DORAL ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL
AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS SYLLABUS
2011-2012
Teacher: Mrs. Lismey Mitat
Room: 117 C
Email: lmitat@dadeschools.net
Phone: (305) 597-9950
Fax: (305) 477-6762
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Course Description………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Course Methodology…………………………………………………………………………………………...... 3
Goals & Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………….........
3
Topics in AP U.S. Government…………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Course Text…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3
AP Exam Format…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Materials…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4
Student Expectation, Rules, & Procedures…………………………………………………………………… 4
Student Conduct Policy……….…………………………………………………………………………………
5
Academic Grade Policy………………………….…………………………………………………………..…
5
Course Schedule………………………………………………………………………………………….……….
7
Course Contract………………………………………………………………………………………………….
12
APGOPO Syllabus 2
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Taught at the college level, this AP course will give students an analytical perspective on 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. Students
should become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various
behaviors and outcomes. Furthermore, students are guided to use specific information critically to
evaluate general propositions about government and politics, as well as to present basic data relevant
to government and politics in sustained written arguments.
COURSE METHODOLOGY
The method of instruction for this class will be inquiry-based. Students will generate knowledge through
online readings, synchronous chats, and asynchronous discussions with students and their instructor,
interactions with online tutorials, online and hands-on simulations, weekly in-class discussion, Lectures,
class discussions, films, library research, internet research, group projects, cooperative learning strategies,
multimedia presentations, and oral presentations will supplement the textbook in the course. Students will
be taught note-taking skills of class lectures and discussions, as well as of all textbook reading. The
students will be assessed periodically at the end of each unit by chapter/unit tests, essay assignments,
home learning and class work assignments, notebook checks, projects, oral presentations, and group
work. Students will learn how to probe, question, and analyze historical documents and artifacts for their
significance.
In addition, they will learn how to use sources and their own knowledge of history to persuade others
through writing. Unit essays, Free-Response)essays, projects, and the written portion of the AP
examination will test students on their mastery of these skills.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Students successfully completing this course will:
 know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics
 understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences
(including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various
government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and
procedures)
 be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including
data presented in charts, tables, and other formats)
 be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and
develop their connections across the curriculum
TOPICS IN AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS






Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
Institutions of National Government
Public Policy
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
COURSE TEXT
1. Edwards, Wattenberg, Lineberry. Government in America People, Politics, and Policy 12th Edition
(New York: Pearson Longman 2006)
2. Stewart, Griffin. Preparing for the United States Government and Politics AP Exam with
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Twelfth Edition (New York: Pearson Longman
2006)
3. Kernell, Jacobson. The Logic of American Politics Third Edition (Washington, D.C.: CQ Press 2006)
APGOPO Syllabus 3
4. In addition to the textbook, you may want to purchase Baron’s AP U.S. Government and Politics
study guide manual or The Princeton Review AP U.S. Government and Politics study manual, as
they can be extremely useful in passing the AP exam. Both can be purchased at Barnes and
Noble or Hastings.
Assigned and used in class: articles from current newspapers, such as the New York Times or the Wall
Street Journal; newsmagazine excerpts from Time, Newsweek, or the Economist; news footage and
documentaries; C-SPAN’s coverage and current events materials; numerous websites.
AP EXAM FORMAT
The total test is 2 hours and 25 minutes.
1. Section I: 60 multiple choice questions: 45 minutes
a. Counts 50% of your total score
2. Section II: 4 essay topics: 100 minutes (25 minutes per essay)
a. You have no choice about which four essays you will respond to
b. Counts 50% of your total score
MATERIALS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
One 3 ring Binder (1 inch) (8 Dividers)
#2 Pencils
Black or blue (Ballpoint Pens)
7 Dividers
1. Course & Test Info
2. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
3. Political Beliefs and Behaviors, Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
4. Institutions of National Government
5. Public Policy
6. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
7. FRQ
8. Supreme Court Analysis
Loose leaf notebook paper
Composition Book
Highlighters (at least 3 different colors)
300+ Note cards for making flash cards on important vocabulary, key concepts, and Supreme
Court cases
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS, RULES, & PROCEDURES
1. School Rules: All Doral Academy rules and expectations must be followed at all times.
2. Respect: Be respectful towards yourself, faculty and staff, and peers.
3. Student Behavior: You will be treated like a young adult, any child-like behaviors (disruptions) will not
be tolerated.
4. Be Prepared: I expect you to be completely prepared for class each day. Therefore, I will not “loan”
materials unless the circumstances are extreme. You are the most important class material of all. I
expect you to be awake and involved every day.
5. Talking: This is a social science course. The nature of this class demands conversation and debate.
However, this does not mean that you can talk whenever you desire. I encourage you to share your
ideas during appropriate times. I will not tolerate disrespect or profanity.
6. Seating Chart: I may assign you a seat. Your seat assignment may change several times during the
year. Be in your seat when the bell rings.
7. Bathroom Passes: Before you are permitted to leave the class, you must complete the sheet on the
official hall pass clipboard. I do not plan my activities around your pass use. If you miss a portion of
APGOPO Syllabus 4
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
an activity due to your use of the pass, you will not be provided with extra time to complete the
assignment. Only one individual is allowed out of the room at any given time. You may not leave the
room during the first or last 15 minutes of the class period.
Eating / Drinking: The school-wide policy applies.
Electronic Devices: The school-wide policy applies.
Tardy Policy: You are considered tardy if you are not in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
Absence Policy: You are responsible for any assignments you missed while you were out.
Make-Up Assignments: It is your responsibility to obtain and complete all make-up assignments
missed during an excused absence. If you do not excuse your absence, you will NOT be able to
make-up any missed assignments. Students will have ONE week to complete their assignment.
Home learning assignments: I will collect these assignments at the beginning of class. If student does
not turn them in at that time, it will be considered late and receive a “0”.
Late Assignments: I will not accept any late work unless student has an excused absence. Student
will then receive a “0”. You will be held responsible for turning assignments in on time.
Student Dismissal: Students will not be able to leave my class unless you are picked up by parent,
participating in school activity, or using the restroom. Students will not be permitted to go to another
teacher’s class not make up any assignments for other teachers during my class time.
Cheating: Plagiarism or dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated! This includes turning in information
from the Internet as your own work. Consequences of plagiarism include earning a score of “0” on
the assignment, involvement of the principal and your parents, possible suspension and/or failure of
the course.
STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY
If a student chooses to talk excessively, misbehave, or disrupt the learning environment, the student’s
conduct grade will be affected. All students must follow the Student Code of Conduct.
ACADEMIC GRADING POLICY
Grades in this class are earned not “given”. The grade the student receives is the grade the student has
earned. Success is a CHOICE!
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Numerical
Value (%)
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
00-59
Verbal Interpretation
Outstanding Progress
Good Progress
Average Progress
Needs Improvement
Unsatisfactory
Grade Point
Value
3.50 - 4.0
2.50 - 3.49
1.50 - 2.49
1.0 - 1.49
0 - .99
Grades are based on the following
Grading scale based on the set scale of Miami Dade County Schools. Grades for this class will be based
on exams, quizzes, unit tests, homework assignments, class participation, projects, essays, notebook
checks, and class assignments. There will be at least one major project every nine weeks. Students will
have something to do for HOMEWORK EVERYDAY.
**NOTE: Some assignments might require students to conduct internet research.
Nine Week Grade based on:
%
Tests
30%
Projects
25%
Quizzes
20%
Class work/Home learning
15%
Participation
10%
**The above will make up 80% of the final course grade.
APGOPO Syllabus 5


Midterm Exam: 10% of final grade for the course
Final Exam: 10 % of final grade for the course.
Course Work
1. Exams: Approximately 2-3 exams will be given each nine weeks. Students will be given ample
notification of their exam in order to prepare for it. Test questions will include multiple choice,
short answer, fill in the blank, True and False. They will also include graphs, charts, pictures, and
primary documents.
2. Quizzes: Quizzes will be given weekly or biweekly. Students will not be notified of when they will
take place. Keeping up with your reading and studying lecture notes is crucial. Quizzes are
mainly
3. Projects: Several projects will be given throughout the year to complement lectures and readings.
Most projects will require internet research.
4. Essays: Given occasionally to measure student’s knowledge on a subject/topic. They are in the
AP Government & Politics format.
5. Assignments: Assignments are activities designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop
and practice skills that you are not yet expected to have mastered. An activity may be
completed within a single class period. An activity may be completed throughout the course of
several weeks. It is your obligation to use every available moment in this class to be productive.
6. Notebook/Binder Checks: Notebooks will be graded every nine weeks. Being responsible and
organized is an important part of this grade. Students are given a few days notification of their
Notebook/Binder Check. I will go over the order and what I expect the day I release the due
date.
7. Participation: The nature of this course is based on student participation. We will be
participating in Socratic circles, class debates and discussions which all are an essential part of
our class. I will encourage every student to become an active citizen in our class.
8. Learning Logs Daily learning log questions will be on the board, overhead, or projector and must
be completed within the first 10-15minutes of class. Students will use their textbook (and
background knowledge) to find the answer. These activities will be kept on notebook paper
and turned in when the notebook is taken for a grade (in other words, all warm-ups will be kept in
numerical order in one section of your notebook.) Additionally, they will also be randomly
checked each week to ensure that students are doing them each day. If students are absent, it’s
their responsibility to make up the learning logs they missed.
APGOPO Syllabus 6
COURSE SCHEDULE
Unit
Week
Dates
Topics, Keywords, and
Video Links
Textbook
Assigned
Reading
Assignments
Primary & Secondary Resources
(Government in
America)
*(Read Note
Below*)
Unit 1:
Constitutional
Underpinnings of
the United States
Government
1: APGOPO 101
2: Introducing
Government in
America: The
Purpose of
Government
3 : The Constitution
of the United States
4: Federalism
Dual Federalism
Aug 22-28
Aug 29-Sept
2
Topics
Review Syllabus, Course, Exam Information,
APGOPO Pre-Test, Collect Summer Assignment,
Writing Workshop Introduction

Overview of Writing Portion of Exam

APGOPO Writing PPT
Video Links
American Democracy
Topics
basic terminology, security vs. liberty, forms of
government, types of democracy, the political
spectrum/grid, demographic trends in the U.S.

Read course syllabus and exam
information sheet
AP Writing Workshop




Landmark British Documents
Read John Locke
Read Thomas Paine
The Declaration of Independence

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
FRQ: Democracy
Sept 6-9
Sept 12-16
Video Links
English & Enlightenment Traditions
Topics
Plymouth and the social contract,
circumstances leading to Revolutionary War,
British and taxes and the colonial response,
natural rights and the consent of the governed,
motivations/reasoning of the founders,
Madisonian model and the Separation of
Powers, Bill of Rights , The Articles, Judicial
review, popular sovereignty,
Limited government, federalism, checks and
balances, separation of powers
Video Links
FDocuments from the Revolution & Beyond
Constitution Building
The Constitution
The Bill of Rights
Topics
Unitary, confederal, and federal relations of
government; historical arguments for and
against federalism; division of powers, national,
state, and concurrent powers; Constitutional
questions posed in McCulloch v. Maryland and



Review the Federalist Papers #10 & # 51
The Constitution
Marbury vs Madison Supreme Court Case
FRQ: Constitution and Articles
Chapter 4

Chapter 12


Maryland vs McCulloch Supreme Court
case
Gibbons vs Ogden SC
Federalism Group Activity
FRQ: Federalism
APGOPO Syllabus 7
Gibbons v. Ogden; commerce clause; Civil War
amendments; dual Federalism, cooperative
Federalism, and “new Federalism”
Unit Four:
Institutions of the
National
Government
5: The Legislative
Branch: Congress
6: The Executive
Branch: Presidency
7: The Budget
8: The
Bureaucracy
9: The Judicial
Branch
Sept 19- 23
Sept 26-30
Video Links
Layer Cake Federalism
Evolution of Federalism
Topics
Major functions of Congress, trustee vs.
instructed delegate, committees, leadership
positions in House and Senate, how a bill
becomes a law, vetoes, federal budget,
executive and judicial checks
Video Links
Structure of the House of Representatives
Structure of the Senate
Passage of a Bill
Topics
Roles of the president, presidential powers,
impeachment and conviction, organization of
executive branch, vice presidential roles,
Twenty-fifth Amendment, legislative and judicial
checks




Chapter 13
Oct 3-7
Video Links
The Budget

Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Oct 17-21
Case brief of United States v. Nixon
Read Machiavelli and answer questions
(in class)
Free response essay on emergency
powers
FRQ: Presidency

Topics
The bureaucracy and the President, the
bureaucracy and Congress, legislation
controlling political activity by bureaucracies,
bureaucratic organizations, iron triangles
Oct 10-14
FRQ: Congress, Powers of Congress


Video Links
The Nature of a President
Presidential Roles
The White House
Presidential Politics, Polls, and the Press
Topics
The federal budget, presidential budget, OMB,
How a bill becomes a law
Review Florida Representatives
Leadership
Research current bills



Analyze and interpret historic and current
Federal Budget on sites such as
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/
Letters to representatives on
issue(s)/bills/budgetary allocations of
student interest
Free response essay on iron triangle
AP Writing Workshop
FRQ: Bureaucracy
Chapter 16
Video Links
The Nature of the Bureaucracy
The Cabinet
Other Bureaucratic Bodies
Checks on the Bureaucracy
Topics
Common law tradition, precedent, jurisdiction,
stare decisis, the federal court system (district
courts, appellate courts, and the U.S. Supreme
Chapter 17
Chapter 5
FRQ: Judicial Branch
APGOPO Syllabus 8
Court), court opinions (unanimous, majority, and
concurring), presidential appointment process,
activist vs. restraintist judicial philosophies, and
strict vs. broad construction, the Rehnquist
Court, the Roberts Court, the policymaking
function of the courts, executive and legislative
checks
Video Links
The Federal Court System
Historical Supreme Courts
The Nature of the Supreme Court
The Modern Supreme Court
Unit Two: Civil
Rights and
Liberties
Topics
Bill of Rights with emphasis on the Fourteenth
Amendment, current law and religion, freedom
of speech, abortion, privacy, criminal rights,
death penalty, and firearms
10: Civil Liberties
11: Civil Rights
Unit Three:
Political Parties
and Beliefs,
Interest Groups,
and Mass Media
12: Public Opinion
& Mass Media
Oct 24-27
Oct 31- Nov
4
Nov 7-10
Video Links
Incorporation
The Establishment Clause
The Free Exercise Clause
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of the Press
The Fourth Amendment
Due Process and Criminal Rights
Topics
Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth
Amendments, Plessy v. Ferguson, historic and
present obstacles to political participation,
Brown v. Board of Education, de jure
segregation, de facto segregation, events and
figures leading to the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
Equal Rights Amendment, Age discrimination,
Americans with Disabilities Act, Gay Rights
Movement, Bakke case, Lawrence v. Texas,
“Don’t ask, don’t tell”
Video Links
Civil War Amendments and the Civil Rights
Movement
Post WWII Civil Rights Legislation
Topics
Influences of education, occupation,
socioeconomic status, religion, ethnicity,
geographic region, and gender on voting
behavior; polling, Functions of the mass media,
historical development of the press, campaign


Case brief of Mapp v. Ohio
Case brief of Gideon v. Wainwright
FRQ: Freedom of Speech, Civil Liberties
Chapter 6



Case brief of Brown v. Board of Education
Free response essay on Fourteenth
Amendment
AP Writing Workshop
FRQ: Civil Rights
Chapter 7

Group work on political ad project
Chapter 8
Chapter 11
APGOPO Syllabus 9
advertising, the media and politics, bias in the
media, government control of broadcasting
(Joseph Burstyn v. Wilson, Reno v. ACLU, U.S. v.
Playboy, FCC v. Pacifica Foundation)
13: Political Parties
& Interest Groups
Topics
trends in public opinion; functions of interest
groups; Federalist #10; types of interest groups
(public, environmental, single-interest, foreign
governments, etc.); tactics; lobbyists
Nov 14-18


Student created poll on issue(s) of interest,
with statistical breakdowns for school
(class, gender, GPA, etc.)
Internet research on target groups for
political ad project
Chapter 9
Video Links
Political Parties
Party Function & Structure
Party Identification
14: Nominations
and Campaigns
Nov 21-23
Topics

Caucus, open and closed primaries,
Independent voters and ticket splitting, “soft
money”, “hard money”, public financing of
elections, Campaign Reform Act of 2002,
primaries, Electoral
College, voter turnout

Chapter 10
Topics
15: Elections &
Voting Behavior
Nov 28Dec 2
Unit Five: Public
Policy
16: Economic
Policymaking
Social Welfare
Policymaking
17: Policy for
Healthcare &
Environment
National Security
Policymaking
Dec 5-9
Dec 12-16
Video Links
Financial Participation in Elections
Congressional Elections
Presidential Elections
Voting Behavior and Intensity
Topics
Basic economics vocabulary such as inflation,
unemployment, business cycle, recession,
depression, and budget deficit; fiscal policy,
Federal Reserve System, monetary policy,
economic policy since WWII, globalization,
WTO, problems and proposed solutions to Social
Security.
Topics
The policy making process, health care, poverty
and poverty reduction programs, welfare, crime
and incarceration, the environment, defense
policy, diplomacy, nuclear proliferation and
terrorism, the war in Iraq, Israeli-Palestinian


Review the 2000 Presidential Election
Review the 1800 Election
Review Voting Behavior in the last several
Presidential Elections
US Voting Demographics

FRQ on Social Security

Group research and presentations on
domestic policy issues such as health
care, poverty, and crime on sites such as
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs
Group research and presentation on past
and present foreign policy with various



Chapter 17
Third parties group research and
presentations
Continue research on issues of interest for
political ad project
Free response essay on voting districts
Chapter 18
Chapter 19- 21

APGOPO Syllabus 10
conflict, China, North Korea, Darfur, formal and
informal powers of the president regarding
foreign policy, the State Department, the
National Security Council, intelligence, the
Department of Defense, the Monroe Doctrine,
18: State & Local
Governments
Review
Jan 3-6
Topics
State Branches of government, 10th
Amendment
Review for Exam
countries/regions such as Iraq, Europe,
China, Japan, Africa, and South America

FL Governor and State Representatives


Review for Final and AP Exam
Review Writing Workshop
Review
APGOPO Syllabus 11
COURSE CONTRACT (Please complete and return to Mrs. Mitat by Aug 26)
I am aware of and understand the policies in this course. I am the only person responsible for my
actions. I will succeed.
Student name (please print): ___________________________________________________Period:__________
Student Signature: ________________________________________________________
Date: ___________
I will to do my best to support my child in this class. If I have a question, concern, or idea, I will not
hesitate to contact Mrs. Mitat. I will be involved.
Parent/Guardian(please print): _____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________________________
Date: ___________
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child. The
best way to reach me is via email (lmitat@dadeschools.net).
How should I contact you?
• Phone
(Home) _________________________ hours _____________
(Work) __________________________ hours _____________
• Email: __________________________________________________________
• Alternative Contact Name:_______________________________________________
Phone: __________________________ hours ____________
When should I contact you? (check all that apply)
____ Periodically, just to update me.
____ If your child misses class or is tardy frequently.
____ If your child’s grade drops: (circle one) A B C D F
____ Other Reason: __________________________________
** Please update any of the information above if it changes.
Please use the space below and on the back to tell me anything you think I should know about your
child.
Thank You,
Mrs. Lismey Mitat
APGOPO Syllabus 12