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AP Government
Summer Assignment
As a student in AP government, you will be expected to come prepared to class
every day. To ensure that you are ready for the first days of class, I have created the
following summer assignment. This 4 Part Summer Assignment will be collected, in its
entirety, the first day of class; which is August 19th
DO NOT TYPE UP RESPONSES. YOU CAN PRINT IT, MANIPULATE IT,
EXPAND THE LINES BUT DO NOT TYPE UP RESPONSES. THEY MUST BE
HAND WRITTEN LEGABLLY. Complete sentences only. The assignment will count
for 20% of the first quarter’s grade at 500pts. I do not accept late work. If you have any
questions during the summer holiday; feel free to email me at vsowers@slusd.us I very
much look forward to an amazing year with you.
Regards, Valarie Sowers
Part 1 – The United States Constitution:
Assignment:
Read the entire Constitution (found at http://constitution.org/constit_.htm)
Summarize the purpose of each article on one or two sentences each. DO NOT TYPE
Article I
Article II
Article III
Article IV
Article V
Article VI
Article VII
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Specific Guided Questions
Answer the following questions as they relate to the Constitution. Use the space
provided. Write neatly. DO NOT TYPE UP
1. What eligibility requirements does the Constitution establish for members of the
House of Representatives? _____________________________________
2. What eligibility requirement does the Constitution establish for members of the
Senate? _________________________________________________________
3. What eligibility requirements are in the Constitution for the President? ________
______________________________________________________________
4. The powers of the Constitution that are specifically granted to the branches of
government or to office holders are call expressed powers.
a) Identify two expressed powers of the President. _____________________
____________________________________________________________
b) What are the expressed powers of the Vice President? ________________
___________________________________________________________
c) Identify two expressed powers of the Senate._______________________
____________________________________________________________
d) Identify two expressed powers of the House of Representatives. ________
____________________________________________________________
5.
According to the principal of checks and balances, each branch of government
must have some method of control over the other branches. Look at the first three
articles of the Constitution and identify one of each type of checks and balances.
Indicate where each power is found in the Constitution.
a) A power that the executive branch has over the legislative
branch:________
This power is found in what article/section of the Constitution? _________
b) A power that the executive branch has over the judicial
branch:__________
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This power is found in what article/section of the Constitution? _________
c) A power that the legislative branch has over the executive branch:________
This power is found in what article/section of the Constitution? _________
d) A power that the legislative branch has over the judicial branch:_________
This power is found in what article/section of the Constitution? _________
e) A power that the judicial branch has over the executive branch:_________
This power is found in what article/section of the Constitution? _________
f) A power that the judicial branch has over the legislative branch:_________
This power is found in what article/section of the Constitution? _________
6. According to Article I of the Constitution, who has the power to declare war?
_______________________________________________________
7. What power does the Constitution give the President in the area of the military?
_______________________________________________________
8. What conflict arises due to the separation of powers that you have listed in answers
#6 & #7? _________________________________________________________
*The Constitution requires a simple majority for some actions in Congress and a
super majority for others. A simple majority means more then half, while a super
majority requires involve a 2/3rds majority or ¾ majority. Most elections in the US
require a plurality, or the most votes, but not necessarily a majority.
9. a. What bodies have the power to override a Presidential veto? __________________
b. What margin is required to override a presidential veto? ______________________
c. Where in the Constitution is the veto power described? _____________________
10. a. What body has the power to ratify treaties? ______________________________
b. What margin is required to ratify treaties? _______________________________
c. Where in the Constitution is the ratification power described? ______________
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11. To impeach means “to bring charges against” or “to indict”.
a. What body has the power to impeach the President? ________________________
b. What is the margin required to impeach the President? ______________________
c. Where in the Constitution if the power to impeach the President described? ______
12. a. What body has the power to convict the president of charges brought against him in
an impeachment process and thereby remove him from office? _____________________
b. What margin is required to convict and remove the President? ________________
c. Where in the Constitution can the removal if a President be found? _____________
13. a. What body has the power to accept or reject a president’s nominations to the
Supreme Court? __________________________________________________________
b. What margin is required to elevate a President’s nominee to a seat on the Supreme
Court? __________________________________________________________________
c. Where in the Constitution are judicial nominations described?
________________________________________________________________________
14. a. If no candidate for the Presidency wins a simple majority of the total number of
electoral votes, what body has the power to choose the President? __________________
b. What margin is required to choose the President? ___________________________
c. Where in the Constitution is the Electoral College described? (Hint there are two
parts) ________________
15. The constitution specifies a ¾ majority for just one process, what? _______________
16. See Article VI. Explain the Supremacy Clause in your own words. _______________
________________________________________________________________________
17. What are the two ways that amendments to the Constitution can be proposed? ______
________________________________________________________________________
18. What are the two ways hat amendments to the Constitution can be ratified? ________
________________________________________________________________________
19. Which Amendment(s) of the Constitution protect(s) the rights of women? _________
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20. Which Amendment(s) of the Constitution protect(s) the rights of African Americans?
____________
21. How were United States Senators chosen before the 17th Amendment? ____________
22. The 25th Amendment describes the sequence of events that would install the Vice
President as acting President against the will of the President. Outline that sequence of
events. ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
23. How many times is the word PRIVACY mentioned in the Constitution (Articles and
Amendments)? ________________
24. Which Amendments take away any rights of the people? _______________________
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Outline the general purpose for each of the 27 Amendments to the Constitution
Amendment 1
Amendment 2
Amendment 3
Amendment 4
Amendment 5
Amendment 6
Amendment 7
Amendment 8
Amendment 9
Amendment 10
Amendment 11
Amendment 12
Amendment 13
Amendment 14
Amendment 15
Amendment 16
Amendment 17
Amendment 18
Amendment 19
Amendment 20
Amendment 21
Amendment 22
Amendment 23
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Amendment 24
Amendment 25
Amendment 26
Amendment 27
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Part 2 – Current Events Assignment:
Assignment:
Locate six Current Event articles from a newspaper, news magazine, or legitimate
online news source. The article must be a minimum of 400 words and the entire article must
be attached to receive any credit. Your articles must have been published between June 15th,
2015-August 15th , 2015; and no two articles may be from the same week.
Specific Guidelines
1) Choose a total of six stories; two in June, two in July, and two in August current event
article of at least 400 words. Hard copy. The actual article must be attached to current event
portion/packet once it is complete. Simply attach at the end after the annotated MLA. YOU
MUST TYPE UP THIS PORTION OF THE SUMMER ASSIGNMENT. See specifics
below #3.
2) You should have one current event for each of the following topics:






Executive Branch
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court nominee, court cases, etc)
Bureaucracy (executive departments and agencies (i.e. Dept.of State, Defense,
NASA, FBI, FEMA)
Foreign Policy (China, Mexico, Iraq, Iran, etc.)
Local Government
3) On six separate sheets of paper, typed, double-spaced, 12pt. Times Roman Font.
4.) Also include a cover sheet with your name and date; entitle it and look like this:
Current Events Summer Assignment 2015
Ms Sowers
5.) At the top left corner of each paper include:

Topic you are addressing (from above)

Title of Article

Author of Article

Date of Article
Format Expectations
Include all bibliographic information in MLA format on the very last page. Use the
following sites to help put your bibliographic information in MLA format:
http://citationmachine.net/, http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/ or www.easybib.com
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General Summary and Your Analysis
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
What specific evidence has the author provided for the information presented?
What conclusions/generalizations do you draw from this article?
What do you think about this issue/info? Explain and justify your position.
Do you think it has a conservative or liberal bias? Why or Why not?)
No points will be given to current events with an article less than 400 words, the full article
not being attached, or if the article is off topic (meaning it is not related to the assigned
theme). These should be min ½ to a page if you have fulfilled the above
This is NOT an essay; this is a current events analysis. Therefore, use the above format, and
type in complete sentences.
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Part 3 – Reading Analysis Assignment:
Specific Guided Reading Questions
Answer the following questions as they relate to the different treatises. Use the space
provided. Write neatly. DO NOT TYPE UP
John Locke: Second Treatise of Civil Government
Pre reading: Before reading Locke, do some research and discuss the historical context
of the Second Treatise.
1.) When did he write this and why?
2.) What was his purpose?
3.) What was happening at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and
perspective of the author?
John Locke: Second Treatise of Civil Government
http://www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us/webpages/hhistory/files/locke%20%20second%20treatise.pdf
1.) In what ways and in what contexts does Locke continuously refer to the laws of
nature?
2.) How does Locke differentiate between the laws of nature and the laws of man?
Provide specific support from the reading.
3.) When, according to Locke, is it necessary for man to give up certain liberties under
the laws of nature?
4.) According to Locke, what is the role of the legislative power and how does it get that
power? Be detailed in your response.
5.) Under what circumstances, to Locke, might it be necessary for the people to dissolve
their government and start anew? Be detailed in your response.
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Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws
Pre reading: Before reading Montesquieu, do some research and discuss the historical
context of The Spirit of the Laws.
1.) When did he write this and why?
2.) What was his purpose?
3.) What was happening at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and
perspective of the author?
Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws
http://www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us/webpages/hhistory/files/montesquieu%20%20spirit%20of%20the%20laws.pdf
1.) Immediately in the first five paragraphs Montesquieu lays out an idea that directly
influenced the shaping of American government. What is it and why does he state it is so
important?
2.) According to Montesquieu, who should exercise executive power? Who should
exercise legislative power? Why?
3.) What does Montesquieu say about the idea of the executive limiting the legislative
power?
4.) How about the legislative limiting the executive power?
5.) Who, according to Montesquieu, should comprise the army, and what role does he
say the army should play?
6.) To Montesquieu, what will ultimately cause the state to perish?
Jean Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract
Pre reading: Before reading Rousseau, do some research and discuss the historical
context of The Social Contract.
1.) When did he write this and why?
2.) What was his purpose?
3.) What was happening at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and
perspective of the author?
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Jean Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract
http://www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us/webpages/hhistory/files/rousseau%20-%20social%20contract.pdf
1.) To Rousseau, what is the fundamental question that he seeks to address in The Social
Contract? Reword and analyze this question.
2.) According to Rousseau, what is the social contract and what are the social contract’s
benefits to society? Explain thoroughly.
3.) What does Rousseau think of the concept of individualism, and how does the social
contract affect individual will?
4.) What is Rousseau’s overall thinking on the concept of representative democracy vs.
direct democracy? Explain in detail.
5.) In what ways are Rousseau’s theories and Locke’s theories of the role of government
similar? Cite specific examples.
Thomas Paine: Common Sense
Pre reading: Before reading Paine, read the introduction in the book and discuss the
historical context of Common Sense.
1.) When did he write this and why?
2.) What was his purpose?
3.) What was happening at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and
perspective of the author?
Thomas Paine: Common Sense
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/commonsense/
1.) How does Paine view the role and importance of government in general? Be specific.
2.) What are Paine’s views on the monarchy, both in general and that of England? Use
supporting details from Common Sense.
3.) What arguments does Paine use to support the notion that the American colonies
would be better off as an independent nation?
4.) A number of Paine’s appeals and ideas exhibit the influence of people like Locke,
Montesquieu, and Rousseau. Discuss some areas where you see these influences.
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Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Declaration of Independence
Certainly, the philosophies undergirding the Declaration of Independence were not
original to Thomas Jefferson. Nor was the idea for writing such a declaration in the first
place. Likewise, though the Virginia Declaration of Rights preceded Jefferson’s
Declaration of Independence, most of the ideas expressed were not original to its author,
George Mason (and later added to by James Madison, Thomas Ludwell Lee, and Patrick
Henry).
Indeed, Mason based much of his draft on the English Bill of Rights of 1689. Moreover,
both declarations have their roots in Enlightenment thought and the philosophies of the
likes of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau and were directly influenced by the urgings of
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense.
http://www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us/webpages/hhistory/files/virginia%20declaration%20of%20rights.p
df
http://www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us/webpages/hhistory/files/declaration%20of%20independence.pdf
Here are two questions to address:
1.) What specific things do the Virginia Declaration of Rights and Declaration of
Independence have in common?
2.) What specific ideas expressed in both documents can be traced to those of Locke,
Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Paine? Make direct connections.
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Part 4 – Key Terms:
Assignment:
Complete flash cards for each of the following terms. This list is not complete.
We will be receiving new words to add weekly as we work through the chapters. DO
NOT TYPE!!!!!!!!!!!
Specific Guidelines
 Notecard size 5x3 (only this size; lined or unlined is up to you; any color is
acceptable)
 Number each note card in the upper right hand corner 1-71 on the side you
write the term
 On the other side write the definition that relates to government. Explain the
significance of the term and how it relates to government.
 You will need to get an loose –leaf ring, 1 inch in diameter. Hole punch the
cards in upper left hand corner and attach ring. You will need approximately
5-8 of these rings to organize your Vocab terms.
 Do not lose. These too will be collected day one, and periodically throughout the
year for grades.
 DO NOT TYPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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1. Affirmative Action
2. Bandwagon Effect
3. Bicameral Legislature
4. Cabinet
5. Caucus (Iowa or Primary)
6. Citizen
7. Civil Liberties
8. Civil Rights
9. Civil Service
10. Coattail Effect
(Presidential/Congressional)
11. Confirmation
12. Constituency/Constituents
13. DeFacto Segregation
14. DeJure Segregation
15. Divided Government
16. Elector
17. Electoral College
18. Entitlements
19. Establishment Clause
20. Executive Order
21. Expressed/Enumerated Powers
22. Federalism
23. Free Exercise Clause
24. Gerrymandering
25. Great Compromise
26. Incrementalism
27. Jim Crow Laws
28. Lame Duck
29. Dark Horse Canidate
30. Monetary Policy
31. Partisan
32. Party Caucus
33. Political Ideology
34. Conservative
35. Moderate
36. Liberal
37. Pluralism
38. Polarization
39. Political Platform
40. Popular Sovereignty
41. Reverse Discrimination
42. Shield Laws
43. Soft Money
44. Splinter Party
45. Split Ticket Vote
46. Straight Ticket
47. Suffrage
48. Disenfranchised
49. Unitary System
50. Whistle Blowing
51. Amicus Curiae
52. Briefs
53. Due Process (of Law)
54. Habeas Corpus
55. Judicial Activism
56. Judicial Restraint
57. Litigation
58. Petitioner
59. Precedent
60. Respondent
61. Concurring Opinion
62. Dissenting Opinion
63. Majority Opinion
64. Stare Decisis
65. Writ of Certiorari
66. Writ of Mandamus