AP US Government and Politics
Unit Plan
Unit I
Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
Content Description
(AP Topic Description)
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, the
separation of powers, and checks and balances. Understanding these developments involves
both 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. Such
understanding addresses specific concerns of the framers: for example, why did Madison fear
factions? What were the reasons for the swift adoption of the Bill of Rights? Familiarity with
the United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of key provisions of the Constitution will aid
student understanding of theoretical and practical features of federalism, separation of powers,
and checks and balances. Students should be familiar with a variety of theoretical perspectives
relating to the Constitution, such as democratic theory, theories of republican government,
pluralism, and elitism.
Schedule
5% to 15% of course content
16 class days
9/2/14 – 9/26/14
Unit Objectives
Enduring Understanding
Remember Forever
The Study of American Government
Essential Questions

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
The Constitution

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How is political power actually
distributed in America?
What explains major political change?
What value or values matter most in
American democracy?
Are trade-offs among political purposes
inevitable?
What is the difference between a
democracy and a republic?
What branch of government has the
greatest power?
Does the Constitution tell us what goals
the government should serve?
Whose freedom does the Constitution
protect?

Federalism
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
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Where is sovereignty located in the
American political system?
How is power divided between the
national government and the states under
the Constitution?
What competing values are at stake in
federalism?
Who should decide what matters ought
to be governed mainly or solely by
national laws?
Classroom Activity and Assignment Schedule
DAY
DATE
TOPIC / ACTIVITY
READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS DUE
1
9/2/14
Introduction and Expectations
2
9/3/14
The Study of US Government
Wilson, Ch. 1: 1 – 15
3
9/4/14
The Constitution
4
9/5/14
The Constitution
5
9/8/14
Constitutional Convention
6
9/9/14
Constitutional Convention
Wilson, Ch. 2: 16 – 27
3 ways gov. impacts lives
Quiz
Intro Constitution
Intro Con – Con
Group Primary Source Document Analysis
Wilson,
Ch. 2: 27 – 47
Class Rules
Share letters
AOC
Reading for Meaning: Locke
Notes: Outline Ch. 2
7
9/10/14
Constitutional Convention
Share AOC findings
States and Presiding Officer
8
9/11/14
9/11 Remembrance Day
Activity: Airport Security vs. Civil Liberties
Pol cartoon, video, arguments, silent debate
9
9/12/14
Federalism
Wilson, Ch. 3: 48 – 59
Introduce Resolutions
10
9/15/14
Federalism
Consider Resolutions
Debate and Vote
11
9/16/14
Federalism
Quiz
Complete Resolutions
12
9/17/14
Constitution Day
Wilson, Ch. 3: 59 – 74
Primary Source Docs – Events
Timelines
13
9/18/14
Constitutional Convention
14
9/19/14
Constitutional Convention
15
9/22/14
Review for Exam
16
9/23/14
Exam: MC (30) and FRQ (1)
17
9/24/14
Exam Review & Discussion
Share Timeline Event
Notes
Introduce LDC Writing Task
LDC Task
Key Terms
power
authority
legitimacy
democracy
direct democracy
representative democracy
elite
Marxist view
power elite view
bureaucratic view
pluralist view
unalienable
Articles of Confederation
Constitutional Convention
Shays’s Rebellion
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
republic
judicial review
federalism
checks and balances
enumerated powers
reserved powers
concurrent powers
separation of powers
faction
Federalists
Antifederalists
coalition
habeas corpus
bill of attainder
ex post facto law
Bill of Rights
amendment
line-item veto
devolution
block grants
“necessary and proper” clause
nullification
dual federalism
police power
initiative
referendum
recall
grants-in-aid
categorical grants
revenue sharing
conditions of aid
mandates