Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics
Ms. Wallerstein
Syllabus and Unit Guide
Unit/Topic: 1 / Introduction to Government in America—The Constitution and Federalism
Dates:
Monday, September 9, 2013 to Thursday, October 3, 2013
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)
7.)
8.)
9.)
I can respond to
this question
using specific
examples and
multiple points
of view.
I can respond to
this question in
general terms.
I am unable to
respond to this
question.
Essential Questions
What is the difference between government and politics?
How is public policy formed?
What are the characteristics of a democratic government?
How/why is a new government formed?
Which problems of government were specifically addressed in the
design of the U.S. Constitution?
How democratic is the U.S. Government?
How effective is the organization and power structure of the
government?
How has the relationship between federal and state governments
evolved over the last 230 years?
Is the American government operating in the spirit envisioned by its
framers?
Objectives:
4: I can meet this objective by citing a classroom activity, and can relate to specific readings. I am able to discuss this
fully, and could explain to others.
3: I feel that I have enough information to meet this objective, but I would have a difficult time explaining the main
concepts in writing or to my peers.
2: I think I understand the key concepts, but I have questions that need to be answered before I can satisfy this
objective.
1: I find this objective to be confusing. I need to better understand the main concepts.
0: I have not read or prepared enough to meet this objective.
Students will be able to:
1.) Identify the primary philosophical bases for government
2.) Compare various theories of democratic government
3.) Explain problems that occurred under the Articles of Confederation that were
remedied by the Constitution.
4.) Analyze reasons for the creation of a bicameral legislature.
5.) Explain the structure, strengths, and weaknesses of the U.S. Constitution
6.) Analyze the struggles and consensus of the Constitutional Convention
7.) Examine the reasons why specific items were included or excluded in the
Constitution
0
1
2
3
4
8.) Explain the formal and informal processes through which the Constitution is
amended.
9.) Analyze the importance of the U.S. Bill of Rights
10.) Identify provisions in the Constitution that limited majority rule
11.) Discuss how the 17th amendment has moved the US toward a more democratic
system
12.) Analyze the provisions of the Constitution that most closely tied the government and
document to the people
13.) Analyze the expansion of federal power through the use of the tax and spend power
14.) Analyze the expansion of federal power through the elastic clause
15.) Analyze the expansion of federal power through the commerce clause
16.) Analyze Federalist 10, and discuss ways of minimizing the dangers that both
majority and minority factions present to the government
17.) Analyze how federalism and checks and balances limit the power of a national
executive.
18.) Analyze the effects of the system in which separate governmental institutions share
power rather than a government that declares power exclusively to a single branch
19.) Examine the relationship of block grants, categorical grants, and federal mandates to
federalism issues
20.) Describe philosophical basis for federalism, and explain evidence of these
philosophies in the present
21.) Analyze how the 10th Amendment has been used to increase the power of the states
relative to the federal government.
22.) Identify and explain current issues surrounding tensions between decentralized and
centralized power
23.) Analyze the importance of the 14th Amendment
Topic and Assignment Schedule
Day
Date
Topics and Activities
1
M 9/9
 Introductions and Expectations
 Distribute books
 Syllabus
 Demo Hippocampus
2
T 9/10
 Definition of government and
politics
 Public policy and how it’s made
 How values impact government,
politics, and public policy
 Definition(s) of democracy
 Characteristics of democracy
according to traditional theory
3
W 9/11
4
F 9/13
 Compare contemporary theories of
democracy
 Critique American democracy
 Apply democratic theory to student
government
Philosophical bases for government
Articles of Confederation
Constitutional Convention
Basic constitutional structure
Reading/Viewing Due
 Wilson, 1-5
 Hippocampus: The
Nature of Governments
and The Policymaking
Cycle
 Lanahan Doc 6: People
of Paradox
 Wilson 5-8
 Hippocampus:
Theories of Democracy
 U.S. Constitution
Assignments Due
 Simple working
definitions of terms:
government, politics,
public policy, freedom,
tolerance, equality,
cooperation, security,
justice, self-reliance,
community, stability,
democracy
 Lanahan guided
questions
 Summer Assignment
5
M 9/16




6
T 9/17
7
R 9/19
 Specific Constitutional Powers
 Amendment Process
 The Federalist Papers
 U.S. Bill of Rights and Amendments
 Checks and Balances
 Expansion of Federal Power
 Checks and Balances in the Present
Constitution Power Grab Game
F 9/20
Foundations of the Constitution
Separation of Powers
Introduction to Checks and Balances
Compromises of the Constitution
 Edwards video:
Constitution:The
Basics
 Wilson 9-22 OR
Hippocampus: The
U.S. Constitution and
Constitutional
Principles
 Hippocampus:
Structure of the
Constitution
 Wilson 23-31
 Ensure that you have a
complete copy of U.S.
Constitution with you at
all times (download
app)
Federalist/AntiFederalist
ideas assignment
 Constitution Power
Grab Response
8
M 9/23
Constitution Q&A: wrap up
Federalism pairs
9
W 9/25
 Introduction to Federalism
Assign federalism court cases
10
R 9/26
11
F 9/27
 Media center – Federalism Court
Case assignment
 Present cases = history of federalism
12
T 10/1
Discuss modern federalism
13
W 10/2
FRQ Seminar
14
R 10/3
Unit Test – MC / FRQ
All Unit Readings
 Study for Test
**Reminder that any reading assignments are subject to unannounced, open-notes (not text) quizzes.**
 Edwards videos:

Federalism: The Basics
and Federalism: So
What?
Wilson 34-43 OR
Hippocampus:
Defining Federalism
and Separation of
National and State
Governments
Wilson 43-56 OR
Hippocampus:
Cooperative
Federalism and Fiscal
Federalism
Lanahan Doc 19:
American Federalism
 Federalism Court Case
assignment prep
 Federalism Court
Case presentation
 Lanahan guided
questions
Outline FRQ
Key Terms and Vocabulary
10th Amendment
Amendment process
Anti-federalists
Articles of Confederation
Bicameral legislature
Bill of Rights
Block grants
Cabinet
Categorical grants
Checks and balances
Commerce clause
Concurrent powers
Conditions of aid
Confederation government
Consent of the governed
Constitution
Constitutional Convention
Cooperative federalism
Democracy (direct and indirect)
Dual federalism
Elastic clause
Elite/class theory
Enumerated powers
Ex post facto law
Executive
Extradition
Factions
Federalism
Federalist 10
Federalist 51
Federalists
Fiscal federalism
Formula grants
Full faith and credit clause
Gibbons v. Ogden
Government
Grants-in-aid
Great Compromise
Hyperpluralism
Implied powers
Inherent powers
Intergovernmental relations
Intergovernmental relations
Interstate Commerce Clause
Judicial branch
Judicial review
Legislative branch
Limited government
Linkage institutions
Majoritarian politics
Majority rule
Mandates (funded and unfunded)
Marbury v. Madison
McCullough v. Maryland
Minority rights
Natural rights
New Jersey Plan
Nullification
Pluralism
Policy agenda
Policy gridlock
Policymaking institutions
Political issue
Political participation
Political system
Politics
Popular sovereignty
Power
Privileges and immunities
Project grants
Public policy
Ratification
Representation
Republic
Revenue sharing
Separation of powers
Shays’ Rebellion
Social contract
Social contract
States’ rights
Supremacy clause
The Federalist Papers
Unicameral legislature
Unitary government
Virginia Plan
Writ of habeas corpus