can successfully enter the work force or college with the skill set to write
clearly and successfully get their point across in a professional manner.

Grading Policies:
American and Arizona Government class has a set of policies and procedures that will be
taught in class during the first week. The instructor will keep the parents and students up to date
with their grades. There will be a call made home once the students grades hit 70% or below due
to risk of failing. Each student will be assigned a folder at the beginning of semester where
graded materials and missing work will go for the students to pick up or hold. Once assignments
are graded and promptly added to PowerSchools they will be placed in the designated folder. The
assigned folder is for only the students eyes to seen and is in compliance with FERPA. Only the
instructor will grade and hand back assignments to ensure the students privacy.
Grading Scale*:
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
59% and below
*The grading scale does not include pluses and minuses and are aligned to Deer Valleys
policies.
Late/Missing Assignment Policies:
The students will turn in their homework at the beginning of class when they enter the
classroom by turning it into the homework bin at the homework station located at the back of the
class near the door. Once the students are doing bell work the teacher will check the homework
for completion. If there are any missing homework they will be given a 0 for that assignment
unless they had an excused absence from class.
Any work not dropped in the homework bin at the beginning of class will be considered
late. The student will have a day to make up the work and turn it in the next day for half of the
points The student has the responsibility to meet with the teacher to plan a time to make up a test
if they missed one the day they come back, they will have a week to make up the test. If a
student is absent they will be given a day to complete any assignments they missed once they
return. They were absent for a longer period of time (excused) there will be exemptions to be
made such as longer extensions.
Behavior Expectations and Consequences
The students will be held accountable for their behavior. They are to follow the school
and classroom rules and policies which are posted in their school manual and on the class
bulletin board. If a student breaks these rules they will go through an expected due process. First
offense is a verbal warning or conference with the instructor, second offense requires a call
home, third a detention, and fourth is an administration referral. The instructor holds the right to
skip steps based on the severity.
The five classroom rules are:
1. This is a gum free zone.
2. Students will raise their hands to speak, listen, and be respectful to the speaker.
3. Phones will be silenced and put away.
4. Stay in your seat unless otherwise directed.
5. Classroom and teacher materials are to be treated with respect.

Extra Help/Tutoring
Extra help and tutoring will always be gladly offered to any student who wishes. The
student is welcome to e-mail any questions or concerns, visit during the office hours listed above,
or by placing an appointment with the instructor.

Syllabus Signature Sheet

Students: Please read the course syllabus and share it with your parents. Then you and your
parents should sign this sheet. Please return this sheet by August 18, 2016
I have read the policies and expectations for the American and Arizona Government class and
understand them. If I choose not to meet these expectations, I am willing to accept the
consequences.
Student Printed Name_____________________________________
Student Signature ________________________________________
Date__________________
Parent/Guardian Printed Name_______________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________________
Date____________________
Parent/Guardian: If you have an email address you would like the teacher to use to
communicate with you about your child's progress, please include it here:
_____________________________________________________________________

Comments/Concerns: