Class Syllabus

2016-17AP United States

Government and Politics

What Is Government?

To some, government is a complex, sometimes baffling, arraymaze of bureaucrats, agencies, and contradictory rules and regulations. To others, it is an administrative organization set up to identify, define, and resolve problems for the whole of society. Some citizens vocally complain government is a burdensome source of excessive regulation and inefficiency while others tout it as a major source of public good entrusted with safeguarding the public welfare. Whatever view you may hold, it is important to know what American government is, how and why it functions the way it does, its historical origins, how government policies impact everyday citizens’ lives, and how a citizen can become empowered to challenge or change publicleadership and governmental institutions.

Introduction

Welcome to AP United States Government and Politics. Over the next nine months we will examine the origins, institutions, ideologies, political behavior, organization, and evolution of the American political system. This course is designed as a college level entry elective survey in a typical post-secondary political science setting. Coursework, requirements, and expectations will be the same as those found in a post-secondary entry-level political science class. The course is arranged into six major thematic units:

(1) Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government

(2) Political Beliefs and Political Behaviors

(3) Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

(4) Institutions of National Government (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, and Bureaucracy)

(5) Social & Economic Public Policy

(6) Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Course Overview

The primarygoal of this course is to help students gain and demonstrate an understanding of American politics and the processes of government that shape public policy. AP students are expected to develop a more sophisticated and insightful understanding of majority rule democracy, constitutionalism, civil liberties, and other distinguishing characteristics of the American political system well beyond the foundational knowledge you acquired in 11th grade Civics and Government class. Throughout the course we will examine and evaluate the institutions of government, those who run those institutions, the public polices made by these institutions, and the influences of the electorate and elections on policies. In addition, this course will:

(1) Provide students will practice in analyzing and interpreting data, charts, graphs, and other information relevant to U.S. government and politics.

(2) Analyze key supplemental articles and documents(to include primary source material and contemporary news articles) that strengthen and broaden student understanding of the curriculum’s underpinnings.

(3) Require students to demonstrate their critical thinking / writing skills by answering analytical and interpretive free-response questions on a frequent basis.

(4) Enhance and expand the student’s fluency of Political Science terminology (vocabulary, meanings, significance)

A college level political science course cannot provide either easy or comfortable answers to many political, economic, or societal issues. Some ideological or political positions covered and discussed may upset somestudents and challenge their personally heldworldview. A political science course can, and perhaps should, provide a set of objective civic values to take into life. It can help students distinguish the essential from the incidental, encourage them to understand and evaluate competing ideological arguments, and require them to formulate and express well-informed opinions on political and policymaking processes. In essence,it should enable a student to carry on an intelligent discussion about political, economic, and social issues without feeling threatened by opposing points of view on a given topic. As the Greek philosopher Aristotle noted, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

AP U.S. Government and Politics is a demanding, highly structured college-level course. Students are not only expected to thoroughly read the college-level textbook by James Q. Wilson, but also to augment this material through independent research and the reading of all supplemental text. Students will critically apply their newly gained insights and knowledgebyanalyzing and dissecting historic and current governmental policies, evaluating the historical and contemporary ramifications of these policies, and demonstrate the ability to intelligently articulate a point of view or argument based upon content knowledge.

The primary objective of this course is to help students be prepare for the material covered on the AP U.S. Government and Politics College Board Exam. More importantly,my personal goal of this course is to help you become better thinkers and more insightful citizens. Thus it is imperative that a serious academic environment exist and that each student is dedicated to allocating the necessary time to prepare for this class, is highly motivated to master the content, and is willing to accept the rigors that comes from this type of course.

The A.P. College Board Exam

Students are not required to take the A.P. Exam but are strongly encouraged to do so. Students must pay their own fee to take the AP Exam, but financial assistance is available from the state for those with demonstrated need (please see Guidance for details).The AP United States Government and Politics examination is 2 hours and 25 minutes long. Each examination consists of a 45-minute multiple-choice section (60 questions) and a free-response section consisting of four mandatory questions. Students have 100 minutes to answer all four essay questions, and it is expected that they will spend approximately 25 minutes on each question.

The faculty consultants’ judgments on the essay and problem-solving questions are combined with the results of the computer-scored multiple-choice questions. The total raw scores are converted to AP’s 5-point scale.

AP GradeQualification

5Extremely Well Qualified

4Well Qualified

3Qualified

2Possibly Qualified

1No Recommendation

The college or university you are planning on attending, not the College Board, or the AP Program, awards advanced placement and/or credit. The best source of specific and up-to-date information about an individual’s institution’s policy is its catalog or website.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Identify the origins of government and evolution of democratic institutions.
  • Articulate the ideological underpinnings and real world successes and shortcomings of Constitutional government (i.e. - Constitutionalism).
  • Trace the evolution of Federalism throughout the course of American history.
  • Explain the interrelationship between American government and economics.
  • Define the rights, duties, and responsibilities, of citizenship at the local, state, and national level of government.
  • Analyze the role of government in relation to the concept of individual liberty.
  • Identify political culture trends resulting from shifts in demographics, voting patterns, and changing socio-economic status.
  • Utilize learned structures and strategies in relation to content area to include thematic studies, documentary reading, and inquiry method of learning.
  • Develop organized and effective writing techniques (specifically for the AP Exam).
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret data and other information relevant to U.S. government and politics.
  • Interpret and analyze governmental data, charts, graphs, and political cartoons.

Teaching Methodology/Learning Activities

Instruction will include a mixture of lecture / presentations, group activities and discussions (topic assignments and discussion leaders will be identified for specific dates), debates, and independent research. In each class, time will be spent discussing/analyzing/interpreting both historical and current political and governmental concepts/issues.

Chapter Quizzes

A brief 3 to 5 question quiz will be administered from time to time to ensure students have kept up with their reading assignments.

Chapter Tests

At the completion of each chapter a 30 to 50 point test will be administered to check your mastery of the chapter content. Chapter test normally consist of 30 to 40 multiple-choice questions and one to two free response essay based upon the key concepts, data, and classroom lecture.

Unit Tests

Unit test will take place at the end of multiple chapters (usually 3 to 5). The unit test will be 60 multiple choice questions along with four free response essays (two take home essays, two in-class essays) The tests format will mirror the College Board’s AP Government test in order to prepare you for the college board exam.

Mid-Term and Final Exams

The Mid-Term will cover material covered during the first semester; the final exam will cover material from the second semester. Each test will count for 10% of your overall grade for the year. Even if you take the AP College Board Exam in May you will be expected to take my final exam in June.

Classroom Rules and Expectations

1. Class begins when the bell rings. Students must be seated and silent when the bell rings. Do not hang out in the hallway until the bell rings or you may be assigned a tardy.

2. Students are expected to come to class prepared each day with their notebook and writing utensil. Students are responsible for submitting any due homework assignments on time. Students are responsible for daily note taking and are expected to actively participate in classroom discussion, activities, and group work. You will be evaluated based upon your class participation. You need to participate!

3. All information accessed by students in the completion of paper and research assignments must be properly cited using the M.L.A. documentation guidelines. I would suggest that you utilize easybib.comfor help in writing a proper citation. Plagiarism will be treated as a serious offense, voiding grades and initiating administrative punishment as outlined in the school district’s guidelines.

4. Students are required to type all submitted work unless otherwise directed by the instructor. The use of pencil is not permitted (with the except of Scantron test). All assignment must be properly documented in the upper right hand corner with you full name, period, and course title. Specific headings requirements will be given for research papers.

Homework, Essay, Political Cartoon, and Current Event

Guidelines and Expectations

1. Do not wait till the very last minute to complete an assignment and rush to complete it. Traditionally students who procrastinate receive poor grades compared to students who take their time and carefully prepare their work.

2. All assignments must be typed on plain white paper unless otherwise instructed to do so.

3. Always format your work using the proper MLA formatting guidelines.

4. When responding to a question, always include the question in the answer. This should take place in the introductory sentence. Always clearly articulate your thesis statement in the opening paragraph.

5. Always carefully read what the question is asking and respond to all questions being asked?

6. Always use facts and specific vocabulary and examples in your statements. Avoid generalizations and vague words such as stuff, kind of, you know, etc.

7. Check your spelling and grammar. People will judge you by the vocabulary you use and your mastery of the English language. It is essential that you elevate your writing to that expected in a university setting.

8. The minimum required response is just that, the minimum. You may need to go beyond the limit in order to fully answer a question. If you simply stop at the minimum requirement and do not fully answer the question you may be penalized for not fully addressing the question. Be clear, concise, and to the point -you are graded on the quality of what you write - not on the quantity.

9. You need to hand in every assignment that is required. AP Government is a college level course. Do not blow off your assignments!

The quality of your work is a direct reflection of you as a person. This is true for either college bound students or students planning on entering the work force. Your professors and supervisors will not accept poor quality work from you; neither will I. You need to take pride in what you do and produce work that is expected of an advanced placement student.

Late Work and Missed Classes

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date. As an enrolled member of this AP Government class I expect a commitment to attend class regularly and avoid excessivefield trips throughout the course of the year. Class activities that were missed due to an excused absence will fall under the school district late work policy. Remember, if you are missing work it is your responsibility to see the instructor to get the missing work.

Snow Day Policies

If school is closed due to a snow emergency, all scheduled assignments, reports, quizzes, or tests will be due the next school day. If an assignment is scheduled for Friday and school is cancelled, the assignment will be due on Monday. Early dismissals and delays will be handled in the same manner. If class is scheduled to meet on a delay day you will be required to complete/have completed the assignment. If class does not meet due to an early dismissal or delay, all work will be due the following school day.

Grading

Students are to be prepared daily by volunteering information / insights, asking knowledgeable questions, and actively participating in class discussion and group work. You will be graded in a variety of ways during the semester. Please note: the WSD has mandated that homework assignment cannot count for more than 15% of your overall grade.

Activity / Point Value
Chapter Quizzes / 30 to 40 points
Unit Tests / 100 points
Weekly Current Event Reports / 10 points
Political Cartoon Analysis Forms / 10 points
Research Projects / Presentations / Varies in Value
Worksheets / Varies In Value
Group Activities / Varies in Value
Participation Grade / 1 to 2 points per class for classroom discussion

A.P. Government Course Resources

TEXTBOOK:

Wilson, James Q. and John J. Dilulio, Jr., American Government, 10th Ed.,

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS:

(Partial List – May be supplemented / updated as year progresses and new resources become available).

Allen, John L., Ed., Environment 02/03 21st Edition,

Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill / Dushkin, 2002.

Cigler, Allan J. and Burdett A. Loomis, American Politics: Classic and

Contemporary Readings, 5th Edition, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.

Combs, James E. and Dan Nimmo, A Primer of Politics,

New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1984.

Hastedt, Glenn Ed., Annual Editions: Foreign Policy 99/00,

Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill / Dushkin, 1999.

Lasser, William, Perspectives on American Politics, 3rd Edition,

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.

Payne, Keith Ph.D., Nuclear Peacekeeping: The U.S., the U.S.S.R., and Nuclear Deterrence.

New York: McDougal, Littell & Company, 1990.

Serow, Ann G. and Everett C. Ladd, The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, 2nd Ed.,

Baltimore: Lanahan Publishers, Inc., 2000.

Stinebrickner, Bruce Ed., Annual Editions: American Government 02/03,

Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2002.

Stinebrickner, Bruce Ed., Annual Editions: State and Local Government, 11th Edition,

Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2003.

Thompson, Dennis F., Political Ethics and Public Office.

Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1987.

Ziegler, David W. War, Peace, and International Politics, 3rd Edition,

Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1984.

WORKBOOKS / ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Benson, David G. and Karen K. Warples, Fast Track to a 5: Preparing for the AP United States

Government and Politics Examination (To accompany American Government 9th and 10th Editions by Wilson and Dilulio). Evanston, Illinois: McDougal Littell, 2006.

Benedict, James A. and Daniel S. Ludlum, Advanced Placement United States

Government and Politics: Institutions, Policy, and Politics. The Center for

Learning, 1993, 1999.

Melchior, Mary Beth, Instructor’s Resource Manual: American Government, 10th Ed.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

Ruckman, P.S., Jr. Test Item File: American Government, 10th Ed.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

Wilson, James Q. and John J. Dilulio, Jr. Overhead Transparencies: American Government,

10th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

Wilson, James Q. and John J. Dilulio, Jr., State and Local Government, 5th Ed.

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

Weekly Homework / Class Work Assignments

Weekly Current Event Reports

(An analysis of government activity as reported by the academic media)

  • Students are responsible weekly to complete a current events article review form.
  • This activity is worth 10 points and will be collected every Thursday throughout the term unless otherwise announced.
  • Students must use the required format; the current event form must be typed. A downloadable form is on my Teacherweb site.
  • Current events reports must focus on governmental / policy issues at the national or international level. Examples may include issues concerning elections, the economy, foreign affairs, or the workings of a government agency.
  • Do not email me your work. You need to produce a hard copy of it for grading / evaluation.
  • It is strongly recommended that students always back up their work on a flash drive / data key / thumb drive for every assignment.
  • You are required to use one of the sources listed below for your story. The story you select must be of substantial length (two to five pages minimum). The story must be printed out (or photocopied), key facts and insights highlighted, and attached to the back of your current event report form.

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