Intro to AP Government
AP Whaaaat???!!
AP Government is…
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From the AP Web Site: AP® United States
Government and Politics is an intensive
study of the formal and informal structures of
government and the processes of the
American political system, with an emphasis
on policy-making and implementation
What are we doing this semester?
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Course syllabus – take a look at it!
AP Government Units
Unit One: Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism
Unit Two: Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Unit Three: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Mass Media
Unit Four: Institutions of National Government
Unit Five: Public Policy
Unit Six: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
AP Government Exam Date
Tues May 14, 2013!
AP Expectations…
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This is a college level course…
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I expect college-level work
You can expect to take ownership and
responsibility of your own work! In an AP course,
the learning is ultimately up to you! And I am here
to help you SUCCEED!
Sample Activities
In this class, we will take active approach to learning:
  Write a bill and follow it through the process of becoming a law
  Engage in role playing activities to see how politics affects real
peoples’ lives. For example:
  Follow branches of government, particularly Congress, through
their everyday lives to get an idea of job specifics
  Create and become and become involved in an interest group and
lobby the government
  Simulate a town hall meeting
  Run for office and give a speech you’ve created
  Manage a campaign
  Take part in a Political Action Committee
  Debate pertinent political issues
  Analyze, rate, and perform in political ads and commercials
I will emphasize…
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Writing
Quizzing
Testing
Practicing
Thinking
Analyzing
Mastering
I will emphasize…
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Active-Learning
Visualization of ideas
Understanding of concepts, not
memorization!
HAVING FUN!
THE AP EXAM! (May 14, 2013…)