American Government/Economics
Instructor: Mark Coleman, Room 201-D

Contact Info
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (334)-595-9673

Class websites
Class Portal: http://www.colemanspace.info
Online Courseware: http://www.btwclassroom.net
Teacher page at www.btwmhs.mps.k12.al.us

Course Objectives
Students will:
1. Develop an understanding of civic competence and civic participation, which includes voting, jury duty, and holding political office.
2. Understand the origins, structure, and function of government at the local, state and federal level.
3. Understand the driving ideas behind the United States government such as equality, freedom, individual liberty, and democracy.
4. Become up-to-date on current events around the globe as well as in their local communities
5. Develop stronger analytical and comprehension skills.
6. Understand the origins and development of our current economic system and others.
7. Examine public policy and its effects on the current economy
8. Understand their role as a responsible consumer in the economy today.

Course Supplementation
All course documents, assignments, lectures, presentations will be made available through http://www.colemanspace.info and http://www.btwclassroom.net. Most assignments will be turned in through these sites, both of which are password protected and compliant with the privacy regulations of FERPA.  If there are issues that prevent your student from accessing the Internet after school hours, please have that student speak to me so alternative arrangements may be made.

Classroom Rules
1. Be respectful of others' opinions. Discussion will be a major part of classroom activity. Disagreements are natural, but should be conducted with civility and students should refrain from personal attacks.

2. Classroom attendance and participation is of the utmost importance with our alternating day schedule. Be prepared to conduct the business of our class. Have any prep work (readings and reviews) completed and turn in graded assignments on time. It is the student's responsibility to find out about make up work. Usually the assignments, lectures and presentations will be posted at either the class portal or courseware. Students can ill afford missing a day unnecessarily. Late work is penalized at 10 percent per class day, except in cases of excused absences, where extra time will be given at a rate of one class day per excused absence. After the allotted extension has elapsed, students will be given a zero on missed work.

3. Be punctual and present. A restroom and water fountain are in immediate proximity to our classroom, so please use the facilities as needed before entering the class. Do not enter class and then ask to leave again. A sign in sheet will be next to the door and will be signed by late student so that documentation of all tardies may be maintained. If you need to leave during class for the restroom, there will be a sign in/out sheet and a pass next to the door. Please quietly and discretely sign out and take the pass to the restroom. Please keep these trips to a minimum. The sign out sheet will be used as a log of your visits and abuse of this policy will result in loss of this privilege.

4. Plagiarism (from other students or resources) will not be tolerated and punished to the full extent allowed by the BTW and MPS Codes of Conduct. Using a resource without proper citation is considered plagiarism.

5. All school rules and policies will be enforced. See Student Code of Conduct.

Grading Policy
Daily grades (assignments that can be completed in a short period of time)
30% of total grade

Classroom Participation
5% of total grade

Major Grades (comprehensive assignments such as tests and large project grades)
65% of total grade.

Test Corrections: After tests are graded, students will have two class days to complete a test correction paper. Students will provide the correct answers to missed questions, with a detailed explanation on why their corrected answer is the right one and the original answer is wrong. This must be a detailed explanation; a short sentence will not be enough. Students will receive half credit for each corrected answer.