AP GOVERNMENT
AP US Government and Politics
1/2 credit
Semester Class
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course objectives:
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 policymaking and implementation. This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Exam.
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Text: Wilson, James Q., Dilulio, John J, Jr., American Government: Institutions and Policies. 11 edition,
(Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co 2008.)
Benson, David G, Waples, Karen K.., Fast Track to a 5. (Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co
2008)
Additional text and materials:
Assigned and used in class: articles from current newspapers, such as the New
York Times or the Wall Street Journal; news magazine excerpts from Time, Newsweek, or the Economist;
news footage and documentaries; C-SPAN’s coverage and current events materials; numerous Web
sites.
Course materials:
Each student will be required to maintain a portfolio that will be used only for AP Government.
Your portfolio must consist of the following: 2 1/2” 3-ring binder, 9 dividers, pens and pencils, highlighters
and post its. Your portfolio and the Wilson text book must be brought to class everyday. The portfolio
will be graded during the course of the semester.
Course syllabus and class rules
Divider 1- notes
Divider 2- current events
Divider 3- handouts
Divider 4- classwork
Divider 5- reviews
Divider 6- quizzes and tests
Divider 7- essays and writings
Divider 8- research (debate)
Divider 9- preambles
Another resources that would help you during this intense semester of learning is “Barron’s: How to
Prepare for the AP US Government & Politics Exam”. Can be found on Amazon.
Attendance:
Attendance is an essential part of this class. We have only 12 weeks to cover all of the material
that is needed before the exam in May. Repeated tardies and absenteeism in this class is unacceptable.
U.C.S. Board of Education policy will be followed. In addition, tardies and unexcused absences will have
a dramatic impact on the participation portion of your grade. It is your responsibility to check the AP file,
and my website on http://new.schoolnotes.com/students/searchTeacher following any absence. Make
sure you get notes from another student in the case of an absence as well. When you are missing class,
you are missing valuable instruction. We need you here to be successful.
Course Plan:
I.
Constitutional Underpinnings of the US Government
Origins of American government, historical influences on the Framers, the Constitutional
Convention, theories about/types of democratic government, principles and framework of
the Constitution.
Required reading: Chapter 1- The Study of American Government
Chapter 2- The Constitution
AP GOVERNMENT
John Locke- “Second Treatise of Civil Gov’t”
Federalist Papers 47, 48, 51
Federalist Papers 16-17
Chapter 3- Federalism
II.
Political Beliefs and Behavior
The political spectrum, influences on political beliefs, and political participation and
variation among racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups in America.
Required reading: Chapter 7- Public Opinion
Chapter 8- Political Participation
III.
Political Parties & Elections, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
Mechanisms through which American citizens organize and communicate their interests.
Historical evolution of major and minor parties and their ideological and demographic
differences. Elections and the financing of political campaigns. Conduct of campaigns in
a media and electronic age.
Required reading: Chapter 9- Political Parties
Federalist Paper 10
Chapter 10- Elections & Campaigns
Chapter 11- Interest Groups
Chapter 12- The Media
IV.
Institutions of the National Government
An examination of the constitution and customary organization, function and powers of
the Congress, the presidency, the federal bureaucracy and the Supreme Court and
federal courts.
Required Reading: Chapter 13- Congress
Chapter 14- The Presidency
Chapter 15- The Bureaucracy
Chapter 16- The Judiciary
William J. Brennan, Jr. “How the Supreme Court Arrives at a Decision”
V.
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
What are the basic civil rights and liberties of Americans? How have significant decisions
of the Supreme Court affected our basic rights over the past 200- plus years? What are
the strengths and weaknesses of court decisions as instruments of social change?
Required Readings: Chapter 5- Civil Liberties
Chapter 6- Civil Rights
VI.
Public policy
Factors, groups and institutions affecting policy development in America.
Required reading: Chapter 17- The Policy-Making Process
Assignments: (example of main assignments)
Current events- Current affairs will, of course, play a major role in this course as we analyze
American politics. Every Friday each student will be responsible for a current event entry in their portfolio.
Each entry will consist of a summary of a political news story you have read and a well-developed
reaction paragraph to it. In addition, you must connect a Core Democratic Value. You must use the
standard form handed out in class to complete each entry. Each Friday we will have a Current Event
Roundtable to discuss the major political stories of the week. Individuals will be randomly chosen to
present their current event but everyone must have one to share.
Letter to a Senator- Write a letter to your Senator or Representative urging support or opposition
an issue that you are concerned about. Your issue must be cleared with me first. A successful
transactive piece must show a clear and timely purpose and be written in appropriate language for the
intended audience.
AP GOVERNMENT
City Council Meeting- To sustain a democratic society, we must produce citizens that are actively
involved in public affairs. To foster community involvement, each student in this course is required to
attend one Sterling Heights City Council meeting during third marking period. A standard form
documenting your attendance at this meeting and a meeting schedule will be given. Meetings are twice a
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month on Tuesday night from 7:30-9pm. You report is due by March 30 .
Group Presentation on a Landmark Supreme Court Case- In groups the students will be given a
Landmark Supreme Court case to research and present to the class in a multimedia presentation.
Debates- After the AP exam, each student will participate in a structured debate on a given topic.
Debate topics will and positions (pro/con) will be assigned for each unit of study. Students will conduct
their debates in groups of four. Failure to be present on the scheduled debate day will result in a failing
grade on your debate.
Exhibition Final Exam- After the AP Exam, each student will write a proposal on a topic of our
government (federal, state, local) that they would like to research and learn more about. They will
produce an exhibition that will display advance knowledge of the topic of their choice. Each student will
produce 2 test questions that each student will answer during their final exam.
Grading:
Your grade in AP Government and Politics will be determined by a combination of the following:
homework assignments, current event journals and portfolios, debates, tests, quizzes, essays, political
cartoon analyses, research assignments, city council meeting reports, Supreme Court briefs and
presentations, special projects, group work and class participation. All grades will be scored on a point
system. Each component of the course is awarded a point value. Points are converted to a percentage
and percentages to letter grades. Semester grades will be determined on the basis of the standard
40%/40%/20%. Letter grades are as follows:
A+= 98 to 100%
A= 97 to 91%
A-= 90 to 89 %
B+= 88 to 87%
B= 86 to 81%
B-= 80 to 79%
C+= 78 to 77%
C= 76 to 71%
C-= 70 to 69%
D+= 68 to 67%
D= 66 to 61%
D-= 60 to 59%
F= 58% to below!
Tests and Quizzes:
Test for each unit will be announced well in advance and a review sheet will be given. Five extra
credit points will be given for completion of the review sheet. Each unit test will given over a two-day
period. Day one will be a scantron test (multiple choice, matching and true/false) and Day Two will be
free-response questions with essays. You will be responsible on the test for all information in the
assigned readings for the unit (Wilson and Woll), as well as the content of class lectures and additional
handouts. Quizzes will often be given over assigned readings in the Woll book to encourage active and
informed class discussions. Quizzes will have no warnings.
Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to abide by ethical standards when preparing and presenting material that
demonstrates their own ability and level of knowledge. Such standards are founded on the basic
concepts of honesty and integrity. All research material must be properly cited using MLA or APA style.
If you are uncertain as to what constitutes plagiarism, ask!!! Whenever possible, summarize material in
your own words and use quotation marks when necessary.
Additional help:
AP GOVERNMENT
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I am available during my prep (2 hour) and before or after, by appointment to answer any
questions or concerns you may have. It is my goal to have you succeed in AP Government and I am
willing to help but please remember that it is your responsibility to take advantage of this availability. If
you are having trouble on an overnight assignment make sure you see in the morning before class. T4 is
also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, I try to work in their 2x a month.
How to succeed in AP Government:
To succeed in any college/AP classis simple: you must read and pace yourself. There will be a
lot of work in this class. Many times a week check the webpage and make sure you are staying on top of
your reading. While you read take notes or outline what you read, also make a list of questions to bring to
class for discussion. This will help all of us dissect the material and look more deeply into the subject.
Use the Fast Track to a 5 workbook to help you with studying. Test yourself on the database,
http://infotrac.galegroup.com/itweb/ster42494 to help you with your testing skills (school code is
ster42494) When writing for the class be specific and detailed but wordy about your information. Study
daily for this class, set aside time everyday to read and review your notes. DON’T GET BEHIND!!!
HOMEWORK EXPECTATION
Students can expect to have homework in this class each day. A student can
expect to devote 10-14 hours to this class each week.