AP US Government & Politics Syllabus
Mathews High School, 2014-2015
Mr. Thomas, M.Ed.
804-815-2986
athomas@mathews.k12.va.us
Course Overview/Description
AP U.S. Government and Politics is a year-long course that explores the political theory and practice of the American system of
government and how these practices shape policy. The class will focus on the political process, checks and balances, current
political issues, and an understanding of the evolution of the Constitution through legislation and Supreme Court decisions. The
course is taught on a college level and requires a substantial amount of reading and preparation for every class that will
ultimately prepare students for the required AP Exam in May. All tests and writing assignments will be in AP Exam format to
better prepare students for successful completion of the AP Exam. Students will develop a critical understanding of the
strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, as well as the rights and responsibilities we all share as citizens.
Course Materials
There are two required texts for this course both provided by MCPS:
Magleby, David B., et. al. Government by the People, 24th ed. (AP Edition)
Serow and Ladd, The Lanahan Readings in American Polity, 5th ed.
Optional materials provided by the student:
AP Test Prep Workbook for the course text Government by the People, 24th ed. (AP Edition)
These readings will be supplemented throughout the year with handouts and additional materials.
Course Content
AP US Government and Politics is a year-long course that will cover the following topics in preparation for the AP Exam in May:
I.
Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government (5 – 15%)
a. Considerations that influence the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
b. Separation of Powers
c. Checks and balances
d. Federalism
e. Theories of Democratic Government
II.
Political Beliefs and Behaviors (10 – 20%)
a. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government
b. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
c. Public opinion
d. Voting patterns and behaviors
e. Political beliefs and factors affecting
III.
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (10 – 20%)
a. Political parties and elections
b. Interest groups including PACs
c. The mass media
IV.
Institutions of Government: Congress, Presidency, Federal Bureaucracy, Federal Courts (35 – 45%)
a. Formal and informal arrangements of power
b. Relationships among the four institutions of government
c. Linkages institutions
V.
Public Policy (5 – 15%)
a. Policymaking in a federal system
b. Formation of policy agendas
c. Role of institutions in the enactment of policy
d. Role of bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation
e. Linkages between policy and political parties, political institutions, interest groups, public opinion, elections,
policy networks
VI.
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (5 – 15%)
a. Development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
b. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
c. The impact of the 14th Amendment
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Grading and Course Requirements
Grades are determined using total points. Assignments (Quizzes, Tests, Seminar Discussions, Writing Assignments, Homework,
Projects, and Class Participation) will be given during the grading period. The total number of points earned will be divided by
the total number of points assigned to determine the final quarter grade. In addition, a quarterly exam will be administered and
will account for 10% of the quarter grade. For example, if a student had a total of 375 possible points, and he/she earned 333,
the average would be 333 divided by 375 or 88.8% or “B”.
Notebooks
Students should have a 3-ring binder with them every day. The binder needs to be divided into the following sections: Notes,
Handouts, Tests/Quizzes, Key Terms, Supreme Court Cases, and Reading Outlines.
Due Dates
Due dates and assignments will be posted in the classroom and on Power School.
Absences/Make up work
If a student misses a quiz, test, or Writing Prompt, the student is required to take the assignment during class immediately upon
return. Late Homework will not be accepted. Project grades will be lowered by 10 points for everyday late.
Classroom Expectations
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Come to class prepared and on time. Class participation is vital for your success in AP Government. Failure to
complete assigned readings and assignments will result in your lack of understanding.
Do not interfere with another’s student’s right to learn. Respect the rights and opinions of others.
We will follow all Mathews High School and Mathews County Public Schools rules and regulations regarding student
conduct.
A student who is consistently performing below “C” work and/or who is frequently absent and/or who constantly
exhibits poor behavior may be advised to withdraw from AP Government and enroll in general government.
Extra Help
I will be available before and after school as well as during activity period. I will arrange help sessions as needed. Please see me
before school on Wednesday and Thursday if you need help during activity period.
Additional Comments
AP Government is a college level course and will be taught at this level. The amount of reading and independent work required
is much greater than a regular high school course. Students will be responsible for material in the text book or in other
readings. Often times, material that will appear on tests, may or may not be discussed in class. Homework will be checked
randomly and is not a significant part of the student’s grade. Students will be required to work independently as well as
collaboratively and the content of the course is structured to prepare each student for successful completion of the AP Exam.
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Day
Week 1
9/2
Lessons/Topics
Greetings; Syllabus; Book Distribution; Class Rules; and
Student Handbook.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Constitutional Democracy.
F 9/5
Week 2
T 9/8
Week 3
M 9/16
Week 4
T 9/22
Week 5
M 9/29
F 10/3
Reading
Magleby, Chapter 1
Lanahan #1, p. 3
Lanahan #8, p. 45
Lanahan #10, p. 56
Lanahan #14, p. 88
Quizzes/Tests
1 PM Dismissal-----Market Days
(See week one readings)
Chapter 1: Democracy in the United States
QUIZ Chapter 1
Chapter 2: The Living Constitution
Magleby, Chapter 2
Lanahan # 11, p.63
Lanahan #15, p. 97
Lanahan #16, p. 102
Lanahan #17, p. 111
Chapter 3: Federalism
Magleby, Chapter 3
Lanahan—Read all of Part
IV—Federalism, p. 119-146
QUIZ Chapter 3
Test Review for Unit 1 Test
Unit 1 Test
Unit Test—Chapters 1-3
TEST Unit 1—Includes Chapter 1-3
QUIZ Chapter 2
TEST Unit 1
Magleby, Chapter 4
Lanahan (TBA)
Week 6
10/6
Begin Unit 2—The Political Process
Chapter 4: Political Culture and Ideology
Week 7
10/13
Chapter 5: The American Political Landscape
Magleby, Chapter 5
Lanahan (TBA)
Week 8
9/20
Chapter 6: Interest Groups: The Politics of Influence
Mableby Chapter 6
Lanahan (TBA)
Week 9
10/27
Exam Review 10/29
10/31
1st Quarter Exam—Includes Chapter 1-6
Week 10
W 11/6
Chapter 7: Political Parties: Essential to Democracy
Mableby Chapter 7
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 7
Week 11
11/10
Chapter 8: Public Opinion, Participation, & Voting
Mableby Chapter 8
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 8
Week 12
11/17
11/27-28
Week 13
M 12/1
QUIZ Chapter 4
QUIZ Chapter 5
QUIZ Chapter 6
Tuesday 10/29
EXAM 1st Qtr
Mableby Chapter 9
Lanahan (TBA)
.
Chapter 9: Campaigns and Elections: Democracy in
Action
NO SCHOOL—Thanksgiving Holiday
Mableby Chapter 10
Lanahan (TBA)
Chapter 10: The Media and American Politics
Test Review for Unit 2 Test
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QUIZ Chapter 9
QUIZ Chapter 10
Week 14
12/8
Week 15
M 12/16
12/19
12/22-1/2
TEST Unit 2—The Political Process—Chapters 4-10
TEST Unit 2
1 PM Dismissal—Holiday Break
WINTER BREAK/HOLIDAY BREAK
Week 16
1/5
Chapter 11: Congress: The People’s Branch
Mableby Chapter 11
Lanahan (TBA)
Quiz Chapter 11
Week 17
1/12
Chapter 12: The Presidency: The Leadership Branch
Mableby Chapter 12
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 12
Week 18
1/19
Week 18
Week 19
1/26
Exam Review—covers Chapters 1-10
EXAM 1st Semester—Chapters 1-10
EXAM 1st Sem.
Chapter 13: The Federal Bureaucracy: Executing the
Law
Week 20
2/2
Chapter 14: The Judiciary: The Balancing Branch
T 2/11
(TBA)
Week 21
2/16
Test Review Unit 3—Policy Making Institutions
TEST Unit 3—Policy Making Institutions
Begin Unit 4—Rights and Liberties
Chapter 15: First Amendment Freedoms
Week 22
2/23
Chapter 16: Rights to life, Liberty, and Property
Week 23
3/23
Chapter 17: Equal Rights Under the Law
Week 24
Week 24
Test Review Unit 4—Rights and Liberties
TEST Unit 4—Rights and Liberties—Chapters 15-17
Week 25
3/9
Begin Unit 5—The Politics of National Policy
Chapter 18: Making Economic and Regulatory Policy
Week 26
3/16
Chapter 19: Making Social Policy
Week 27
3/23
3/30
4/6-4/10
Week 28
4/13
Week 29
4/20
Week 30
4/27
Week 31
Mableby Chapter 14
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 13
Mableby Chapter 14
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 14
TEST Unit 3
Mableby Chapter 15
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 15
Mableby Chapter 16
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 16
Mableby Chapter 17
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 17
TEST Unit 4
Mableby Chapter 18
Lanahan (TBA)
Mableby Chapter 19
Lanahan (TBA)
QUIZ Chapter 18
QUIZ Chapter 19
Exam Review—End of 3rd Quarter
EXAM 3rd Qtr.
EXAM WEEK—Chapters 11-17
SPRING BREAK
Mableby Chapter 20
Lanahan (TBA)
Chapter 20: Making Foreign and Defense Policy
Test Review Unit 5—Chapters 18-20
QUIZ Chapter 20
TEST Unit 5
AP Test Review
AP Test Review
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5/4
Week 32
T 5/12
Week 33
5/18
M 5/25
Week 34
5/25
Week 35
6/1
Week 36
6/8
Final Exam 4th Qtr.—Covers Chapter 1-20
EXAM 4th Qtr.
AP TEST—U.S. Government and Politics
AP TEST
Tuesday, May 12
Exam Review Week
NO SCHOOL—Memorial Day Holiday
EXAM WEEK for Senior Students
EXAM 4th Qtr.
SOL Testing—All Grades—All Subjects
SOL Testing
EXAM 4th Quarter—9th, 10th, & 11th Grades
SOL Retakes
SOL Retakes
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