AP Government
UNIT 1: Constitutional Underpinnings
The study of modern politics in the United States requires students to examine the kind of
government established by the Constitution, paying particular attention to federalism, the separation
of powers, and checks and balances.
Understanding these developments involves both knowledge of the historical situation at the time of
the Constitutional Convention and an awareness of the ideological and philosophical traditions on
which the framers drew. Such understanding addresses specific concerns of the framers: for example,
why did Madison fear factions? What were the reasons for the swift adoption of the Bill of Rights?
Familiarity with the United States Supreme Court’s interpretation of key provisions of the
Constitution will aid student understanding of theoretical and practical features of federalism,
separation of powers, and checks and balances. Students should be familiar with a variety of
theoretical perspectives relating to the Constitution, such as democratic theory, theories of republican
government, pluralism, and elitism.
Day of
Week
Wednesday
Date / Topic
Sep. 9, 2015
Pre-Read
Thurs/Fri
Unit 1 Lesson 1
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Mon/Tue
Unit 1 Lesson 2
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Sep. 10-11, 2015
The State
Chapter 1
Sep. 14-15, 2015
Government & Politics
Chapter 1
Outline of Activities
Entry Task: Get to Know You (notecard)
Homework:
 Summer Assignment due next class
 Read Chapter 1: Introducing Gov’t in America (pp. 1-25)
Entry Task:
 Finish Get to Know You Activity
 Turn in Summer Assignment
 Purposes of Government (PA) – 25 pts
Lecture:
 Course Expectations/Calendar/Sum. of Evidence (handouts)
 Benefits of Taking the AP (handout)
 How to Take a Multiple Choice Test (handout)
 How to Write a Government FRQ (handout)
 Constitution Guide (handout)
 Distribution of Powers (handout)

“Current Event” Essays (handout)
Homework:
 Reading notes Ch. 1 (pp. 1-25)
 FRQ Scoring Practice
Entry Task:
 Check off Reading Notes -25 pts.
 Reading Quiz
Lecture:
 FRQ Scoring
 Political Ideology Quiz
Homework:
 Political Ideology Interview
 Lecture Notes -written or printed (Library .10 per page)
 Reading Quiz next class
AP Government
Unit 1 Schedule
Page 2 of 7
Day of
Week
Wed/Thurs
Unit 1 Lesson 3
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Fri/Mon
Unit 1 Lesson 4
Date / Topic
Sep. 16-17, 2015
Policymaking System
Chapter 1
Sep. 18-21, 2015
Concepts of Democracy
Chapter 1
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Tue/Wed
Sep. 22-23, 2015
Unit 1 Lesson 5
Assessment
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Chapter 1
Thurs/Fri
Unit 1 Lesson 5
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Mon/Tue
Sep. 24-25, 2015
FALL PEP ASSEMBLY
Philosophers
Influencing the
Founding Fathers
Chapter 2
Sep. 28-29, 2015
Time for a Revolution
Unit 1 Lesson 6
Chapter 2
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Wed/Thurs
Sep. 30-Oct 1, 2015
Unit 1 Lesson 7
Articles of
Confederation
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Chapter 2
Fri/Mon
Unit 1 Lesson 8
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Oct. 2-5, 2015
Federalist Papers
And
The Madisonian Model
Chapter 2
Outline of Activities
Entry Task:
 Reading Quiz
Lecture:
 Chapter 1 (Purposes of gov’t & linkage institutions)
 Expectations for Current Event #1 & #2 (handout)
Homework:
 Notebook: Current Event #1 & #2 – 30 pts. each
Entry Task:
 Share Current Event #1 & #2
Lecture:
 Chapter 1 Democracy (pp. 14-25)
Activity:
 Ch. 1 FRQ Review
Homework:
 Study for Chapter 1 Test!
 Complete Chapter 1 Vocab flashcards & Study Q’s – 106 pts.
Entry Task:
 M/C TEST: Chapter 1 Key Concepts & Terms – 120 pts.
 FRQ TEST: Chapter 1 – 60 pts.
Homework:
 Read Chapter 2/Reading Notes (pp. 26-47)
Entry Task:
 Chapter 2: Reading Quiz (pp. 26-47)
Activity:
 Policymaking and the Institutions (handout)
Lecture:
 Philosophers (Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Hume, Rousseau)
Homework:
 Read Ch. 2/Reading Notes (pp. 48-63)
 Fish Bowl Topics
Activity:
 Fish Bowl
Lecture:
 Chapter 2
Homework:
 Complete Ch. 2 Vocab flashcards & Study Questions – 144 pts.
Lecture:
 Chapter 2
Homework:
 Read Assigned Federalist (#10, 51, 70, & 78)
Activity:


The Federalist 10, 51, 70, and 78
Debrief on the importance of Federalist Papers
Lecture:
 Ch 2
Homework:
 Be prepared for a QUIZ 
AP Government
Unit 1 Schedule
Page 3 of 7
Day of
Week
Tue/Wed
Date / Topic
Oct. 6-7, 2015
Unit 1 Lesson 9
Understanding
the Constitution
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Chapter 2
Thurs/Fri
Oct. 8-9, 2015
Unit 1 Lesson 10
Making a Constitution
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Chapter 2
Tue/Wed
Unit 1 Lesson 11
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Oct. 13-14, 2015
Constitutional Changes
Chapter 2
Thurs/Fri
Oct. 15-16, 2015
Unit 1 Lesson 12
Homecoming Assembly
The Constitution
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Mon/Tue
Unit 1 Lesson 13
Chapter 2
Oct. 19-20, 2015
Defining Federalism
Chapter 3
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Wed/Thurs
Unit 1 Lesson 14
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Fri/Mon
Unit 1 Lesson 15
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Oct. 21-22, 2015
Constitutional Basis
Of Federalism
Chapter 3
Oct. 23-26, 2015
Intergovernmental
Relations Today
Chapter 3
Outline of Activities
Entry Task:
 M/C QUIZ: The Constitution
Lecture:
 Chapter 2
Activity:
 Consult the Constitution – 100 pts.
Homework:
 Complete Consult the Constitution
Lecture:
 Chapter 2
Activity:
 Marbury and Judicial Review (handout)
 Marbury v. Madison (handout)
Homework:
 Notebook: Current Event #3 – 30 pts.
Entry Task:
 Share Current Event #3
Lecture:
 Chapter 2
Activity:
 Prioritizing the Bill of Rights – 20 pts.
Homework:
 Study for Chapter 2 Test!
 Be prepared to turn in Chapter 2 Vocab Flashcards & Study
Questions – 144 pts.
Entry Task:
 M/C TEST: Chapter 2 Key Concepts & Terms – 120 pts.
 FRQ TEST: Chapter 2 – 60 pts.
Assignment:
 Citizenship Test (handout)
Homework:
 Read Chapter 3/Reading Notes (pp. 64-76)
Entry Task:
 Federalism Court Cases (handout)
Lecture:
 Chapter 3
Homework:
 Notebook: Current Event #4 - 30 pts.
 Read Chapter 3/Reading Notes (pp. 76-93)
Entry Task:
 Share Current Event #4
Assignment:
 M/C QUIZ: Federalism
Lecture:
 Chapter 3
Homework:
 Complete Ch. 3 Vocab flashcards & Study Questions – 120 pts.
Entry Task:
 Ch. 3 reading Quiz
Lecture:
 Chapter 3 / Analyzing Charts/Graphs
Homework:
 Study for UNIT 1 (Chapters 1-3) TEST!/CH. 3 Vocab/Q’s
AP Government
Unit 1 Schedule
Page 4 of 7
Day of
Week
Tue/Wed
Thurs/Fri
Unit 1 Lesson 16
Constitutional
Underpinnings
Date / Topic
Oct. 27-28, 2015
Oct. 29-30, 2015
Outline of Activities
Unit One Review / FRQ Practice
Grade pull for conferences
UNIT 1
UNIT TEST (Chapters 1-3, plus supplemental readings):
 60 Multiple Choice Questions - 120 pts.
 2 FRQ’s (30 minutes) - 60 pts.
(TEST is timed! 45 minutes multiple choice / 30 minutes FRQ)
Homework:
ASSESSMENT
 Read Chapter 6/Reading Notes (pp. 172-192)
Chapter 1 Learning Objectives:
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Define the fundamental concepts of government, politics, and public policy and explain how each is
interrelated.
Identify and explain the functions of government as outlined in the preamble to the Constitution.
Identify the six basic concepts of the policymaking system and explain how each impacts the process.
Identify the four policymaking institutions in America.
Identify, define and explain the three contemporary theories of American democracy.
Identify and explain the five criteria essential for an ideal democracy.
Be able to identify, define, and explain the key terms and concepts identified below.
Chapter 1 Key Terms & Concepts (50 points)
Conservative
Democracy
Direct Democracy
Elite and Class Theory
Federalism
Government
Hyperpluralism Theory
Indirect Democracy
Liberal
Linkage Institution
Pluralist Theory
Policy Agenda
Policy Gridlock
Policy Impact
Policymaking Institutions
Political Ideology
Political Issue
Political Participation
Politics
Public Policy
Representative Democracy
Single-Issue Groups
Social Contract Theory
Sovereignty
10th Amendment
Chapter One (pp. 1-25) “Introducing Governments in America” (106 points)
1.
Explain the concept of a “State” and the characteristics thereof. (4 points)
2.
What are the policymaking institutions and their functions at the national level? (8 points)
3.
Identify and explain the six purposes of government. (12 points)
4.
Identify the six key features that are found in a policymaking system and explain the process in which
they interact/connect. (12 points)
5.
What would change a government’s policy agenda? (2 points)
6.
Identify and define the five basic ideals of the democratic process. Refer to the notes given in class. Do
NOT use the descriptions in your textbook.(10 points)
AP Government
Unit 1 Schedule
Page 5 of 7
7.
Identify the three contemporary theories of American Democracy and explain who holds the power and
how policy is made. (6 points)
Chapter 2 Learning Objectives:
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Identify the philosophers that influenced the Founding Fathers and explain their ideals.
Explain the events that led to our present day Constitution beginning with the British colonies, and
including the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
Evaluate Federalist Papers 10, 51, and 78 and explain their impact on present day government.
Evaluate how issues of equality and economic needs were addressed by the Founding Fathers.
Describe the “Madisonian model” and explain how it is incorporated within the Constitution.
Describe the major issues between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists in the debates over
ratification of the Constitution.
Explain how constitutional changes – both formal and informal – continue to shape and alter the
Madisonian system.
Evaluate how the Constitution affects the scope of government in America.
Chapter 2 Key Terms & Concepts
Annapolis Convention
Anti-Federalists
Articles of Confederation
Baker v. Carr
Bicameral Legislature
Bill of Rights
Bills of Attainder
Checks and Balances
Confederate Government
Connecticut Compromise
Consent of the Governed
Constitution
Declaration of Independence
Electoral College
Ex Post Facto Laws
Factions
Federal Government
Federalist Papers
Federalists
Formal Amendments
Full Faith and Credit
Great Compromise
Informal Amendment
Judicial Review
Limited Government
Locke, John
Madison, James
Marbury v. Madison
Natural Rights
New Jersey Plan
Republic
Separation of Powers
Shays’ Rebellion
Suffrage
Texas v. Johnson
Three-Fifths Compromise
Unalienable Rights
Unitary Government
U.S. v. Eichman
Virginia Plan
Writ of Habeas Corpus
Chapter 2 “The Constitution” (pp. 28-63) (144 points)
1.
Explain the three components of the Declaration of Independence. (6 points)
2.
How did Locke’s philosophy impact Jefferson’s writings? (2 points)
3.
What system of government did the framers devise after winning the revolution? (2 points)
4.
Explain four powers under the Articles of Confederation. (8 points)
5.
Explain four major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. (8 points)
6.
What three “compromises” resolved the equality issue in the Constitution? (6 points)
7.
Who would determine if one could vote? (2 points)
AP Government
Unit 1 Schedule
Page 6 of 7
8.
Why did the framers spend little time dealing with protecting individual rights? (2 points)
9.
Provide three examples of Checks and Balances. (6 points)
10.
How was ratification of the Constitution different from ratification of the Articles? (2 points)
11.
Who ratified the constitution? (2 points)
12.
What is the two-part process to amending the Constitution? How many amendments have been
added to the Constitution? (6 points)
13.
Explain the five ways to “informally” amend the constitution (as identified in the lecture)? (10 points)
Chapter 3 Learning Objectives:
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Describe the three basic forms of governmental structures: federalism, unitary, and confederacy.
Explain why the relationship of local governments to the states is considered to be a unitary.
Identify the ways in which the Constitution determines the powers of state and national governments.
Evaluate how contrasting interpretations of the supremacy clause and the Tenth Amendment lead to
divergent views of the scope of state and national powers.
Describe how the Supreme Court set forth the principle of implied powers in the McCulloch v. Maryland
case.
Identify and analyze the clauses in the Constitution that define the obligations that each state has to
every other state.
Describe fiscal federalism and assess the role that federal money plays in state policies.
Summarize the characteristics of categorical grants and blocks grants, and examine the effects they
have on decision-making at the state and local levels.
Discuss how underfunded and unfunded mandates burden state governments.
Analyze the ways in which American federalism has a positive and negative effect on democracy.
Chapter 3 Key Terms & Concepts
Americans w/Disabilities Act
Block Grants
Brown v. Board of Education
Categorical Grants
Clean Air Act of 1970
Commerce Clause
Concurrent Power
Confederate Government
Cooperative Federalism
Decentralized Politics
Devolution
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Dual Federalism
Elastic Clause
Enumerated Powers
Extradition
Federalism
Fiscal Federalism
Formula Grants
Full Faith and Credit
Gibbons v. Ogden
Gonzales v. Oregon
Grants-In-Aid
Implied Powers
Inherent Powers
Intergovernmental Relations
Layer Cake Federalism
Mandates
Marble Cake Federalism
McCulloch v. Maryland
Necessary and Proper Clause
New Federalism
Privileges and Immunities
Project Grants
Reserved Powers
Revenue Sharing
South Dakota v. Dole
Supremacy Clause
Tenth Amendment
Universalism
Unitary Government
U.S. v. Lopez
AP Government
Unit 1 Schedule
Page 7 of 7
Chapter 3 “Federalism” (pp. 64-93) (120 points)
1.
Identify, define, and explain the key terms and concepts identified above. (84 points)
2.
How is a federal system different from a unitary system and a confederate system when it comes to
defining location of power: (6 points)
Unitary
Confederate
Federal
Central Gov’t
State Gov’t
3.
In what ways does federalism decentralize politics and policies? (2 points)
4.
What major court case established implied powers? (2 points)
5.
States are not entities of themselves. Explain three obligations that they have to each other? (6 points)
6.
Cite four powers that are “reserved” for the states. (8 points)
7.
What powers are shared or “concurrent” powers between the state and national government? (2 points)
8.
Explain three policy areas where cooperative federalism has occurred? (6 points)
9.
Why has the federal government attempted to return domestic policy back to the states? (2 points)
10.
Why don’t state governments approve of unfunded mandates? (2 points)