I am aware that achieving academic success can occasionally be stressful. Give yourself the time and space you require to complete your best work in order to lessen stress and increase the possibility that you will receive your top scores. Don't put off doing assignments; if you run into trouble, don't hesitate to ask me or one of your classmates for help. I'm pleased to answer any questions you may have and to assist you in organizing your thoughts so you may finish an assignment properly.
Canvas Assignments (55%)
Pearson Chapter Exams (20%)
Pearson Video Quizzes (10%)
Spring 2026 Project (15%)
Every Monday, the class schedule will be posted on your Canvas Home Page. You will know which module to look at because it will have that week’s date. For example: Week 2 (3/30-4/5). Begin by looking at that week's Overview. It will say 'Week (#) Overview' as the first page on the module. The weekly overview will contain that week's Canvas assignments, Pearson Assignments and resources to help you throughout the week.
Every week there will be an average of 1-2 Canvas assignments mostly consisting of online discussions and occasional surveys and quizzes. They will be made readily available every Monday for that week's module and due Sunday night.
Pearson assignments are found on www.pearson.com/mylab. See the steps on how to register for Pearson, on the tab 'Course Essentials' in this syllabus. Pearson assignments consist of Chapter Exams and Video Quizzes.
There are 13 chapter exams on Pearson, each of which is 25 points each. To access Chapter Exams:
Log into www.pearson.com/mylab
Click on “Assignments” (left side of screen)
Click the “Chapter Exam” link to start
There are also 19 online quizzes to be completed outside of class via MyLab (each quiz is worth 6pts). After watching a video, you will complete the 5-question quiz associated with it. To access activities and their respective quizzes:
Log into www.pearson.com/mylab
Click on “Homework” (left side of screen)
Click on the “Video Quiz” link to start the activity
This assignment asks you to investigate the elected officials who represent you at the federal and state levels and evaluate how their work aligns with your own priorities. You will research your U.S. House member, California State Senator, and California State Assembly member, including district demographics, party affiliation, time in office, committee service, and a piece of legislation each has sponsored or supported.
You will then analyze whether their positions reflect your values, consider whether you would vote to re-elect them, compile their public contact information, and conclude with a reflection on what the project taught you about representation and civic engagement.