AP U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS SYLLABUS 2015-2016 Brief Description of Course The AP U.S. Government and Politics course consists of 175 school days of a college level course providing students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory U.S. Government courses. The course is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government. Students are exposed to the organizational components of the institutions of government as well as the application of how government works in relation to achieving public policy goals. Reading daily newspapers, including editorials, a weekly newsmagazine, and watching televised political discussions are as important as any text or supplemental reading. At the conclusion of this course, students will be given the opportunity to take the Advanced Placement Exam for possible college credit. Evaluation: A total points system will be used. Each assignment will be given a point value based upon the complexity and significance of the assignment. For example, a daily assignment could be given a point value of ten points while a special project assignment may be given a point value of 100 points. A variety of evaluation methods (quizzes, data based questions, analysis of political cartoons, etc.) will be used to monitor student s progress and understanding; however, exam scores will constitute the majority of your grade. Because the primary focus in terms of evaluation will be exams, we will spend a significant amount of time preparing for those exams. Teaching style/strategies: Almost all days will include a period of lecture/discussion. You are encouraged to take an active part by asking relative questions and participating in those discussions. At the beginning of each major topic, students will receive a study packet for that particular section. The packet will include: study questions, an I.D. list, and several free-response examples. Exams: All exams will include the following: Multiple choice questions, five I.D.s from list, one free response question.
LATE WORK, ABSENCES, AND MAKE-UP WORK- No credit will be given for late work. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class which has been designated as the due date. Students are responsible for assignments missed as a result of absences and have the day of their return to acquire the assignments they missed and the following day to turn in the assignments they missed and/or make up any tests missed. If there are extenuating circumstances, students are responsible for making other arrangements with me. CLASSROOM RULES MR. CURT WILKINS-ROOM 9 1. BE PREPARED FOR CLASS- BRING TEXTBOOK, PAPER AND ALL OTHER CLASSROOM SUPPLIES AS SPECIFIED. 2. PRACTICE APPROPRIATE CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR. PAY ATTENTION, DO NOT TALK OUT OF TURN, STAY IN YOUR SEAT, KEEP HANDS TO YOURSELF. IN OTHER WORDS, PRACTICE WHAT YOU WERE TAUGHT IN KINDERGARTEN. 3. OBSERVE ALL STUDENT HANDBOOK RULES. 4. NO FOOD OR DRINK IN THE CLASSROOM. 5. PLACE CELL PHONE IN ASSIGNED CUBBY WHEN YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM. 6. DO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ROOM TEMPERATURE. 7. KEEP THE CLASSROOM TIDY.
8. DO NOT LAY YOUR HEAD ON YOUR DESK OR SLEEP. 9. TREAT SENSITIVE ISSUES LIKE RACE, RELIGION, MORAL VALUES, ETC. WITH MATURITY AND SENSITIVITY. 10. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO EVERY RULE. COMMON SENSE WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE ALLOWABLE EXCEPTIONS. STUDENTS SHOULD TALK TO ME WHEN THEY FEEL AN EXCEPTION SHOULD APPLY. CLASSROOM SUPPLIES: a. Three ring binder b. Lined notebook paper c. Pens and pencils d. Map pencils-small box (for history classes only) e. 1 box of tissue f. Supply pocket for binder g. Calculator (for ACT Prep only) MR. CURT WILKINS CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS A. WORK FROM BELL TO BELL EVERYDAY. YOU HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE. B. HAVE A MATURE APPROACH AND ATTITUDE ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION. YOUR EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ENDEAVORS OF YOUR LIFE. C. DO YOUR BEST- BE ORGANIZED, NEAT, AND THOROUGH.
D. NO EXCUSES- JUST GET IT DONE. E. READ ON YOUR OWN. WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO READ EVERYTHING WE NEED TO IN CLASS. F. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING, GET HELP! G. ATTEND CLASS. IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT THOSE WHO MISS CLASS FREQUENTLY DO NOT DO WELL IN MY CLASS. IT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHETHER THE ABSENCE IS EXCUSED OR NOT IN TERMS OF ITS IMPACT ON ACHIEVEMENT. H. STAY ON THE TOPIC OF THE DAY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, THEY SHOULD BE RELATIVE TO OUR STUDY. COURSE PLAN Unit Information Unit Name or Timeframe: UNIT I- The Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government Part A- "An Introduction to Government" Part B- "Emergence of the U.S. and the Constitution" Part C- "Federalism" This unit will require 33 teaching days. Content and/or Skills Taught: Day 1- Handout texts, course syllabus, free-response and I.D. expectations, current events requirements. Handout- Unit I, Part A- "Introduction to Government" study packet. Assignment: pages 2-13 Day 2- Discuss current events requirements and "Detecting Political Bias" handout; Discuss "Tools of Propaganda" handout. Lecture/Discussion topic: Concepts of Politics and Government. Assignment: Read Chapter 1, (Canon, et al), "Democracy and the Response to Terrorism". Day 3- L/D topic: The Purposes of Government; discuss Chapter 1 articles, (Canon, et al) Assignment: Related study questions; pages 13-16,
Day 4- L/D topic: Theories of the Origins of Government/Characteristics of a Nation-state; discuss freeresponse expectations; practice free-response. Assignment: 16-21, Day 5- L/D topic: Systems of Government/Concepts of Power and Authority; discuss I.D. expectations; practice I.D. s. Assignment: Read 21-end of Chapter 1, Day 6- L/D topic: Basic Principles of Democracy/Impact of Voter Turnout Analyze graphs- p. 4 (Edwards, et al) "Political Disengagement of College Students Today"; p. 5,, "Age and Political Knowledge:1964 and 2000 Compared"; p. 6,, "Presidential Election Turnout Rates by Age, 1972-2000" Day 7- L/D topic: Theories of Power in American Democracy/Challenges to American Democracy Assignment: Prepare I.D.s and free-response for Unit I, Part A Exam. Day 8- Discuss and complete free-response examples and I.D.s Day 9- Review for exam; discuss study questions. Day 10- Unit I, Part A Exam: "Introduction to Government" 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response Assignment: pages 28-35, Day 11- Begin Unit I, Part B- "Emergence of the U.S. and the Constitution". Handout- Unit I, Part B packet. L/D topic: The American Revolution; Handout- discuss Thomas Paine s "Common Sense". Assignment: pages 28-35, Day 12- L/D topic: European Philosophers/Influences on U.S. Government Handout- Discuss excerpts from John Locke s "Second Treatise on Civil Government"; Handout/Discuss excerpts from the Magna Carta. Assignment: Read Declaration of Independence p. 693,. Prepare to discuss Locke s influence on Declaration of Independence Day 13- Discuss Locke s influence on Declaration of Independence. Discuss Table 2.1, p. 34, (Edwards, et al), "Locke and the Declaration of Independence: Some Parallels". L/D topic: Articles of Confederation/Shay s Rebellion; Handout- Discuss excerpts from Articles of Confederation. Handout- "The Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation" Handout- "The U.S. Government Under the Articles of Confederation" Assignment: pages 38-48, Day 14- L/D topic: The Constitutional Convention: The Framers Handout- Begin "A Walk Through the Constitution". This assignment will take you line by line through the U.S. Constitution and help you become familiarized with the basic provisions of the Constitution. A copy of the Constitution begins on page 699 of your text,. The assignment is due at the end of this unit. Day 15- L/D topic: The Convention Agenda: Political Equality, Slavery, and Representation. Chart- p. 43,, "How Issues of Equality Were Resolved" Day 16- L/D topic: The Constitutional Convention: Economic and Individual Rights Issues. Chart- p. 44,, "Economics in the Constitution" Assignment: pages 48-end of Chapter 2, (Edwards, et al) Day 17- L/D topic: "The Madisonian Model". Chart- p. 46,, "The Constitution and the Electoral Process" Chart- p. 47,, "Separation of Powers/ Checks and Balances in the
Constitution". Assignment: Read Federalist No. 10, p. 697,, Handout- Federalist No. 10 Questions. Day 18-L/D topic: Ratifying the Constitution/Federalists and Anti-Federalists/The Bill of Rights. Discuss Federalist No. 10 Assignment: Read Federalist No. 51, p. 694,, Handout- Federalist No. 51 Questions. Day 19- L/D topic: Constitutional Change: Formal and Informal. Chart p.53,, "How the Constitution Can Be Amended" Day 20- Discuss U.S. Constitution study questions Day 21- Discuss I.D.s and sample free-response Day 22- Unit I, Part B Exam; 40 multiple choice, 5 I.D. s, and 1 free-response Day 23- U.S. Constitution Exam: Constitution Basics- Short answer questions covering all of U.S. Constitution. Assignment: pages 66-77,. Day 24- Begin Unit I, Part C- "Federalism" Handout- Federalism Packet L/D topic: Defining Federalism/Systems of Government. Chart- P. 69,, "Authority Relations in Three Systems of Government" Discuss insert- p. 69, "Why Federalism". Assignment: Handout- "The Candy Lightner Story", Day 25- L/D topic: The Constitutional Basis of Federalism. Chart- p. 72,, " The Constitution s Distribution of Powers" Discuss- 10th Amendment to U.S. Constitution Assignment: Handout- Read excerpts from McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden (Oyez.org) Day 26- L/D topic: The Establishment of National Supremacy: McCulloch v. Maryland/Civil War/Brown v. Board of Education. Read Article VI of U.S. Constitution in class and discuss. p. 703, Day 27- L/D topic: State s Obligations to Each Other: Privileges and Immunities/Full Faith and Credit. Read Article IV of U.S. Constitution in class and discuss. p. 702, Assignment: pages 78- end of Chapter 3 (Edwards,et al) Day 28- L/D topic: The History of Intergovernmental Relations. Assignment: Read Chapter 3, (Canon, et al), "The New Federalism and Devolution: The Role of the Supreme Court" Day 29- L/D topic: Fiscal Federalism: The Grant System. Analyze graph- p. 82,, "Fiscal Federalism: Federal Grants to State and Local Governments (1955-2005) Analyze pie chart- p. 83, "Functions of Federal Grants" Day 30- L/D topic: New Federalism: Trends in the Federal Grant System. Discuss Chapter 3 articles, (Canon, et al) Day 31- L/D topic: Advantages and Disadvantages of Federalism in a Democracy. Analyze chart- p. 90, "Diversity in Public Policy: State Welfare Benefits"; p. 91, "The Downside of Diversity: Spending on Public Education" Day 32- Discuss "Federalism" study questions; review I.D.s and free-response samples Day 33- Unit I, Part C Exam: "Federalism" 50 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response END OF UNIT I
Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Unit Name or Timeframe: Unit II- Political Beliefs and Political Behaviors Part A- "Public Opinion and Political Action" Part B- "Elections and Voting Behavior" This unit will require 20 total teaching days. Content and/or Skills Taught: Day 1- Begin Unit II, Part A: "Public Opinion and Political Action" L/D topic: A Demographic Description of the U.S. Handout- Unit II, Part A Study Packet. Analyze graph- p. 80, "The Coming Minority Majority (1995-2050)" Assignment: pages 176-184, (Edwards, et al) Day 2- L/D topic: The U.S. Population Shift in Terms of Race, Age, and Region, and the Political Consequences. Analyze graph- p. 188,, "Turnout by Age, 2000" Analyze chart- p. 184,, "Shifting Population" Assignment: pages 185-188, Day 3- L/D topic: Political Socialization Analyze chart- p. 185,, "How Party I.D. Is passed Down from One Generation to the Next" Assignment: pages 188-193 Day 4- L/D topic: American s Political Knowledge and the Political Impact. Assignment: pages 193-196, Day 5- L/D topic: Measuring Public Opinion: The Role of Polls in U.S. Politics. Activity- Review and discuss polls relevant to the day and time. Most certainly, we will discuss polling numbers from presidential race/primaries. Day 6- L/D topic: American Political Ideologies- Liberal and Conservative Positions on Major Issues. Assignment: Students will take a political ideology quiz of their choice. There are many internet sources to do so. Look at several quizzes and choose the one with which you are the most comfortable. Day 7- Discussion of political ideology quizzes. L/D topic: The Role of Political Ideology in U.S. Elections Assignment: pages 200-205, (Edwards, et al ) Day 8- L/D topic: Political Participation? Rates of Political Participation. Analyze graph- p. 204, (Edwards, et al), "Political Participation by Family Income" Day 9- Discuss study questions; review I.D.s and free-response samples Day 10- Unit II, Part A Exam: 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response Assignment: pages 296-304, Day 11- Begin Unit II, Part B- "Elections and Voting Behavior" Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: American Elections: Compare Elections of 1800, 1896, and 2004. Analyze and discuss electoral college results from elections of 2000 and 2004. p. 303, Assignment: pages 304-310, (Edwards, et al) Day 12- L/D topic: Voting and Voter Turnout. Analyze graph- p. 304,, "The Decline of Turnout:1892-2004". Analyze chart- p. 310,, "Reported Turnout Rate in 2000" Assignment: pages 311- end of chapter,
Day 13- L/D topic: Influences on Voting Behavior. Analyze chart- p. 313, "Changing Patterns in Voting Behavior". Day 14- L/D topic: Why Americans Vote the Way Do. Assignment: Read Chapter 10, (Canon, et al), "Electronic Voting" Day 15- Discuss Chapter 10 articles, (Canon, et al) L/D Topic: The Electoral College. Analyze chart- p. 317,,"Presidential Vote in 2000 by State Representation in the Electoral College Day 16- L/D topic: The Relationship Between Elections, Democracy, and the Scope of Government. Day 17- Discuss study questions; review I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 18- Unit II, Part B Exam: 35 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response Assignment: pages 210-222, Day 19- Students will develop a chart which tracks presidential candidates from both major political parties. Each student will receive a handout which outlines the project requirements. Criteria will include but not be limited to: Primary and caucus results; stance on major issues; some poll numbers; campaign finance data; political party affiliation; projected nomination results; etc. Day 20- Continue project work. END UNIT II Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Unit Name or Timeframe: UNIT III- Political Parties, Interest Groups and the Mass Media Part A- "The Mass Media and the Political Agenda" Part B- "Political Parties" Part C- "Nominations and Campaigns" Part D- "Interest Groups" This unit will require 30 total school days. Content and/or Skills Taught: Day 1- Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: The History of Media Politics. Analyze graph- p. 218, (Edwards, et al), "The Decline of Newspaper Circulation" Assignment: pages 222-231, Day 2- L/D topic: Finding and Reporting the News. Analyze poll results- p. 225,, "Embedded Reporting of the Iraq War:Opposing Opinions. Day 3- L/D topic: Bias in the News. Activity- Compare recent Daily Oklahoman editorial with New York Times editorial. I will choose articles at the time. Assignment: pages 231-end of chapter,. Day 4- L/D topic: How the Media Influences Public Opinion. Analyze survey results- p. 231, (Edwards, et al), "Stories Citizens Have Tuned in and Stories They Have Tuned Out". Day 5- L/D topic: The Media and the Political Agenda. Day 6- Discuss study questions; I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 7- Unit III, Part A Exam: 30 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Assignment: pages 238-243,
Day 8- Begin Unit III, Part B: "Political Parties". Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: The Meaning of Party. Day 9- L/D topic: The Functions of Political Parties: Parties,Voters,Policy. Analyze graph- p. 242,, "The Downs Model: How Rational Parties Match Voter s Policy Preferences". Assignment: pages 243-250, Day 10- L/D topic: The Party in the Electorate: Trends in Party Identification. Analyze chart- p. 243,, "Party Identification in the U.S., 1952-2004". Analyze survey results- p. 244, (Edwards, et al), "Party Identification by Age". Day 11- L/D topic: The History of Party Organization and Structure. Assignment: pages 250-258, Day 12- L/D topic: Political Party Eras/New Deal Coalition. Analyze chart- p. 256,, "Party Coalitions Today". Assignment: pages 258-end of chapter, Day 13- L/D topic: Third Parties and Their Impact. Discuss impact of Teddy Roosevelt and Ross Perot. Day 14- Discuss study questions, I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 15- Unit III, Part B Exam- 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Assignment: pages 265-279, Day 16- Begin Unit III, Part C- "Nominations and Campaigns". Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: The Nomination Process: The Primary and Caucus System. Analyze visual- p. 275,, "The Inflated Importance of Iowa and New Hampshire". Day 17- L/D topic: Evaluating the Primary and Caucus System/The National Convention. Analyze graphp. 277,, "The Declining Coverage of the Conventions on Network TV". Assignment: pages 279-282, Day 18- L/D topic:campaigning: The Media/Campaign Organization. Assignment: pages 282-289, Day 19- L/D topic: Campaign Finance/Campaign Finance Reform. Analyze graph- p. 285, (Edwards, et al),"the Decline in Income Tax Check-off Participation for Federal Financing of Campaigns". Day 20- L/D topic: PAC s/impact of Campaign Expense. Analyze chart- p. 289,,"The Big Spending PAC s" Assignment: pages 289-end of chapter, Day 21- L/D topic: The Impact of the Nomination Process and Political Campaigns on the U.S. Government and Politics. Day 22- Discuss study questions, I.D.s and free-response. Day 23- Unit III, Part C Exam- "Nominations and Campaigns" 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Assignment: pages 322-329, Day 24- Begin Unit III, Part D: "Interest Groups" Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: Interest Group Politics/Theories of Power: Elitism, Pluralism, and Hyperpluralism. Analyze graph- p. 327, (Edwards, et al), "Perception of the Dominance of Big Interests" Assignment: pages 329-334, (Edwards, et al )
Day 25- L/D topic: Interest Group Success/Proliferation of Interest Groups. Analyze chart and graph- p. 329,, "The Power 25". p. 331,, "The Benefits of Membership in the AARP". Assignment: pages 334-347, Day 26- L/D topic: How Interest Groups Shape Policy. Analyze political cartoon- p. 339, Assignment: Read and prepare to discuss Chapter 12, (Canon, et al), "Interest Groups: A Force for Change or the Status Quo". Day 27- Discuss Chapter 12, (Canon, et al) L/D topic: Types of Interest Groups. Assignment: Classify "Power 25" by type. Day 28- Discuss study question, I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 29- Unit III, Part D Exam- "Interest Groups" Day 30- Update presidential candidate project. Watch presidential candidate debate. End of Unit III. Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Unit Name or Timeframe: Unit IV- The Institutions of the National Government of the U.S. Part A- "Congress" Part B- "The Presidency" Part C- "The Federal Budget" Part D- "The Federal Bureaucracy" This unit will require 42 school days. Content and/or Skills Taught: Day 1- Begin Unit IV, Part A- "Congress" Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: Congress Basics-Salary, Qualifications, etc. Table 12.1- p. 355,, " A Day in the Life of a Congressman" Table 12.2- p. 356,, "A Portrait of the 109th Congress: Some Statistics" Assignment: pages 357-363, Day 2- L/D topic: Congressional Elections: Incumbency, Party I.D., Money. Analyze graph- p. 359,, "The Incumbency Factor in Congressional Elections" Assignment: pages 363-375, Day 3- L/D topic: The Bicameral Congress Table 12.3- p. 365,, "House v. Senate: Some Key Differences" Special Project- Students will develop a portfolio of the Oklahoma delegation to Congress. The portfolio will include a brief biography, party identification, committee assignments, contact information, etc. of each member of the Oklahoma delegation Day 4- L/D topic: Leadership in Congress: Speaker to Whip Assignment: Progress on Congress project. Day 5- L/D topic: Congressional Committees and Sub- Committees. Analyze chart- p. 369, (Edwards, et al), "Standing Committees in the House and in the Senate" Assignment: Progress on Congress project. Day 6- L/D topic: Congressional Caucuses/Congressional Staff Assignment: pages 375-387, (Edwards et al)
Day 7- L/D topic: How a Bill Becomes Law: Step by Step Analyze chart- p. 377,, "How a Bill Becomes Law" Day 8- L/D topic: The Lawmaking Process: The Players Assignment: Read Chapter 5, (Canon, et al), "Representation in Congress: The Politics of Pork Day 9- Discuss Chapter 5 articles, (Canon, et al) L/D topic: Influences on the Lawmaking Process Assignment: Complete Congress project. Day 10- Congress project due. Discuss study questions-prepare for exam Day 11- Review I.D.s and free-response samples- prepare for exam. Day 12- Unit IV, Part A Exam: 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response Assignment: pages 390-397, Day 13- Begin Unit IV, Part B-"The Presidency" Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: History of the Presidency/Presidential Characteristics. Assignment: pages 397-400, Read Chapter 6, (Canon, et al), "The Presidency: Governing from the Center" Day 14- L/D topic: Presidential Powers: Sources and Expansion. Discuss Chapter 6,(Canon, et al) Analyze chart- p. 399, Assignment: 400-407, Day 15- L/D topic: The President as Chief Executive/The Vice-President/Cabinet,etc.. Visual aid- p. 404,, "Executive Office of the President"; p. 405,, "Principal Offices of the White House" Assignment: 407-415, Day 16- L/D topic: Presidential Leadership of Congress. Analyze charts- p. 410,, "Congressional Gains or Losses for the President s Party in Presidential Election Years" p. 411, (Edwards, et al), "Congressional Gains or Losses for the President s Party in Midterm Election Years" Day 17- L/D topic: Conclude President and Congress. Assignment: 415-end of chapter, Day 18- L/D topic: The President and National Security Policy Day 19- L/D topic: The President and the Public/Public Approval. Analyze graph- p. 421,, "Average Yearly Presidential Approval". Day 20- L/D topic: The President and the Press Day 21- Review for exam- Discuss study questions, I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 22- Unit IV, Part B Exam- " The Presidency". 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response Assignment: 436-446, Day 23- Begin Unit IV, Part C- "The Federal Budget". Handout- Study packet L/D topic: Sources of Federal Revenue Analyze graph- p. 437,, "Federal Revenues"; p. 441,, "Total National Debt". Assignment: 447-453, Day 24- L/D topic: Federal Expenditures. Analyze graphs p. 447,, "Federal Expenditures"; p. 449,, "Trends in National Defense Spending"; p. 451,, "Trends in Social Service Spending". Assignment: 453- end of chapter,
Day 25- L/D topic: The Budgetary Process. Analyze charts- p. 456,, "The President s Budget"; p. 457,, "The Congressional Budget Process: Targets and Timetables". Day 26- L/D topic: Conclude Budgetary Process Day 27- Discuss study questions, I.D.s, and free-response samples. Day 28- Unit IV, Part C Exam- 35 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Assignment: 466-476, Day 29- Begin Unit IV, Part D- "The Federal Bureaucracy" Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: The Bureaucrats: Who They Are and How They Got There. Analyze chart- p. 470,, "Federal Civilian Employees". Assignment: 476-480,. Day 30- L/D topic: Organization of the Bureaucracy Analyze chart- p. 477,, "Organization of the Executive Branch" Assignment: 480-490,. Day 31- L/D topic: The Bureaucracy as Implementors. Assignment: 490-end of chapter, Day 32- L/D topic: The Bureaucracy as Regulators Assignment: Read Chapter 7, (Canon, et al), "Can Government Ever Be Efficient". Day 33- Discuss Chapter 7, (Canon, et al) L/D topic: Iron Triangles Day 34- Discuss study questions, I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 35- Unit IV, Part D Exam- "The Federal Bureaucracy" 35 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Assignment: 502-506,. Day 36- Begin Unit IV, Part E- "The Federal Judicial System". Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: The Nature of the Judicial System. Assignment: 506-511, Day 37- L/D topic: Federal Judicial System Structure. Analyze charts- p. 507,, "Organization of the Federal Court System"; p. 509,, "The Federal Judicial Circuits" Assignment: 511-515, Day 38- L/D topic: The Politics of Judicial Selection Analyze chart- "The Twentieth-Century Senate Rejection of Supreme Court Nominees",. Assignment: 515-519, Day 39- L/D topic: Policymaking and the Court/Process and Implementation Assignment: 519-end of chapter,. Day 40- L/D topic: History of the Supreme Court Day 41- Discuss study questions, I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 42- Unit IV, Part E Exam- 35 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Assignment: 96-105, End Unit IV. Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Unit Name or Timeframe: Unit V-Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
A- "Civil Liberties and Public Policy" B- Part B- "Civil Rights and Public Policy" This unit will require 20 total school days. Content and/or Skills Taught: Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Day 1- Begin Unit V, Part A- "Civil Liberties and Public Policy" Handout- Study packet. Assign Supreme Court cases: Each student will choose two Supreme Court cases from a list and prepare briefs which will be presented at the time the case is covered in lecture. The criteria is outlined in the study packet. L/D topic: History of the Bill of Rights/Incorporation Doctrine/14th Amendment. Day 2- L/D topic: Freedom of Religion: The Establishment Clause. Analyze chart- p. 101,, "The Nationalization of the Bill of Rights" Day 3- L/D topic: Freedom of Religion: The Free Exercise Clause Assignment: 105-120, Day 4- L/D topic: Freedom of Expression: Prior Restraint/ Public Order/ Fair Trials. Day 5- L/D topic: Free Speech: Obscenity/ Libel and Slander/ Symbolic Speech. Day 6- L/D topic: Free Speech: Commercial Speech/ Freedom of Assembly Assignment: 120-129, Day 7- L/D topic: Rights of the Accused: Searches and Seizures/Self-incrimination Day 8- L/D topic: Rights of the Accused: Counsel/Trials/Cruel and Unusual Punishment Assignment: 129- end of chapter Day 9- Discuss study questions, I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 10- Unit V, Part A Exam- 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Assignment: 138-143,. Day 11- Begin Unit V, Part B- "Civil Rights and Public Policy". Handout- Study packet. Assign Supreme Court cases- Each student will choose two Supreme Court cases and prepare briefs on each based upon the criteria outlined in the study packet. Students will present the briefs at the time the cases are covered in lecture. L/D topic: The History of Racial Inequality in the U.S./Separate but Equal. Assignment: 144-152, Day 12- L/D topic: The Civil Rights Movement. Analyze graph- p. 147,, "Percentage of Black Students Attending School With Any Whites in the Southern States". Analyze timeline- p. 149,, "Toward Racial Equality: Milestones in the Era of Civil Rights". Assignment: 152-155,. Day 13- L/D topic: The Right to Vote/Voting Rights Act of 1965. Assignment: 155-163, Day 14- L/D topic: Civil Rights and Other Minorities Assignment: 163-end of chapter,. Day 15- L/D topic: Gender Equality Analyze timeline- p. 158,, "Toward Gender Equality: Public Policy Milestones"
Day 16- L/D topic: Civil Rights: Elderly/Disabled/Sexual Orientation Day 17- L/D topic: Affirmative Action Day 18- Discuss study questions, I.D.s and free-response samples. Day 19- Unit V, Part B Exam- 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. Day 20- Special Project Conclusion-Submit and discuss Presidential Primary assignment. Assignment: Chapter 17, End of Unit V. Unit Name or Timeframe: Unit VI- Public Policy This unit will require 10 total school days. Content and/or Skills Taught: Day 1- Begin Unit VI- Public Policy Handout- Study packet. L/D topic: Government, Politics, and the Economy. Analyze graph- p. 546,, "Unemployment: Joblessness in America". Day 2- L/D topic: Economic Policy Analyze graph- p. 548,, "Inflation: Increases in the Cost of Living, 1960-2003". Assignment: Chapter 18,. Day 3- L/D topic: Social Welfare Policy Analyze graph- p. 569,, "Poverty Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin, 1959 to 2003". Day 4- L/D topic: Welfare/Social Security Assignment: Chapter 19, Day 5- L/D topic: Health Care Policy Analyze political cartoon- p. 592,. Analyze chart- p. 593,, "The Nation s Health Care Dollar". Day 6- L/D topic: Environmental/Energy Policy Analyze chart- p. 605,, "Sources of America s Energy" Assignment: Chapter 20, Day 7- L/D topic: U.S. Foreign Policy Day 8- L/D topic: History of U.S. Foreign Policy/Cold War Day 9- Discuss study questions, I.D.s, and free-response samples Day 10- Unit VI Exam- 40 multiple choice; 5 I.D.s; 1 free-response. End of Unit VI. Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Unit Name or Timeframe: Unit VII- Review for AP Exam This unit will encompass about 10 total school days. Content and/or Skills Taught: Day 1- Review Unit I Day 2- Review Unit II Day 3- Review Unit III Day 4- Review Unit IV Day 5- Review Unit V
Day 6- Review Unit VI Day 7- Test Taking Strategies Day 8- Practice AP Exam: Multiple Choice Day 9- Practice AP Exam: Free Response Day 10- Discuss Practice Exam Results Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Unit Name or Timeframe: Unit VIII - Post AP Exam Content and/or Skills Taught: Following the AP Exam, there will be about two weeks of school remaining. We will spend those two weeks engaged in some enrichment activities. We will include a couple of days of preparation for the semester final. Seniors, a schedule will be worked out for you to meet your scheduling needs. Major Assignments and/or Assessments: Textbooks Title: Government in America Publisher: Longman Pub Group Published Date: 2006 (12th Edition) Author: George C. Edwards Second Author: Martin Wattenberg Description: Student textbook- AP Edition Title: We the People: An Introduction to American Politic Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Published Date: 2006 (6th Edition) Author: Benjamin Ginsberg Second Author: Theodore Lowi Description: Instructors supplement to primary textbook Title: Readings for American Government: Power and Purpose Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Published Date: 2002 (7th Edition) Author: David Canon Second Author: John Coleman Description: Supplemental readings incorporated into course cirriculum
Other Course Materials Material Type: Primary Source Description: Mayflower Compact (handout) Excerpts from John Locke s Two Treatises of Government Excerpts from Thomas Paine s "Common Sense" (handout Declaration of Independence (693, text) Constitution of the U.S. (699, text) Federalist No. 10 (694, text) Federalist No. 51 (697, text) Excerpts from Articles of Confederation (handout) Excerpts from Magna Carta (handout) Anti-Federalist s writings (handout) Excerpts from Supreme Court Rulings Material Type: Newspaper Description: The Daily Oklahoman-Source of current events/editorials New York Times-Source of current events/editorials Websites URL:http://www.oyez.org Description: Source for Supreme Court rulings URL:www.law.cornell.edu Description: Source for Supreme Court rulings URL:http://www.house.gov Description: Source of Congress information URL:www.senate.gov Description: Source of Senate information