Homework AP GOVERNMENT 2015-2016
Unit ONE
In this first unit, we will begin our studies of comparative government and use both the US and the UK as case studies of “advanced
democracies.” Not only will you become familiar with the “basics” of the study of comparative government and with the essential
concepts, ideas and events in British politics, you will also understand the foundations of US government as developed and established
in our Constitution and with our civil liberties and civil rights which are the essence of a liberal (as in “free”) democracy.
Note: the dates given are the latest dates you should do the homework. You will have a quiz over the material on the following day,
regardless of whether or not you were in class on the previous day. Be careful because we ar using a variety of sources. For studies in
comparative government, we have two texts and you must be sure you are reading form the correct one, I will refer to a Cases in
Comparative Politics, 3rd Edition by O’Neil as “Cases” and to Essentials of Comparative Politics as “Essentials.” Barrons” refers to
the US gov prep book, which I recommend you purchase. You will also be assigned videos and other readings from online sources.
SEPTEMBER
Wednesday 2
1. Read Comparative Course Description Topics 1 (Introduction to Comparative Politics) and II (sovereignty, Authority and
Power) pp 7-8) https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-comparative-government-and-politics-coursedescription.pdf
2.
Read US Course Description Topic 1 Constitutional Underpinnings pp 6-7 https://securemedia.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-us-government-and-politics-course-description.pdf
3.
Go to: http://idealog.org/ click on “run ideolog” ; Read the tutorial section (will be on the quiz tomorrow) as well as take the
self test. Bring your score (“Order__; Equality___”) to class.
Thursday 3
1. Read O’Neil Cases 1-12
In class: record ideolg
Friday 4
1.
Read: O Neil Cases: 12-18
Monday 7 LABOR DAY
Tuesday 8
1. Read: O Neil Cases 18-29
Wednesday 9
1. switch gears—this is the other comp text! Read Essentials 109-118
Thursday 10
1. Read Essentials 118-129
Friday 11
1. Read Essentials 129-140
Monday 14
1. switch gears back. Read O’Neil Cases 76-81
2. Watch and take notes: Introduction: Crash Course U.S. Government and Politics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrk4oY7UxpQ&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOfse2ncvffeelTrqvhrz8H&index=1
Tuesday 15
1. Watch and take notes: (yes, this is supposed to be from the US History, not Gov series) The Constitution, the Articles, and
Federalism: Crash Course US History #8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO7FQsCcbD8
Wednesday 16
1. Read Federalist Paper 10 http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fed_10.html
2. Federalist Paper 51 http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fed_51.html
3. Read both for a quiz; pick one and prepare a brief summary—about 300 words --IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Thursday 17
1. Switch gears . . . Read Chapter 2 in Barrons: do practice questions; look at frq
Friday 18
1.
Read the Constitution (articles, not amendments) handout
Monday 21
1. Switch gears: Read O’Neil Cases 81-85
2. Watch and take notes: The Bicameral Congress: Crash Course Government and Politics #2
by CrashCourse
Tuesday 22
1. Read O’Neil Cases 85-89
2. Watch and take notes: Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances: Crash Course Government and Politics #3 831
by CrashCourse
Wednesday 23
1. Watch and take notes: Crash Course Judicial Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWYFwl93uCM&index=21&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOfse2ncvffeelTrqvhrz8H
Thursday 24
1. Read O’Neil Cases 89-97
Friday 25
1. Switch gears: Read Chapter 3 in Barons: do practice questions, review frq
Monday 28
1. Watch and take notes: Federalism: Crash Course Government and Politics #4
by CrashCourse
2. Watch and take notes: Power Distribution: Unitary, Confederation, and Federal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md2ZHlyYOsc
Tuesday 29
1. Read Baron’s chapter 4; do practice questions, review frq
Wednesday 30
1. Prepare for vocab test 1
OCTOBER
Thursday 1
1. Prepare for MC/FRQ
Friday 2
1. Read US Course Description Topic VI Civil Rights and Civil Liberties pp 8-9 https://securemedia.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-us-government-and-politics-course-description.pdf
2. Read Chapter 5 Barrons: 95-97
3. Watch and take notes: Civil Rights & Liberties: Crash Course Government #23
by CrashCourse