AP Government & Politics
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a level AP course in United States Government
and Politics and will give students an analytical perspective on government and
politics in the United States. Students will become informed and active citizens by
developing an understanding and analytical perspective of government and politics
in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used
to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It
also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas
that constitute U.S. government and politics.
Course Objectives:
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Students successfully completing this course will:
Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and
politics.
Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. politics.
Understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their
consequences (including components of political behavior, the principles used to
explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political
effects of these structures).
Course Text and Readings:
American Government, Eighth Edition, James Q. Wilson, Houghton Mifflin Company.
THE LANAHAN READINGS in the American Polity, Fifth Edition, edited by Ann
Serow & Everett C. Ladd, Lanahan Publishing.
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Newspapers such as:
The New York Times
Wall Street Journal
USA Today
Magazines such as:
Newsweek
Time
Organization:
Assignments are provided for students on the board two weeks in advance. Daily
reading assignments, quizzes, essays, and test dates will be noted. Students are
responsible for keeping up with reading assignments and being aware of, and ready
for, quizzes, tests, and essays. Class will primarily consist of lecture, discussions
on political issues, debates, and answering student questions.
Current Events:
One of the most effective ways of learning about politics and reinforcing what you
have learned is to pay attention to current political events. Therefore, it is
expected that you are actively reading a major newspaper, a magazine such as
Newsweek, a politically oriented journal such as Foreign Policy, or watching the
news and other politically oriented programs. The more you pay attention to
current events and how they relate to what you have learned, the more effective
you will be during class discussions. We will be using these sources to analyze and
interpret public policy and
Assessment:
Informal assessment of students will consist of daily quizzes from their reading
assignments and classroom discussions regarding the material.
This is to ensure that students will learn proper study habits and avoid last minute
“cramming” for a test the night before. Chapter quizzes include responses to
analytical free-response questions once every week.
Formal assessment of students consists primarily of multiple-choice tests which
provide students with the practice and type of questions given on the AP Exam.
Weekly essays will be given to students to prepare them for the free response
section of the AP Exam in which you will be expected to analyze and respond
appropriately. A rubric, based on the AP Exam, is provided to help students
understand what is necessary to include in these free response essay questions.
Using Graphs, Maps, and Charts
Students are tested on their understanding of quantitative and visually presented
information (maps and graphs) at regular intervals in the quiz assignments.
Grading:
Quizzes/Current Events: 25%
Essays: 35%
Tests: 40%
Final Exam: 20% (per district requirement)
Required Materials:
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3 ring binder
Pen/Pencil
Paper
Textbook
Study Techniques:
The amount of time required for homework for this class will vary with your
reading speed. Assignments vary in length. Watch your daily assignments which
are located on my website in two week increments and plan ahead. Time
management is an essential skill for this class, and you must take the responsibility
for budgeting your time. As you become accustomed to the course format and
texts, things will fall into place and become easier.
Absence/Missed Work Policy:
If you are present when a test, essay, or quiz is assigned, you will be expected to
take it at the assigned time (unless new material was covered during an excused
absence). Project due dates are non-negotiable. If you are absent on a project
due date you will be expected to turn in the completed project and/or present your
project on the day you return to class.
Attendance in this class is essential. Much of the material for success is provided
through lecture/discussion. Missing class can create problems. We will follow the
student handbook on late and missed work policies.
Classsroom Rules:
1. Be in your seat ready to learn when the bell rings.
2. Come to class prepared every day.
3. Cheating is unacceptable and will be dealt with according to the Student
Handbook. This includes looking at another students work or copying
another student’s work. Any type of cheating will result in an “O” grade.
4. To ensure that all students have the same academic environment for testing,
all tests, essays, and quizzes will be designated as SILENT. For the student
this means NO talking will be allowed during tests, essays, or quizzes with
the exception of questions directed to the teacher. All other conversations
(no matter how trivial) will be considered a violation of this agreement and
considered cheating. There is no justifiable reason for student-to-student
conversation during a test, essay, or quiz. Violations will result in a grade of
ZERO on the test, essay, or quiz.
5. Disruptive behavior is unacceptable—this includes tardiness, rudeness,
irrelevant class interrupting, etc. If you want respect, you must show
respect to others.
6. Stay in your seat until dismissed.
Format of AP Exam: The total test is 2 hours and 25 minutes.
Section I: 60 multiple choice questions~ 45 minutes
Counts 50% of your total score
Section II: 4 essay topics~ 100 minutes (25 minutes per essay)
You have no choice about which four essays you will respond to
Counts 50% of your total score
Themes in AP Government & Politics:
• U.S. Constitution—the U.S. Constitution is a living document that revolves around
interpretations of our democratic ideals.
• Civil Rights and Liberties—the government's responsibility is to protect civil
rights and liberties for all citizens.
• Federalism—our government is more responsive to the people due to the division
of power between the states and the federal government.
• Separation of Powers—distributing political authority among three branches of
government protects against potential abuse of power through a system of checks
and balances.
• Civic Responsibilities—A democratic government's ability to protect every one's
rights requires the participation of citizens in the political process.
• The Media's Role—the media has a great amount of influence on American
politics.
• The institutions of government and their role in making and enforcing public
Policy.
Topic Outline:
-Principles of Government (Ch. 1 AG)
-Constitutional Foundations (Ch. 2&3 AG – Lanahan Reader)
-The Constitution (Ch. 2 AG – Lanahan Reader)
-Federalism (Ch. 3 AG)
-Public Opinion & Political Socialization (Ch. 4&5 AG)
-Participation & Voting (Ch. 6 AG)
-Mass Media (Ch. 10 AG)
-Nominations, Elections, & Campaigns (CH. 8 AG)
-Campaign Finance Regulations & Reforms (Ch. 8 AG)
-Political Parties (Ch. 7 AG)
-Interest Groups (Ch. 9 AG – Lanahan Reader)
-Congress (Ch. 11 AG)
-How a Bill Becomes a Law (Ch. 11 AG)
-The Presidency (Ch. 12 AG)
-The Bureaucracy (Ch. 13 AG)
-The Judiciary (Ch. 14 AG – Lanahan Reader)
-Equality and Civil Rights (Ch. 19 AG)
-Civil Liberties (Ch. 18 AG)
-Public Policy (Ch. 15,20 & 21 AG)