Advanced Placement Government and Politics
Mr. Craig M. Grimm
craig.grimm@oldham.kyschools.us
North Oldham High School ~ 228-0158 Ext 605
Course Overview:
Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum is designed to give students an analytical perspective on
government and politics in the United States. The course will require students to master historical and
analytic skills, including; chronological and spatial thinking, historical research and interpretation.
Students will evaluate viewpoints presented through major print and electronic media, understand
statistical data and analyze trends related to significant political events. The course will also emphasize
preparation and intensive study towards the AP U.S. Gov’t & Politics exam.
Course Texts & Reading Materials:
1. Edwards, George; Robert Lineberry, Martin Wattenberg. Government in American: People
Politics, and Policy. New York, Pearson Longman, 12th ed. (2006).
2. Conrad, Jessamyn. What You Should Know About Politics…But Don’t. Arcade Publishing,
2008.
3. Matthew, Chris. Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game.
New York, Simon & Schuster. (1999).
4. Woll, Peter. American Government: Readings and Cases. New York: Longman, 16th
ed. (2004).
Course Supplies:
1. GRIMM’S Class CD: 100s of readings, rubrics, study guides, etc…
* You will need a digital device to download these files to. (iPad2, Kindle Fire, Laptop,
etc…) We use this every week!
2. Apps:
CBS News
-
$0.00
Pulse
$0.00
Parity Politics
-
$0.99
Show of Hands
$0.00
US Constitution
-
$0.00
Flash Cards Max
$0.00
Politico
-
$0.00
Politics Books
$0.00
US Presidents
-
$0.00
PolitiFact
$1.99
AP Gov’t Practice Test -
$3.99 (Optional)
3. Digital Books:
The Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Jay, Madison
- $0.00
2nd Treatise of Gov’t by John Locke
- $0.00
The United States Constitution
- $0.00
AP US Gov’t & Politics (Barron’s) by Kurt Lader
- $ 9.78 (Kindle Edition)
Politics: A Treatise on Gov’t by Aristotle
- $ 0.00
 Each student will also need a 3 Ring Binder w/ Tab Dividers (2” binder at least)
Classroom Rules / Policy:
1.
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3.
4.
Be on time to class EVERYDAY!
Be prepared to learn and/or participate in class activities and class discussions.
Be respectful of course material, classmates, teachers, and guests that will be in our presence.
Do 100% of your own work. Under no circumstances will cheating, copying, or plagiarism
of any kind be tolerated in this class. Unauthentic work will result in an automatic zero, and
will warrant immediate attention from both parents and administration.
Homework / Grading Policies:
“The measure of a great AP class isn’t your grade at the end of it…but rather your knowledge
and interest in the material in which it was meant to provide.”
~ Craig M. Grimm
 Readings / Homework:
In order to be successful in this college-level course, you must complete all readings and
assignments prior to class discussions. Course readings are substantial and essential to
your success in the class, as they will figure prominently in quizzes and examinations.
 Writing:
Writing is an integral part of academic success in the AP program. Students will be
expected to utilize writing strengths, and work tirelessly to improve upon existing
weaknesses. Writing assignments may include (but are not limited to) Supreme Court Briefs,
Transactive Pieces, AP Free-Response Essays, Political Research Analysis Papers, etc…
 Grades:
AP Gov’t & Politics grades are figured on a cumulative point basis. Grades are
accumulated from Tests, Quizzes, Homework Assignments, Papers / Projects, Portfolio
Entries and In-Class Activities Pop Quizzes may also be given at any time.
 Late Work:
Due to the collegiate level of this course, I will not accept late work unless special
circumstances apply. Students must make arrangements (and receive permission) prior to
submission of late work.
 Student Attendance & Absences:
Attendance must be a top priority for all AP Gov’t students. It is YOUR responsibility to
get class notes and all additional work if you are absent.
Mr. Grimm’s Tips O’ Success:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Take Notes & Pay Attention!
Ask Questions!
Complete ALL Assignments on Time!
Stay Organized!
STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!
Course Outline :
 Unit I - Constitutional Foundation of U.S. Government
- Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution.
- Separation of powers / Checks & Balances.
- Federalism & its role in government.
- Theories of democratic government.
(6 weeks)
Chapter 1: (Edwards, Lineberry & Wattenberg) Introduction to American Government (p. 2-27)
Additional Resources: Essay- What is Government? Who are we in relation to gov’t?
Woll, “Second Treatise on Civil Government”.
Dahl, “Who Governs”, & “Theories of Political Elitism”
SSHelp.com ~ AP Gov’t, “Pluralism”, & “The Power Elite”
QUIZ – Intro to American Gov’t
Chapter 2: The Constitution (p. 28-65)
Additional Resources: Woll, “US Constitution”
Marbury v. Madison – Case Briefs & Debate
Woll, “Federalist 10”, & “Federalist 51”
Analysis regarding Virginia, New Jersey Plans
Woll, “Antifederalists”
Scavenger Hunt (Constitution & Bill of Rights)
Free Response Item – The Constitution vs. the A.O.C.
QUIZ – US Constitution
Chapter 3: Federalism (p. 66-95)
Additional Resources: McCulloch v. Maryland – Case Briefs & Debate
Woll, “Federalist 39”
Chart Analysis – Limitation on Federal Power
“Federalism in Modern America” (AP Web Resources)
Letters to 3 levels of government (Federalism Letters)
QUIZ – Federalism
UNIT 1 EXAM – (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items)
 Unit II - Political Beliefs and Behaviors
(5 weeks)
- Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
- Processes by which citizens learn about politics
- The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
- The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
- Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political
Chapter 6: Public Opinion & Political Action (p. 176-209)
Additional Resources: David Brooks, “One Nation, Slightly Divisible”.
Chris Matthews, Hardball.
Evaluation of Current Political Cartoons
- Essay: Gauging Public Opinion
Woll, “Voting Behavior & Democratic Practice”
Woll, “Theory of Critical Elections”.
New York Times / Washington Post
QUIZ – Public Opinion and Political Action
Chapter 7: The Mass Media & the Political Agenda (p. 210-237)
Additional Resources: Chris Matthews, Hardball.
Analysis of Media Bias (Times, Post, Journal, etc…)
Chart: Voter Turnout in relation to recent efforts to increase
(Motor Voter Act, Vote or Die)
Television Coverage (Conventions, Campaigns, Elections, etc…)
QUIZ – The American Media & the Political Agenda
Chapter 11: Interest Groups (p. 322-351)
Additional Resources: Woll, “Interest Groups and the American Political System”.
Woll, “Madison’s Dilemma”
Interest Group Web Analysis (6 Major Interest Groups)
Free Response Question – Role of Interest Groups in Gov’t
Chart: Interest Group Campaign Contributions
QUIZ – Interest Groups
UNIT 2 EXAM – (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items)
 Unit III - Political Parties, Campaigns & Elections
(5 weeks)
- Role of Political parties and elections.
- Impact of Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs).
- The mass media’s influence on the political structure.
Chapter 8: Political Parties (p. 238-265)
Additional Resources: Comparing the Fundamentals of Amer. Political Parties
Woll, “Divided We Govern”
Woll, “Perspectives on American Political Parties
Woll, “Toward a More Responsible Two-Party System”.
Political Parties PROJECT (Designing parties, platforms, etc…)
Free Response Item – Comparing Various Demographic Groups
Comparison of Major (and Minor) Party Platforms
QUIZ – Political Parties
Chapter 9: Nominations & Political Campaigns (p. 266-295)
Additional Resources: National Convention Coverage (Newsweek, Time, Internet)
Buckley v. Valeo – Case Briefs & Discussion
Chart: Electoral College Campaign Strategy
Woll, “New York Times v. Sullivan”.
Matthews, Hardball (Analyzing Campaign Strategy)
QUIZ – Nominations & Political Campaigns
Chapter 10: Voting & Elections (p. 296-321)
Additional Resources: Electoral College Analysis – 1876, 1932, 1960, 1968 & 2000
Woll, “American Presidential Elections”
Bush v. Gore – Case Briefs & Discussion
Political Parties Project (Debates, Election, Poll Results, etc…)
Chart – Evolution of the Electoral College
Chart – Election Spending (Federal, State, Local)
Woll, “Road to the White House”
Free Response Item – Evolution of the Presidency
QUIZ – Voting & Elections
UNIT 3 EXAM – (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items)
 Unit IV – Congress, the Presidency, and Bureaucracy
(6 weeks)
- The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power.
- Relationships among these four institutions, and varying balances of power.
- Development of each branch over history, and the impact of each on the political structure.
Chapter 12: Congress (p. 352-389)
Additional Resources: Woll, “Congress and the Quest for Power”
Chart – How a Bill Becomes a Law
Congressional Leadership Activity
Bi-Cameral Simulation
Woll, “Media Power and Congressional Power”
Free Response Item – Congressional Oversight
QUIZ – Congress
Chapter 13: The Presidency and the Public Agenda (p. 390-433)
Additional Resources: History of the American Presidency (Research Based Outlines)
Woll, “Presidential Power”
Web Reading – The Legacy of the President
Analysis of Electoral College Effectiveness
Woll, “Presidential Character”
Chart – Winning the White House
Time Magazine Articles (Elections, Candidates, etc…)
QUIZ – The Presidency and the Public Agenda
Chapter 14 & 15: The Bureaucracy [& Budget] (p. 434-501)
Additional Resources: Web Reading – “Bureaucracy and American Government
Woll, “The 4th Branch of Gov’t”
Newsweek / Time Magazines: Modern Bureaucracy
Chart – Measuring the cost of Bureaucracy
Woll, “The Need to Maintain a Free Marketplace of Ideas”
Engle v. Vitale – Case Briefs & Discussion
Worksheets outlining OMB and other bureaucratic agencies
QUIZ – The Bureaucracy [& Budget]
UNIT 4 EXAM – (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items)
 Unit V – The Judiciary, Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
(5 weeks)
- The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
- The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
- The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties
Chapter 16: The Federal Court System (p. 502-539)
Additional Resources: Woll, “Constitutional Background: Judicial Independence”
Web Assignment: Discovering the Judiciary
Graphic Organizer: Must Know SC Cases
Woll, “Powers and Limitations of the Supreme Court”
Evaluations of major Courts (Berger, Rehnquist, etc…)
Essay – Analyzing the proper role of Federal Courts.
Political Cartoon Analysis
QUIZ – The Federal Court System
Chapter 4: Civil Liberties (p. 96-137)
Additional Resources: Woll, “AntiFederalist Paper 84”
Gideon v. Wainwright – Case Briefs & Discussion
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan – Case Briefs & Discussion
Web Activity – Protecting the 1st Amendment
Woll, “Equal Protection & Due Process”
Outline Historic Legislation
Roe v. Wade – Case Briefs & Discussion
QUIZ – Civil Liberties
Chapter 5: Civil Rights (p. 138-175)
Additional Resources: Woll, “Plessy v. Ferguson”
Woll, “Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka”
Brown v. Board (1954) – Case Briefs & Discussion
Free Response Item – Evaluating modern civil rights.
Time, Newsweek Articles: Affirmative Action, Gay Rights, etc.
14th Amendment Analysis
Constitutionality of Modern Policy
QUIZ – Civil Rights
UNIT 5 EXAM – (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items)
 Unit VI – Public Policy & AP EXAM REVIEW
(5 weeks)
- Policy making in a federal system
- The formation of policy agendas
- The role of institutions in the enactment of policy
- The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation
Chapter 17-20: Public Policy (p. 540-649 excerpts)
- Economic Policy
- Social Welfare Policy
- Environmental Policy
- National Security Policy
Additional Resources: Analysis of Modern Foreign & Domestic Policy
Chart: Federal Spending
SS Help.com – AP Gov’t: “Making of Public Policy”
Essay – How do the branches of gov’t coordinate policy making?
- Successes & Failures of Amer. Policymaking
Chart: Entitlements & Social Services Spending
Web Activity – Understanding the National Debt
Discussion: Role of Political Parties, Interest Groups, etc…
Free Response Item – Creating Public Policy
QUIZ – Public Policy
AP EXAM REVIEW: Review each major unit content
Review study texts (Barons, Princeton, Peterson’s)
2 Full Length Practice Exams (1999, 2002)
- 60 multiple choice questions / 4 free response
 Unit VII – Life After the AP EXAM
(3 weeks)
1. FINAL PROJECTS – Outlining key components of American Government
 Children’s Books
 Review Power Points
 Writing Legislation
2. Brookhiser, Richard. What Would the Founders Do? (Our Questions…Their
Answers). New York, Basic Books. (2006)
 Read and analyze possible Founders answers to modern issues.
3. Web Activity / Class Discussions: Role of American Government in Global Affairs
 Outlining foreign policy in regards to the United Nations, our Allies, etc…
 Outlining the effectiveness of our economic policy in regards to Nat’l
Security
4. AP GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - FINAL EXAM