AP® U.S. Government and Politics
Course Number: 224253
High School Credits: .5
College Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Katharine Gengo
E-Mail Address: kgengo@dentonisd.org
Conference Period: A2; B5
Phone: 940-369-1093
Tutorials: Tuesdays 8:00 – 8:40am; Thursdays 4:15 – 5:00pm
Course Objectives and Goals: Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics will give students an
analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This one-semester course includes both
the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. Politics and the analysis of specific contemporary
examples. It also requires students to familiarize themselves with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and
ideas that constitute our political system. The major topics to be examined are:
 Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
 Institutions of National Government
 Political Beliefs and Behaviors
 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
 Public Policy
Approved Resources:
Textbook (provided)
O’Connor, K., Sabato, L.J., & Yanus, A.B. (2014). American government: Roots and reform
(AP ed., 12th ed.). Boston: Pearson
Woll, Peter, ed. American Government: Readings and Cases. 16th ed. New York: Pearson Longman,
2004.
Serow, Ann G., and Everett C. Ladd, Eds. 2011. The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity. 5th ed.
Baltimore: Lanahan Publishers
These readings will be supplemented with classroom handouts throughout the semester.
Because this course is the equivalent of a college course and in order for students to perform well on the AP
National Exam, students must meet the high expectations for the course and share the responsibility for
mastery of the course objectives. This involves the careful reading of the textbook, class participation,
cooperation, and collaboration, as well as the knowledge and application of current examples of contemporary
American politics.
Supplies/Materials: (Required materials other than the text)
 Binder: Students may choose to keep a binder in order to keep up with and organize their class notes
and handouts.
 Review Book: Such as 5 Steps to a 5 or some other review book – this is particularly important for
those students who take the course in the fall semester and plan on taking the AP Exam in May.
Important Dates:
AP Study Sessions: TBA
Saturday Practice Exam: April 9th, 2016, 8:00 am
AP Testing dates: May 10th, 2016, 7:30 am
AP/Dual Credit U.S. Government
Course Planner:
 Weeks 1 – 3: Constitutional Foundations
o Reading: O’Connor chapters 1-3; Federalist #10; other readings TBA
 Weeks 4 – 5: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
o Reading: O’Connor chapters 4-5; other readings TBA
 Weeks 6 – 9: Institutions of National Government
o Reading: O’Connor chapters 6-9; Richard Fenno Jr., “…How come we love our Congressmen
so much?”; David Yalof, “Pursuit of Justices”; other readings TBA
 Weeks 10 – 12: Political Beliefs and Behaviors
o Reading: O’Connor chapters 10 & 12; Alexis de Tocqueville, “Democracy in America”
 Weeks 12 – 14: Political Parties, Interest Groups & The Media
o Reading: O’Connor chapters 11, 13-15; Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward, “Why
Americans Still Don’t Vote”
 Week 15: Public Policy
o Reading: O’Connor chapters 16-18;
 Week 16: Review and Final Exam
Rules/Class Procedures:
 Reading: The course is designed for college and university students. In order to be successful in a
course of this type, students need to maximize their time, through proper organization and time
management skills to complete all assigned reading prior to class discussion. The required reading,
along with class discussion, will figure prominently in your formal evaluation. In addition to the survey
text, students will be required to read portions of the supplemental reader and other articles as
assigned.
 Grading Policy: As listed in the Student Code of Conduct: All unit exams, evaluative essays, and
projects constitute 70% of each nine week’s grade and are considered Major Assessments. Quizzes,
presentations, and assignments are considered Minor Assessments and constitute 30% of each nine
week’s grade.
Chapter Reading Quizzes: Students will be given a short quiz of twenty multiple-choice
questions from the assigned textbook chapters. You are permitted to use your reading notes on the
quiz. Your notes must be hand written on notebook paper in order to use them on the quiz. Quizzes
will be timed (20 minutes). Each quiz will constitute a minor assessment (30% category). Quiz dates
will be announced in class and posted on my website. The Student Resources for the text can be
found here:
Examinations: Unit Exams will consist of 35 multiple choice questions and one to two free
response questions at the end of each unit (this is roughly ½ of an AP Exam). These are major
assessments (70% category). Questions requiring students to analyze data from charts, graphs, and
political cartoons are included on these exams. The exam WILL be timed (60 minutes). Exam dates
will be announced in class and posted on my website.
Reassessment Policy: Reassessment opportunities are available for those who wish to avail
themselves. Below is the policy for reassessment:
 Teacher may require that all late work tied to that assessment must be completed and
demonstrate mastery in order to earn reassessment
 Teacher may require tutorials be attended in order to earn reassessment
 Teacher may require review materials be completed in order to earn reassessment
 Guidelines for Reassessment:
 Teacher will set a deadline for reassessments to be completed in a timely manner. As a general
guideline the reassessment must be completed within ten days of the primary assessment.
 Teacher will provide at least one opportunity for reassessment
 Students may only have one additional attempt at showing mastery
 Reassessment is worth full credit
 Teacher may require a “Request to Reassess” form be submitted
AP/Dual Credit U.S. Government

Behavior Expectations:
o You will be expected to complete work that will not be included in your overall average. It is in
your best interest to complete these assignments as they will lay the foundation for both minor
and major assessments.
o You must turn off/silence all noise making devices before the start of class each day. You may
not text during class unless directed to do so by the instructor. You may not listen to
your phone during class. To do so is not only disrespectful of your instructor; it is also
distracting to your fellow students and impedes your own learning. **Parents, please do not
expect your student to reply to a text or phone call from you during class time. If there is an
emergency and you need to contact your student, please call the front office at 940.369.1000**
o Government is not a subject that can fully be appreciated without discussion and debate. There
will be times when you disagree with me and/or your fellow classmates. It is okay to disagree.
It is not okay to be disrespectful. If you don’t know the difference, please ask (nicely). We must
learn to disagree agreeably.
o You are expected to be in class both physically and mentally. Please do not work on other
assignments or sleep during class.
o Please DO NOT use http://www.wikipedia.com or other online encyclopedias as a source.
This is a site that purports to provide accurate and scholarly information. However, anyone can
post an entry on it, and there is no validity or verification of the entry’s accuracy. Therefore I do
not recognize Wikipedia or other online encyclopedias as a valid source. Papers that use or list
Wikipedia as a source will be penalized.
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The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and
or national origins in its educational programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest,
aptitude and ability. Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admissions and participation in any
educational programs.
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