Mr. Udell
Fall 2013
American Government
Purpose of the Course
This course is designed to introduce you to the foundation of the U.S. Government including the Constitution
and the Bill of Rights, your rights and responsibilities as a citizen, public opinion, political parities, interest
groups, voting, and the three branches of government. In addition, the class will focus on the everyday impacts
of politics. As a matter of fact, government is so involved in your lives that I bet you can’t name one part of
your life where government or politics in not involved.
Course Requirements
There will be homework most nights involving reading and questions to answer –I will not cover the textbook
information word for word. This reading is meant to give you a general background and help you follow the
class discussion. In addition your grade will be based on tests, concept papers, and any other assignment I see
fit. Assignment weights are as follows:




Tests
Marking period project
Daily homework
Concept papers
=
=
=
=
50%
10%
10%
30%
You are juniors and seniors, I expect you know what it takes to pass a class (coming prepared, studying, doing
your class work, etc.), and want to remind you that you must pass this class to graduate. In addition to these
general requirements, there are two more specific ones:
1. Over the course of the year students will write about 8-10 short concept papers related to concepts from
American Government. These TYPED concept papers will take the following form:
 The assignment should include a proper citation of the news source, and a two part written section:
a. A one to two paragraph summary of the event in your own words
b. An explanation of how the article in questions is an example of the assigned topic.
The purpose of these papers is to give you feedback on your comprehension of important topics from class
before the test. They will be graded as, excellent (A), fair (C), or poor (E) and may be rewritten and resubmitted
anytime before the related test for improved credit. They may be handed in any time during the marking period
after the related test for late credit.
2. First Semester Project—Choose 1
1. A 2-3 page report on a meeting of the school board, borough council, or other local government
meeting which I approve. You must attend the meeting, summarize the events, and describe what you
found unique or interesting. Making connections from the meeting to concepts from the class or
attempting to make interesting observations are what will earn you a better grade on this paper.
2. A 2-3-page report on a problem facing local government. You will be expected to talk to local
government officials or find sources of information about the problem you discuss (local newspaper
articles or information from town meetings). This should be in the format of a research paper and not a
summary of single article.
3. Come up with your own idea for a paper related to government and politics and convince me it is a
good idea before you do it, then do it.
You must complete this project by October 25, 2013
American Government Homework Unit 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Topic
Early US Politics
Articles of Con.
Constitutional Debate
Constitution I
Constitution II
Amendment Process
Informal Amendment
Pages/Questions
pp. 28-32 1,2
pp. 44-47 1,3,5
pp. 48-54 2,3
pp. 56-58 1,2,4,5
pp. 64-70 2,3,4
pp. 72-77 1-3
pp. 79-82 1,5
American Government Unit 2 Homework
Topic
Pages /Questions
1. Freedom Defined 532-536 1, 5, 6
2. Freedom of Religion
537-544 1, 3, 4
3. Freedom of Expression
546-553 2, 6
4. Democratic Freedoms
555-559 1-3
5. Rights of the Accused
576-583 5-6
6. Civil Rights
601-606 3-4
7. Citizenship
613-619 1-4
American Government Unit 4 Homework
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Topic
Congressional Basics
House of Reps.
The Senate
Membership
Congressional Power
Leaders in Congress
Lawmaking I
Lawmaking II
Pages /Questions
262-265 1,5,6
267-273 1,4,6
275-278 1-5
279-284 1-5
290-292 1-4
320-327 1-4
334-340 1,2,5
342-346 1-4
American Government Unit 5 Homework
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Topic
Selecting the President
Presidential Roles
Presidential Power
Problems for Pres.
Bureaucracy
Cabinet/Advisors
EOP
Pages /Questions
377-384 1,2,4,6
354-358 1,2,5
390-392 1-5
Newsweek Articles
414-418 1-3
419-422 none
423
1-4
American Government Unit 3 Homework
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Topic
Public Opinion
Role of Parties
Two Party System
Minor Parties
Interest Groups
Types of Groups
How they Work
Pages /Questions
208-213 1,3
116-118 1,2,6
119-124 1,3,4
132-135 3,4
236-240 1,2,4
242-247 1,3,4
249-254 1,4
American Government Unit 6 Homework
1.
2.
3.
Topic
National Judiciary
Inferior Courts
Supreme Court
Pages /Questions
506-511 1-4
512-515 1-3
517-522 2-4
HOMEWORK SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE—ITEMS MAY BE ADDED OR DELETED.