A. P. Government Summer Assignments

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1 A. P. Government Summer Assignments Your entire summer assignment (worth 100 points) is due the at the end of the second week of school Friday (August 24 th ). Summer assignments turned in late will receive a maximum grade of 50 F (MONDAY AUGUST 27 th ). Summer assignments must be turned within the week, if a student desires any type of credit. PART I: Current Events (50 points Monday August 27 th this section will be worth 25 points) Current events are an integral part of both U. S. and comparative government. The books provide the theory, but you must be able to apply the concepts to the real world. Thus, it is critical that you keep up with what is happening in the world around you. You may do this through television (including the Prime Minister s Question Hour on C-SPAN every Sunday night at 9:00 and also archived on the internet), radio (including NPR and the BBC), newspapers ( and are free online and offer both U. S. and world news), news magazines, and the internet (but be careful of your source s credibility). The Economist ( is sometimes free and is an outstanding source of news. You can also check the official online news sources from the actual countries we ll study; this offers a very interesting perspective. As you familiarize yourself with political terminology and theory, the reality of politics comes to life. You should also write one long paragraph summary (7-8 sentences) describing a key (geopolitical) issue for EACH of the following issues countries we study in comparative government: Each summary will be worth 7%, plus full completion will earn the 1% 49+1=50 1. Great Britain: (Issue hints: Relationships with Scotland, Brexit (EU relationship), OR New elections 2. Russia: (Issue hints: relationship with Eastern Europe/Middle East, Oil/gas development, OR Putin s power) 3. China: (Issue hints: Influence in East Asia, new leader (Xi), OR government corruption/control 4. Mexico: (Issue hints: Anything about their president (Pena Nieta), Government corruption/media, OR Regional influence 5. Nigeria: (Issue hints: Anything about the terrorist groups in northern Nigeria (especially Boko Harem), President Buhari, Government corruption OR Regionalism 6. Iran: their nuclear program, Political factions OR influence in the Region 7. Midterm Elections in Virginia: (Issue hints: Candidates (issue positions/platform), Public perception, Money donated (Outside influence), OR Role of Media) Please include documentation of ALL articles used with your paragraphs. Cite your sources in proper bibliography format (acceptable citation style - MLA or Chicago). Please have your bibliography organized in seven sections for each summary s citations. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions but please understand that I do not check my everyday and I do not check it at all when I m out of town. Have a nice summer, and I ll see you in August. Coach Day daymj@lcsedu.net PART 2: The Constitution (50 points) Friday August 24 th (Monday August 27 th this section will be worth 25 points) The Constitution is foundational for the AP American Government. You will need to access a copy of the United States Constitution and answer the list of Constitution questions. (See Constitution questions on the next 4 pages.)

2 NAME 1. According to the Preamble, what are the six purposes of the government being created by the Constitution? 2. What is the topic of each of the articles of the Constitution? Article 1: Article 2: Article 3: Article 4: Article 5: Article 6: Article 7: 3. According to the Constitution, what are the qualifications and length of one term for each of the following offices: President: Senator: Representative: Federal Judge: 4. Who is the presiding officer of: The House of Representatives? The Senate? Who presides over the Senate when the person above is absent? 5. Powers of Congress: What are the sole powers of the House of Representatives? What are the sole powers of the Senate?

3 What are the powers of Congress as a whole? What powers are denied to Congress? What powers are denied to the states? 6. Selection of federal officers: How are members of the House of Representatives selected? How were members of the Senate originally selected? How are they selected today, and which amendment ratified in which year changed this? How is the President selected? How are federal judges selected? (two-part process) 7. What are the powers and duties of the President? 8. Which is the only federal court created by the Constitution? Who creates all other federal courts?

4 Who determines the number of judges who sit on each federal court? Who determines the jurisdiction of federal courts? 9. What is the only crime defined by the Constitution? 10. Define the following and explain what the Constitution has to say about each: Writ of habeas corpus Bill of attainder Ex post facto law 11. Put each of the following parts of Article IV into your own words: Full faith and credit clause Privileges and Immunities clause 12. Who creates/admits new states to the Union? 13. Explain the amendment process. 14. Explain the Supremacy Clause (especially Article VI, Clause 2). 15. Identify the main point(s) of each of the 27 amendments to the Constitution. 1 st (five guarantees) 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th (several parts) 6 th 7 th 8 th

5 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th 14 th (several parts) 15 th 16 th 17 th 18 th 19 th 20 th 21 st 22 nd 23 rd 24 th 25 th 26 th 27 th 16. Why do you believe our Constitution has endured for over 200 years?

AP Government and Politics THE US CONSTITUTION STUDY GUIDE Available at:

Name Class Period AP Government and Politics THE US CONSTITUTION STUDY GUIDE Available at: www.constitutioncenter.org PART I: THE OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION A. Read each article of the Constitution.