AP Government
LAURA BRODERICK;
LBRODERICK@WALSINGHAM.ORG
OFFICE HOURS: T-R 7:20-7:55
WALSINGHAM ACADEMY
2015-1016
Course Objectives
1. PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE
UNDERSTANDING OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
2. ANALYZE, INTERPRET & EXPLAIN IMPORTANT POLITICAL
EVENTS
3. PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE COURSES
4. PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE AP EXAM IN MAY
Types of Assignments
1. TESTS
2. READING QUIZZES
3. AP WRITING PROMPTS
4. UNANNOUNCED AND ANNOUNCED QUIZZES
5. CURRENT EVENTS
6. PAPERS
7. HOMEWORK
8. CLASS DISCUSSIONS
9. GROUP SUMMATIVE PROJECTS
10.OTHER
Policies and Procedures
•
LATE WORK:
•
•
I do not accept late work.
ABSENCES:
•
It is the student’s responsibility to contact me for
missed work.
AP Course
1. AP CENTRAL HAS CRITICAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
2. THE EXAM CONSISTS OF
1.
2.
60 multiple choice questions in 45 minutes
4 free response questions in 1 hour and 40 minutes
Sample Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE:
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES A PURPOSE OF
THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE?
(A) IT GIVES CONGRESS THE POWER TO PROTECT CIVIL RIGHTS AND
CIVIL LIBERTIES.
(B) IT PROHIBITS CONGRESS FROM ESTABLISHING A STATE
RELIGION.
(C) IT EMPOWERS CONGRESS TO CREATE A NATIONAL BANK.
(D) IT PREVENTS CONGRESS FROM PROHIBITING THE POSSESSION
OF GUNS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
(E) IT GRANTS CONGRESS THE POWER TO ESTABLISH POST ROADS
AND POST OFFICES.
Sample Questions
FREE RESPONSE:
INTEREST GROUPS SEEK TO INFLUENCE POLITICAL
PROCESSES IN WAYS THAT BENEFIT THEIR MEMBERS. IN
DOING SO, HOWEVER, THEY MAY NOT ACT IN THE OVERALL
PUBLIC INTEREST.
(A) DESCRIBE TWO TECHNIQUES INTEREST GROUPS USE TO
INFLUENCE ELECTIONS.
(B) EXPLAIN HOW INTEREST GROUPS USE EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING TO INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT DECISION
MAKING.
• ISSUE NETWORKS (ALSO KNOWN AS IRON TRIANGLES)
• AMICUS CURIAE BRIEFS
(C) EXPLAIN HOW EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SERVES TO
LIMIT INTEREST GROUP INFLUENCE.
• THE MEDIA
• PLURALISM
What should YOU expect?
1. SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF READING
2. CRITICAL THINKING
3. STUDY AND REVIEW EACH NIGHT
4. CLEAR EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES FROM ME
5. COME SEE ME FOR HELP!
6. WE WILL HAVE A GREAT YEAR!