AP® United States Government & Politics
Mr. Barry Rinks Syllabus
Muscle Shoals High School
Curricular Requirements
The teacher has read the most recent AP Government and Politics Course Description, available as a free download on the AP United States Government and Politics Course Home Page.
AP United States Government and Politics Course Home Page
The course provides instruction in the following as outlined in the AP® Course Description:
CR1 Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
CR2 Political Beliefs and Political Behaviors
CR3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
CR4 Institutions of National Government
CR5 Public Policy
CR6 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
CR7 The course provides students with practice in analyzing and interpreting data and other information relevant to U.S. government and politics.
CR8 The course includes supplemental readings, including primary source materials (such as The Federalist Papers) and contemporary news analyses that strengthen student understanding of the curriculum.
CR9 The course requires students to answer analytical and interpretive free-response questions on a frequent basis.
Text
Wilson, James Q., and John J. DiLulio Jr. American Government: Institutions and Policies.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 2004
Supplemental Text
Burns, James MacGregor, et al. Government by the People. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice
Hall., 2000
Supplemental Reader
Woll, Peter. American Government Readings and Cases. New York: Longman. 1999
Constitutional Underpinnings [CR1]
Day / Lesson / Articles/Charts/Tables/Diagrams/ Handouts / Advanced organizers / Special Activities/Homework1 / Read and Discuss Syllabus
Constitution Study Guide / Constitution Study Guide (201 Questions) / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 1
Text Read Chapter 1, Pages 4-15
2 / Vocabulary Quiz Ch. 1
Study of American Government:
Distribution of Power in a Democracy
Who Governments
American Government Sources / Handout: Pluralist v. Elite [CR2]
Handout: Montesquieu’s The Spirit of the Laws
Handout: Rousseau’s Social Contract / Woll Read: The Governmental Process, page 219
Woll Read: Second Treatise, of Civil Government, page 4
3 / Magna Carta, John Locke, English Bill of Rights
Colonial Practices
Colonist wanted to be entitled to “natural rights” / Article: Mayflower Compact
Advanced Organizer: Foundations of American Government
Ordered, Limited, Representative / Read: Declaration of Independence CR8
4 / First and Second Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence / Text Read: Chapter 2, pages 17-47
Text: Vocabulary Chapter 2
5 / Woll reading quiz
American concepts of democracy
Liberty, Revolution, Articles of Confederation-weaknesses
The Constitution:
The Constitutional Convention
Examples of Compromise, Democracy, Liberty, / Chart: Articles of Confederation CR7
Handout: Fear from Shay’s Rebellion
Advance Organizer : VA/NJ-Plan & CT/Slave Compromise / Woll Read: The Founding Fathers: A Reform… ,page 10
Woll Read: Framing the Constitution, page 31
Woll Read: Federalist 47, 48, 51 page 41. CR8
6 / Woll reading quiz
Federalist & Antifederalist views
Ratification of the Constitution / Woll Read: How Not to Read the Constitution, page 47
Read: The Constitution CR8
7 / Purpose of the Constitution (Preamble)
Constitutional Key Principles:
Separation of Powers & Checks and
Balances
Federalist 47
Federalist 48
Federalist 51 / Handout: Preamble section examples
Diagram:Checks and Balances
Student will fill in basic constitutional principles diagram) CR7 / Read: Federalist 78
Woll Read: Marbury v. Madison (1803) page 410 CR8
8 / Vocabulary quiz Ch 2
Constitutional Key Principles continued:
Judicial Review
Federalist 51,
Federalist 78
Marbury v. Madison
popular sovereignty, federalism, limited government, / Handout: Gibbons v. Ogden / Woll Read: McCulloch v. MD (1819) page 66
Oyez.org: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) CR8
9 / Amendment Process (formal and informal)
Bill of Rights
Constitutional Issues
McCulloch v. MD
Gibbons v. Ogden / Diagram: Formal amendment proposal and ratification methods. CR7 / Amendment Fan-(Bill of Rights only)
10 / Test
Multiple Choice Questions 80
Free-Response Writing / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 3
Text Read: Chapter 3 pages 48-74
11 / Review Multiple Choice
Peer Editing Free-Response Questions
Introduce Federalism
Founding & Governmental Structure
/ Free-Response Rubric
Advance Organizer Federalism
Diagram: Lines of Power
12 / Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 3
Continue Federalism:
National Government Powers
States Rights v. National Interest / Diagram of Delegated Powers
Diagram: 10th Amendment
13 / Continue Federalism:
Dual Federalism & State Sovereignty
Grants, Revenue Sharing, Intergovernmental Lobby, Mandates / Graph: Federal Grants to States
Graph: Deficits & / oyez.org: Printz v. U.S. (1997) CR8
14 / Test
Free Response Writing [CR9]
Multiple Choice / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 4
Text Read: Chapter 4 pages 76-96
15 / Review Multiple Choice
Peer Editing Free-Response Questions
Introduce American Political Culture / Free-Response Rubric / Woll Read: Democratic Practice and Democratic Theory page 205
Congress
Federalist 48
Political Beliefs/Political Behaviors [CR2]
Day / Lesson / Articles/Charts/Tables/Diagrams/ Handouts / Advanced organizers / Special Activities/Homework16 / American Political Culture
Political System
Religion
Economic System
Comparing American / Woll Read: The Responsible Electorate page 213
17 / Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 4
Mistrust of Government
Sources of Political Culture / Article: Vietnam, Watergate, Impeachment / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 5
Text Read: Chapter 5 pages 103-128
18 / Public Opinion
Political Socialization: Family,
Religion, Gender, Education,
Social & Economic Class / Advanced Organizer: Notes / Political Socialization questions Lasser Read: The Other War Room page 169
19 / Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 5
Political Ideology
Liberals & Conservatives / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 6
Text Read: Chapter 6 pages 130-148
20 / Political Participation
Voter Turnout / Table: Registered voters by State
Chart: Ethnic Voters
Chart: Voter Participation in Presidential Elections
21 / Test Chapters 4 & 5
Multiple Choice
Free Response Question [CR9]
Multiple Choice Questions / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 9
Text Read: Chapter 9 pages 222-246
Interest Groups /Media/ Political Parties [CR3]
Day / Lesson / Articles/Charts/Tables/Diagrams/ Handouts / Advanced organizers / Special Activities/Homework22 / Review Multiple Choice
Peer Editing Free-Response Questions
Interest Groups
Proliferation
Kinds of Organizations / Free-Response Rubric
Handout: Pluralism
Table: Public Interest Law Firms / Woll Read: The Governmental Process page 219
Woll Read: Pressure Groups page 229
23 / Quiz on Woll Reading
Environmental Movement
Feminist Movement
Union Movement / Graph: Union Membership
Article: AARP / Woll Read: Running with the PACs page 234
Woll Read: Buckley v. Valeo (1976) page 251 CR8
24 / Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 9
Bias, PACs, & Regulation / Table: PACs Spending / Woll Read: Campaign Finance Reform page 257
25 / The Media
Printed Press
Networks
Internet & Electronic Journalism / Political Cartoon / Text Read: Chapter 10 pages 277
Text Vocabulary Chapter 10
26 / Rules Governing the Media
Effects of the Media on Politics
Washington Post / Table: Network Viewer Decline
Graph: Political News Age Groups
Handout: How to Read a Newspaper / Internet News: Find Newspaper Article, Find Bias Article CR7
27 / Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 10
Interpreting Political News
News Leeks
Sensationalism in the Media
Government Constraints / Pie Chart: Decline in Public Trust in the Media / Text Read: Chapter 7
Text Vocabulary Chapter 7
28 / Political Parties
Rise and Decline of Political parties
National Party Structure / Graph: Decline of Party Identification
Political Cartoon: Donkey &Elephant / Woll Read: Federalist 10 page 165 CR8
Woll Read: Toward a More Responsible Two-Party System page 174
29 / Types of Parties
Minor Parties
Two-Party System
Federalist 10 / Table: Rise of Republican Politics in the South
Chart: Party voting in Congress / Woll Read: Divided We Govern page 181
Woll Read: The Responsible Electorate
30 / Nominating a President
Parties Versus Voters
Conventions / Mock Primary
Mock General Election / Woll Read: Party Decline and Electoral Decay page 198
Woll Read: Politics by Other Means page 199
31 / Test Chapters 7, 9, 10
Free Response Question [CR9]
Multiple Choice Questions / Text Read: Chapter 11
Text: Vocabulary Chapter 11
Institutions [CR4]
Day / Lesson / Articles/Charts/Tables/Diagrams/ Handouts / Advanced organizers / Special Activities/Homework32 / Review Multiple Choice
Peer Editing Free-Response Questions
Congress
Evolution of Congress
Who is in Congress
Race & Sex of Members / Free-Response Rubric
Table: Member Demographics / Read Article I
Woll Read: Federalist 53,56,57,58,62,63 page 332 CR8
Woll Read: congress The Electoral Connection page 389
33 / Article I Quiz
Incumbency
Powers of Congress
Delegated Powers
Census Group Work / Chart: Incumbents in Congress Reelected CR7
Handout: Congressional Powers
Handout: U.S. v. Lopez (1995) / Woll Read: The Rise of the Washington Establishment page 340
Woll Read: Congress and the Quest for Power page 349
34 / How Members Represent Their Voters
Leadership In Congress
Party Leadership Structure / Advanced Organizer: Leadership In Congress
Diagram: Capitol Building / Woll Read: Media Power and Congressional Power page 360
Woll Read: Evolution and Revolution: Leadership Media Strategies page 368
35 / Committees in Congress / Handout: Standing Committees
Table: Congressional Caucuses / Woll Read: Speech to the Electors of Bristol page 373 CR8
Woll Read: If, as Ralph Nader Says, Congress… page 376
36 / Influencing Congress
How a bill becomes a law
Study by Committee
Debate-House
Debate-Senate / Article: Drug Lobby
Video: I’m Just a Bill
Diagram: How a Bill Travels CR7 / Woll Read: Home Style and Washing Career page 394
37 / Reducing Power & Perks
Ethics and Congress / Woll Read: The New Era of Congressional Policy Making page 399
38 / Test
Multiple Choice Questions
Free Response Question / Text Read: Chapter 12
Text Vocabulary Chapter 12
39 / Review Multiple Choice
Peer Editing Free-Response Questions
The Presidency
Divided Government / Table: Divided/Unified Government since 1900 / Woll Read: Federalist 70 page 266 CR8
40 / Evolution of the Presidency
Electoral College
Term of Office
Powers of the President / Map: Electors / Text: Read Article II CR8
41 / Article II Quiz
Office of the President
Whitehouse Office
Executive Office of the President
Cabinet
Independent Agencies,
Commissions, & Judgeships / Diagram: Whitehouse
Advanced Organizer: Cabinet
42 / Continue Office of the President
Appointments
Presidential Character / Woll Read: The Presidency – Focus of leadership page 269
43 / Presidential Staff
Making the President Effective
44 / Presidential Power to Persuade
Three Audiences
Popularity and Influence
Decline of Popularity
45 / Saying No
Veto
Executive Order
Executive Agreement
Executive Privilege
Impoundment of Funds / Oyez.org: Korematsu v. U.S, 1944. CR8
46 / The Presidents Program
Transfer of Power
Vice President
Succession
Impeachment / Oyez.org: Bush v. Gore (2000) CR8
47 / How Powerful is the President
Imperial Presidency
President v Congress
48 / Test
Multiple Choice Questions
Free Response Question / Text Read: Chapter 14
Text Vocabulary Chapter 14
49 / Review Multiple Choice
Peer Editing Free-Response Questions
The Judiciary
Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 14
Development of the Federal Courts
National Supremacy and Slavery / Handout: Dred Scott v. Sanford / Read Article III
Woll Review: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) page 410 CR8
50 / Structure of the Federal Courts
Selecting Judges-President & Senate
Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts / Supreme Court Cases CR8 / Woll Read: How the Supreme Court Arrives at Decisions page 420
51 / Woll Quiz
Going to Court
Class Action Suits
Fee Sifting
Supreme Court in Action / Handout on Class Action Suits: Dell Computer
52 / Power of the Federal Courts
Power to Make Policy
Checks on the Courts / Video; Federal Courts 13 minutes / Woll Read: The Federalist #78 page 406 CR8
Woll Read: Judicial Self-Restraint page 414
53 / Woll Quiz
Public opinion
Legislation and the Courts
Judicial Activism
Judicial Restraint
Federalist #78 Discussion / Diagram: Federal Court System CR7
54 / Supreme Court Project – Computer Lab / Research CR4, CR7, CR8
55 / Test
Multiple Choice Questions
Free Response Question [CR9] / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 16
Text Read: Chapter 16 page 458
The Politics of Public Policy [CR5]
Day / Lesson / Articles/Charts/Tables/Diagrams/ Handouts / Advanced organizers / Special Activities/Homework56 / Review Multiple Choice
Peer Editing Free-Response Questions
Economic Policy
The National Debt / Advance Organizer: Monetarism, Keynesianism,
57 / Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 16
Taxes
Levying Taxes / Chart: Federal Revenue
Chart: Federal Spending
CR7 / Handout: Deficit Spending & Entitlements
58 / Nontax Revenues
The Rise of the Income Tax
The Machinery of Economic Policy / Fiscal v. Monetary
Graph: Federal Taxes on Incomes CR7
59 / Spending and the Budget
Congress
The Federal Reserve-Managing the Economy / Graph: History of the National Debt
Handout: Fiscal v Monetary Policy CR7 / Read the Politics of Economic Policy page 460
60 / Reduce Spending
Politics of Economic Policy / Supply-side theory
Chart: Laffer Curve
Reaganomics CR7 / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 15
Read Chapter 15 page 433
61 / The Policy-Making Process
Business Regulation
Setting the Agenda
Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 15
62 / Majoritarian Politics, Interest Group Politics, Client Politics, Entrepreneurial Politics
63 / Business Regulations
Perceptions, Beliefs, Interests, and Values / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 17
Read Chapter 17 page 478
64 / Vocabulary Quiz Chapter 17
Social Welfare
Social Welfare in the U.S.
From the Great Society to Bush II
Reforming Welfare
Client Welfare: Families with Children / Diagram: Major Social Welfare Programs
Graph: Illegal Immigrants receiving Government Services
65 / Two Kinds of Welfare Politics
Federalism and Welfare / Graph: Census Bureau- SSi, TANF, & Food Stamp Recipients
Table: Public Views on Social Security
Table: Opinions on Welfare by Race / Text: Vocabulary Chapter 21
Read Chapter 21 page 548
66 / Environmental Policy
Entrepreneurial Politics
Majoritarian Politics / Handout: Unsafe at any Speed
Handout: Pollution from Autos
66 / Interest Group Politics
Client Politics
The Environment / Handout: Acid Rain
67 / Test: The Politics of Public Policy
Multiple Choice Questions
Free Response Questions [CR9] / Woll Read: Nationalization of the Bill of Rights page 93
Woll Read: Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) page 97 CR8