244 AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
SYLLABUS
D. Rokosny
Warren Hills High School
Room 326
Personal Philosophy
Government and politics is a critical field of study for young people. Like many other schools, Warren Hills High School offers the class as an elective. Since a democracy functions best when its citizens understands how and why the government operates as it does, the AP Government and Politics course is a vital part of a student’s education.
Course Overview
This course is about the American political system. We will discuss political ideology, the development of the political system and our democratic institutions. Students will be able to evaluate the role of the national government and its relationship to the concept of liberty in a pluralistic society. The discussions will emphasize the changing political culture of American society and its effect on voting patterns, trends and the processes of government. In doing so, we will examine certain critical elections in American history as well as recent political movements. The main thrust of the course, however, is to be able to apply an understanding of our political system to contemporary events.
The following six major topics will be covered in this course: (1) The constitutional underpinnings of American government, (2) political beliefs and behaviors, (3) political parties and interest groups, (4) institutions, (5) policy development and, (6) civil liberties. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to see the relationships and distinctions between formal and informal institutions and the public policies that are developed as a result of these relationships.
General Expectations
AP Government and Politics is a highly structured, demanding college-level course. Students are required not only to thoroughly read the college-level text, but also to augment this material through reading and research of supplemental articles.
One of the primary objectives of this course is to expose students to all areas of information covered on the AP Examination. Thus it is imperative that a high-level academic environment exist and that the student is dedicated to learning, highly motivated, and is willing to put forth both in and outside of the classroom the time and effort required for a course of this intensity.
Course Content
The course is taught for one full academic year. Below is a summary outline of the major content areas covered by the course and the AP Examination in United States Government and Politics.
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Government
A. Theories of democratic government
B. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
C. Separation of powers
D. Federalism
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
C. The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
D. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
A. Political parties and elections
1. Functions
2. Organization
3. Development
4. Effects on the political process
5. Electoral laws and systems
B. Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs)
1. The range of interests represented
2. The activities of interest groups
3. The effects of interest groups on the political process
4. The unique characteristics and role of PACs in the political process
C. The mass media
1. The functions and structures of the media
2. The impact of media on politics
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts
A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
B. Relationships among these four institutions, and varying balances of power
C. Linkages between institutions and the following
1. Public opinion and voters
2. Interest groups
3. Political parties
4. The media
V. Public Policy
A. Policymaking in a federal system
B. The formation of policy agendas
C. The role of institutions in the enactment of policy
D. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and
interpretation
E. Linkages between policy processes and the following:
1. Political institutions and federalism
2. Political parties
3. Public opinion
4. Elections
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
A. The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
B. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
C. The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of
rights and liberties
Texts and Readings
The class text is American Government by James Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio. It is expected that you will read all assigned chapters prior to class.
Supplementary readings are essential in this class. The supplementary text is The Lanahan Readings in American Polity by Ann Serow and Everett Ladd. There will also be other readings assigned throughout the year. I will make them available in advance. Again, it is expected that you will read all assigned readings prior to class discussion.
In addition to assigned class readings, students are expected to stay abreast of current events in national politics. In order to do this, students should read daily news stories and/or watch TV news reports and special news events. I strongly recommend that you read the New York Times (www.nytimes.com) or Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com). Students should also consider reading a weekly news magazine (Newsweek, Time, etc.) This reading will further your knowledge of the key concepts and themes discussed in class.
Class Format
Discussion/question-based lectures will occur about 1-2 days a week. Cooperative learning, simulations, debates, scored discussions, projects and independent research will be utilized throughout the course.
Both general concepts and the analysis of specific modern-day examples will be stressed in this course; emphasis will be placed on improving the skills of evaluating, refuting, comparing/contrasting, analyzing and supporting ideas.
Student Evaluation
All students are expected to take the AP Exam following completion of the United States Government and Politics course. Classroom participation, completion of all assignments, and successful performance on exams are all important contributors to the success of an AP course. All assignments must be handed in on time.
Marking period grades will be calculated using a points system. Each item graded will have a certain number of points possible. The marking period average will be calculated by taking the total number of points earned by the students and dividing by the total number of points possible for the marking period.
Students will be evaluated in several ways:
1. Tests
· Multiple choice questions– Questions will be garnered from the American Government Test Item File; Multiple Choice, Free Response Questions in Preparation for the United States Government and Politics Examination, and from past AP Exams
· Free response questions – 25 minute questions from the same sources as those referenced in the multiple choice section
2. Quizzes (announced and unannounced)
3. Projects (research assignments, simulations political participation, etc.)
4. In class activities (group/cooperative-learning, simulations, scored discussions, etc.) and homework assignments (chapter questions, take-home essays)
AP US Government & Politics
Mrs. Rokosny
General Course Outline: Wilson text
31 weeks
Supplemental readings will be assigned for each content area. chapter/unit. Specific readings will be determined at a later time.
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings
· The Study of American Government – Chapter 1 (1 week)
· The Constitution – Chapter 2 (1.5 weeks)
· Federalism – Chapter 3 (1.5 weeks)
Unit 11: Political Beliefs and Behaviors
· American Political Culture – Chapter 4 (2 weeks)
· Public Opinion – Chapter 5 (1.5 weeks)
· Political Participation – Chapter 6 (1.5 weeks)
Unit III: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
· Political Parties – Chapter 7 (1 week)
· Elections and Campaigns – Chapter 8 (2 weeks)
· Interest Groups – Chapter 9 (1 week)
· The Media – Chapter 10 (1 week)
Unit IV: Institutions of National Government
· Congress – Chapter 11 (3 weeks)
· The Presidency – Chapter 12 (3 weeks)
· The Bureaucracy – Chapter 13 (3 weeks)
· The Judiciary – Chapter 14 (3 weeks)
Unit V: Public Policy
· Policymaking – (1week)
Unit VI: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
· Civil Liberties – Chapter 18 (1.5 weeks)
· Civil Rights – Chapter 19 (1.5 weeks)
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