Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics System
Syllabus
Course Overview/Description
This course explores the political theory and everyday practice that direct the daily
operation of our government and shape our public policies. The express purpose of this
course is to prepare students to take the AP Exam for U.S. Government and Politics. The
course is for all intents and purposes taught on a college level and it requires a substantial
amount of reading and preparation for every class. The objectives of this course go beyond
a basic analysis of how our government "works." Students will develop a critical
understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, as well as
their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Reading Assignments and Course Calendar
WEEK ONE
Political Theory, Philosophy and Society according to John Locke: What is Locke's
dedication to individual liberty? How does Locke define government by consent? Is the
Social Contract theory still applicable today and do we still employ Locke's theory of the
right to revolt?
Due this Week:
Locke, The Second Treaties on Civil Government pages 7-31
Lock pages 44-56 (stop at number 99)
WEEK TWO
Political Theory, Philosophy and Society according to Thomas Hobbes: What account
for a civil society? What is "mans'" role within that society? What is the nature of fear
and what role does it play in Hobbes' society? Is the role of fear still applicable today?
How do we define self-preservation and what is its place today? Why were agreements
pivotal to Hobbes and how do they affect society today?
Due this Week:
Hobbes, On the Citizen pages 21-51
WEEK THREE
Political Theory, Philosophy and Society according to Montesquieu: Was Montesquieu a
relativist about law, government, and society? Or did he believe in a natural law of a sort
which judges all human practices and institutions by the same standard of reason, the
command of God, or the nature of things? What was Montesquieu's political position? Can
he accurately be defined as liberal?
Due this Week:
Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws pages 172-196
WEEK FOUR
Political Theory, Philosophy and Society according to Locke, Hobbes and Montesquieu:
How do the three philosophers compare and contrast? Which one is most applicable today?
Due this Week:
Venn Diagram of the three philosophers
Panel Discussion between the three philosophers
Take home essay
WEEKS FIVE AND SIX
Foundations of American Government: What is the purpose of government? What was the
founders' view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American
Republic? Are these views still relevant today? How does the constitution underpin U.S.
government? The concept of "checks and balances" was a novel idea in the 18th century.
Why? How does Madison's concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding
of Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers? Define the following concepts:
democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritianism, and the elitist theory.
Due these Weeks:
Burns, Chapters 1 and 2 with worksheets
Woll, Federalist 47, 48, 51 pages 41-47
Woll, How not to Read the Constitution pages 47-49
Woll, Anti-Federalists Papers No. 17 pages 57-60
Woll, Marbury vs. Madison pages 432-35
Panel Discussion: Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Timed in-class write: Purpose of Government
WEEK SEVEN
The Constitution of the United States of American: What is the layout of the
document? What are the roles, functions, duties and responsibilities of each branch of
government? What is the relation of the Constitution to the states? What has allowed the
document to endure for over 200 years? To whom does the Constitution apply and from
whom does it draw its powers?
Due this Week:
Articles I-II-III of the Constitution
WEEKS EIGHT AND NINE
Bill of Rights: What are the Bill of Rights? Who is responsible for getting them into the
Constitution? What purpose did they serve in 1791? What purpose do they serve today?
What was their original application to the states? At what point did they become applicable
to the people? What sets the first amendment apart? Which of the five parts of the first
amendment did the founders' deem most vital or can we separate them out? At what point
should our first amendment rights be limited? Are our freedoms guaranteed int he Bill of
Rights absolute?
Due these Weeks:
Woll, Engle vs. Vitale pages 146-155
Woll, Zelman v. Simmons-Harris pages 154-156
Woll, Freedom and Speech and Press pages 124-130
Zenger Trial skits
WEEK TEN
Bill of Rights beyond the First Amendment: Where hav e privacy rights been applied
through the Bill of Rights? How does the fourth amendment protect personal privacy? How
have privacy rights been protected in the public schools? How do state privacy rights align
with federal legislation?
Due this Week:
Stein, Classrooms and Courtrooms pages 71-72
Woll, Roe v. Wade pages 156-166
WEEK ELEVEN
Bill of Rights and Criminal Protections: How does the Constitution protect defendants?
Why were the founders' so careful regarding these protections? Beyond "pleading the
fifth" what protections are guaranteed in the Fifth Amendment? Does the "takings clause"
in the Fifth Amendment eliminate a person owning their own property and is this potentially
in conflict with the fourth amendment? Who determines the application of these
amendments and what are recent interpretations addressing criminal defense, property
ownership and the role of the federal government in relation to the states regarding the
fifth and sixth amendments? Do the accused have too many "rights" and "protections"?
Due this Week:
Woll, Affirmative Action pages 167-171
Kelo v. New London
Mock Supreme Court Case
WEEKS TWELVE AND THIRTEEN
Bill of Rights and the Individual: At what point did the Bill of Rights become applicable to
the individual? What does "incorporation" mean and how has it been applied? Why have
some political scientists argued that the fourteenth amendment not only added to the
constitution, but created an entirely new Constitution? What is the relationship of the
fourteenth amendment to the thirteenth and the fifteenth?
Due these Weeks:
Woll, The Fourteenth Amendment pages 116-119
Woll, Gideon v. Wainwright pages 119-123
Woll, Plessy v. Ferguson pages 136-138
Stein, pages 40-41 and 95-96
Timed in-class write: Bill o f Rights
WEEKS FOURTEEN AND FIFTEEN
Federalism: Why did the Anti-Federalists fear this new system? Referring back to the
questions from week seven, does this new system strengthen or weaken the concept of
separation of powers? Why or why not? What are the powers of state and local
governments in an era of "new federalism" and devolution? What influence should the
federal government have over state and local issues such as education, abortion,
immigration, drug laws and the environment?
Due these Weeks:
Burns, Chapter 3 with worksheet
Woll, Federalist 39 pages 66-70
Woll, Merits of the Federal System pages 71-74
Woll, McCulloch v. Maryland pages 74-78
Woll, Federalism: Past and Future pages 83-87
Panel Discussion: What is the future of federalism?
WEEK SIXTEEN
Federalism in Action: What are current conflicts surrounding federalism and the role of
the federal government? How is the US Supreme Court ruling on these issues?
Due this Week:
Using current Supreme Court cases explore the conflict and the
ruling; present to the class
WEEKS SEVENTEEN AND EIGHTEEN
Civil Rights: All Americans were not granted civil rights from the beginning of our history.
What progress towards civil rights has been made for African Americans and Women?
(While these are not the only groups who have sought civil rights, these two groups have
been the largest, most vocal, and most successful in bringing public attention to their
cause.) What impact have the thirteen, fourteenth, fifteenth and nineteenth amendments
had on civil rights? What was the civil rights act of 1964 including its history and the
application of federalism? The voter rights act of 1965? And Brown v. Board of
Education?
Due these Weeks:
Civil Rights Timeline Project in groups
Civil Rights research paper - individually
WEEK NINETEEN
Political Socialization and Identity: How do we come by our political beliefs? What are
the sources of public opinion? What is "political culture." and is there a unique American
political culture? What is the "political spectrum"? How do these political beliefs define
who we are as citizens? What does it mean to be a citizen? What is the role of the citizen
in a civil society? Which citizens vote and why? What is the relationship between individual
rights and the needs of the larger community? Is democracy in America healthy and viable
today?
Due this Week:
Burns, Chapter 4 with worksheet
Woll, Theory of Critical Elections pages 201-211
Woll, Democracy in Practice and Democracy in Theory pages 218-
225
Timed in-class writing: Is democracy viable today?
Burns, Chapter 6 with worksheet
WEEKS TWENTY AND TWENTY-ONE
Mass Movement Politics: Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Movement Politics:
What is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? Are there other options
beyond these two choices? Political parties and interest groups are not mentioned in the
Constitution yet they play a critical role. How? Why? Do they serve our democracy or
are they an obstacle? How do interest groups influence government decisions and policy
making?
Due these Weeks:
Burns, Chapter 7 with worksheet
Woll, Federalist No. 10 pages 176-180
Woll, Misplaced Obsessions with PAC's pages 277-284
Take home essay: Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass
Movement Politics: their relationship?
WEEK TWENTY-TWO
Campaigns and Elections: Is this the best system to develop and select leaders? Are
citizens well served by the current process? How are candidates selected to run for
office? What role is played by party organizations, PAC's and money generally in
campaigns? What roles do these groups play in the electoral process? What role should
they play? Should the present campaign system be overhauled and reformed?
Due this Week:
Burns, Chapter 8 with worksheet
Woll, Madison's Dilemma pages 253-258
Timed in-class essay: Are the citizens well served by the
current electoral process?
WEEK TWENTY-THREE
Supreme Court Cases Activity: How have past courts and our current court ruled on
issues ranging from Federalism to Due Process, Education, to the conflict between the Free
Exercise and the Establishment Clauses, Minority Rights to Majority rule?
Due this Week:
In groups research cases based upon assigned topics; create
a brief of each case and a summation of the ruling and any dissent.
Include your personal analysis.
WEEK TWENTY-FOUR
Campaigns and Elections: Is this the best system to develop and select leaders? Are
citizens well served by the current process? What role does the media play in elections and
shaping public opinion? Is the media an impartial observer or an active participant in
political elections and in the formation of public policy?
Due this Week:
Burns, Chapter 9 with worksheet
Woll, NY Times v. Sullivan pages 130-135
Burns, Chapter 10 with worksheet
Take home essay: Politics and the media: compatible or at odds?
WEEKS TWENTY-FIVE AND TWENTY-SIX
Public Policy and the Institutions of National Governance: Congress: How is public policy
made? Does the "system" work as intended? Does the "system" work for citizens today?
How does Congress represent and reflect the interest and desires of the nation? Is
Congress representative of the nation as a whole? Is this the most efficient and effective
way to make policy? Compare and contrast the makeup and operations of the House and
Senate. How has Congress's role in policy formulation changed over time in relation to the
other branches?
Due this Week:
Burns, Chapter 11 with worksheet
Woll, Constitutional Background pages 264-371
Woll, Congress and WA Political Establishment pages 372-384
Woll, Congress and the Electoral Connection pages 397-425
Timed in-class write over Woll, Chapter 8
Video: Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington
WEEK TWENTY-SEVEN
Public Policy and Institutions of National Governance: Presidency: How is public policy
made? Does the "system" work as intended? Does the "system" work for citizens today?
What are the formal and informal powers of the presidency? How does the President use
these powers to influence policy? Is the President too powerful or not powerful enough visa-vis the legislative and judicial branches?
Due this Week:
Burns, Chapter 12 with worksheet
Woll, Federalist No. 70 pages 287-289
Woll, Presidential Power, Presidential Paradoxes; Presidential
Character pages 296-312
Panel Discussion: President: Too powerful vs. not powerful
enough
WEEK TWENTY-EIGHT
Public Policy and the Instruments of national Governance: Judiciary: How is public
policy made? Does the "system" work as intended? Does the "system" work for citizens
today? What role do the courts play in interpreting the Constitution and implementing
public policy? Are the courts "guilty," as some of the critics charge, of supplanting the
legislative and executive branches by legislating form the bench? What is the proper role
for the judicial branch in the public policy process? What is the evolving relationship
between the courts and "civil rights"?
Due this Week:
Burns, Chapter 14 with worksheet
Woll, Federalist No. 78 pages 426-431
Woll, Judicial Restraint pages 435-442
Woll, Elk Grove School District . . . pages 442-447
Panel Discussion: Activist Judges vs. Judicial Restraint
WEEK TWENTY-NINE
Case Studies in Public Policy: Who sets policy agendas for our nation? How does
federalism affect public policy? We will examine and debate several areas of public policy.
Topics include:
1. The Economy: How is the federal budget made? How is monetary policy different
from fiscal policy? What is the "global economy?" How does the global economy influence
U.S. policy generally and you specifically?
2. Social Policy: What are subsidies and entitlements? What is the proper role for
government in social issues such as education, welfare, immigration and crime?
3. U.S. Foreign Policy: What role should the United States play in the world? What
is, and what should be, our relationship with the United Nations?
Due this Week:
from above.
Group projects and presentations over your assigned topic
WEEK THIRTY
Review for AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam
WEEK THIRTY-ONE
AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam