AP United States Government & Politics
Ms. Kira Jordan
Washington-Lee High School
2011-2012 Syllabus
kira.jordan@apsva.us
(703) 228-6200
https://sites.google.com/site/msjshistory/
What is AP U.S. Government & Politics?
AP U.S. Government & Politics is a college-level history course offered to high school students
who want to challenge themselves in a more rigorous, in-depth look at government through the
lens of United States perspectives and experience. This includes historical development,
organization, and function of government on all levels; citizens’ rights and responsibilities within
the democratic framework; and comparison of the U.S. constitutional form of government with
others around the world.
In this course, the teacher will help students will develop the following skills over the course of
our two-semester class (four quarters): develop the traits of a political scientist, including indepth research; the ability to ask thought-provoking questions and provide answers; participate
actively during in-class discussion and debate; analyze and interpret historical and current
sources of evidence; and express a deep understanding of United States government through
written and oral expression. These skills will be built through effective analysis of primary and
secondary source materials such as statistics, graphic evidence, and written documents/text;
successful note-taking; clear, precise written and oral expression; and the ability to reach
conclusions through weighing factual evidence.
In each quarter, students will cover approximately one and a half units (four-five chapters). This
class is very fast-paced and in-depth. The class will ask students to read and analyze sometimes
difficult assigned works. Students must challenge themselves to meet the standards set for an
introductory level college curriculum and course. Each quarter’s work will include multiplechoice quizzes and tests (teacher-created and examples from prior AP exams), in- and out-ofclass Free Response Questions (FRQ), and an evidence-based paper or project. In addition, this
course prepares students for the IB diploma program. As such, students will be learning to
prepare for and write analytical essays. The teacher will aid students in developing the skills
needed to successfully answer these types of work in college and on the examination. Following
the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam in May 2012, students will complete an individual
project that will incorporate the specific skills learned over the course of the year, including
textual analysis, oral and written expression, and/or presenting evidence for debate.
What materials will be used in this course?
Textbook: O’Connor, Karen and Larry J. Sabato. American Government: Roots and Reform. 10th
ed. New York: Longman, 2009.
Reader: Lasser, William. Perspectives on American Politics. 4th ed. New York: Houghton
Mifflin Company, 2004.
Supplementary materials from sources including, but not limited to:
 The Washington Post
 The New York Times
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The Economist
Founding documents: Articles of Confederation, Federalist Papers, Declaration, U.S.
Constitution
Peer-reviewed journals
Variety of other relevant primary source documents
Multiple media types—we will be using computer technology, among others, during this
course. Videos shown will have a PG-13 rating or less and have a specific instructional
purpose. Videos with an “R” rating will require parent permission.
Student packet for the year, including resources such as: preparing for a MC exam; FRQ essay
organization and preparation; list of terms commonly used in free-response questions (from the
AP U.S.Government and Politics Course Description and prior AP exams); generic FRQ scoring
guidelines; excerpts from Booth, Colomb and Williams’ The Craft of Research (Chicago,
UChicago Press, 2008).
How will I be graded?
Student grades reflect student achievement and not student behavior. Students will be
responsible for the successful completion of quizzes and multiple choice tests designed to
prepare them for the national AP exam in May. These will be based on AP exam questions, and
will be given during or at the completion of each assigned chapter of reading, including
information from the textbook and lecture material. All testing will be in class, under timed
conditions, mimicking the AP U.S. Government and Politics examination. Students must take the
Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics examination in May.
Students will also write several five paragraph analytical essay questions, usually as a conclusion
to a unit. Free-response (FRQ) task-oriented analytical questions will be offered to students as
practice (homework) and as in-class assignments/quizzes. Students will also take part in class
discussions, debates, and paired work based on readings, lectures, primary source work, and
current events explorations. For example:
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Assess interest groups’ influence on national legislation by examining legislators’ votes on
related issues
Compare the voting trends in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections
Analyze opinion polls for trends and strategies at national, state, and local levels
Study variety of Supreme Court decisions and chart landmark case decisions in relation to
political ideology of justices and their presidential sponsors.
As this is a college-level course, students are expected to perform at or above a C at all times.
Grades below a 75% C are considered unsatisfactory, even though students will be earning extra
quality points when they complete the course and sit for the AP examination.
The grading scale for this class follows:
Grade
Percentages
A
90-100
B+
87-89
B
80-86
C+
77-79
C
70-76
Quality Points
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
AP/IB Quality Points
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
D+
67-69
1.5
2.5
D
60-66
1.0
2.0
E
0-59
0.0
0.0
Each test and assignment is worth a given number of points. All points are equal. You earn
grades based on the following percentages (or points earned divided by maximum points).
Quarterly grades will be rounded up if a percentage is .5 or greater. All quarter grades are
calculated equally, including quarterly exams and mid-terms, as well as classwork. A final
project may be given as part of the fourth quarter grade. Students sitting for the AP Exam will be
exempt from final examinations for this course.
Homework: 10-20 points each
Participation: up to 5 points daily (25 points per week)
Quizzes: 50-75 points each
Tests: 100-200 points each
Projects: 250 points each
Class participation will be closely monitored and each student will receive a weekly grade based
on his/her level of constructive and relevant participation and discussion. At times students will
be chosen to lead discussions so daily preparation is mandatory.
Assume that all assignments are to be done individually unless you are instructed
otherwise. Cheating will be treated as a major offense and will result in a grade of zero on
the assignment and a referral to the administration for an honor code violation. The honor
code will be adhered to in this course and written on assignments. If you break the honor
code, then you will be reported to your counselor, club and sports sponsors, and your
administrator. Multiple violations of the honor code will result in a parent conference.
“On my honor as a student, I have neither given nor received
unauthorized aid or information on this assignment.”
Report cards will be issued four times a year. An interim progress report will be issued to all
students in the middle of each grading period at approximately four and one-half weeks. An
advisory report form, used to indicate unsatisfactory performance, failing, or work below the
ability level of the pupil, may be sent to parents between interims and report cards.
What if I miss a class?
If you reach three (3) unexcused tardies in a quarter, you will be given one hour of detention
after school, with me, on that third tardy and every tardy thereafter.
ALL unexcused absences will result in a zero for that day’s missed class participation, any tests,
or written assignments. Zeros do add up to a significantly impaired grade. Students are
responsible for the work missed even if the absence is unexcused.
All homework will be turned in on time. Absolutely no late work will be accepted without an
official excused absence. A zero will be recorded for any missed work.
Excused absences will follow the procedures laid out in the Student Handbook:
Previously assigned work:
 Students must turn in any previously assigned written work (homework, papers, projects,
etc.) by the end of the first school day of their return.
 Written work may be submitted directly or digitally to the teacher
 Students must be prepared to complete any quizzes, tests, or presentations previously
assigned at the start of the next class they attend. Teachers may choose, in conjunction
with the student, to schedule the make-up work for a time outside of class.
Any work missed during the absence:
 Unless special arrangements have been made, students have one (1) week from the last
day of the absence to submit make-up work.
 Teachers will, within reason assist students when the absence is excused.
 As per APS PIP 25-1.1, attendance credit for make-up work is only given when the
absence is excused. Teachers will assign zeroes for work assignments or tests missed
during any unexcused absence, not as punishment, but as an accurate evaluation of the
student’s performance on that day.
What do I bring each day?
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A loose leaf notebook is required for compiling class notes and for securing additional
reading material
Materials requested prior to class by the teacher (text, colored pencils, etc.)
Pencils, pen, and other necessary writing materials
Readings or text assigned as homework
YOU—prepared for class discussion and activities
Tentative 2011-2012 Schedule of Reading
(Subject to instructor’s modification)
CHAPTER
ADDITIONAL READINGS (extra may be added)
TOPIC
Unit One: Political Culture, Participation, and Institutions
1. Political Socialization
2. Voting and Elections
3. Political Parties
4. Campaign Process
5. The Media
6. Interest Groups
11
13
12
14
15
16
Lasser, 5.1 Democracy in America
Lasser, 8.1 Towards a More Responsible 2-Party System
Lasser, 6.1 The Scope and Bias of the Pressure System
Lasser, 7.1 and N.Y.Times v. U.S.
Understandings:
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Citizens’ beliefs about government and leaders
How citizens learn about politics
Public opinion-its’ source, nature, and impact
Voting and other ways to participate
Influences on political beliefs- communication with others of similar beliefs
Role of media
Unit Two: Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
7. Constitution
8. Federalism
2
3
Lasser, 1.1, 1.4 and Feds.#10 and #51
Lasser, 2.2 and Fed. # 39
Understandings:
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Influences on framers’ ideas
Theories of democratic government
Separation of powers
Federalism
Unit Three: Institutions of U.S. Government
9. Congress
10. Presidency
11. Bureaucracy
12. Judiciary
Understandings:
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7
8
9
10
Lasser, 9.3 What the American Public Wants Congress to be
Lasser, 10.2 and Fed. #70
Lasser, 11.2 Bureaucracy: What Agencies Do…
Lasser, 12.2 Beyond Bush v. Gore
Formal and informal powers
Balance of power and relationship of branches
Institutions and their links to constituents, interest groups, parties, media, and state/locality
governments
Unit Four: Civil Rights and Liberties
13. Order & Civil Liberties 5
14. Equality & Civil Rights 6
Lasser, 4.1 Plessey v. Ferguson
Lasser, 4.2 Brown v.Board of Education
Understandings:
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Judicial interpretations of liberties and rights
Citizens’ knowledge of liberties and rights
Role of Fourteenth Amendment in developing constitutional understanding of rights and liberties
Unit Five: Public Policy
15. Social Welfare Policy
17
16. Economic Policy
18
17. Foreign and Defense Policy 19
Lasser, 13.1 Domestic Policy Making
Lasser, 13.2 Nine Misconceptions About Social…
Lasser, 13.3 American and the World
Understandings:
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Formation of policy agenda
Role of institutions in enacting policy
Policy making in a federal system
Role of courts in policy enactment/interpretation
What else is expected of me?
This is an advanced high school course, which means you are responsible for your actions and
work. Please follow all rules of the classroom. High school is a time of great change and
responsibility. I and the rest of the faculty at W-L want you to succeed and make good choices
regarding your academics and your personal life. Please come see me with comments, concerns,
or to say hello. Your success is in your hands!
Please sign below to let me know that you have read and now understand the rules and
expectations for this course. Know that I strictly follow all APS policies as stated in the Student
Handbook. Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.
_________________________________
Student Signature
____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Contact name and phone number/ email: _______________________________________________
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