AP U.S. Government & Politics
2012-2013
Instructor: Brett Underwood
Course Objective:
E-mail: brett.underwood@marion.kyschools.us
KY Academic Expectations: 2.14, 2.15
Students will understand the nature of U. S. government and the unique characteristics of American
democracy, including its fundamental principles and structure and the role of its citizens. Students will
develop the ability to analyze and interpret government data and think critically about American politics.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and ability in the areas of critical
thinking, oral and written communication, individual and group behavior, and responsible citizenship.
Course Requirements/Assessments:
Testing (60% of grade): Students will take examinations at the end of each unit, quizzes over assigned
readings, and a comprehensive final worth 20% of course grade. Tests will include multiple choice and
free response questions.
Composition (15%): Students will research and compose an analytical essay relevant to a topic of unit
study, and one 3-page review of a current or classic book on the subject of politics or government that has
been approved by the instructor for appropriate reading level. Rubrics will be provided. Other writings
such as editorials, letters to public officials, and abstracts of articles from current news sources will be
assigned throughout the grading period.
Participation/Practice (10%): Students will receive weekly participation grades based upon attendance,
the thoroughness, thoughtfulness, and organization of their notes and written or oral responses, and their
level of engagement in class activities.
Current Events
Students will be expected to keep themselves up to date with current events. It is expected that
students actively read a major newspaper, magazines (Newsweek/U.S. News), or watching the
news and other politically oriented programming. By paying attentions to current events,
students are better able to understand content taught in AP Government class.
Classroom Rules/Policy
-Be on time to class everyday
-Be prepared to learn and/or participate in class activities and class discussions
-Be respectful of all materials, classmates, teachers, and guests.
-Do 100% of your own work. Under no circumstances will cheating, copying, or plagiarism be
tolerated.
Grading Procedures:
Assignments are weighted: longer, more complex tasks are worth more points. Grades for the
quarter will be determined by taking the student's total points earned divided by the total points
possible. Percentages for assessment types listed above are approximated. Grades for the first
and second quarters are averaged to obtain the semester grade, which is final. Late work will
result in student receiving one half credit for that assignment.
Scale: A 90-100; B 80-89; C 70-79; D 60-69; F 0-59
Unit Information
(timeframe subject to change)
KY Core Content
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 1: Foundations of the United States Government
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 1: Principles of Government
- Characteristics and Origins of a State
- Forms and Purposes of Government
- America's Core Political Ideals: liberty, equality, selfgovernment, individualism, diversity
- Theories of Power
Wk 2-3: Origins of American Government
- Philosophical and Historical Foundations (English law,
Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu)
- Character of Colonial Government
- Coming of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- Creating and Ratifying the Constitution
(Federalists v. Anti-federalists)
Wk 4-5: The Constitution
- Six Basic Principles: popular sovereignty, limited
government, separation of powers, checks and balances,
judicial review, federalism
- Amending the Constitution (formally and informally)
Wk 6: Federalism
- Division of Power
- Relationship between National Government and the States
- Interstate Relations
SS-HS-1.1.1, 2.2.1
SS-HS-1.1.1
SS-HS-1.1.2, 1.2.1,1.2.2,
1.3.1, 1.3.2
SS-HS-1.2.1, 1.2.2
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
In addition to readings from Patterson and Remy textbooks, students will examine the following primary
sources: Declaration of Independence; U.S. Constitution; Federalist Papers #10 and #51; and excerpts
from the Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights. Culminating Activity: Constitutional Convention
Simulation
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 2: Civil Rights And Civil Liberties
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 7-8: Civil Liberties
- Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of Speech and Press
- Freedom of Petition and Assembly
- Freedom of Expression and National Security
- Rights of Persons Accused of Crimes
- The Right to Privacy
SS-HS-1.2.2, 1.3.1,1.3.2
Wk 9: Equal Rights
SS-HS-1.1.2, 1.2.2
- The Struggle for Fairness: African Americans, Women, Native
Americans, Other Minority Groups
- Equality Under the Law ( Fourteenth Amendment, Civil
Rights Acts, Voting Rights Act)
- Persistent Discrimination and Affirmative Action
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
Lessons will be enriched with the study of relevant Supreme Court cases and a series of class debates.
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 3: Mass Politics
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 10: Political Parties
- Functions and Organization
- The Two-party System
- Minor Parties
SS-HS-1.1.3, 1.3.3
Wk 11: Voting
- Voter Qualifications
- Political Socialization
- Voter Behavior and non-voting
SS-HS-1.1.3, 1.3.3
Wk 12-13: Electoral Process
- Nominating Procedures
- Elections
- Money and the Election Process
SS-HS-1.1.3, 1.3.3
Wk 14: Mass Media
- Formation and Measurement of Public Opinion
- Functions and Political Impact of Mass Media: Newspapers,
Internet, Broadcast News and Cable TV
SS-HS-1.1.3
Wk 15: Interest Groups
- Nature of Interest Groups
- Types of Interest Groups, including PACs
- Effects of Interest Groups on the Political Process
SS-HS-1.1.3, 1.3.3
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
Students will work in groups to develop political campaigns and stage a mock election, taking into
account what they have learned about voter behavior and the influence of mass media and interest groups
on the political process.
Students will research party platforms and write an essay comparing the Democratic and Republican
Parties in the context of six national issues of priority to them.
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 4: The National Legislature
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 16: Organization of Congress
- House of Representatives
- Senate
- Members of Congress
SS-HS-1.2.1,1.2.2
Wk 17: Congressional Powers
SS-HS-1.2.1, 1.2.2
- Scope of Congressional Powers (Lawmaking, Representative,
Oversight)
- Expressed Powers
- Implied Powers
- Non-legislative Powers
Wk 18-19: Congress in Action
- Committee System and Congressional Leadership
- How a Bill Becomes Law: House, Senate and Final Stages
- The Politics of Legislation
SS-HS-1.1.3, 1.2.1, 1.2.2
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
The culminating activity of this unit will be a mock Congress in which students will compose bills,
evaluate those bills in committee, debate the surviving bills on the "House floor", and vote for or against
passage.
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 5: The Presidency: Leading the Nation
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 20-21: Presidency
- Job description (Presidential roles)
- Presidential Succession and the Vice Presidency
- Elections (electoral college)
Wk 22-23: Presidential Powers
- Changing Views of Presidential Power
- Executive Powers
- Diplomatic and Military Powers
- Legislative and Judicial Powers
- Relations with Congress
SS-HS-1.2.1,1.2.2
SS-HS-1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.1.3
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
Students will work in pairs to research and prepare a class presentation on a modern president that
analyzes how effectively that President performed in 6 of the 8 presidential roles discussed in class.
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 6: Administering the Government
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 24-25: The Bureaucracy
- E.O.P and the Cabinet
- Executive Departments and Independent Agencies
- "Iron Triangle"
- Civil Service
Wk 26-27: Financing Government
- Taxes
- Borrowing and the National Debt
- Spending and the Federal Budget
SS-HS-1.2.1,1.2.2
SS-HS-3.4.1,3.4.3
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
Students will work in pairs to research a Cabinet Department or an Independent Agency, then prepare and
teach a mini-lesson on their topic that includes leading the class in a discussion of current issues of
concern to that department or agency and an exploration of its website.
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 7: The Judicial System: Applying the Law
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 28-31: Federal Court System
- The Supreme Court
- Inferior Courts
- State Courts
- Debate over the Proper Role of the Judiciary
- Political Influences on Judicial Decisions
SS-HS-1.2.2,1.3.1,1.3.2
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
The culminating unit activity will be mock trials of a civil and a criminal case.
Landmark Supreme Court cases will be examined to support key concepts.
Unit Name or Timeframe:
Unit 8: Public Policy
Content and/or Skills Taught:
Wk 32: Economic and Environmental Policy
- The Public Policy Process
- Government as Regulator and Manager of Economy
- Government as Protector of Environment
- Monetary Policy
SS-HS-1.1.3, 1.2.1,1.3.2
Wk 33: Welfare and Education Policy
- Poverty in America
- Social Welfare (Social Insurance, Public Assistance)
- Federal Role in Education and Equality of Opportunity
SS-HS-1.1.3, 1.2.1
Wk 34-35: Foreign and Defense Policy
- Roots of Foreign and Defense Policy: U.S. as Superpower;
Cold War; Vietnam; Fall of Soviet Union; Globalization;
War on Terrorism.
- Politics of National Defense
SS-HS-1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3.2
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
A series of student debates on public policy issues will enhance understanding of unit concepts and
encourage student attention to current events.
Wk 36: Final Exam
Textbooks/Course Materials
Textbooks
Author: Edwards, Wattenberg, Lineberry
Title: Government in America
Publisher: Pearson
Published Date:2010
Description: Fifteenth Edition
Author:Remy, Richard
Title:United States Government: Democracy in Action
Publisher:Glenco
Published Date:2008
Other Course Materials
Description:The Bill of Rights and You
Published date: 2000
A program of The Bill of Rights Institute that includes video, Supreme Court cases, and lessons intended
to educate high school students about what the Bill of Rights protects, and how the Bill of Rights affects
our daily lives and shapes our society.
Material Type: Newspapers/news periodicals/news websites
Description: Wall Street Journal, Time, Scholastic’s UpFront, and CNN’s website are examples of media
resources that will be used on a weekly basis to provide a connection between the concepts learned in the
classroom and the events of the broader world.