AP U.S. Government & Politics 2015 - 2016
Mr. David Armistead
Google Voice: 770-835-5332
David.armistead@cherokee.k12.ga.us
Remind - text: @apgovfall to 81010
Office Hours: I am available most days before school and after school by appointment
Textbooks
Wilson, James Q & John J. DiIulio. (2004). American Government. New York: Houghton Mifflin
Serow, Ann & Everett Ladd, eds. (2007). The Lanahan Readings in American Polity. Baltimore: Lanahan Publishers.
Herzog, Bonnie & Wood, Ethel (2009). AP U.S. Government and Politics Examination. New York: D&S Marketing
Course Description and Goals
This course is about the American political system. We will discuss political ideology, the development of the political
system and our democratic institutions. Students will be able to evaluate the role of the national government and its
relationship to the concept of liberty in a pluralistic society. The discussions will emphasize the changing political
culture of American society and its effect on voting patterns, trends and the processes of government. In doing so, we
will examine certain critical elections in American history as well as recent political movements. Additionally, students
will analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics. The main focus of the course, however, is
to be able to apply an understanding of our political system to contemporary events.
Course Requirements
Understand that there is extensive reading and preparation for AP U.S Government and Politics. Students are expected
to have a comprehensive understanding of all topics treated in the text, workbook, and the classroom. The readings,
lectures, and class discussions are all a means of carrying on an inquiry into the topic at hand and are meant to
supplement rather than duplicate each other—although some repetition and reinforcement is intended and desirable.
Other Requirements
Contemporary News Analysis - Throughout the semester you will be expected to read articles from sources such as The
New York Times, The Washington Post, Washington Times, and the Christian Science Monitor. Articles will be posted on
my website under the important links tab, or will be handed out in class.
Constitutional Case File/Legal Brief Assignment - In the beginning of the semester, groups will be assigned Supreme
Court cases to be briefed. I will give you a separate handout for the format of the written brief. The full case file will
be on my website and we will go over the cases throughout the semester.
Online Socratic Seminar - At least once during the semester, you will be responsible for engaging in an online Socratic
seminar on the assigned readings in the Lasser book. You will receive instructions and rubrics in class.
Attendance
Given the scope of this advanced placement course unexcused absences and tardies are highly discouraged.
Supplies
Students are expected to bring paper, pens, and pencils to class every day. All students should purchase a binder for AP
Government notes and handouts as well as a pocket Constitution ($1 on amazon.com).
In Class Exams
I attempt, to the best of my ability, to simulate the AP U.S. Government and Politics examination. However, there is not
have enough time for a test consisting of 60 multiple choice questions and 4 free response questions. Thus, exams will
be abbreviated but include the multiple choice and free response elements. Unit exams count as 100 points, and both
the mid-term and cumulative exam count for 200 points. Approximate exam dates include:
Unit 1 Exam - Wednesday, 8/19
Unit 2 Exam – Tuesday, 9/15
Mid Term Exam - Tuesday 10/5 and Wednesday 10/6 (includes units 1 – 3)
Unit 3 Test – Wednesday, 10/28
Cumulative Exam – Thursday 12/10 and Friday 12/11 (includes ALL units)
AP Exam – Tuesday May 10, 2016
Quizzes
There will be a quiz every week, and sometimes quizzes may fall on the same week as exams. You will never be
assessed on back to back days. Understand that the quizzes are designed to help you perform better on the unit exams,
mid-term, and cumulative exam. Therefore, as you study for the quizzes you are in effect studying for the exams. At
least 80% of the content on the weekly quizzes will be free response (FRQ) style, which you will receive in advance, in
order to build and retain the essential knowledge in AP Government. There will be approximately 15 quizzes this
semester, and they will be worth approximately 25 points each. Most quizzes will occur in the latter part of the week.
Make-Up/Late Work Policy
Any work that is missed will be up to you to make up, and a zero will be entered until you do so. Late work is accepted
up to 2 days late with a 25% deduction per day late.
Grading Policy
Student grades are calculated on the total points system. A total points system adds all the points a student earns on
assignments, tests, and quizzes. The total number of earned points is then divided by the total number of points
possible. If a student makes 85 out of 100 on a test, 34 out of 65 on a quiz and 35 out of 35 on homework, his/her
total points equal 154 out of 200 possible points. To obtain his/her class average, the student should divide by the total
number of points possible to determine his/her grade (77%).
Units of Study
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism
Required reading: Wilson chapter 1 – 3, Workbook chapters 1 - 2
Activities (included but not limited to): News Article Analysis, Federalist #10 and #51, landmarkcases.org – McCulloch v.
Maryland, Marbury v. Madison, Analyze data in regards to the Welfare Reform Act of 1996
Unit 2: Institutions of National Government – Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Judiciary
Required reading: Wilson chapters 13 – 16, Workbook chapters 10 - 13
Activities (included but not limited to): Political Cartoon Analysis, News Article Analysis (Supreme Court decisions),
Presidency Chart Analysis (presidential approval ratings), Congress Chart Analysis (approval rating)
Unit 3: Political Beliefs, Political Behaviors, Elections, Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Mass Media
Required reading: Wilson chapters 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, Workbook – chapters 3 - 9 Lanahan – “Critical Elections,”
“Feeding Frenzy.” Activities (included but not limited to): News Article Analysis (political socialization), Chart Analysis
from Congressional Quarterly on Political Beliefs and Behaviors, News Article Analysis (growing ideological divide
between parties), Examining political ads and campaigns, 2014 FRQ #1 (chart analysis)
Unit 4: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Required reading: Wilson chapters 5 – 6, Workbook chapters - 15 - 16
Activities (included but not limited to): Supreme Court Case research and presentations, News Article Analysis
Unit 5: Public Policy – The Federal Budget, Fiscal Policy, Monetary Policy, Domestic Policy, Foreign Policy
Required reading: Wilson chapters 17 – 21, Workbook chapter – 14, Activities (included but not limited to): News
Articles (federal deficit), chart and data interpretation