AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (GOPOL)
CHRISTMAS PROJECT
Welcome to AP Government and Politics. This rigorous college level course will introduce you to the analytical and
philosophical study of American government. In order to orient yourself with my teaching methods and to have
you prepared from day one for the intensity and fast pace of this class you need to complete this introductory
project by the end of week one of this course. It is highly suggested that you work over Christmas break to get
ahead on your study guide and vocabulary as the first two weeks are intense without work over the break.
Part One: Explaining my philosophy to achieve your maximum success
1. In AP GOPOL You are teaching yourself the material and I am your accountability coach that will reinforce and
explain what you did not understand. You will be reading the textbook and supplemental material and taking and
preparing to submit study guide notes prior to classroom discussions and activities. To ensure your success in this
active learning approach you will be expected to come to class ready to show your study guide notes and take a
quiz over the reading material (terms and concepts) prior to class discussions elaborating on the material.
2. Quizzes and tests are designed to 1) hold YOU personally accountable for completing the assignment prior to
class so we can engage in extended discussions, debates and activities that go beyond fact driven lectures and
2) ensure your success by holding you accountable for keeping up with the rigorous pace and study of a collegiate
level course 3) ensure that you study terms and concepts with long term retention. All material is cumulative and
not the usual unit by unit preparation.
3. Unit Study guides and Unit Exams: To pass the AP exam requires successful strategies that place you as the test
taker in a position of responsibility for having read, written about, and discussed the material in addition to
developing a frequent method of consistent cumulative study. The more you are active in the learning process the
better chance you have of comprehending the material as well as retaining the material for a long period of timeto the MAY TEST DATE to be exact. My tests will imitate the rigor of the AP GOV exam and will always come in two
segments- the multiple choice and free response section. You will have in-class and take-home exams. The tests
are cumulative so the Unit 2 test will be cumulative material over Unit I and Unit II. The more proactive you are at
creating flashcards and studying your pile of I Don’t Know cards on a frequent basis the higher your chances of
retention will be for each unit test and the AP exam in May.
Part Two: Your task:
1.
When we meet on the FIRST day after break you will submit your signed copy of the syllabus contract
form. On Thursday of Week 1 you will be required to show your completed CH. 1 and Ch. 2 study guide
and to take a quiz over the material.
Contact Information and Website Directory
My Contact Information at MCA
e-mail: jorozco@mckinneychristian.org
Room 303
Appointments available before and during school but schedule a day and time prior to arrival so I can
guarantee you my undivided attention
Our Class Website- online access to learning-You will use tis site often so please bookmark it- I post
study guides and handouts to this site as well as links and youtube videos
http://mcaapgov.yolasite.com/
Quizlet: Get yourself enrolled to our APGOV quizlet site by Day 2 of our class.
http://quizlet.com/join/5V5sf5R7p/
HIGHLY SUGGESTED YOU BUY AND USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS CLASS
My Flashcards: AP Government and Politics Terminology
An APGOV Test Prep Book (from Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc.)
FAST TRACK TO A 5
Meets every Tuesday at lunch in room 303. Student initiated, student led group accountability and
flashcard sessions.
AP GOV: UNIT I STUDY GUIDE
ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE
Unit I Constitutional Underpinning: Students will understand some of the Christian influences on America’s
government, know the philosophical, historical and intellectual origins behind the Constitution, key concepts in the
Constitution and the meaning of federalism in the context of its application and change over time.
KEY TERMS TO KNOW AND STUDY- Get enrolled to quizlet vocab. Site by day 2 of class
CH. 3-
CH. 2-
CH. 1-
Federalism
Unitary governments
Intergovernmental relations
Supremacy clause
Tenth Amendment
Philadelphia Convention
Constitution
Declaration of Independence
theory of natural rights
consent of the governed
limited government
representative government
Articles of Confederation
Shay’s Rebellion
government
Christian self-government
public goods
politics
political participation
single-issue group
policymaking system
linkage institutions
policy agenda
US Constitution
factions
Federalist Paper # 10, 51
New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan
Connecticut Compromise
writ of habeas corpus
separation of powers
checks and balances
political issue
policymaking institutions
public policy
democracy
majority rule
minority rights
representation
pluralist theory
elite & class theory
McCulloch v. Maryland
Gibbons v. Ogden
Enumerated (or delegated) powers
Implied powers
Denied & reserved powers
Elastic clause (necessary & proper cause)
Full faith and credit
Extradition
Privileges and immunities
Dual federalism
Cooperative federalism
Fiscal federalism
devolution
marble cake federalism
layer cake federalism
Categorical grants
Project grants
Formula grants
Block grants
republic
hyperpluralism
Federalists/ Anti-federalists
policy gridlock
Federalist Papers
political culture
Bill of Rights
gross domestic product
Equal Rights Amendment
Laswell Political Model
Marbury v. Madison
Schattschneider Model
Judicial Review
Social Contract theory
Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau
Second Treatise of Civil Government
*NOTE: terms in black are presented in class and may or may not be in the textbook.
STUDY GUIDE TIPS
Keep the following in mind as you answer these questions and all future study questions for me.
 You don’t need complete sentences if it is easier to make lists or use phrases. Bullet points and charts are
useful tools.
 Include enough information so that you demonstrate that you understand the major points, but don’t go
overboard making your life an utter misery.
 Think of this as a guided outline of the reading with my questions helping you focus on what is important.
This AP textbook already keeps to main concepts simplifying and weeding out the extra fluff so understand
that most of what you read can and likely will appear on the AP exam in some format.
 Keep an eye on the Identification items. As one of them is mentioned in the book, make sure you learn it.
 If a question has two parts, answer both parts.
 These can be handwritten or typed.

Study Guide Questions
CHAPTER ONE (Lineberry Textbook)- Suggest you complete during Christmas Break
Study the terms in this chapter but for reading material we have replaced this chapter with two section from
the booklet In Search of Democracy :
1.
2.
Read the Sources of Democracy section and summarize in 1-2 sentences the main gist of each
subsection. Hebrew Republic, Greece & Rome, Christianity, Britain, Protestant reformation, America
and the Enlightenment.
Read the Essential Foundation of Democracy and summarize in 1-2 sentences the gist of each section:
self-government, Union, individuality, property, education, morality, and faith.
CHAPTER TWO (Lineberry Textbook)- Suggest you complete during Christmas Break
1.
Chart: complete the chart summarizing the historical backdrop to the Constitution. The first bar has
been done for you as it is not discussed in the text. You will need to copy and expand the chart to fit your
descriptions or write each bar of the chart on its own half sheet of paper if recreating the chart by hand.
2.
Go to http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/webcasts.htm. Scroll to the bottom and select the Empire
of Reason webcast. You will be watching the first hour of the documentary on two political views
regarding what was wrong with our nation under the Articles of Confederation. What to pay attention to:
the arguments presented by Federalist and anti-federalists
a.
b.
c.
One side- the Federalists- will basically argue that every event points to the ineffectiveness of the
present form of government and the need for a stronger central (meaning federal or national)
form of government to handle the political and economic turmoil of the days when the young
nation of America floundered.
The other side- Anti-Federalists- will argue against the corrupting and oppressive power of a
strong central government and the need to have strong state governments and government
more by the people. They are suspicious of where giving up powers that belong to the people
and the States will lead them if a central government is given more power.
Your Task:
i. You will record a response journal
ii. The documentary is divided into segments and commercials- after each segment and
commercial record in your journal a title for the segment you watched, the main point
of the segment and then a 2-3 sentence summary of what each side argued.
iii. After the first hour stop watching and record a final analysis summary identifying which
side you would have supported and your reasoning (provide three or more specific
justifications- 1/2 page to a full page).
CH. 2 The Road to Independence Chart - complete the chart- bullet points
Period of Self- Government
Colonial America
form of representative government (House of Burgess)
consent by the governed (Mayflower Compact)
Unitary form of rule under the British Crown- technically power flowed from the
strong central government of the Crown to the weaker governments of the colonies
ideas of limited government
Salutary Neglect- period of religious, political, social and economic
freedom colonists desire to retain.
Major Acts by Parliament
Reasoning (Why Parliament passed Acts):
Specific Description of Major Acts
Colonial Protests
Reasoning (Why Colonists Protested):
Specific Description of Major Protest Actions by Colonists:
Declaration of Independence
Outline what this landmark document says:
Explain the philosophy of government behind the document (social contract theory):
The American Revolution
what is it:
explain the significance of America's victory:
Articles of Confederation- first experimental form of government
Confederal form of government holds that power flows from the many states to a
weaker central government- how is this true under the Articles of Confederation?
What specific provisions made the Articles of Confederation weak and ineffective in
addressing national problems?
Critical Period 1781-1789
Economic turmoil:
Shay's Rebellion:
CH. 2 Stud Guide cont. These are based on the textbook not your best guess.
3. Philosophy: Create a chart briefly summarizing the philosophical influences underpinning the Constitution:
explain social contract theory, natural rights, consent by the governed, and separation of powers as they relate to
the philosophical theories of Locke, Hobbes, and Montesquieu. (pgs. 35, 36, 42, 49…)
4. Concept- Constitutional Convention, create a chart summarizing each aspect of the Madisonian model the
Constitution adopts and 2) in a different chart, identify each source of conflict at the constitutional convention and
the compromise that resulted (be sure to address each plan for representation, the Great Compromise, and the
3/5 Compromise).
5. Concept-Ratification: After reading this portion of the textbook and watching the Empire of Reason explain
what the ratification controversy over the Constitution is all about, identify the key spokespeople and writings of
each side and last explain the final outcome as in who won the debate and how.
6. Process- Amending the Constitution: Create your own chart identifying the process by which the Constitution
can be amended. Next: Tie the example of the Equal Rights Amendment to each amendment stage and explain
why it failed to pass. Would you support a federal amendment to define marriage- why or why not? In your
answer address if marriage should be a federal right to define or a state right, or not applicable at all. Last, if you
could add any amendment to the Constitution for which the entire nation was obligated to uphold and was based
on sound biblical reasoning which would it be and why?
7. Concept: Informal Changes to the Constitution: describe the informal changes that shape and alter the letter
and spirit of the Constitution.
CHAPTER 3- after break unless you want to get even more ahead
8. Concept: Define federalism and explain how it differs from a unitary or confederal form of government.
Provide examples of federalism using the handout on power at state and federal forms of government given in
class to address Constitutional distribution of power.
9. Concept: Why is it that the national government has gained power over time relative to the states?
10. Concept: What relationship or obligations exists between states?
11. Concept: Explain the differences between dual and cooperative federalism. What is devolution and how has
the concept of federalism evolved over time?
12. Concept: Explain how the federal government often uses fiscal leverage to influence state and local policies;
In your answer address each of the following: federal aid in the form of categorical grants and block grants, and
federal mandates (use Medicaid and ADA in your answer).
Long Term Memory Work: memorize the excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the
Constitution. We have a test at the end of January.
Long-Term Memory Work: we have a test at the end of January.
Write out brief summaries of these cases- the issue at stake and the court’s ruling. I strongly recommend flash
cards for doing this. Make sure to summarize the issue as it relates to federalism in each case. Use the internet
to research and expect these to appear on upcoming quizzes. Wikipedia is helpful for these- I know, gasp! I am
allowing Wikipedia.
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
8.
Fletcher v. Peck (1810)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel (1937)
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964)
United States v. Lopez (1995)
Long-Term Memory Work: Significant Laws: I recommend that you start flash cards for these laws. Include a
short summary of what the law did and its significance. Some of these laws will appear several times in the course.
We will add more as the course progresses so start early. Again…these will appear as periodic quizzes. The first in
is January.
1.
Civil Rights Act (1964)
4.
2.
3.
Clean Air Act (1970)
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
5.
6.
7.
National Voter Registration Act or Motor Voter
Registration Act (1993)
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (1995)
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act of 1996 or Welfare Reform Act
No Child Left Behind (2002)
Memory Work: Declaration of Independence Excerpt
Preamble: When in the course of human _______, it becomes necessary for one people to
__________ the political bands which have connected them with another…
We hold these ___________ to be _______-_________: that all _______ are created
_________; that they are ____________ by their _____________ with certain _____________
__________; that among these are ____________, _______________ and the
_______________ of ________________. That to secure these rights, ____________________
are instituted among ___________, deriving their __________ from the ______________ of the
________________; that whenever any form of government becomes ________________ of
these ends it is the ____________ of the ________________ to _______________ or
_________________ it, and to ________________ new government, laying its
___________________ on such _____________________ and organizing its
_________________ in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their
_________________ and _______________________.
Excerpt: Preamble to the Constitution
Preamble established the 6 purposes of civil government
We the ___________ of the ____________ ______________,
In order to __________ a more _________________ _______________
establish __________________
insure _________________ ___________________
provide for the __________________ _________________
promote the _________________ ___________________
and secure the _________________ of __________________ to ourselves and our
_______________________,
Do _________________ and establish this ________________________ for the United States
of America