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AP American Government and Politics Syllabus
Valley View High School
Jim L. Brewster Jr.
Course Overview
AP United States Government and Politics is an intensive study of the formal and informal structures of
government and the processes of the American political system, with an emphasis on policy-making and
implementation. This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Exam.
Texts
Wilson, James, and Dilulio, Jr., John, American Government, Institutions and Politics, 8th Edition, Houghton
Mifflin Company, 2001
Reader
Cigler, Allan J., and Loomis, Burdett A., American Politics, Classic and Contemporary Readings, 5th
Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002
Coarse Description
This course will also include other outside readings to cover topics like gerrymandering and how the
Supreme Court operates. In addition to the readings other materials including maps and charts are used to
aid in the areas of Congressional reapportionment and political participation. The text of the Constitution
and relevant Supreme Court cases will also be used numerous times to cover basic government topics such
as the amendment process, the powers of Congress, Presidential limitations, judicial review and civil rights
and liberties. All learners will also be required to examine landmark political documents including but not
limited to: The Magna Carta, The Federalist Papers, Locke’s 2nd Treatise of Government, and Beard’s An
Economic Interpretation of the Constitution. Learners will also delve into modern political theoretical
perspectives including but not limited to works by P.J. O’Rourke, Rush Limbaugh, Molly Ivans, Al Gore
CNN, Fox News and CSPAN to examine how our political thought process has evolved, the interpretation of
public opinion polls and the influence of the media on modern life.
Units
The following is a list of reading requirements for each unit. The list is not absolute. Some readings may be
omitted and others added during the semester. The days are also not absolute. We may adjust some units
due to unexpected events.
Exams & Grades
You will be tested at the end of each unit. The unit exams consist of 40-60 multiple choice questions and
have two free response questions. You will have two projects. The first will be a research paper, and the
second will be a policy paper. The projects will count as test grades. Your homework will be to complete
the assigned readings and be ready to answer questions relevant to the readings. You will also be given
quizzes over the chapters in your text.
The grading policy for the class will be pursuant to the Valley View ISD grading policy for secondary
courses.
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COURSE OUTLINE
Unit I- Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Government - Lessons: 12 days
Wilson-Ch.1 page 3-14- The American System
Wilson-Ch.2 pages 17-46- The Constitution
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch.1- 1.2 Charles Beard-An Economic interpretation of the Constitution of the United
States
Ch.1- 1.5 Burt Solomon What were they thinking?
Wilson-Ch.3 pages 49-76- Federalism
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch. 2 -2.1- James Madison The Federalist No. 39
Ch. 2 -2.2- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
13. Define citizen, alien, naturalization, jus soli, and jus sanguinis.
14. Explain the process of becoming a naturalized citizen.
15. Explain expatriation and denaturalization.
16. Explain the differences between personal and civic responsibilities. (TEKS GOV 15A)
17. Evaluate whether and/or when the obligation of citizenship requires that personal desires and interests be
subordinated to the public good. (TEKS GOV 15B)
18. Explain major political ideas in history such as natural rights, natural law, divine right of kings and
social contract theory. (the force theory, evolutionary theory) (TEKS GOV 1A) [TAKS OBJ 4]
19. Analyze the principles and ideas of those contributing to the development of the U. S. Government
including those of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Charles de Montesquieu. (TEKS GOV 2A)
[TAKS OBJ 4]
20. Identify the characteristics of classic forms of government such as absolute monarchy,
authoritarianism, classical republic, despotism, feudalism, liberal democracy, and
totalitarianism. (TEKS GOV 1B)
21. Compare the U. S. system of government with other political systems. (parliamentary and dictatorship)
(TEKS GOV 13A)
22. Analyze advantages and disadvantages of federal, confederate, and unitary systems of government.
(TEKS GOV 13B)
23. Analyze advantages and disadvantages of presidential and parliamentary systems of government.
(TEKS GOV 13C)
24. Compare the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and other economic systems. (TEKS
GOV 6C) [TAKS OBJ 3]
25. Analyze the political significance to the United States of the location and geographic characteristics of
selected places or regions such as Cuba and Taiwan. (TEKS 4A) [TAKS OBJ 2,4]
Unit II- Institutions of National Government - Lessons: 12 days
Wilson-Ch.11 pages 279-324- Congress
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch.10- 10.2 Lee Hamilton- Ten Things I Wish Political Scientist Would Teach About
Congress?
Ch.10- 10.3 Sarah Binder- Going Nowhere: A Gridlock Congress?
60. Analyze the structure and functions of the legislature branch of government, including the bicameral
structure of Congress, the role of committees, and the procedure for enacting law. (TEKS GOV 9A)
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61. Analyze how U. S. government policies foster competition and entrepreneurships have resulted in
scientific discoveries and technological innovations. (NASA, military technology) (TEKS GOV 19B)
[TAKS OBJ 3]
62. Explain the effects of international trade on U. S. economic and political policies. (TEKS GOV 7A)
63. Explain the government's role insetting international trade policies. (TEKS GOV 7B)
64. Analyze and evaluate the consequences of a government policy that affects the physical characteristics of
a place or a region. (interstate highway system) (TEKS GOV 5A) [TAKS OBJ 2]
65. Analyze and evaluate the consequences of a government policy that affects the human characteristics of a
place or a region. (approval of gambling on reservations) (TEKS GOV 5B) [TAKS OBJ 2]
66. Compare different methods of filling public offices, including elected and appointed offices, at the local,
state, and national levels. (legislative v. judicial) (TEKS GOV 11A)
67. Analyze the potential impact on society of recent scientific discoveries and technological innovations.
(cloning, music piracy) (TEKS GOV 20A)
68. Analyze changes in American culture brought about by government policies such as voting rights, the GI
Bill, and racial integration. (TEKS GOV 18B) [TAKS OBJ 3]
69. Describe an example of a government policy that has affected a particular racial, ethnic, or religious
group. (TEKS GOV 18C) [TAKS OBJ 3]
70. Identify the sources of revenue and expenditures for the U. S. government and analyze their impact on
the U. S. economy. (TEKS GOV 6B)
71. Analyze government policies that influence the economy at the local, state, and national levels.
(TEKS GOV 6A)
Wilson-Ch.12 pages 332-371- The Presidency
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch.11-11.3 Evan Thomas- Why Clinton Won
Ch. 11-11.4 Carl M. Cannon- Promises, Promises
72. Identify significant individuals in the field of government and politics, including Abraham Lincoln,
George Washington and selected contemporary leaders. (TEKS GOV 2D)
73. Explain the government’s role in setting international trade policies. (TEKS GOV 7B)
74. Analyze the structure and functions of the executive branch of government, including the constitutional
powers of the president, the growth of presidential power (including wartime power), the role of the
cabinet and executive departments. (TEKS GOV 9B)
75. Analyze the functions of selected independent executive agencies and regulatory commissions such as
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Communications Commission.
(TEKS GOV 9D)
76. Explain the major responsibilities of the federal government for domestic and foreign policy.
(TEKS GOV 9G)
77. Analyze and evaluate the process of electing the President of the United States. (TEKS GOV 11B)
78. Compare and evaluate characteristics, style, and effectiveness of state and national leaders, past and
present. (George W. Bush & Bill Clinton) (TEKS GOV 16D)
79. Explain how certain provisions of the U. S. Constitution provide for checks and balances among the three
branches of government. (TEKS GOV 9E)
80. Identify examples of government-assisted research that, when shared with the private sector, have
resulted in improved consumer products such as computer and communication technologies.
(Internet, CDC) (TEKS GOV 19A)
81. Analyze the economic significance to the United States of the location and geographic characteristics of
selected places and regions such as oil fields in the Middle East. (TEKS GOV 4B) [TAKS OBJ 2,3]
Wilson-Ch.13 pages 374-397- The Bureaucracy
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Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch.12-12.1 Charles Peters- From Ouagadougou to Cape Canaveral: Why the Bad News
Doesn’t Travel Up
Ch.12-12.4 Norman Ornstein and Thomas Donilon- The Confirmation Clog
Wilson-Ch.14 pages 402-429- The Judiciary
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch.13-13.1 Alexander Hamilton- The Federalist No.78
Ch.13-13.2 Marbury v. Madison (1803)
82. Analyze the structure and functions of the judicial branch of government, including the federal court
system and types of jurisdiction. (TEKS GOV 9C)
83. Explain how certain provisions of the U. S. Constitution provide for checks and balances among the three
branches of government. (judicial review) (TEKS GOV 9E)
84. Analyze selected issues raised by judicial activism and judicial restraint. (Marbury v. Madison)
(TEKS GOV 9F) [TAKS OBJ 4]
85. Analyze the role of each branch of government in protecting the rights of individuals. (TEKS GOV 14D)
[TAKS OBJ 4]
86. Analyze the consequences of political decisions and actions on society. (Roe v. Wade, Vietnam)
(TEKS GOV 15D) [TAKS OBJ 4]
87. Analyze the reaction of government to scientific discoveries and technological innovations. (copyright
lawsuits ie: Napster) (TEKS GOV 20B) [TAKS OBJ 4]
88. Analyze issues addressed in selected cases, such as Engel v. Vital, Miranda v. Arizona, and Schenck v.
United States that involve Supreme Court interpretations of rights guaranteed by the United States
Constitution. (TEKS GOV 14C) [TAKS OBJ 4]
Unit III- Political Beliefs and Behaviors - Lessons: 5 days
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch. 4-4.2 Molly W. Sonner and Clyde Wilcox- Forgiving and Forgetting: Public
Wilson- Ch. 5- pages 102-105- Public Opinion
Support for Bill Clinton During the Lewinsky Scandal
Wilson- Ch.6- pages 128-141- Political Participation
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch. 5-5.1- Micah L. Sifry Finding the Lost Voters
Unit IV- Political Parties and Interest Groups - Lessons: 15 days
Wilson-Ch.7- pages 148-171- Political Parties
Wilson-Ch. 8- pages 178-212- Elections and Campaigns
Cigler-Am. Politics Ch.7-7.1 Burt Solomon Presidency- Disunity for All
Wilson-Ch. 9- pages 216-240- Interest Groups
Cigler-Am. Politics- Ch.9-9.1 James Madison The Federalist, No. 10
Wilson-Ch.10- pages 244-271- The Media
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch. 8-8.1 Joshua Meyrowitz Lowering the Political Hero to Our Level
Unit IV Exam
Unit V- Public Policy - Lessons: 20 days
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Wilson-Ch.15- pages 434-456- The Policy-Making Process
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch.14- 14.1 Christopher Georges Sign It, Then Mind It
14.2 Deborah Stone Stories
14.3 Pietro S. Nivola Regulation: the new Pork Barrel
14.4 Allen Schick A Surplus, If We Can Keep It
Wilson-Ch.16- pages 458-473- Economic Policy
Wilson-Ch.17- pages 478-492- Social Welfare
Wilson-Ch.20- pages 552-582- Foreign and Military Policy
Wilson-Ch.21- pages 584-596- Environmental Policy
Unit V Exam
Unit VI- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - Lessons: 20 days
Wilson Ch.18- pages 494-516- Civil Liberties
Cigler-Am. Politics-Ch.3-3.1 Near v. Minnesota (1931)
3.4 Jeffrey Rosen Why Privacy Matters
3.5 Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
3.6 Alexander Nguyen The Assault
Wilson- Ch.19- pages 520-548- Civil Rights
Unit VI Exam
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