AP US Government and Politics Course Syllabus Coach Tabor Wakeland HS

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1 AP US Government and Politics Course Syllabus Coach Tabor Wakeland HS Text: Karen O'Connor, Larry J. Sabato and Alixaandra B. Yanus American Government: Roots and Reform. General Course Description & Expectations: The College Board s Course Description Guide says the course will, give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific contemporary examples. It also requires students to familiarize themselves with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute our political system. Students should become familiar with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. This course is the equivalent of a college course taught by a college professor. The college-level textbook and readings comprise the essential keystone for the course. However, for students to do well on the AP National Exam, they must be prepared to use current examples and applications from diverse outside sources. Students must meet the high expectations for the course and share the responsibility for mastery of the course objectives. This will involve the careful reading for understanding of the text and reader, class participation, and cooperation and collaboration with peers throughout the semester. In order to be successful in a course of this type, students must be able to utilize proper organization and time management skills. The specific lessons and activities that will be used as tools to build mastery will involve individual and collaborative effort. Skills and Abilities: The following is from the College Board s Course Description Guide and constitutes the core objectives of the AP Government and Politics course: Knowledge of facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. politics and government Understanding of typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences Analysis and interpretation of data and relationships in U.S. politics and government (see note below) Written analysis and interpretation of the subject matter of U.S. politics and government : Individual and group political/statistical data analysis assignments Individual and group in-class activities or homework assignments Mini-quizzes over assigned readings Graded discussions Textbook chapter and concept quizzes Group mini-assignments over important unit concepts and contemporary issues Individual or group projects

2 Major Assessments: At the conclusion of each unit, there will be an examination that will mirror the AP National Exam. The examinations will include sixty (60) multiple choice questions along with free-response questions. Students will also be required to complete a major assignment that will require college-level research. Data Analysis: Data analysis is a significant portion of this course. While we cannot conduct experiments to examine political behavior, there is a wealth of information we can analyze to understand political concepts. We will frequently use the text Vital Statistics on American Politics ( ) to conduct our analysis of various topics. We will also use reliable online sources to support our data analysis. The following are examples of activities and assignments we will complete throughout the course. Congressional Profile: examine campaign finance and congressional performance Analyze public opinion polls for validity and usefulness using public opinion polls Demographic analysis to determine party loyalties of various groups Public Policy paper and presentation: trace assigned piece of legislation through the policy-making process Culminating project: student directed seminar discussion where students will present findings from various charts, tables and graphs to review key concepts of the course Contemporary News Analysis: Success in this course requires students be familiar with current political events. To this end, students will be required to complete article analysis with each unit. Students will select their own articles from varied news sources on assigned topics. Students will apply the information found in the article to topics which are being covered in class. The following are examples of the type of articles and analysis students will be conducting. Photocopy the article so that it fits on one page. On the back you will put the following items: 1. source and date under which the article ran. 2. summary of the article. 3. application how it applies to the concept you have been assigned. Article on Congressional Oversight Redistricting Committee Action this article must deal with the action of the committee not just a committee reference. Lobbyist influence in the process of law making Pork-barrel politics AP National Examination: Be sure to pay attention for prep sessions beginning in April, with dates and times to be announced. The table below explains the exam format for AP US Government and Politics: Time Allotment # of Questions Question Type % of Grade 45 minutes 60 Multiple Choice 50% 100 minutes 4 Free-Response 50%

3 AP Government Course Plan Unit One: Political Theory and Constitutional Underpinnings Chapters 1, 2 and 3 O'Connor Bernard R. Berelson Democratic Practice and Theory p 219 John Locke Second Treatise on Civil Government p 4 Federalist Papers 10 p 176 Federalist Papers 47, 48 and 51 p 41 Shaping of the modern political system Government types and power distribution Founding Documents o Declaration of Independence o Articles of Confederation Constitution - Philosophical and Historical Foundations Constitutional Structure Principles of the Constitution Federalist and Anti-Federalist views Unfunded Mandates- policy implementation on the state and local level Federalism Walk Through the Constitution Constitutional Scavenger Hunt Constitutional Problems and the Fix Mason s Objections to the Constitution United States v Lopez Court Brief Trading Towards Federalism Unit Two: Political Beliefs, Political Behavior, and Political Participation (Interest Groups and Parties) Chapters 6, 8 and 11 O'Connor David Mayhew Divided We Govern p 194 David B. Truman The Governmental Process p 260 Political Socialization and Public Opinion Liberals vs Conservatives Political Parties Political Platform evaluation Policy influence through linkage institutions (interest groups, political parties, opinions, and the voting public) The Iron Triangle of Policy Policy-Making Power of Interest Groups Opinion Poll process

4 Political Platform Activity Political Ideology Quiz and Plot on Graph History of Voting Rights Activity Interest Group Information Activity Unit Three: Campaigns, Elections and the Role of the Media Chapters 7,9 and 10 O'Connor V. O. Key The Responsible Electorate p 226 Larry J. Sabato The Misplaced Obsession with PAC s p 278 The Election Process Electoral College Campaign Finance and reform Media Influence on Policy Making and Implementation Living Room Candidate Website Project Electoral College Map Activity most recent election Unit Four: Intuitions of National Government: Congress Chapters 12 and 14 O'Connor Morris P. Fiorina The Rise of the Washington Establishment p 378 Richard F. Fenno Jr. How come We Love Our Congressmen So Much? p 401 Structure of Congress Role of Congressional Committees In the Policy Making and Implementation Process How Congress Works Fenno s concentric circles: Who does a Congressman represent? Powers of Congress and Checks and Balances Redistricting, Apportionment, Gerrymandering Budget Process And Its Affects on Policy Implementation Congressional Profile Congressional Scavenger Hunt Gerrymandering Activity

5 Unit Five: Intuitions of National Government: Executive Branch and Public Policy Chapters 13 and 15 O'Connor Peter Woll Constitutional Democracy and Bureaucratic Power p 351 Richard Neudstadt Presidential Power p 296 : Roles of the President Powers of the President Public Policy From the bully pulpit Bureaucracy Policy Making Policy Creation By the Unelected and Unaccountable : Policy Making Activity Presidential Role Scenarios Bureaucracy Mapping Activity Unit Six: Intuitions of National Government: The Federal Court System and Civil Rights and Liberties Chapter 16 O'Connor Implementation and Impact of Judicial Policies Class Handout : Court Structure Judicial Philosophy and Impact of the Political Process Judicial Decisions And the Creation of Public Policy Bill of Rights Civil Rights Civil Liberties Incorporation Doctrine Due Process and Equal Protection Landmark Court Cases And Their Policy Implications : Court Case Research on Landmark court cases Civil Rights and Liberties Scenarios This list of readings is a sample and is subject to change. Success in this course will require that you read. I cannot emphasize this enough. Remember, you are taking a college level course. Please do not expect all subject matter to be covered in class. While I am always here to help you, if you aren t doing your outside reading, success is unlikely.