Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics .5
Course #2106420
Spring 2013
Celeste Richter
Room 118
crichter@pasco.k12.fl.us
Esembler website – https://grades.pasco.k12.fl.us
(813) 794-8700
I am available before or after school for phone calls and tutoring. I will return all calls within 24 to 48
hours. Email is preferred, as I can check that periodically throughout the day.
Books American Government Roots and Reform AP Ed. 2011
American Government Readings and Cases 17th Ed. Peter Woll
Textbook website http://mypoliscilab.com/
Course Code cm532661
Suggested Supplements
Barons A.P. U.S. Government and Politics
5 Steps to a 5 U.S. Government and Politics
Kaplan’s A.P. U.S. Government and Politics
Spark notes A.P. U.S. Government and Politics
Students taking this course are required to take the A.P. U.S. Government and Politics exam given in May
of 2013.
American Government is a required course for graduation. This is a semester course. The purpose of this
course is to enable students to gain an understanding of American government and political behavior that is
essential for effective citizenship and active involvement in a democratic society. (Source: Sunshine States
Standards)
Students choosing to challenge themselves in taking A.P. Government will take an even more in
depth and rigorous approach to the U.S. Government. Students do have the opportunity in obtaining
college credit upon a passing score on the A.P. U.S. Government and Politics Exam in May 2013.
Please see the AP Government contract for more information.
Basic Concepts taught:
1. Interrelationship between American government and the American economic system
2. Documents that shape our political traditions, including the Declaration of Independence, the
Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist papers
3. Functions of the three branches of government at the local, state and national levels
4. Florida government, including the State Constitution
5. The evolving role of political parties and interest groups in determining government policy as
well as contemporary political issues
6. How rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democratic state have evolved and been
interpreted.
7. Importance of civic participation in the democratic political process.
8. Role of women and diverse cultural groups in the development of our political system
Curriculum outline
In constructing this outline, I also am listing the percentage goals of the exam pertaining to the multiplechoice section of the test. (Source: apcentral.collegeboard.com)
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government
5-15%
A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
B. Separation of powers
C. Federalism
D. Theories of democratic government
II. Political Beliefs and behaviors
10-20%
A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
C. The nature, sources and consequences of public opinion
D. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors
III. Political Parties, Interest groups, and mass media
10-20%
A. Political Parties and elections
1. Functions
2. Organization
3. Development
4. Effects on the political process
5. Electoral laws and systems
B. Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs)
1. The range of interests represented
2. The activities of interest groups
3. The effects of interest groups on the political process
4. The unique characteristics and the roles of PACs in the political process
C. The mass media
1. The functions and the structures of the media
2. The impact of media on politics
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress,
35-45%
the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts
A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangement of power
B. Relationships among these four institutions and varying balances of power
C. Linkages between institutions and the following:
1. Public opinion and voters
2. Interest groups
3. Political parties
4. The media
5. Subnational governments
V. Public Policy
5-15%
A. Policymaking in a federal system
B. The formation of policy agendas
C. The role of institutions in the enactment of policy
D. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and
interpretation
E. Linkages between policy processes and the following:
1. Political institutions and federalism
2. Political parties
3. Interest groups
4. Public opinion
5. Elections
6. Policy networks
VI.
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
5-15%
A. The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
B. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
C. The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and
liberties
Grading
Class work/Homework/Projects 40%
Tests/Quizzes/Essays 60% (Timed and untimed)
There will be a final exam that is cumulative. It will be 15% of your semester grade.
Grading Scale
A 90%-100%
B 80%-89%
C70%-79%
D60%-69%
F 0%-59%
Summer Assignment
Court Cases-These were completed over the summer. I will be checking them the 1 st and 2nd day of class.
Online textbook assignments-The textbook has an online site which has activities to assist in your journey
through AP Government. I will try my best to get the access to the computer lab at least once a week. You
will also be responsible to completing these activities on your own.
Notes-Lectures as well as class discussions are a part of this class. I will also use the projector to assist in
the understanding of concepts. You will be required to listen, and not work on other assignments during
these lectures. It is expected that you will take notes, and be responsible for the information on tests.
Outlines and Vocabulary-AP Government is fact as well as concept driven. You will be required to
complete vocabulary and chapter outlines.
Videos - You are responsible for all content contained in videos. I reserve the right to test on all
information discussed and watched on videos in class.
Current Event Notebook – In keeping the connection to current government events, you will need a
separate (section) notebook of current events. In this you will summarize current events related to the
government. You will be required to have at least 1 a week, due on Wednesdays.
Question of the Day notebook-(warm up) will be daily. Answers must be at least 1 paragraph in length.
These will be periodically checked.
The Woll Reader contains primary source readings. Some of these readings will also be on the online
textbook site. There will be times you will summarize, give opinions, and even present on material you
have read.
Test/Exams will be A.P. structured. This will assist in preparing you for the A.P. Exam. There will be a
test after 2/3 Chapters. I will rotate between Free-Response and Multiple Choice, depending on need. The
style of the test will be announced in advance. You may complete buybacks/retakes. I will explain the
procedure for this the first day of class.
Materials Needed
1. Notebook – I trust at this point in your educational career, you have a system that works for you.
If you would like further guidance in this area, please do not hesitate to ask
2. Textbooks and workbooks are to be brought to class every day, unless I say otherwise.
3. Question of the day notebook- either a section in your general notebook, or a separate one
altogether. These will be collected periodically.
4. Pencils, pens (blue or black).
5. Pen of a different color for peer editing of essays.
6. highlighters (at least 2 different colors)
Guidelines of the class
1. You will receive 20 points per day of class participation 100 for the week. This includes, being on
time, materials with you, and active positive participation in the class.
2. You will have a midterm and final. These tests are cumulative, and will follow the A.P. exam
structure.
3. In following a college course structure, late work will not be accepted.
4. It is your responsibility to see me for make up work. This is done before or after class, or before
or after school. You will have 1 day to make up work for each day of an excused absence, 1 week
for tests. Again, there are exceptions, but, do not assume you have longer. Please see me.
5. If an assignment is due, and you are not in class due to an SRA, the assignment is still due. It is
your responsibility to get it to me. In other words, if you are in school at all on a day that an
assignment is due, it is still due. Please let me know of SRA’s ahead of time.
6. Coming to school late, or being dismissed does not excuse you from work that is due. If you are
in school at any time, you must hand in work that is due.
7. If homework is not assigned, that does not mean that you should not be reviewing each night.
Cramming is not an effective way of learning. Your job every night is to review the unit or
chapter we are covering.
8. I expect a strong work ethic. There is a great deal of reading and writing in this class. As a
college level, semester class, it will be fast paced and rigorous.
9. Academic honesty is paramount. Dishonesty will not be tolerated. All work taken from other
sources must be cited. Copying is included in this. All work must be individual, unless
instructions are given by me as otherwise. Failure to follow these rules will result in a 0 for the
assignment or test, with no opportunity for makeup. A referral will also be written. .
10. I will be holding several study/refresher sessions at various times. We will discuss as a class when
the best time for these are.
11. There are many resources on campus for assistance. Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance. I
am available before or after school. The Learning Lab is a valuable tool in extra assistance.
12. Please utilize the Media Center. It is another valuable tool in your path to success!
Of course there is much more to this class, and I will do my best to make clear my expectations. When in
doubt, ASK!
I have read the course syllabus and understand what is expected of me.
Student signature ___________________________________________________
Date _____________
My son/daughter and I have reviewed the course syllabus
Parent/Guardian signature ____________________________________________
Date _____________