Advanced Placement U.S. Government & Politics – Mrs. Price
Seckman High School
2015 - 2016
Room 249
Teacher conference period: 3rd
Voicemail: 282-1485 ext. 249
Email: PriceL@fox.k12.mo.us
Course Description:
The intent of this year-long course is to increase understanding of the American political system, its·
frameworks, traditions and values with the goal of having each student pass the AP exam. This course
is concerned with the nature of the American political system, and its development over the past two
centuries. We will examine in detail the principle processes and institutions through which the
political system functions, as well as some of the public policies which these institutions establish and
how they are implemented.
Course Goals: Students successfully completing this course will:
• Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics
• Understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their
consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles
used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and
the political effects of these structures and procedures)
• Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and
Politics
Content, Scope and Sequence
A. Constitutional Underpinnings of American Democracy
1. Federalism
2. Separation of powers
3. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the
Constitution
B. Political Beliefs and Behaviors of Individuals
1. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
2. Processes by which citizens learn about politics 3. The nature,
sources, and consequences of public opinion
4. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in
political life
5. The variety of factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in
terms of their political beliefs and behaviors
C. Political Parties and Interest Groups
1. Political parties and elections
a. functions
b. organization
c. historical development
d. effects on the political process
2. Interest groups (including PACs)
a. the range of interests
b. the activities of interest groups
c. the effects of interest groups on the political process
D. The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts:
Institutions and Policy Processes
1. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of
power
2. Relationships among these four institutions
3. Links between these institutions and political parties, interest groups,
the media, sub national governments, and public opinion
4. Policy processes and outputs
5. Policy-making in a federal system
E. Public Policy
1. Policy making in a federal system
2. The information of policy agendas
3. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation.
5. Linkages between policy processes and the following:
a. Political institutions and federalism
b. Political parties
c. Interest groups
d. Public opinion
e. Elections
f. Policy networks
F. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
1. The department of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
a. First amendment freedoms
b. The rights of the accused
c. Minority groups and women’s rights
Texts:
Lowi, Theodore J., Benjamin Ginsberg, Kenneth A. Shepsle, & Stephen Ansolabehere. American
Government: Power & Purpose, 13th ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2014.
Woll, Peter. American Government Reading & Cases, 19th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012.
Supplement readings will be provided by instructor.
GRADING SCALE:
A = 90 – 100 %
B = 80 – 89 %
C = 70 – 79 %
D = 60 – 69 %
F = Below 60 %
GRADING:
We will do total points in this class. Please check Tyler regularly to keep current on your grades.
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY
Students are expected to abide by ethical standards, in preparing and presenting material which
demonstrate their level of knowledge and which is used to determine grades. Such standards are
founded on the basic concepts of honesty and integrity. In other words, do your own work, don’t copy
someone else’s assignment, don’t cheat, and DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! Appropriate consequences will
result from breaking this pledge, including a zero on the assignment and a discipline report being
given to your administrator.
ASSIGNMENTS
 All assignments are due at the beginning of the period.
 Write legibly. Research projects must be typed. Please use 12-point font and 1 inch margins.
 Always write in complete sentences unless instructed otherwise.
 For final drafts, write only on one side of the paper in blue or black ink, use 1-inch margins. If
typing use 12 point font & double space.
 Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a lowered grade.
MAKEUP WORK
For regular daily assignments, you have 2 days following the absence to make up the work. Make sure
that you write absent on the top of your assignment before you turn it in.
If you miss class it is your responsibility to collect the missed assignments, which will be placed in the
hanging folders on the bookshelf. Check the calendar above the hanging folders to see what you
missed and what homework was assigned. You must also arrange to get a copy of the notes from a
fellow student. Assignments will also be put on the class webpage (when possible). AGAIN, it is YOUR
responsibility to get your make-up work.
If you are excused from class due to a school activity, all assignments due the day of the absence must
be turned in before you leave for the activity. Make sure you plan ahead.
LATE WORK POLICY
* For regular homework assignments: 10% off per day
* For large assignments, late penalties will be larger and will be detailed when the project is assigned.
It is your responsibility to turn in your work on time. If you don’t, I will record a zero until I receive
your assignment.
EXPECTATIONS
I pledge to treat you as a mature, responsible learner. This means I will speak to you directly about
academic or behavioral issues. If you choose not to address these issues or if the concerns are too
serious, I will contact your parents to make them aware of the problem. This mutual respect and
academic relationship we are cultivating also makes some demands of you. It requires that you take
the initiative in your education. For example, you need to regularly access your grade on the Tyler
system so that you are aware of your progress in the class. If you have a question about your grade,
please approach me at the end of the period or during AIM. If you discover that you are having
difficulty in the class, please come in during AIM for extra help, or discuss with me the opportunities to
come in after school. Your success and growth is important to me and taking responsibility for your
own learning will help you develop crucial life skills that you will utilize well after high school.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
 Respect everyone in class. This means no name-calling, no hurting anyone’s feelings, no talking
when someone else is talking, or in any way interfering with the education of another student.
In short, treat others the way you would want to be treated.
 When the bell rings, be ready to work. You should be in your seat with your materials ready. I
do count tardies!
 Be prepared. Bring required materials to class every day.
 All rules in the student handbook apply in this classroom.
 Electronic devices (cell phones, IPods, etc) should be silent or off and must be kept in your
bookbag or purse unless we are using the device for a class activity or you are given permission
to access them.
 No talking when I am talking.
 The bell doesn’t dismiss the class, I do.
 Each student may have up to 5 hall passes each semester. The timing of the passes is subject to
the approval of the instructor.
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
1st Offense: Verbal Warning
2nd Offense: Student/Teacher Conference
3rd Offense: Phone Call Home
4th Offense: Student is sent to principal
(More serious infractions may result in skipping the first levels of discipline.)
SUPPLIES
 White, college-ruled loose-leaf paper or notebook
 Blue or black ink pens
 Highlighter(s)
 Binder & dividers
 Review guide for the AP Test (Baron’s, Princeton, etc. can be purchased at Amazon or Barnes &
Noble) – optional but strongly encouraged!
WEBSITES
The following websites will be useful to you as we work together this year:
www.apcentral.collegeboard.com (AP official site)
http://www.apstudynotes.org/us-government/vocabulary/ (Vocab for AP Govt)
http://books.wwnorton.com/books/index.aspx (site for online textbook)
CLASS WEBPAGE: www.mrspriceshs.wordpress.com
Please visit this page often for class resources such as power point for the lectures, review materials,
and digital copies of class assignments.
REMIND
I have created a group on Remind (aka Remind101). You can download the app for free, text or visit
the link below to sign up.
Link: www.remind.com/join/9dcbc
Text: @9dcbd to (703) 687-9250
App: code is @9dcbc
AP EXAM
The AP exam for US Government & Politics will be May 10, 2016.
AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS EXAM: 2 HOURS 25 MINUTES
The AP United States Government and Politics Exam asks students to explain and apply key and
supporting concepts. The exam measures students' understanding of American political culture and
the interactions of governing and linkage institutions. Questions are based on the six major topics in
the course, and students must be able to define, compare, explain, and interpret political concepts,
policies, processes, perspectives, and behaviors that characterize the U.S. political system.
Format of Assessment
Section I: Multiple Choice | 60 Questions | 45 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
 Demonstrate understanding of major course concepts, policies and institutions
 Apply skills of comparison and interpretation in addition to factual recall
Section II: Free Response | 4 Questions | 100 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score
 Define concepts and explain or interpret content across all course topics
 Analyze political relationships and evaluate policy changes using examples from the course to
support the argument or response
HOW TO APPROACH THE TEXTBOOK
1. Survey: Look over the title and main headings in each chapter before reading. Read captions
under pictures and illustrations. Read any summary statement, introduction, or review. Use
your study guides!!! It includes a list of objectives, main themes, and glossary for each chapter.
Once you have finished reading use the practice quiz for each chapter to check your
comprehension.
2. Question: Turn each topic heading into at least one question. This forces you to concentrate on
ideas and information.
3. Read: As you read, try and answer the questions you asked. Read only from one topic heading
to the next and then stop.
4. Recite: Now recite! That means to answer your questions and summarize what you read in
your own words. If you can’t, scan back over the section until you can. It might be helpful to jot
down certain terms and ideas which answer your questions.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please detach & return to Mrs. Price by August 28.
I have read and understand the guidelines and procedures for Mrs. Price’s Advanced Placement United
States Government & Politics class and have shared them with my parents.
Student’s Name: __________________________________________ Period: _________
Student’s Signature: _________________________________Parent’s Signature: __________________________
Parent email: ____________________________________________________________________________
Thank you! I look forward to working with you and your son or daughter this year!