Mr. Epstein
Stuyvesant High School
Class Contract
United States History and Government II
Spring 2002
Welcome to United States History and Government II. This course covers the history of the United States from approximately 1880 to the present. Parents and students please read the following course requirements closely and sign the bottom of the sheet. Your signature means that you have read, and are aware, of the course requirements and grading policy. Students please tear off the signed portion of the document and return it to me. Keep the body of the form for reference.
Parents and students are encouraged to contact me with questions and concerns via e-mail. My Stuyvesant e-mail address is: epsteinb@stuy.edu. Parents feel free to contact me at any point during the semester.
Throughout the course I make extensive use of the Internet. Students will be required to access information at my web site at http://epstein2.tripod.com. For those students who do not have access to the web from home, computers are provided in the social studies office in room 302. Parents are encouraged to check the web-site for current homework and project assignments.
Examinations (2 per marking period) 45%
Final Examination 10%
Homework 20%
Term Project 10%
Class Work (includes participation) 15%
Approximately 6 exams will be given during the semester. They will either be in-class short answer/essays, or take home projects. Test day for the Social Studies department is Friday.
Homework
Homework is a prerequisite to a successful mastery of the course of study. It will be assigned daily and generally will be collected the following day. Homework will be graded on a 3 point system with 3=100, 2=85, 1=65, 0=NC. At the end of each marking period all of your homework grades will be averaged together and this score will make-up 20% of your total grade. Uncompleted and incompleted homeworks will be average into your homework grade as zeros.
Late Homework’s- You have two days after the assigned due date to hand in a homework. You will be allowed to hand in three late home works during the term without incurring penalty. Any additional late homework’s will not be accepted.
Participation in class discussion is extremely important. When speaking students are expected to maintain a modicum of courtesy toward their teacher and fellow students at all times. If you have something to say, please raise your hand and wait to be called upon before speaking. Never cut anybody off. Also, if someone is speaking when the final-bell rings, student or teacher, do not get up and leave, or shuffle paper. Wait to the person finishes his or her thought before exiting.
Extra-credit- There will be many opportunities for students to earn extra-credit throughout the term.
A comprehensive, cumulative final examination will be given at the conclusion of the course. The composition of the exam has not yet been determined.
Students are expected to be in class everyday. Students will be excused from absences by presenting the teacher with a copy of a note from their parents or doctor prior to their absence, or on the day they return to school. Students will be penalized for excessive absences and/or cutting.
Lateness will not be tolerated. Students who arrive to class after the late bell rings, without an appropriate note or pass, will be marked late. Lateness is particularly annoying because it disrupts the flow of the lesson and disturbs the concentration of teacher and student.
Please hand me your absence or late note at the beginning of class.
I have read Mr. Epstein’s course contract for United States History and Government II:
Parents Name (Print):
Parents Signature:
Students Name (Print):
Students Signature: