2017 ADVANCED PLACEMENT

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Congratulations on your decision to select Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics. A.P. Government and Politics is a course that will challenge as well as enrich your abilities and understanding of our nation’s government and political institutions.

The text you will be using is American Government and Politics Today by Schmidt, Shelley and Bardes. This will be the primary source with additional supplemental materials included as we progress. The following will provide some basic perspectives of American politics that I will refer to throughout the course.

REQUIRED:

  1. Game Change by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin. This book is a detailed overview of the 2008 Presidential Election and provides an interesting view into current political campaigns. I will use specific examples, references, concepts and comparisons to this book, which will be incorporated throughout the course.

(* Sparknotes, movies etc. will not be sufficient for academic success)

  1. The Great Cover-Up: Nixon and the Scandal of Watergate by Barry Sussman. This is the systematic overview of the Nixon administration and the Watergate scandal. Watergate will be addressed in a specific section of the course with an exam. Specific examples, references and concepts to this book will be incorporated throughout the course as well.

(* Sparknotes, movies etc. will not be sufficient for academic success)

ASSIGNMENT:

Required: Two papers. Each two typed pages with heading in right corner of first page. Stapled in left hand corner. Double spaced. 12 font, Times New Roman only.

Assignment:Choose one individual from each book (1). List a specific decision that

they made (2). State how the decision was positive or negative (3) and what would have been the effect if the decided the opposite (4). Clearly explain your opinion of the individual and why you think they acted as

The person did (5). Finally, list any and all sources used to complete this

assignment on a separate source page (6). (50 points each)

OR

Test: There will be a test on the information from these books the first week of school. (100 points)

No extra credit, no curve.

Course consists of text and supplemental readings, bi-monthy position papers and multiple chapter tests. You are welcome to sit in any class period if you would like. If you have any questions please contact me by using my school e-mail address:

Please check my website for further information as well:

Good Luck,

Sincerely,

Mr. Lucot

Seneca Valley Senior High School

A.P. United States Government and Politics