AP United States Government and Politics
Mr. Massetti/Mr. Wong
Fall 2015
Course Outline
AP U.S. Government and Politics is a college level survey/seminar course that provides students
an analytical approach to government and politics in the United States. Major emphasis is placed
on American political ideology and the evolution of American institutions. With this study,
students will grasp an understanding of the institutions, groups and beliefs that comprise the
American political system. The discussions will look at the changing American political
landscape, with an emphasis on voting patterns, trends and the processes in government. The
study of concepts and analysis of specific examples will provide the student a profound
perspective detailing American citizenship.
AP U.S. Government and Politics prepares students for the AP Exam. The content aligns to
the scope and sequence specified by the College Board and to our textbook.
Units of Study
I. Constitutional Underpinnings
Students will study how the US government originated; delve into the framers
philosophical differences, and how federalism, the separation of powers and the Bill of
Rights, evolved. Basic democratic principles and the development of a republican
government will be established.
II. Political Beliefs, Behavior, & Political Culture
Students will study the development of the political culture, integrating how beliefs and behaviors
are established by the social demographics of society. Political participation is expanded beyond
simple voting patterns and scientists need to understand why and how citizens participate, to
determine their political differences while establishing a legitimate polity.
III. Political Parties & the Electoral Practices
Becoming participating citizens is at the foundation of understanding the party process. Effective
suffrage is a fundamental principle of a democracy and the political party provides the access.
The development of parties, the campaign road to Election Day, and the overwhelming financial
structures that have infiltrated the political process are necessary to defining party involvement.
The two party system will be scrutinized along with the importance of third party development.
IV. Legislative Branch: Congress
Article I of the Constitution delegates formal and informal legislative powers to the halls of
Congress. This institution balances its power with the executive and judicial branches of
government, an intricate balance that evolves and changes over time. Students will study the
powers of Congress; study the make-up of the current House and Senate, and analyze how
Congress and the President undertake the arduous task of developing an annual budget.
V. Executive Branch: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy
Article II of the Constitution places executive power in the hands of the President. The first
Constitution neglected this branch, but the second Constitution zeroed in on establishing a leader
who would have to work with Congress in perpetuating a democratic society. The President is
given few distinctive formal powers, but, over time has established effective informal powers in
managing what has become a huge bureaucracy. As the country has grown, presidential powers
have evolved. Students will study: the formal and informal executive powers; how the federal
bureaucracy functions; how the executive branch fits into the budget development process; how
the executive branch balances its power with the judicial branch; and the qualities of leadership
of a president.
VI. Judicial Branch & Civil Rights/Liberties
Article III of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch. One Supreme Court and a number
of inferior courts will be analyzed in promoting civil rights and civil liberties throughout a
diverse community. This branch balances out the democratic principles established by the
framers who felt it important to put a device that stabilized the power of the executive and
legislative branches. Students will: study the formal and informal powers of the judicial branch;
analyze the relationships between this branch and other two, describing the varying balances of
power; analyze the development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation;
understand the knowledge of substantive rights and liberties; and understand the impact of the
Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties.
VII. Public Policy
Public policy is what government accomplishes through its political maneuverings. It's the result
of the interactions and dynamics among actors, interests, institutions and processes in the
development of domestic and foreign policy. It completes the understanding of how federalism,
interest groups, parties and elections are involved in developing policy processes and policy
making at the federal level. Students will: investigate policy networks, iron triangles and other
forms of sub governments in the formation of domestic and foreign policy; analyze the role of
federal institutions in making policy; evaluate the link between federal institutions and the citizen
in the formation of policy agendas; analyze the role of the citizen in the policy process; and
analyze policy development in the areas of economics, environment, health care, social welfare
and national defense.
VIII. AP Exam Review
The AP Examination will be administered in early May. All students taking the course must take
the exam. The fee is paid by the student. In class review will be limited to no more than 5 days.
Review sessions will be held in the morning beginning three weeks prior to the exam. Further
information will be made available in March.
Test Format
_
60 question multiple choice exam
45 minutes
Four essay questions
50%
(free response)
100 minutes
50%
Scores:
5 = extremely well qualified
4 = well qualified
3 = qualified
2 = possibly qualified
1 = not qualified
Based on the score earned on the College Board exam students may earn college credit. The
college of choice will dictate how the College Board examination score will be credited in their
program. Most colleges provide credit for a score of 3, 4, or 5.
Below are the six units to be covered in the course; with the weighting that each is given on the
multiple-choice section of the AP Exam:
Constitutional Underpinnings: 5-15%
Political Beliefs and Behaviors: 10-20%
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media: 10-20%
Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, Courts: 35-45%
Public Policy: 5-15%
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: 5-15%
Course Information
1. Students will be responsible for class notes, as well as research assignments,
group projects, discussion/seminar evaluation, essay examinations, and
ASSIGNED READING from textbooks and journal articles.
2. Bi-Weekly tests will be based on class notes, text readings, and other assigned
materials
3. Class participation based on attendance, homework and discussion will be approx.
10% of quarterly grade.
4. Students MUST have a spiral notebook or binder for class notes and a spiral
notebook for chapter outlines.
5. All work missed due to legal absences MUST be made up at the earliest possible
date. Assignments are made available well in advance; therefore there should be
no question as to the due dates of assignments. If you are unable to work at home
due to the severity of your illness I must be informed via a phone call or e-mail.
6. All written essay responses MUST be on 5x8 ruled index cards.
7. Students are expected to contribute to class discussions, seminars, and other inclass activities
As written in the annual student planner, "To help students achieve their maximum
academic potential, Manhasset Secondary School promotes an environment which
fosters integrity and honorable conduct. Administrators, faculty, students and
parents share the responsibility for maintaining an atmosphere in which personal
accountability is valued." With this statement in mind, students must maintain
work that is theirs alone and does not violate the academic integrity policy. Please
refer to the handbook regarding the consequences and procedures used when an
academic integrity violation has occurred.
Textbook: American Government: Institutions and Policies 12th edition. James Q
Wilson and John J. Dilulio Jr. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, New York
Additional Readings: The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity 4th edition. Ann
G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd, editors. Lanahan Publishers, Inc, Baltimore, Md.
Additional articles and supplemental readings will be provided on a topical
basis. All students should read a daily paper with an emphasis on politics (N.Y.
Times, Huffington Post for example) on a regular basis to help keep informed of
current events. Journals such as The American Political Science Review,
Congressional Record, and the Political Science Quarterly can be assigned for
additional information.
Assessment and Grading
Grades will be based on assessment (tests and quizzes), preparatory work projects and
papers, and class participation.
Unit Exams - Each unit exam will have a multiple choice exercise and/or an essay format. The
exams will be scored as close to College Board standards as possible. The questions will be
written to examine a broad range of information, from factual information to complex
relationships.
Preparatory Work-Homework, chapter outlines and class notes will be marked as preparatory
work. Chapter outlines and chapter review sheets will be collected and marked on a 1-15 point
scale. All class notes should be carefully taken and kept for the duration of the course.
Projects and/or Analysis papers will be assigned each marking period. Projects may be
individual or group work. Short "analysis" papers (not more than three pages) will also be
assigned periodically. Constant emphasis will be placed on writing thesis statements and
developing analytical essays. Writing skill is a key component for success .We will work to
improve this skill at all levels
Final Quarter grades will be based on the total number of points for a marking period. Exams
and quizzes will be worth approximately 60% of the quarter grade, projects, homework, papers,
and class participation will account for the balance of the quarter grade. The Final course grade
will be the average of all four quarters.
All grades will be kept on a spreadsheet and students will be kept informed as to their progress.
This will be a challenging course as well as a fun course. I hope that the experience will help you
next year as college freshmen. If you need to see me on a personal matter I am available most of
the day in the Social studies lab as well as in my classroom before school. Good Luck!!!!
AP U. S Government and Politics: Schedule of Topics
Week 1. Intro to Government
Week 2. Ch 1 The Study of American Government. Lahahan reader #5, 12
Weeks 3 and 4. Ch 2 The Constitution. LR # 8,9
Week 4 and 5. Ch 3: Federalism. Supreme Court Briefs, McCulloch v Maryland, Gibbons v.
Ogden. Federalism Project to be assigned. LR #19
Week 6. Ch 4: American Political Culture. Select readings to be assigned. LR #77
Week 7. Ch 5: Public Opinion. Select readings to be assigned. Public opinion polls will be
examined and analyzed. Students will learn basic SPSS data program and analysis of data. LR
#56
Weeks 8 and 9. Ch 6: Political Participation. LR #76
Weeks 10 and 11. Ch 7: Political Parties. LR #73
Weeks 12 and 13. Ch. 8: Elections and Campaigns.
Week 14 and 15. Ch 9: Interest Groups. Week 16. LR 59, 62
Ch 10: The Media. Supplemental reading to be assigned. LR #80
Weeks 22 and 23. Ch 12: The Presidency. LR #32, 36
Week 24 Wilson Ch 13: The Bureaucracy. LR # 35
Weeks 25 and 26. Ch 14: LR # 41, 42. Supreme Court Briefs Project to be assigned. Briefs will
be in a format that will include background of the case, points of law, decision, rationale and
subsequent related cases
Week 27. Ch. 15 Public Policy. Major policy areas will be researched in groups of two and
power point presentations will follow. Students will get an understanding of the major policy
areas and debates in government today.
Week 28. Ch 18 and 19: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. Landmark Supreme Court Briefs to be
assigned.
Weeks 29 and 30. Ch 16 and 17: Economic and Social Policy. Supplemental readings to be
assigned. LR #84
Weeks 31and 32. Loose Ends- Review for In-class Final Exam and AP Exam
Week 33. AP Exam
Weeks 34-40. In class projects, debates and wrap up. A final project will wrap up the course.
Final projects will vary from year to year, with an emphasis on newsworthy events. Detailed
instructions as well as a rubric will be provided.
This is a college level Political Science course. It will incorporate materials and assignments
that will be challenging. Success will require considerable effort and dedication on your
part.