AP United States Government and Politics Syllabus
General Information
DESCRIPTION
AP Government is equivalent to an introductory college-level American Government course. Therefore, the demands of the
course are fairly rigorous. In AP Government, students will engage in an in-depth study of the make-up and functions of the United
States’ Government and the American political system. Various instructional methods, including traditional instruction, research,
analysis and interpretation of graphs and data, and group and individual problem solving and writing activities, will be employed. The
goal of the course will be twofold: first, to provide students with a working knowledge of American government and politics which will
serve them later in life; and, to prepare students to take the United States Government and Politics Advanced Placement exam.
Six major content areas (those that correspond both with the typical college introductory American Government course and the
Advanced Placement exam) will be areas of focus (details follow in the course timeline). They are:
 Constitutional underpinnings of United States Government (@ 10% of course)
 American citizens’ political beliefs and behaviors (@ 15% of course)
 Political parties, interest groups, and the media (@ 15% of course)
 Government institutions (the Presidency, the Congress, the Courts, and the Bureaucracy (@ 40% of course)
 Public policy (@ 10% of course)
 Civil liberties and rights (@ 10% of course)
REQUIREMENTS
Students will be required to read assigned text (American Government, by James Q. Wilson and John J. DiIulio, 9th edition)
chapters prior to class discussions on those materials, and additional readings (primary documents, newspaper or news magazine articles,
political editorials and cartoons, etc.) will be assigned from time to time. Study guide terms and concepts will be assigned as well.
Homework, study guides, class work, class notes, projects, and research activities must be completed as assigned; a research project and
presentation will be required; and other research and writing activities (including actual past AP exam essay prompts linked to each unit
of study) will be completed as assigned. Also, please be aware of student absence policies and limits for a year-long course (see student
handbook).
GRADING
The curriculum is divided into units, each of which consists of multiple related text chapters. Students will take a major test on
each unit, write a related AP Exam essay for each unit, take several quizzes on each unit (usually on assigned readings), prepare required
outlines and\or reviews from assigned readings, and take mid-term and final cumulative exams (20% of semester and final grades –
exemptions will be awarded to seniors per department policy). Research and writing assignments will receive grades of varying weights
dependent upon the assignment.
Quarterly grades are calculated using the following simple formula:
total points earned during grading period / total points possible during grading period
example:
880 points earned
------------------------- = .88 = 88% = B
1000 possible points
Please note that the Honor Code will apply to all assignments. Violations may result in reduced or zero credit for the assignment
and possibly other disciplinary action as well.
RULES
Students will adhere to the following class rules:
1. Please show respect for all instructors and fellow students at all times.
2. Please be inside the classroom and prepared to work immediately after the bell rings.
3. Please begin any assigned activities immediately and as instructed.
4. Please remain in your seat or assigned area unless given permission to move, including at dismissal and during other activities.
5. Please bring all required materials (textbook, notebook, pencil\pen, homework, etc.) to class every day. Failure to do so could result
in inability to complete assignments and grades of “0.”
6. Please do not ask to leave class to use the restroom or telephone, go to your locker, go to the nurse or guidance, etc. If you must
leave for an emergency, you will be required to make up the time.
7. Please do not bring food\drink\candy\gum into the classroom. It will be thrown away and hours will be assigned.
8. Please follow all other instructions, rules, and requests immediately.
LATE OR INCOMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments are to be completed on time and completely. Failure to do so will result in reduced or no credit for the
assignment. Please be aware that grades of “0” are very hard to pull up. It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about make-up work
for absences immediately upon returning to class (three-day limit, readmit slip required). If assignments are not made up within five days
of the absence, the work will be considered incomplete (grade of “0”). Note: Missing a test or other assignment while in E-2 for
tardiness will not be excused. If a major test is scheduled, the administrator will allow you to come to class with a pass to take
your test (notify me before reporting to E-2 so I can call and arrange your release).
AP United States Government and Politics Syllabus
Course Timeline and Resource Guide
Year-long Course, 45-minute Class Periods
Week(s)
Lessons\Topics\Dates:\Assessments
Resources
Readings\Outlines
Wilson\DiIulio 9th
Background, the Framers, US Political Culture, the US Constitution, Federalism, and
Democracy in the US
1,2,3
Syllabus, Introduction
Syllabus
Chapter 1 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 1
Chapter 1 Quiz:
Principles and History of Democracy
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of
Independence
Chapter 2 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 2
Chapter 2 Quiz:
Liberty and Republican Democracy
Writings of John
Locke
A Written Constitution
Problems with the Articles of
Articles of
Confederation
Confederation
Shays’s Rebellion
The Philadelphia Convention
Various Constitutional Plans\Compromises
Divisions of Power – Federalism,
Federalist 10,
Separation of Powers, Bicameralism
Federalist 51
The Fight for Ratification
Federalist
Papers
Chapter 1-2 Test – Past AP Exam Essay –
Past AP US
Data Analysis and Political Explanation:
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Chapter 1-2 Test – Multiple Choice:
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
The US Constitution – an Examination
4,5
Preamble
Article I (focus – Organization and Powers
of Congress)
The Elastic (Necessary and Proper) and
Interstate Commerce Clauses and the
Expansion of Federal Powers
Article II (focus – Powers of the
Presidency, Evolution of the Office)
United States
Constitution
McCulloch v.
Maryland,
Gibbons v.
Ogden
Article III (focus – Judicial Powers and the
Evolution of Judicial Review)
Article IV (focus – Full Faith and Credit,
Privileges and Immunities)
Article V (focus – Amendments, Formal v.
Informal)
Article VI (focus – Supremacy Clause,
Oaths and Tests)
Article VII (focus – Ratification,
Federalists v. Anti-federalists, Legal
Questions)
The Bill of Rights (focus – Original Intent,
Evolution over Time)
Amendments 11-27
14th Amendment – Selective Incorporation
of the Bill of Rights
US Constitution and Amendments Test:
Marbury v.
Madison
McCulloch v.
Maryland, John
Marshall
The Federalist
Papers
Amendments 110
Ams. 11-27
Various Court
Cases
The Evolution of Federalism and American Political Culture
6,7
The Framework of American Federalism
Chapter 3 Review Due:
Chapter 3 Quiz:
Federalism Arguments – Pro and Con
Evolving Meaning of Federalism
The Struggle for Power – States v. the
McCulloch v.
National Government
Maryland, John
Marshall,
Alexander
Hamilton
Dual Federalism, Nullification
John C. Calhoun
Federal Grants to States, Impacts on
Power
Mandates, Funded v. Unfunded
Chapter 4 Review Due:
Chapter 4 Quiz:
Political Culture in America, Then and
Writings of
Now
Alexis de
Tocqueville
Economic and Personal Self-interest
Religion and Government in the US
Current Debate
and Court Cases
Current Cultural Conflicts, Role of the
Analysis:
Courts, Effects on Elections
Federal Election
Data, State
Culture Trends
Wilson, Ch. 3
Wilson, Ch. 4
Citizen Trust, Participation in Government
Tolerance in America
Ch. 3-4 Test – Past AP Exam Essay –
Federalism (James Madison’s insights via
Federalist #51):
Chapter 3-4 Test – Multiple Choice:
8
US v. Nixon,
Watergate,
Vietnam, Iraq
War
Past AP US
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
An Exercise in Solving the Unique Problems Faced by the Framers
US Constitution Design Activity
Design Viable Framework for Government
State
that Solves the Problems Faced by the
Constitutions,
Framers (Restriction – Cannot Implement
Writings of
Various Solutions Utilized by the Framers)
Various
Philosophers
Presentation, Debate, and Arguments for
Ratification:
Public Opinion, Citizen Participation in Politics, and the Influence of Political Parties
9,10,11
Chapter 5 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 5
Chapter 5 Quiz:
Defining Public Opinion, Majoritarian
Opinion
Formation of Political Beliefs
Gender Gap, Various Social Differences
Analysis of
Various Election
Returns, 1920’s
to Present
Liberalism, Conservatism, and Other
On-line Political
Ideologies
Orientation
Surveys
Impacts of Opinion on Public Policy
Various Major
Policy
Initiatives,
Comparisons of
Public Views
Chapter 6 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 6
Chapter 6 Quiz:
Why Citizens Choose to Vote (or Not)
Who Controls American Elections?
Forms of Political Participation Other than
Voting
American v. World Voting, Participation
Rates
Chapter 7 Review Due:
Chapter 7 Quiz:
The Framers on Political Parties
Political Party Evolution, Our Two Party
System
Early Political Parties, the Jacksonian
Influence
Party Influence on Public Opinion
Chapter 5,6,7 Test – Past AP Exam Essay –
Citizen Participation in the Political
Process
Chapter 5,6,7 Test – Multiple Choice:
US Constitution,
Post-Civil War
State Controls,
Voting Rights
Act of 1965, etc.
Analysis, Voter
Turnout Table
Wilson, Ch. 7
The Federalist
#10
Past AP US
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
Elections for Public Office, Influence of Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Media on
Elections and Public Opinion
12,13,
Chapter 8 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 8
14,15
Chapter 8 Quiz:
Blue Dog Democrats Essay:
Analysis of
Articles (various
national
publications) on
impact of 2006
Elections
Debate – Comparison, 1994 Republican
Congressional Victory v. 2006 Democrat
Congressional Victory
Differences Between Types of Federal
Elections (Presidential\Congressional,
Primary\General)
Machine Politics, Current Party Declines
Republicans, Democrats, and Third Parties
Various Party
Platform
Documents
Campaign Financing, Rules and Reforms,
Soft Money
Necessities for Winning Elections
Effects of Elections on Policy
Chapter 9 Review Due:
Chapter 9 Quiz:
History and Evolution of Interest Groups
The Rise of Political Action Committees
(PACs) and 527s and their Influence on
Elections
Types of Interest Groups
Interest Group Actions, Effects on Politics
and Elections
Interest Group Funding, Regulation
Debate – Washington’s Most Influential
Lobby
Chapter 10 Review Due:
Chapter 10 Quiz:
History and Evolution of American Media,
the Party Press
Mass Media, Effects on Elections, Policy,
and the Political Agenda
National v. Local Media, Media Bias
Media Regulation
Chapter 8,9,10 Test – Past AP Exam Essay
– Comparisons on Voter Turnout by
Election Type:
Chapter 8,9,10 Test – Multiple Choice:
McCain\
Feingold,
Analysis of
Fundraising
Data
Wilson, Ch. 9
Various
Campaign and
Election Laws
Analysis of Data
and Opinions in
Various National
and Scholarly
Publications
Wilson, Ch. 10
Samples of
Media Coverage
of Political
Events
Comparison of
Various Media
Positions on
Common Topics
Past AP US
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
The Legislative Branch (Congress) and the Executive Branch (the President)
16,17,18,
Chapter 11 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 11
19
Chapter 11 Quiz:
The Structure of Congress - Bicameralism US Constitution
A Dominant Legislative Branch? –
Evolution over Time, Relations with the
Executive Branch
Congressional Organization – Parties,
Committees, Caucuses, Leadership, and
Staff
The Legislative Process – Similarities and
Differences in the House and the Senate
Congressional Roles in Shaping the
Judiciary, Responding to the Judiciary
Oversight Functions of Congress
The Political Factors that Influence
Congress
Chapter 12 Review Due:
Chapter 12 Quiz:
History and Evolution of the Office of the
President
The Institutionalism of Presidential Power
Presidential Powers, Relationships with
Congress
Power to Shape the Judiciary
Control of the Bureaucracy – the Power to
Execute the Laws and the Appointment
Power
Political Influences on the President
The White House Office, the Cabinet, and
the Evolving Role of the Vice President
Divided v. Unified Government
Activity – The Legislative Process –
Crafting and Passing Legislation:
Debates on Mock Bills:
Chapter 11-12 Test – Past AP Exam Essay
– Divided Government and Presidential
Appointments:
Chapter 11-12 Test – Multiple Choice:
Mid-term Exam – Essay – Varied
Responses to the Legislative Process
Activity:
Federalist #51
School House
Rock (for fun!)
Examination of
the Roberts and
Alito Hearings
Application of
Various Public
Opinion Polls to
Election Results
Wilson, Ch. 12
Potential Effects
of War Powers
Act
Make-up of the
Supreme Court
post-Rehnquist
Various Bills
Introduced in
Congress
Student Bills
Past AP US
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
Essay Prompts
The Bureaucracy, Civil Service Growth and Reforms, The Supreme Court, and the Federal
Court System
20,21,22
Chapter 13 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 13
Chapter 13 Quiz:
Defining the Bureaucracy – An Extension
of the Executive
Roles\Functions of US Bureaucracy
Evolution of the Bureaucracy
Growth in
Government
Employment
Graph
Appointing\Hiring\Firing Bureaucrats
Spoils System, Civil Service Reform
Bureaucratic Culture Today, Bureaucratic
Politics
Congressional Oversight
Funding, Iron Triangles and Issue
Networks
Chapter 14 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 14
Chapter 14 Quiz:
Structure and Development of the Federal US Constitution,
Court System
Articles I and III
Jurisdiction
Development of Judicial Review
US Constitution,
Article VI,
Marbury v.
Madison
Eras of the Supreme Court
Interactions Between the Courts and the
Legislative\Executive Branches
Judicial Appointments and Approvals
Who Gets to Court
The Courts and Policy – Judicial Activism
v. Judicial Restraint
Responses to Public Opinion
Chapter 13-14 Test – Past AP Exam Essay
Past AP US
– Analysis of Graphic Display of
Government and
Government Employment Numbers,
Politics Exam
Relation to Federalism:
Essay
Chapter 13-14 Test – Multiple Choice:
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
The Policy Agenda, Making Policy, Roles of Various Players, Economic Policy, Social Policy
23,24,25
Chapter 15 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 15
Chapter 16 Review Due:
Chapter 15-16 Quiz:
Wilson, Ch. 16
Influences on the Policy Agenda – Public
Opinion, Lobbyists, Elites, and the Media
Programs – Who Pays, Who Benefits?
Debate – What Should Government be
Responsible for Doing for Its Citizens?
Shifting Power – Balancing the Roles of the
Federal Government and the States
Making v. Interpreting and Implementing
Policy – Various Roles and Influences
Factors that Affect American Economic
Policy
Government and Politicians v. Citizens and
Interest Groups
Fiscal v. Monetary Policy, The FED
Current Costs of Policy
Chapter 17 Review Due:
Chapter 17 Quiz:
Social Welfare Policy Pre- and Post-Great
Depression Era
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid
Assistance for the Poor
Chapter 15,16,17 Test – Past AP Exam
Essay – Graphic Analysis – Changes in
Welfare Benefits to Children and the
Elderly Over Time:
Chapter 15,16,17 Test – Multiple Choice:
Analysis of
Impact of Major
National Media
Various
Controversial
Issues – Current
Policy, Current
Proposals
Elastic Clause,
Commerce
Clause,
Amendment X
Analysis of
Various
Graphics
Wilson, Ch. 17
Past AP US
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
Foreign, Military, and Environmental Policy, Current Issues
26,27
Chapter 20 Review Due:
Chapter 21 Review Due:
Chapter 20-21 Quiz:
Implementing Foreign Policy
The US Constitution on Foreign Policy
US Constitution
Effects of Public Opinion, Legislative
Various UN
Branch, Courts, and External Groups
Resolutions
(Allies, UN, etc.) on Foreign Policy
The Military Element
Wilson, Ch. 20
Wilson, Ch. 21
Defense Budgeting and Spending
Debates: Foreign Aid, War on Terror, and
other Events
Rise of US Environmentalism, Effects on
Policy
Business, Consumers, and
Environmentalists
Economics of Environmental Policy
World Influences on Environmental Policy
Major Policies and Current Effects,
Debates
Chapter 20-21 Test – Past AP Exam Essay
– Congressional Committees, Effects on
Policy Formation:
Chapter 20-21 Test – Multiple Choice:
Related Graphs
and Tables
Political
Commentary
from Various
Media Outlets
Past AP US
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
Civil Liberties, Constitutional Debates, Court Challenges, Civil Rights, Major Movements
and Legislation
28, 29
Chapter 18 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 18
Chapter 18 Quiz:
A Historic Examination of Civil Liberties
in America
Protections Guaranteed through the US
US Constitution,
Constitution and Amendments
Bill of Rights,
Various Other
Amendments
Past and Current Interpretations of Civil
Amendments
Liberties (focus – Amendments I, IV, V,
VI, and XIV)
Selective Incorporation via the 14th
Various Cases
Amendment – Role of the Judiciary
Various Current Debates (Speech,
Various Political
Religion, Guns, the Accused, Search)
Commentary
Strict v. Loose Construction
Chapter 19 Review Due:
Wilson, Ch. 19
Chapter 19 Quiz:
Various Civil Rights Movements – Women,
Minorities
Landmark Cases
Various Court
Cases
Federalism as an Impediment to Civil
Rights, Using the Courts
Affirmative Action – Will the Court Speak
Clearly?
Current Issues
Chapter 18-19 Test – Past AP Exam Essay
– Effects of Federalism on Policy
Implementation:
Chapter 18-19 Test – Multiple Choice:
Current Cases
Various Political
Commentary
Past AP US
Government and
Politics Exam
Essay
Wilson test bank,
Released AP
Exam Q’s,
Simulated AP
Exam Q’s
Review Period – Topics Likely to be Seen on the AP Exam
30,31,32,
Spring Break and AP Exam Review
Princeton
33
Review:
Cracking the
AP…
Student Research and Presentations,
Assignment
Various Major Topics
Sheet and
Rubric
Court Case Review
Major Court
Case Study
Guide
Practice Essays
Several Past AP
Exam Essays
Practice Exams – Multiple Choice
Two Released
AP Exams, Two
Mock AP Exams
Final Weekend Review
Study List for
Likely Topics,
Q&A Review
Batteries
AP US Government and Politics Exam
Good Luck!!
Date: