Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics
Course Syllabus
Heather Chase
Heather.chase@uticak12.org
586-797-2066
Introduction: I have been teaching AP Government and Politics for 11 years. In addition, I am
an AP reader for the AP Board; meaning that I actually travel to score the FRQ portion of the
exam each June. This has allowed me to gain an acute understanding of how to prepare my AP
students for the exam. I have degrees from Eastern Michigan University, and Michigan State
University. I am honored to have been entrusted with your student’s education.
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 policy-making and implementation. This course is
designed to prepare students for the AP Exam.
Text: Wilson, James Q., Dilulio, John J, Jr., American Government: Institutions and
Policies. 11th edition, (Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co 2008.)
Woll, Peter, ed. American Government: Readings and Cases. 15th edition (New
York: HarperCollins 2004.)
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 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”, I also
recommend the Barron’s AP GoPo flash cards or the Sparknotes power pack. They can
be found on Amazon.
Attendance:
Attendance is an essential part of this class. We are lucky that we have 36
weeks to cover everything 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 www.schoology.com 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. All make up tests will be after school. And they must be
taken within a week of your return or else they will become a 0! No Exceptions! 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
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
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
Chapter 18- Economic Policy
Chapter 19- Social Policy
Chapter 20- Foreign and Military Policy
Chapter 21- Environmental Policy
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.
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 month on Tuesday
night from 7:30-9pm. You report is due by March 30th.
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
multi media 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.
Socratic Circles- throughout the semester we will analyze readings regarding the
topics of study. We will have educated discussions and debates. The readings will be
T4’ed and the students will earn participation points.
Mock Congress- during our unit on the Congress and Policy, we will have a mock
Congress, where we will research and debate fictional bills.
As well as other projects and looks into our government.
Any student that doesn’t take the AP exam will receive a
written exam on the day of the AP 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. Class participation grade is made up of grades from class
discussions, Socratic circles, phone warnings, etc. Each time you are warned about
your phone you will lose 5 points from your participation score. There will be an
additional 25 point participation grade that you will lose points from if you are tardy, have
an unexcused absence, phone warnings, etc. 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= 100 to 92%
A-= 91 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)
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 have no warnings.
Website:
I maintain a website through www.schoology.com. This is kept up to date and
changes on a regular basis. For better success in this class, I recommend checking the
website daily. You can also email me through the site. Many times there will be
participation points on the Update board on the website. I will also use Remind 101 to
help with the workload in the class.
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. Most work will be turned in on turnitin.com to
ensure the work is authentic.
Additional help:
I am available during my prep 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.
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!!! In addition, Hillsdale College runs an on line FREE 1
credit Constitution course. It is a great review and way to strengthen your Constitutional
skills http://www.collegeplus.org/blog/free-constitution-101-online-course-from-hillsdale-college .
Agreement to the Syllabus:
I have read the syllabus for Mrs. Chase’s AP Government and Politics class. I
understand the responsibilities and the intensity of the expectations this course. I
understand this class is a college class that is designed to prepare me/my student for
the AP Government and Politics exam to be given in May. Students will probably have
one to two hours of homework every night. Please sign below to acknowledge that the
challenges of the AP course are understood.
AP student ___________________________________________________
AP parent____________________________________________________
Let’s have a great semester!!!!!