AP Government & Politics: United States - Course Syllabus (cont.)

AP GOVERNMENT & POLITICS: UNITED STATES

Date: September 2, 2014–June10, 2015

Instructor: / Mr. Bannon / Room: / C-311
Phone: / 734-783-3333
ext. 2829 / Prep:4th hour / Trimester 1: 2rdhour
Trimester 2: 2nd hour
Trimester 3: 2nd hour
E-mail /

TEXT

Harrison, Bridgid; Harris, Jean; Tolchin, Susan.American Democracy Now. 1st Edition. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2010.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL[CR 8]

Course pack includes excerpts from a number of political texts including both primary and secondary source material.Includes materials from the following sources:

  • McKenna,George and Stanley Feingold. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Political Issues. 16th Edition. McGraw Hill, 2010
  • Brundney, Kent M. and Mark E. Weber. Critical Thinking and American Government. 3rd Edition. Thomson-Wadsworth Inc., 2007
  • Diclerico, Robert E., and Alan S. Hammock. Points of View: Readings in American Government and Politics. 11th Edition. McGRaw Hill, 2009

DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States and includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. Topics include:

  • Constitutional underpinnings of the U.S. government,
  • Political beliefs and behaviors,
  • Political parties, interest groups and mass media,
  • Institutions of national government,
  • Public policy,
  • Civil rights and civil liberties.

Preparation for the A.P. examination will be emphasized. This is a college-level course and students will be expected to complete college level work.

REQUIREMENTS

You will take lecture notes and maintain all class materials in an organized manner. You will need to keep up with all assigned reading, and bring your textbook and notebook to every class meeting in order to participate in and receive credit for class activities.

  • Current Events: Students are expected to take part in weekly discussions focusing on contemporary American political issues. To do this, students must keep up with daily news events. Students should read the newspaper,watch television news stations, such as CNN, Fox News or MSNBC, and access reputable news websites on the internet. A lack of participation during in-class discussion will result in a lower participation grade. [CR 8]
  • Critical Thinking and Analysis Assignments:Students will complete a series of exercises designed to force you to delve critically and analytically into topics covered in American government. Students will use maps, data sets, and primary source documents to confront, apply, manipulate, and actively problem solve within the discipline. [CR 7]
  • Ex. Tracing African-American representation in Congress using data sets, analyzing the Electoral College using popular and electoral vote results and investigating incumbency using data on re-election rates.

RESOURCES

In addition to the textbook, various written resources will be provided in class.

A wide variety of supplemental materials and activities related to each topic we study can be found at:

Students are encouraged to make use of the Internet and other technology resources available in the WoodhavenHighSchoolMediaCenter, computer labs, and room C-311 during regular class time and by appointment.

EVALUATION

Your grade in this class will be based primarily upon your performance on multiple-choice and written examinations.

  • Multiple Choice Exams:Examinations covering material presented in class and in assigned reading will be administered after each unit. Grades on these examinations as well as frequent multiple-choice quizzes will be based on a standard grading scale.
  • Timed Essays:Students will respond to numerous analytical free-response essay questions. These essays will test a student’s ability to analyze and interpret the structure and actors within American government and politics. Essays will be given around every other week, while students are given approximately 45 minutes to finish. [CR 9]
  • Using Maps, Graphs,and Charts: Students are tested on their understanding of quantitative and visually presented information (maps and graphs) in regular intervals on exams. [CR 7]
  • Example Question
  1. According the table above, how do party delegates and party voters differ?
  2. Party delegates are more conservative than party voters.
  3. Party delegates have become more conservative over time, while party voters have become more liberal.
  4. Republican delegates are more likely than Republican voters to support some liberal ideology.
  5. Democratic delegates are more liberal than Democratic voters.
  6. Delegates closely mirror the ideology of their party’s delegates.

In addition to examinations, you will be evaluated on your participation in classroom activities, completion of in-class and homework assignments as well as completion of a semester project. Final grades will be calculated as follows:

Examinations and Quizzes50%

Essays35%

Homework, Participation, and Attendance15%

ABSENCE

In the event of an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to determine what assignments need to be completed. The instructor will not devote class time to explaining assignments missed due to an absence; students are welcome to come in during office hours for this information.

Students will be afforded one day to complete make up work for each day of an excused absence. Assignments submitted after this period of time will be considered late.

Pursuant to District policy, students with excessive absences will not be given a grade for the course.

Assignments turned in late will not receive full credit. Late work will not be accepted for unexcused absences.

Examinations missed during an excused absence must be completed on the first day you return to class, or as otherwise determined by Mr. Bannon.

PROJECTS

Project will be based upon facilitation of specific coursework. Each student will have certain material which he/she will be responsible for facilitating to the class as a whole.Details will be provided at a later date.

AP EXAMINATION

About the Exam

The two-hour and 25-minute test includes a 45-minute multiple-choice section and a 100-minute free-response section. When studying for the exam, keep in mind that you'll be tested on the following skills, abilities, and knowledge:

  • Knowledge of facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics
  • Understanding of 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)
  • Analysis and interpretation of data and relationships in U.S. government and politics
  • Written analysis and interpretation of the subject matter of U.S. government and politics
Section I: Multiple-Choice

There are 60 questions in the multiple-choice section. Unlike other multiple-choice tests, random guessing can hurt your final score. While you don't lose anything for leaving a question blank, one quarter of a point is subtracted for each incorrect answer on the test. But if you have some knowledge of the question and can eliminate one or more answers, it's usually to your advantage to choose what you believe is the best answer from the remaining choices.

Section II: Free-Response

You'll have 100 minutes total to answer the four free-response questions. Each essay is weighted equally toward your final score. It's recommended that you spend 25 minutes on each question.

For the most part, the questions require you to integrate knowledge from different content areas. You may have to discuss examples, elucidate or evaluate general principles of U.S. government and politics, and/or analyze U.S. political relationships or events.

Each essay should demonstrate your ability to organize a coherent answer about the specific question; interpret and analyze tables, charts, and/or graphs, and draw logical conclusions from the data in relation to general political concepts or relationships; and stay on task.

Scoring the Exam

The multiple-choice and free-response sections receive equal weight toward your final exam grade.

STUDY ASSISTANCE

All students are encouraged to obtain additional assistance with class assignments and/or test preparation before and after school.

The instructor may also be available at other times by appointment. Comprehensive study sessions will be held after the conclusion of the course but prior to the test date to facilitate student preparation for the AP examination.

PLAGERISM

Will not be tolerated in any form. Students caught plagiarizing will be referred to school administration for disciplinary action.

ETCETERA

It is also important that all classroom and school rules are strictly adhered to. Any deviation from these rules will result in loss of grade and/or disciplinary action.

COURSE OUTLINE

This course follows the curriculum guidelines contained in the MichiganSocial Studies Framework for twelfth-grade American Government as well as those published by The College Board® for Advanced Placement Government and Politics (U.S.).

Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government

People, Politics, and Participation Chapter 1

The Constitution Chapter 2

Federalism Chapter 3

  1. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adaption of the Constitution
  2. Separation of Powers
  3. Checks and Balances
  4. Federalism in depth
  5. Theories of democratic government

Essential Questions

  1. What is government and what does it do?
  2. What are the different types of government?
  3. What are the major origins of American democracy and government?
  4. How is political culture and American values affect government?
  5. How has the face of the American government changed over time?
  6. What are the different ideologies in the prism of American democracy?
  7. What is the Constitution and its foundations? Why was it created
  8. What are and explain the different parts of the Constitution?
  9. What were the main reasons for the creation of the United States of America?
  10. How is the Constitution an evolving document?
  11. What type of federal system does the US have today?
  12. How does the Constitution distribute the authority of the government?
  13. How is the federal system evolving today to meets the needs of the people?

Skills

Textbook: Read Chapters 1-3 in American Democracy Now, Read and Analyze Secondary reading "Taking Sides"

Vocabulary

  1. Authoritarism
  2. Elitism
  3. capitalism
  4. conservatism
  5. direct democracy
  6. democracy
  7. divine right of kings
  8. efficacy
  9. indirect democracy
  10. legitimacy
  11. liberalism
  12. liberaltarism
  13. limited government
  14. majority rule
  15. monarchy
  16. natural law
  17. naturalization
  18. neonconserativism
  19. oligarchy
  20. political ideology
  21. popular sovereignty
  22. social contract
  23. social contract theory
  24. socialism
  25. totalitarianism
  26. advice and consent
  27. bicameral
  28. checks and balances
  29. confederation
  30. Great Compromise
  31. Electoral College
  32. Judicial Review
  33. New Jersey Plan
  34. Natural Rights
  35. Separation of Powers
  36. three fifths compromise
  37. unicameral
  38. veto
  39. Virginia Plan

Primary Source Documents: Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, Iroquois Confederation, Northwest Ordinance, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution (including all amendments), Federalist Papers (10, 14, 51), 2nd Treatise on Government, Spirit of Laws, Common Sense, Marbury v. Madison, Gibbons v. Ogden, McCulloch v. Maryland

Assignments: Analyze Primary sources, Formation of government simulation,- James Madison The Federalist #51 #10, The Articles of Confederation

Constitutional Scavenger Hunt

Assessment:

Timed FRQ’s

  • Example Question
  • The Constitution was an attempt to address problems of decentralization that were experienced under the Articles of Confederation.
  • List three problems of decentralized power that existed under the Articles of Confederation. For each problem you listed, identify one solution that the Constitution provided to address the problem.
  • What factors led the founders to create a decentralized system in the first place? How did they safeguard against their early fears in the creation of the new Constitution?

Unit 1 Test

Potential Time Allotted

7 weeks

Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Political Socialization Chapter 6

Political Parties Chapter 8

  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. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors.

Essential Questions

  1. How are political socializations and civic participation linked?
  2. What are agents of socialization? How do they impact political views?
  3. How do demographics contribute to political views?
  4. How have public polls evolved?
  5. What factors have an impact on what the public views as the "most important problem"?
  6. What is the recent trend of Americans trusting the government?
  7. What function does a political party perform?
  8. What are the three faces of political parties?
  9. Why do two political parties dominate politics?
  10. What are the arguments for party decline and the opponents view of this theory?
  11. What has been the impact of third parties in elections?
  12. What are the political philosophies of neoconservatives and New Democrats?

Skills

Textbook

Read Chapters 6 and 8 American Democracy Now, Read and Analyze Secondary reading "Taking Sides

Vocabulary

  1. Agents of socialization
  2. cross pressuring
  3. exit polls
  4. gender gap
  5. generational effect
  6. political socialization
  7. population
  8. public opinion
  9. public opinion polls
  10. push polls
  11. quota system
  12. quota sample
  13. random sampling
  14. sample error (margin of error)
  15. stratified sampling
  16. straw poll
  17. tracking poll
  18. candidate centered campaign
  19. candidate committees
  20. dealignment
  21. divided government
  22. independent
  23. loyal opposition
  24. new deal coalition
  25. party identifiers
  26. party in the electorate
  27. party in government
  28. party organization
  29. party system
  30. patronage
  31. platform
  32. political machine
  33. political party
  34. populism
  35. primary election
  36. proportional representation system
  37. realignment
  38. responsible party model
  39. soft money loophole
  40. spoils system
  41. third party
  42. ticket splitting
  43. unilateralism

Primary Source Documents

Assignments

Political Party Assignment

Unit 2 test

FRQ's

Benchmark Test/ Final Exam

Potential Time Allotted

3 weeks

Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest groups, and Mass Media

Elections, Campaigns, and Voting Chapter 9

The Media Chapter 10

Interest Groups Chapter 7

A. Functions

B. Organization

C. Development

D. Effects on the political process

E. Electoral laws and system

Essential Questions

  1. What are some opportunities for civic engagement related to elections, campaigns, and voting?
  2. What are the different kinds of elections in the United States and what are their differences?
  3. What are the formal and informal requirements for political office?
  4. Why is regulating campaign finance difficult? What are some efforts to limit them?
  5. What are factors that influence people to vote?
  6. What is the rational abstention thesis? Is it rational? What factors might not be calculated?
  7. What functions do the media perform? How have these functions changed over time?
  8. What is the evolution of the press?
  9. How are political campaigns waged on the media?
  10. How has technology changed politics today?
  11. What impact does the media have on policy making?
  12. What evidence supports their is a media bias?
  13. What way does the government regulate the media? Explain
  14. Explain in detail the difference between the pluralist and elite theories and view of interest groups of the US.
  15. Why do people join interest groups? Who is likely to join an interest group?
  16. What kind of interest groups exists in the United States? What determines how powerful an interest group is?
  17. How do political action committees attempt to influence government?

Skills

Textbook

Read Chapters 9,10, 7 in American Democracy Now, Read and Analyze Secondary reading "Taking Sides

Vocabulary

  1. absentee voting
  2. Australian ballot
  3. campaign consultant
  4. campaign manager
  5. campaign strategy
  6. caucus
  7. chad
  8. closed primary
  9. coattail effect
  10. 527
  11. fund raising consultant
  12. general election
  13. GOTV
  14. incumbency
  15. independent expenditures
  16. initiative
  17. instant runoff election
  18. media consultant
  19. office block ballot
  20. open primary
  21. party column ballot
  22. proposition
  23. prospective voting
  24. rational abstention thesis
  25. recall
  26. referendum
  27. retrospective voting
  28. runoff election
  29. salient
  30. Super Tuesday
  31. turnout rate
  32. voter fatigue
  33. convergence
  34. digital divide
  35. e campaigning
  36. fairness doctrine
  37. framing
  38. fireside chats
  39. infotainment
  40. letter to editor
  41. media segmentation
  42. narrow casting
  43. Net neutrality
  44. net-roots
  45. new media
  46. penny press
  47. priming
  48. public agenda
  49. soft news
  50. yellow journalism
  51. climate control
  52. collective goods
  53. economic incentives
  54. electioneering
  55. elite theory
  56. free ride problem
  57. interest groups
  58. iron triangle
  59. issue network
  60. lobby
  61. pluralist theory
  62. PAC
  63. purposive incentives
  64. rational choice theory
  65. social capital
  66. solidary incentives
  67. umbrella organizations

Primary Source Documents

Assignments

Unit 3 Test/ Benchmark Test/ FRQ/

Potential Time Allotted

3 weeks

Unit 4: Institutions of National Government:

Congress Chapter 11

The Presidency Chapter 12

The Judiciary Chapter 13

The Bureaucracy Chapter 14

The State and Local Governments Chapter 18

  1. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
  2. Relationships between the major institutions and varying balances of power
  3. Linkages between institutions and the following:
  1. Public opinions and voters
  2. Interest Groups
  3. Political Parties
  4. The media
  5. State and local governments

Essential Questions

  1. Why was Congress created in the way it was?
  2. What impact does incumbency have on elections?
  3. What is the difference between reapportionment and redistricting?
  4. What has been the impact of the necessary and proper (elastic) clause?
  5. What are two types of congressional powers?
  6. What is the impact of enumerated powers(duties) of the House and the Senate have on the expertise of each chamber?
  7. What are the basic step of the legislative process?
  8. What factors influence the legislative process? How?
  9. Why are so many bills introduced but few pass?
  10. How has party line voting increased in Congress?
  11. Explain the process of Presidential elections? What role do the states play?
  12. What are the roles of the President? Provide examples for each
  13. What are the sources of President powers? How have they evolved over time
  14. Explain the organization and functions of the EOP
  15. What is the trend in regard to a woman as President?
  16. List and describe the structural characteristics of bureaucratic organizations
  17. Compare and Contrast the following categories of bureaucrats: political appointees, civil servants, senior executive service bureaucrats, and shadow bureaucrats.
  18. What accounts for the growth of the national budget for the last decade and the number of civilian employees has remand stable?
  19. Describe the role bureaucrats play at each stage of the policy making process?
  20. What are three or four characteristics bureaucrats perform well
  21. Distinguish between internal and external means of bureaucratic accountability and give some examples.
  22. What is the basis of the American legal system?
  23. What are the five sources of law in the US legal system? What is the relationship between them?
  24. What is the structure of the federal court system? Does the system have more power or less power then the state courts?
  25. How are federal judges chosen? Who tends to be chosen? How does the selection of judges differ at each level of the courts?
  26. What is the process for the Supreme Court selecting cases
  27. What ways do federal judges participate in civic discourse as policy makers?
  28. How can the Supreme courts power be checked by the Constitution and external sources

Skills