All Students and Career Ready

World/U.S./AZ Government, Free Enterprise, World/U.S./AZ History

Agua Fria High School
2015-2016
Gaining a solid understanding of the concepts we will study in Government/Economics/History
and how the three are interconnected is vital to becoming and remaining an informed and
productive member of society. We will explore such topics as the origins of government, how it
is constructed, and how it functions, and our role as citizens. We will also explore such topics as
economic systems, how they are structured, and how they functions. We will then see how those
two and other historic events lead to our current and future state.
Instructor: Mr. Williams
Room Number: T124
E-mail: richardlwilliams@aguafria.org
Office Hours: By appointment only. Feel free to e-mail to set up an appointment.
Text:

United States Government: Democracy in Action

Economics: Principles and Practices

World History: Patterns of Interactions

Required Materials:
A. Textbook
B. Pencil, Blue or Black inked pens
C. Three-Ring Binder- optional, but HIGHLY suggested
1. Subject dividers labeled: Class notes, bell work, and class work
2. Loose-leaf paper
Grading:
A. Grading will occur on a variety of assignments, including; writing, homework, quizzes, tests,
projects, group work and participation. I will give many pop quizzes; if you are absent on a day we have
a pop quiz your only way of making it up is to write a 1-page essay on a topic of my choice.
B. It is your responsibility to keep track of your grade. Grades at maximum will be posted once
every week. If you have a question or concern about your grade, you must make an appointment with me
after class or before or after school. Do not ask me about your grade during class time!!!
C. Scores will be recorded into my computer/grade book and returned shortly after.
Grading Points:
Grading will occur on a variety of assignments, including exams, class assignments, projects, and overall
participation.
Class Assignments/Participation Points
10%
Homework
10%
Projects
20%
Exams
40%
Final Exam
20%
A. Your grade will be based on total amount of points earned.
B. Each assignment, quiz, test, etc. will be given a point value.
C. Your grade will be determined by taking total points earned and dividing that by total points
possible.

Grading Scale:
A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59-below
Makeup Work:
A. If absent from class it is YOUR RESONSIBILITY to make up the work.
B. There will be a class calendar posted on the back wall with daily descriptions of class.
a. Objective, links to google docs, PowerPoint slides, and links to homework will be
posted.
C. It is your job to check this for work missed.
D. If you miss any notes it is YOUR JOB to get them from a classmate.
Late Work Policy:
A. One day late will be 25% off.
B. Two days late will be 50% off.
C. Work will not be accepted more than two days late.
This does not apply for class projects!!! Projects will not be accepted late.
Bathroom Policy:
A. You will have a total of 5 bathroom passes per semester.
B. For every time after 5, you will lose participation points.
C. Only 1 male and 1 female student at a time will be allowed to use the bathroom (unless
emergency).
D. Use them wisely!!!
Behavioral Consequences:
A. Verbal Warning
B. If behavior does not improve I will meet with student in the hallway.
C. If still no improvement I will issue student a referral.
If at any point I feel the behavior is completely out of hand it will be at my discretion to
skip steps 1 and 2.
Cell Phones/I-Pods:
One of the things I hear most from high school students is I wish teachers would treat us more
like adults! I could not agree more; therefore, you are not to be on your cell phones in my classroom
unless otherwise directed to.
While at work, adults are not to be on their cellphones (unless its for work). You will lose
participation points in my class for being on your cell phone.
Hats:
Hats are not permitted in the building or in my classroom; this applies to both males and females.
If I see you with a hat on, I will take the hat. To get your hat back you will have to write a 1-page
apology letter or 1-page paper on a topic of my choice.
Cheating:

There will be ABSOLUTELY no tolerance for cheating. If I catch you cheating on a test or quiz,
you will be given a ZERO. In addition, if you are someone who lends your worksheet for a classmate to
quickly copy, you will be given a ZERO also.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious offense. Plagiarism, presenting someone elses words, ideas, or work as
your own, without giving credit to the true author, is a form of cheating. Students who cheat or who assist
others in cheating will be subject to the Agua Fria Union High School Districts procedures for
disciplinary action. A first occurrence typically results in loss of credit for the entire assignment.
Ground Rules:
Given the course content and the likely potential for discussion to become heated, and perhaps
even inflamed, we need to establish ground rules for class interactions. At the most minimum, they must
include:
A. We will acknowledge and respect the diverse cultural experiences and backgrounds in
class.
B. We will respect diverse opinions, even if we do not always agree.
C. We will neither demean nor insult any individuals or groups of individuals.
D. We will create a safe environment, conducive to open and honest conversation. If a
class member request that a comment not be repeated outside of the classroom, we will respect
their confidentiality.
Last but not leastRESPECT!!!
One of the main ingredients for a successful classroom atmosphere is RESPECT. I have an
extremely low tolerance for lack of respect, whether it is to your classmates or me. I will give the utmost
respect to each and every student, and I expect the same in return.
Register to Vote:
www.azsos.gov/election/how_to_register.htm . You may register by mail, on-line, or in person. You must
register 30 days before the election in order to participate.

**Parents please review this syllabus with your student. Do not hesitate to contact me throughout the
year regarding any questions you may have. Email: richardlwilliams@aguafria.org. Please complete the
section below and have your student return it by Friday August 8, 2016.
My signature below acknowledges that I have received a course syllabus for U.S./AZ Government and
Free Enterprise and I have an understanding of the expectations and policies of the course.
______________________________________
Student Name
_____________________________________________________________________
Student signature
Date
______________________________________
Parent Name
_____________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature
Date
_____________________________________________________________________
Phone Number
Email

This form also serves as a permission slip in order to allow your child to watch any/all of the
following films:

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington Rated G

12 Angry Men Rated G
All The Presidents Men Rated PG

__________________________________
Parent Signature
Date

_________________________________
Parent Signature
Date