AP US Government
Mrs. Schoene
rschoene@hazelwoodschools.org
Course Description
The AP Government course provides students an analytical perspective on government in the United States. The course
includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of examples. It also requires
an understanding of the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics and an evaluation and
synthesis of these including the United States Constitution, political beliefs and behaviors, institutions of national
government, public policy, and civil rights and civil liberties. Emphasis will be placed on critical and evaluative thinking
skills, essay writing, interpretation of primary source documents, and creation of visual and written projects synthesizing
learning. Students will use additional technology and conduct independent research using primary and secondary
sources, respond to document-based questions, and complete self-reflection activities as part of the honor’s requirement.
Students successfully completing this course will be prepared for the AP examination and college level courses.
Class Expectations
Course Expectations
1. Adhere to all school policies.
2. Be respectful of yourself, others and property in
order to create a intellectual haven in which we
all feel comfortable to enrich our academic self.
3. Come to class with all materials, prepared to
discuss the daily lesson by reviewing the
reading or current event assignment the night
before.
4. Be on time and working when the bell rings.
Expect to work the entire period, everyday.
5. My class will consist of a combination of
independent and cooperative learning. I utilize
teacher directed and student directed
investigation of our subject. Therefore when
you come to class come with an open mind and
a willingness to learn.
-Review and analyze tables, charts, and figures
-Analyze bias and points of view in primary and
secondary source material
-Read two non-fiction books pertaining to the content
being studied and write critical book review of each
What is the AP Exam?
-Gather, analyze and apply information and ideas
B001HCWZ1W
1. Game Change by John Heilemann
and
Mark Halperin)
2. The second critical book review will be of the
students choice.
-Utilize reading from outside sources such asThe
Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, 5th edition
and American Politics (Serow, Ladd) and The African
American Quest for Universal Freedom (Walton, Smith)
-Interpret primary and secondary sources
-Complete a research public policy paper (second
semester)
-Weekly quizzes over vocabulary and assigned readings
-Weekly homework assigned, including data
interpretation, political review and analysis.
-Ongoing practice with free response questions (FRQs)
and AP level multiple choice question
-AP United States Government Exam
-Missouri End of Course Exam
This AP course has a corresponding exam given on May 13th, that contains 4 free-response questions (FRQs) as well as
60 multiple-choice questions. The test will last approximately 3 hours and normally costs $86 but Hazelwood sometimes
covers the costs for all students.
These exams are written and scored by a committee of college and university faculty and experienced AP Teachers. The
AP Exam is the culmination of the AP course and provides students with the opportunity to earn credit and/or placement
in college. AP is accepted by more than 3,600 colleges and universities worldwide for college credit, advanced
placement, or both on the basis of successful AP Exam grades. However, not every institution accepts AP scores and
they each have their own standards. MAKE SURE YOU RESEARCH THE UNIVERSITY YOU PLAN TO ATTEND AND
UNDERSTAND THEIR REQUIREMENTS.
Supplies
Every student need a 1 subject spiral bound notebook PER SEMESTER
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This notebook will become the interactive student notebook for this class
It will include Agendas, FRQs, daily homework, & notes.
Notebooks will be collected every 3-5 weeks
Notebooks will consist of 50% of your homework grade
Homework grades will also consist of assignments submitted to www.turnitin.com & weekly blog
assignments
Index Cards- you will need at least 200 PER SEMESTER
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You will have vocabulary quizzes EVERY OTHER class and you will be expected to create flash cards for
these quizzes.
For every test you are required to make flash cards on index cards. You will use between 30-60 for each
test and the final review will consist of about 100 index cards.
Quizzes will be given weekly and will be in AP format (5 tier Multiple choice and FRQ’s)
Test dates are tentatively listed with in the syllabus. They will be created from your readings,
review sheets and information from your notebook so it is in your best interest to keep all
assignments organized and attached in your notebook.
Mrs. Schoene’s Webpage:
www.hazelwoodschools.org
-Hazelwood Central
-HCHS Teacher pages
-Mrs. Risa Schoene
This site includes many assignments
and links that are helpful for the class.
If you are absent this is the first place
I recommend you check
COURSE OUTLINE
UNIT 1: PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT
OBJECTIVE: The student will analyze the basis of modern government, with special focus on the American system as it
has evolved.
FOCUS QUESTION: How has America chosen the system of government we currently use?
CONCEPTS:
political culture
public policy
American political ideals
government forms
limits on government power
economic systems
public policy
Constitutional theories and principles
Theories of republican government, pluralism & elitism
SOURCE MATERIAL:
The American Democracy, chapter 1
UNIT PROJECT: Students will hold a Socratic Seminar on the balance of power in the United States.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: The student will write a paper to analyze and evaluate the development of democracy in
America.
UNIT TEST DATE: August 26th
UNIT 2: FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
OBJECTIVE: The student will analyze and evaluate the development and role of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights,
as well as the development of case law and statutes through historical precedent.
FOCUS QUESTION: Why does America have the current Constitution and what does it entail?
CONCEPTS:
Federalism
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
Bill of Rights
U.S. Constitution
The Federalist Papers
Constitutional theories and principles
Theories of republican government, pluralism & elitism
American Polity, 5th edition, “ People of Paradox”,
SOURCE MATERIAL:
The American Democracy, chapters 2
Michael Kammen.
Declaration of Independence
U.S. Constitution
The Federalist Papers 10
“Origins and design of Government” Thomas Paine
American Politics and the African American Quest for
Universal Freedom, “Universal Freedom Declared,
Universal Freedom Denied”
UNIT PROJECT: Constitution’s relevance today, using newspapers and on line new cites, students will need to find
examples of the use of federalism, development of case law and statutes, discuss development of federalism.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: The student will write a paper to analyze and evaluate the role of historical documents in the
development of democracy in America.
UNIT TEST DATE: September 16th
UNIT 3 : CONTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE AND FEDERALISM
OBJECTIVE: The student will analyze structure of the Constitution in a relation to the evolution of Federalism.
FOCUS QUESTION: How does the structure of the Constitution supported the changing views of federalism.
CONCEPTS:
U. S Constitution
Amendments of the Constitution
Principles of the Constitution
Federalism
Constitutional powers and limits
Electoral college
Supremacy Clause
Public Opinion
SOURCE MATERIAL:
The American Democracy, chapters 2 & 3
American Politics and the African American Quest for
Universal Freedom, “Federalism and the Limits of
Universal Freedom”
American Polity, 5th edition, “ American Federalism”,
Daniel Elazar.
The Federalist Papers 51
UNIT PROJECT: Analyze readings to prepare for the socratic seminar on the distribution of power in the current federal
system.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: The student will analyze the role various styles of federalism and write a position paper on the
style most prelevant in the United States currently.
UNIT TEST DATE: October 8th
UNIT 4 :POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIOR
OBJECTIVE: The student will analyze the role of public opinion, the mass media, political parties, and interest groups
(including geographic interests, gender, disabled, and racial/ethnic) in determining how national policy
is created through the election of national leaders.
FOCUS QUESTION: Why do American citizens believe and act the way that they do?
CONCEPTS:
Political Interest Groups
Political Parties
Political Behavior
Mass Media
Public Opinion
SOURCE MATERIAL:
The American Democracy, chapters 6-7
American Politics and the African American Quest for
Universal Freedom, “African American Party Behavior:
The Group and Individual Dimensions”
American Polity, 5th edition, “ The Opinion Makers”,
David Moore.
UNIT PROJECT: Analyze voting trends in Congressional and presidential elections and make predictions for the next
election.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: The student will analyze the role of public opinion, mass media, political parties, and interest
groups by researching and analyzing voting trends in congressional and presidential elections. The student will create an
oral presentation.
UNIT TEST DATE: October 31st
UNIT 5 :POLITICAL PARTIES, INTEREST GROUPS AND MASS MEDIA
OBJECTIVE: The student will evaluate the function, organization, and development of political parties in the U.S. and the
impact of mass media and interest groups.
FOCUS QUESTION:
How do citizens voice their concerns and opinions in America? What is the impact that these
venues may have on American Politics
CONCEPTS:
Political parties & Elections
Political Action Committee (PAC)
Interest Groups
Mass Media
SOURCE MATERIAL:
The American Democracy, chapters 7& 8
The Federalist Papers
American Politics and the African American Quest for
Universal Freedom, “Electoral Power: The Theory and
Practice of the ‘Balance of Power’ Concept”
American Polity, 5th edition, “The Second Civil War”,
Ronald Brownstein
PoliCentral voting debate program
UNIT PROJECT: Complete a compare/contrast chart of political parties and views on issues.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: The student will research and debate the fairness of voting systems, using the PoliCentral
website.
UNIT TEST DATE: November 20th & December 10th
Advanced Placement U.S. Government
Mrs. Schoene
Period: 3 7
(circle one)
Once you have read and understand the AP Syllabus please sign and date below
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Questions or Comments for Mrs. Schoene: