Advanced Placement American Government and Politics
Course Information
Mr.Sherrer
Dobson High School Portable R-21
Phone: 472-3188
Email: jdsherre@mpsaz.org
Web Page: www2.mpsaz.org/Dobson/staff/jdsherrer/ (daily assignments will be posted)
The Course at a Glance:
The primary focus of this course involves preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam on U.S. Government and
Politics. The most important goal of this class is to provide students with an analytical perspective on government and
politics through both the study of general governmental concepts and procedures, AND specific case studies and readings.
The class requires that you become familiar with the various institutions, interest groups, beliefs and ideas that make up not
only the theoretical framework of U.S. Government, but also the political reality. The key to success in this class is an
understanding that the fundamental foundation of the curriculum involves Public Policy in the United States. The AP
Exam does not merely cover the framework of American Government, but how that framework translates into the
formation of policy. The 4th quarter will consist of economic related topics not covered in the AP Government text.
Textbook and Supplemental Sources:
The primary textbook for this class is Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy by George C.
Edwards, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry. Supplemental readings will come from current newspapers and
periodicals.
Class Information1. This is a college level class. Thus, you are expected to complete assigned readings regardless of whether or not they are
"covered" in class. The more outside study you complete over the course of the year, the more likely you will perform
successfully on the exam. Individual reading is also encouraged.
2. Because of the constantly changing nature of politics, it is highly recommended that students keep abreast of the current
state of U.S. politics through the regular reading of newspapers and other periodicals (such as The Washington Post and
Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report), as well as the regular viewing of news broadcasts, C-SPAN, and programs such
as "Crossfire" (CNN), the "MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour" (PBS), "Nightline" (ABC), "This Week" (ABC), "Meet the Press"
(NBC), and "Face the Nation" (NBC), Fox News Sunday (FOX).
3. Any evidence of cheating or plagiarism on any course assignment may result in failure in the course and will result in
disciplinary action.
4. Assessments for this class will be conducted in various ways. Quizzes on weekly readings will be conducted, followed
by an AP-style multiple choice and free response exam at the end of each chapter or unit of study. You will use a black or
blue pen for all written work and tests unless instructed otherwise. Additionally, you will be graded on projects, activities
and weekly current events assignments.
7. Relevant current events (i.e. elections, etc…) may lead to changes in/ additions to the projects and activities designated
throughout the syllabus. *** Current Events assignments, focuses students on concrete applications, discussions and
debates on current public policy issues. I would like to feel that my class is a Political Free Zone and that all sides of
complicated political and social issues can be discussed.
8. Participation in class discussion is mandatory. Everyone should be able to contribute to class discussion at least once per
class session.
9. Extra Credit may be offered occasionally for participation in activities outside of class. For example, you may be given
the opportunity to participate in a campaign or attend a lecture for extra credit. Extra credit opportunities are rare, and will
only be offered on class-wide basis (i.e.; I will not provide you with an individual extra credit assignment). Extra Credit
must be completed by the date assigned.
10. Homework is due at the beginning of the period. Some late assignments may be accepted one day late with the grade
lowered.
11. It is your responsibility to get any work that you missed when you were absent. You will be given time to make-up
your work, however, it will not be accepted after the deadline. Any work that is due on the day you were absent
(including tests) will be due on the day you return. Some projects may be due on a certain date without exceptions.
If you are absent because of a scheduled event and you are at school that morning, hand in all due assignments that
day before school.
12. Your quarter grades for the course will be based a point system
Included will be class work, homework, notes, tests, quizzes, current events, projects, and research papers.
Semester final exams will not be worth over 20% of semester grade
13.Online Grades (Genesis) I will post new grades weekly and/or after Chapter Tests and Quizzes. Parents and students
may sign up in the office to get their password.
14. I will be available for extra help during conference time, before school and after school. I have coaching responsibilities
after school but come back to my classroom to plan afterward.
15. Parent/Teacher Contact-Best time to reach me is before school and after 4:30. I will return your phone call or email
within 24 hours.
Classroom Rules
1. Come to class, be on time/you will be swept if not in the classroom when the bell sounds), and listen carefully to me and
others.
2. Do not lie, cheat, steal, or deceive.
3. Come on, you guys are seniors, just “do what’s right.”
Mustang Conference Block
Mustang Conference Period Block is before 3rd Period Monday through Friday. Students will not leave their Conference
Period Block classroom without a pass signed by a teacher of a properly designated color club pass. Students who remain in
class will be expected to use the time in conference for academic purposes, such as reading, studying, or reviewing class
materials.
Materials:
1. black or blue pen, pencil, A three ring binder may also be helpful for organizational purposes.
SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS
The following are suggestions that may be helpful to you. Read the textbook. You are responsible for knowing the
information provided in your textbook regardless of whether or not we have discussed it in class.
 Use my webpage to get daily assignments and classroom updates
http://www.mpsaz.org/dobson/staff/jdsherrer/
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Study your notes every night.
Keep up on current events
Don't forget the "basics" -- for example, memorize important Supreme Court cases, Congressional acts, and
vocabulary.
Stay organized. It is recommended that you use a three ring binder for this class. Using a 3 ring binder will
allow you to keep your lecture notes, handouts, and assignments in the same place.
Do the homework, even if it’s not for a grade.
Outline the chapters.
Participate in class discussions.
After a test or quiz, write out the questions you missed with the correct answers.
Make flashcards. I will give you some websites to help you review and study.
Know the basic structure of the Constitution, as well as the Amendments.
Pay attention to lecture, and take good notes.
Form study groups.
Manage your time wisely.
Use your Dobson planner to keep track of important dates and deadlines. You will frequently get reading and
homework assignments a week or more in advance. Use your planner to remember when assignments are due.
Unit Overviews
Unit 1 Constitutional Foundations
The study of modern politics in the United States requires students to examine the kind of government established
by the Constitution, paying particular attention to federalism and the separation of powers. Understanding these
developments involves both the knowledge of the historical situation at the time of the Constitutional Convention and an
awareness of the ideological and philosophical traditions on which the framers drew. Students should become familiar with
a variety of theoretical perspectives relating to the Constitution, such as democratic theory, theories of Republican
Government, democratic consensus and pluralism.
Unit 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Individual citizens hold a variety of beliefs about the role of government, its leaders and the U.S. political system
in general. Taken together with our economic, social and religious affiliations, these beliefs form the foundation of the
American Political Culture. Students should know how these beliefs are formed and how they combine with our affiliations
to affect voting behavior and public opinion. Key concepts to understand include political ideology, shared democratic
values, socialization, demographics and political efficacy. In this unit we will discuss the differing ideologies that make up
the American political landscape, and discuss how politicians use polls and demographics to target specific groups of
voters.
Unit 3 The Judiciary and Civil Liberties
An understanding of United States politics includes the study of the development of individual rights and liberties
and their impact on citizens and public policy. Basic to this study is an analysis of the workings of the federal judiciary
system and the Supreme Court, and an understanding of its most significant decisions. In this unit students will examine
judicial interpretations of various civil rights and able to assess the role of the Supreme Court as an agent of social change.
Key concepts to understand include: the doctrine of stare decisis, justiciability, standing to sue, original and appellate
jurisdiction, the role of judicial philosophy in selecting federal judges, and due process.
Unit 4 Interest Groups, The Media, Parties and Elections
Critical to the understanding of United States government and politics is how groups outside the realm of the
“three branches,” such as interest groups, the media and parties, interact with each branch and each other to engage in the
winning of elections and the formulation of public policy. Students will study the often symbiotic and frequently
contentious relationship between elected officials, interest groups, political parties and the media. Key concepts to
understand include the role of the media in elections, agenda setting and issue framing, the role of interest groups in
campaign funding, and the iron triangle, or as the AP test is now calling it, “issue networks” or “policy networks.” And
finally, the role of political parties in elections, plus the election process itself, including primaries, caucuses, conventions
and general elections.
Unit 5 The Legislative Branch
Students must become familiar with the structure, organization, rules and power of the major policy-making
institution in the United States- the U.S. Congress. Our legislative branch is unique to every other representative body in
the world, and plays the central role in the formation of public policy. Significant to this unit is the relationship Congress
has with the executive branch, interest groups and the public it represents. This unit will focus on the crucial role Congress
plays in the American political system, as well as the major paradox associated with Congress as an institution. Key
concepts to understand include: the politics of representation (redistricting), bicameralism, leadership in the House and
Senate, the formal operations of each house, the struggle for Congressional power through committee assignments, and
how a bill becomes a law.
Unit 6 The Executive Branch
This unit will focus not only on the President of the United States, but also on the volume of federal agencies,
collectively known as the “bureaucracy” that are responsible for the implementation of public policy. Although the
Constitution states that the President is the Chief Executive, who is charged with “faithfully executing the law,” the
bureaucracy almost immediately evolved as the mechanism by which this Constitutional duty is carried out. One area of
discussion will be the president’s relationship with the bureaucracy; specifically, how members of the Cabinet differ from
career bureaucrats, and how these career civil servants are often much more responsive to their “clients” than they are to
any presidential directives. Included in this will be a discussion of the role bureaucrats play in the Iron Triangle, or Policy
Networks and in the Budget Process. Also central to the discussion of the executive branch is, of course, the President, as
the single most powerful individual in the world. Their fate and legacy largely depend on how effective they are at
convincing people to follow them. To do this, they must cultivate relationships with the public, the Congress, foreign heads
of state, the bureaucracy and their own political party.
Course Information Sheet Student/Parent Signature Form
Parents/Guardians and Students,
Please read the course information carefully. Sign, date it, and then return this sheet
for my records.
Thanks,
Mr. Sherrer
I have read and understand the information given on the Course Information Sheet.
(only one parent or guardian’s signature is required)
Student name ___________________________________________ Period ____
Student Signature ________________________________________ date _______
Parent/Guardian name _________________________________________
Parent Guardian Signature _________________________________ date _______
Parent/Guardian name _________________________________________
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