ADVANCED PLACEMENT:
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS: UNITED STATES
Twitter: @msaucoin
Email:

Test Date:

Thursday, May 4, 2017. 8:00a.m.

Textbook:

Wilson, James and John J. Dilulio, Jr.

American Government: Institutions and Policies 10th Edition

Supplemental Materials:

Websites:

Ms. Aucoin’s AP Gov website (found at):

Ms. Aucoin’s AP Gov Schoology site:

Podcasts:

Radiolab Presents: More Perfect (series about the Supreme Court and how precedent-setting cases have affected our day-to-day lives)

Keepin’ It 1600: Former Obama advisers discuss the current election cycle from an insider view.

FiveThirtyEightElections: Nate Silver and team cover the 2016 election.

Your Weekly Constitutional (Stewart Harris): Interesting and controversial issues in constitutional law.

Slate’s Whistlestop: Podcast for fans of presidential campaign history.

Readings:

The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Edition

Film/documentary

Course Overview:

The objective of this course is to develop a life-long interest in and ability to analyze multiple perspectives on United States government and politics. Students will develop an understanding of the American political system through interpretation and analysis of both primary and secondary source material, as well as data and statistics. Additionally, students will gain a fundamental perspective on their rights and responsibilities as a citizen. The curriculum for this class reflects the content of an introductory university course in American Government and Politics. You will be expected to be self-motivated, to be thoughtful, and to complete assignments without constant monitoring. Homework will be assigned nightly, including weekends/breaks. Emphasis is on both general concepts essential for understanding and interpreting U.S. government and politics as well as in depth analysis of specific examples and cases, with a clear expectation of taking and passing the United States Government and Politics Advanced Placement exam.

The class focus is on the institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that comprise the U.S. system of government, while at the same time developing important skills in critical thinking, time management, and problem solving. Extensive reading, writing and discussion will be emphasized in the areas of political theory, political patterns and processes, government structures and procedures as well as the interpretation of data.

Due to the amount of curriculum to be covered, this course is largely based on lecture and discussion. Presentation of the material is often accomplished by the use of PowerPoint presentations, video clips, other visuals such as maps, graphs, statistical tables, political cartoons, as well as primary source readings and documents. Students are “trained” in the analysis and critical reading of primary and secondary source documents particular to U.S. government and politics which will assist them in evaluating political information, such as court cases, issues, current events, rhetoric and commentary as well as interpretation of numeric, statistical, and graphic information for insight into political trends. These skills will be practiced and assessed regularly through both formal and informal writing of Free Response Essays for each unit. In addition to teacher evaluation, students will participate in self-evaluation, and peer evaluation exercises.

Units of Study:

Fall Semester Units:

  1. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
  2. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
  3. Political Parities, Interest Groups, and Mass Media

Spring Semester Units:

  1. Institutions of National Government
  2. Public Policy
  3. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Course Requirements & Grading:

Grades are figured on a cumulative point basis. Each assessment category will be weighted as follows:

Exams (35%):

  • 6 Unitexams plus final exams each semester (objective and free response writing)

Quizzes & Projects (25%):

  • Key vocabulary unit quizzes, key legislation, court cases, and constitutional clauses quizzes
  • Group assignments, and long-term projects (both individual and cooperative)

Homework (20%):

  • Reading assignments based on: textbook, primary sources, court cases, current events, data analysis

Class Work (20%):

  • Daily reading quizzes, political cartoon analysis, weekly current event presentations, film analysis

Course Outline: Each unit is an approximate and may vary.

UNIT I: Constitutional Underpinnings (5-15%)

Focus Question: Does federalism enhance effectiveness of government, or does it inhibit effectiveness of government?

Themes:

  • History, Theory, Purpose and Basic Principles of American Government
  • Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances

Readings & Resources:

  • Wilson Chapters 1-3
  • Federalist #51
  • McCulloch v. Maryland
  • U.S. Constitution

Assessments: Unit Vocabulary Quiz, Unit Exam (30 MC & 1 Free Response Question)

UNIT II: Political Beliefs & Behaviors (10-20%)

Focus Question: Does the electoral system enhance democracy in America, or does it inhibit democracy in America?

Themes:

  • Political Identity and Factors Influencing Participation

Readings & Resources:

  • Wilson Chapters 4, 7, 8, 10
  • Fund Race
  • “The War Room”
  • “Journeys with George”

Assessments: Unit Vocabulary Quiz, Unit Exam (30 MC & 1 Free Response Question)

UNIT III: Political Parties, Interest Groups, Elections & Media (10-20%)

Focus Questions: To what degree do we have government of the PACs, by the PACs, and for the PACs? Are American political parties in resurgence or in decline? Do the media make public opinion, or do they merely reflect public opinion?

Themes:

  • Participation, History & Ideology of Political Parties
  • Campaigning, Voter Behavior & Election Results
  • Freedom of the Press, Role, Responsibilities & Impact

Readings & Resources:

  • Wilson Chapter 9, 11, 12
  • Federalist #10 & Reading Guide
  • Baker v. Carr
  • Wesberry v. Sanders
  • Buckley v. Valeo
  • Shaw v. Reno
  • “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”
  • Redistricting Game
  • Daryl Cagle’s Political Cartoon Index

Assessments: Unit Vocabulary Quiz, Unit Exam (30 MC & 1 Free Response Question)

UNIT IV: INSTITUTIONS (35-45%)

Focus Questions: Is the “imperial Congress” more of a threat to American democracy than the “imperial presidency?” Is the American bureaucracy out of control, or is it under the control of Congress, the president, and/or the courts? Does the judiciary merely interpret the law, or does the judiciary make the law?

Themes:

  • Origin, Organization, Function & Procedures
  • Presidential Authority, Leadership, Presidential Elections, Electoral College,
  • Organization & Staffing of Bureaucracy
  • Judicial Federalism, Judicial Review, Justices & Judges, Supreme Court & Landmark Cases

Readings & Resources:

  • Wilson Chapter 13 – 16
  • Federalists #78
  • U.S. v. Lopez
  • United States v. Nixon
  • Clinton v. New York
  • Bush v. Gore
  • Marbury v. Madison
  • Mapp v. Ohio
  • 270 Win
  • Oyez

Assessments: Unit Vocabulary Quiz, Comprehensive Unit IV Exam (50 MC & 1 Free Response Question),Key Court Cases Quiz, Key Legislation Quiz

UNIT V: Public Policy (5-15%)

Focus Question: Does public policy reflect the interests of the many or does it reflect the interests of the few?

Themes:

  • Policymaking Process, Domestic Policy, Economic Policy, Foreign & Defense Policy & Contemporary Issues

Readings & Resources:

  • Wilson Chapter 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21
  • Open Secrets

Assessments: Unit Vocabulary Quiz, Unit Exam (30 MC & 1 Free Response Question)

UNIT VI: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties (5-15%)

Focus Question: How has the Supreme Court balanced the individual’s need for liberty with society’s need for order and stability?

Themes:

  • Personal Freedom, Individual Liberties, Majority Rule, Minority Rights, Women’s Movement, First Amendment Freedoms

Readings & Resources:

  • Wilson Chapters 5 & 6

Cases to be discussed include, but are not limited to the following:
Gitlow v. New York
Lemon v. Kurtzman
Palko v. Connecticut
Engel v. Vitale
Fisher v. UT Austin
Gideon v. Wainwright
Plessy v. Ferguson
Brown v. Board of Education I & II
Regents of the University of CA v. Bakke
Gratz v. Bollinger
Grutter v. Bollinger
Miranda v. Arizona / Griswold v. Connecticut
Roe v Wade
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services
Planned Parenthood v. Casey
Obergefell v. Hodges
Lawrence v. Texas
Shelby County v Holder
Schenck v. U.S.
Texas v. Johnson
Ashcroft v. ACLU
Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith
D.C. v. Heller
Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Kelo v. City of New London

Assessments: Unit Vocabulary Quiz, Unit Exam (30 MC & 1 Free Response Question)

Review

Review for AP U.S. Government & Politics Exam and final exam. **There will be a final exam in the Fall semester as well as one in the Spring.

Class Activities & Procedures: How this class works…

  1. Start of Class:
  2. Daily Reading Quiz: You will have a daily reading quiz at the start of class and must start immediately after the bell rings. You will take the quiz on a quarter sheet of paper and may use the homework notes from the night prior. You will only have 3 minutes to complete the quiz, so it is in your best interest to arrive on time (I suggest early). If you are tardy unexcused, you will not be allowed to take the quiz nor make it up. In the case of excused tardies (must have signed note) or excused absences you will be required to provide a 1 page reflection that includes accurate details on the reading which will be due the following day upon return to class.
  3. During Class:
  4. Lecture and Discussion Participation: You are expected to be prepared for each day’s lecture and discussion; this means you will have completed your reading and notes.
  5. Miscellaneous:
  6. Make-Up & Late Work: It is each student’s responsibility to obtain make-up work by checking with another responsible student, checking my CHS website or speaking with me directly. For Unit Exams: as there are only six unit exams and two final exams, there will be no make-up tests for missed unit exams/finals. Students will be given the exam dates well in advance and unless there is prior approval from the teacher, no make-up exams will be given. Any missed quizzes (other than daily reading quizzes-see policy above) will result in an alternative assignment to be given upon return to class with an excused absence.
  7. Electronic Devices:Acceptable use of electronic devices is allowed per teacher prior approval.
  8. Academic Honesty and Responsibility: All student work must be his or her own work. Cheating and/or plagiarism is a serious infraction will be dealt with according to the Cleveland High School’s Student Code of Conduct and LAUSD District policy. As such, always include source citation when appropriate.

I am here to assist all students and ensure their success. I encourage students to see me for assistance as needed. I am grateful for this opportunity to work with each of you and look forward to the coming year.

Please sign and return. By signing below you acknowledge that you have received and understand the course description, classroom rules and procedures. In addition, please be advised that throughout the course of the year I will be showing clips of various documentaries and movies that aid in teaching the state and district standards, please contact me if you would like to review or discuss the material that will be used.

Signature Parent/Guardian Date:

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Please complete this form with your contact information and with information about your child and send it back to school. This will help me get to know each student better. Thank you!

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