Syllabus: AP United States Government and Politics
Instructor: Steve A. Holland
Room: G221 E-Mail: sholland@houstonisd.org
Conference: By Appointment
Preparation for the AP examination in May will be emphasized. This is a
college-level course and students will be expected to complete college-level
work. All students are expected to sit for the AP exam in May.
This course is designed to prepare students for the United States Government and Politics AP Exam. AP
United States Government and Politics is an intensive one semester study of the formal and informal
structures of government and the processes of the American political system, with an emphasis on policymaking and implementation. Students gain an analytical perspective on government and politics in the
United States and will study both the general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of
specific examples. Students will focus on the relationships and connections that occur to establish the
public agenda and set public policy, topics include:
• Constitutional underpinnings of the U.S. government,
• Institutions of national government,
• Civil rights and Civil liberties.
• Political beliefs and behaviors,
• Political parties, interest groups and mass media,
• Public policy,
Primary Text
Edwards, George C. III, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry.
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, 10th ed. New York: Longman,
2002. Note: (You are responsible for obtaining a textbook from the bookroom)
Supplemental Texts
 Woll, Peter. American Government: Readings and Cases, 15th Ed. New York, 2004

Edwards, George C. III, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry.

TCI Student Edition, Government Alive: Power, Politics, and You, Palo Alto CA, 2009
Other Materials
Assigned and used in class: articles from current newspapers, such as the New York
Times or the Wall Street Journal; newsmagazine excerpts from Time, Newsweek, or
the Economist; news footage and documentaries; C-SPAN’s coverage and current
events materials; numerous websites.
EVALUATION
Students’ grade in this class will be based primarily upon their performance on chapter examinations,
quizzes, and written examinations. Multiple choice examinations or quizzes covering material presented
in class and in assigned reading will be administered weekly during regular class periods. Every week to
ten days students will complete a free response timed writing. All free response timed writings will count
as test grades. Students will have Chapter Expert assignments which will be included in the summative
grades. In addition to free response written examinations, students will be evaluated on their participation
in classroom activities, completion of in-class and homework assignments. Final grades will be
calculated as follows:
Chapter Examinations, Quizzes, and Chapter Expert Assignments 60%
Homework, In- class assignments and Participation
40%
PLAGIARISM
This action is considered stealing and is unacceptable in any form. This includes copying the work of
other students and cheating on quizzes and exams. Any such actions could receive a grade of “F”.
Class Expectations:
 Submit assignments on the designated due date. Late work is not accepted.
 Come prepared for class with reading and homework assignments completed.
 Follow business decorum by using active listening, giving constructive responses, and have a
positive “can-do” attitude.
 Please refrain from texting, eating, drinking, buying or selling anything resembling food,
including candy.
Supplies
 Your Brain
 (Mandatory) large 3 ring binder
 Several notebook dividers