GOVERNMENT SYLLABUS
GRETNA HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Jepsen

Welcome to American Government! The overall objective for this class is for you to gain historical and cultural competence while becoming more proficient writers, readers, and thinkers. The “science” of government is concerned with using evidence to answer various questions about how our government functions. The story of American government is more than just “facts” or “dates” and we will allow some time to analyze parts of American government which may not seem clear. In the end, the skills and knowledge you leave this class with will depend on your effort, time, and dedication. To help us accomplish these goals, this syllabus outlines expectations, policies, and ways to survive or even enjoy American Government.

I. Expectations and Ways to Succeed
To be successful in this class you will need to bring the following materials to class with you everyday (You CANNOT leave class to get them):
- government notebook (a notebook just for government)
- a pen or pencil
- government textbook
Of course, it will be to your great advantage to use class time as productively as possible as many of the activities and assignments cannot be duplicated outside of class. If you are not already, become organized so that preparing for class, a quiz, an essay, or other assignment will not be as difficult. The best way succeed in this class (as with most classes) is by working hard, staying organized and having fun.

II. Grading
Your grade in this class or my grading procedures can be discussed before or after school if time is available or when ever time is appropriate. You will know, before completion of an assignment, what is expected of you to earn various grades. At any time, if you feel that a mistake has been made, do not hesitate to see me and discuss the problem. My expectations of your work are high, but not unattainable. In general, your grade will be figured by adding your point total accumulated from homework, class activities, quizzes and tests and dividing the total points possible into this number.

III. Tardies, Attendance, and Make-up Policy
Attending class, being on time to class, and making up missed assignments is your responsibility. Being on time to class means being in your assigned seat when the bell rings! We will follow the attendance policy of Gretna High School found in the Parent-Student Handbook. A student will be given one day to make up work for each day that was missed. I also ask that students stay seated until the bell rings at the end of each period.

IV. Cheating Policy
If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero for that assignment, test, or activity. You will also have to do a retake before, after school, or whenever time is appropriate. Each failed quiz or test will be completely corrected by the student after the student has been handed back his or her grade. The highest possible final grade a student may obtain from a retake is a 70%.

V. Classroom Rules
RESPECT. Respect yourself, respect your classmates, and respect me as I will respect all of you. You will have many opportunities in this class to talk and express your ideas. However, when I am talking or when someone else is talking to the entire class, I expect that you will respect the speaker enough not to talk or be disruptive.