AP US Government Course Syllabus Ms. Bez Licking Heights High School 2016 2017 School Year Thursday, May 4, 2017 8:00 AM AP Government Exam Introduction AP United States Government and Politics introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. (College Board course description) Course Objectives: Students successfully completing this course will: know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures) be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats) be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum Description: This course will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the government and politics of the United States. Students will examine various general concepts and specific examples in order to analyze and synthesize the functions and outcomes of government and politics in the United States. use critical thinking skills to evaluate a variety of theoretical perspectives, as well as political behaviors and their outcomes. learn important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to the U.S. government and understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences. An emphasis will be placed on critical thinking skills, essay writing, primary source analysis, debating skills, presentations, and other activities. Students should bring to the course a basic understanding of the various vocabulary, institutions, and ideological beliefs involved with and relating to U.S. government and politics. This is a rigorous and demanding course requiring students to have a strong work ethic, to read at a rigorous pace, and to complete a variety of writing assignments. Students are expected to demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills and independent work habits. Course Readings Edwards and Wattenberg. Government in America. 16 th Ed. Pearson Education, Inc.: New York, 2016. The Pocket Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence by the National Center for Constitutional Studies The Summer of 1787 by David O. Stewart
These readings will be supplemented with classroom handouts, online articles, books, and online documents throughout the year. Course Expectations You are responsible for your own work, in class and make up. If you miss work due to absences, you are responsible for making it up in the required time. Always remember that you can get work or announcements from the web site. You are expected to keep up with current events by daily watching the news or reading periodicals. Come prepared each day with necessary materials. Cheating and/or plagiarism are serious offenses and will be handled immediately by appropriate school authorities. Do not to tolerate cheating; it is unfair to you! You can notify me of any incident (anonymously if you wish) so I can deal with it. You are tardy to class if you are not in your seat when the bell rings. This is a college level class and will be taught as such. Expect more work, expect to work independently, expect questions on tests that are thinking questions and may not be in your text. I will give out a calendar at the beginning of each unit and I will work hard to keep to it or update it. Therefore, you will know about all work in advance (i.e. no whining!). The goal is to pass the National AP Exam at the end of the year (May 4 th in the morning). This is an optional exam. If you pass it, you ll probably receive college credit worth a one semester class. Different colleges may have different policies regarding A.P. scores. If you choose not to take the exam, you ll be required to take and be graded on a comprehensive exam that I develop. But everyone will study together in the days leading up to the National A.P. US Government Exam. Course Websites www.msbez.wordpress.com this site will have general information but we will use the course sites page for assignments and materials. www.coursesites.com o This is our main class website for blogging and class materials, etc. /Grading Readings/ Each unit is divided based on chapters from the textbook that you will be required to read and outline. In addition to the chapter content, you are expected to read/study all maps, charts, table, and any additional information found in the chapter. This supplemental material will be used in class lecture. Unit Tests There will be six unit tests throughout the year, each one of these tests will follow the AP format in design. There will be 30 multiple choice questions with a 22 and 1/2-minute time limit. Multiple choice questions will come from the unit covered and up to 6 questions from previous units studied. The second part will be 1 free response questions with a 25-minute time limit. These reflect the same time restraints students will face taking the AP Exam. Reading Quizzes Every chapter there will be a 20 multiple choice question quiz over the material covered in the textbook. Weekly Blogging Every week there will be an on-line blogging assignment using current news articles, news based video clips, graphs, maps, political cartoons, or charts to examine the material covered that week at a deeper level in a current and relevant context. This consists of an original post (due by midnight on Wednesday) of at least 300 words and then two response posts (due by midnight on Saturday) of at least 150 words to your classmates. Free Response Questions At the end of each chapter there will be a free response question writing assessment, in which students will have a 25-minute limit to respond.
In class assignments/presentation/projects Throughout the year, students will have in class assignments and research-based projects that will be graded on class presentations or debates. Their classroom participation will be factored into this grade. (The summer assignment will count for 10% of this grade for 1 st quarter) Assignment Type % of Quarter Grade Tests and Quizzes 60% Unit Tests 30% Free Response Question 10% Tests 10% Reading Quizzes 10% Weekly Blogging 20% In class assignments, projects, participation 20% Total Grade 100% Free Inquiry: This classroom is a place for critical inquiry into vital questions about our political beliefs and values. I hope that this class stimulates your thinking, respects and affirms your beliefs, and is a safe place for you to share your ideas. It s my goal to listen thoughtfully, ask incisive questions, and consider all sides of an issue. I hope you ll join me on this journey. Hammurabi s Code of Conduct Observe the Golden Rule. In other words Attendance/Tardy Come to class every day. If there is a reason you must be absent, please inform me prior to the absence, if possible. I shut the door when class starts. If you arrive after the door is shut, you are tardy. Your 3 rd tardy and every other tardy for the quarter will result in a detention. Any work missed due to an unexcused absence will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. Honor Code I take intellectual property very seriously. Any instances of plagiarism, cheating, or unauthorized collaboration or copying of assignments will result in an automatic zero for the assignment with no possibility of make-up. Homework You must turn in work when it is due. No late work will be accepted. Food and drink Leave the room as neat and tidy as you found it. I allow you to eat and drink in class (within reason). If your class leaves food or drinks in the room this privilege will be suspended.
Cell phones Cells phones and any personal communication devices should be turned off during class and put out of sight unless you have expressed permission from the teacher. Please do not answer phones, text, or allow your phones to ring or vibrate during class. No taking photos of notes, handouts, etc. without my permission. Students will receive 1 warning for unacceptable cell phone use. If the behavior continues, the cell phone will be placed on the teacher s desk for the remainder of the class period. Computers You may NOT use computers in class without my permission. Sleeping in class Sleeping in class is unacceptable. It will affect your grade, leave you open to attack, & you might just awake with a lightning bolt on your forehead. Discussion There is a great deal of opportunity for discussion in this class. Discussion (and life in general) works best if you observe the following rules. Listen. Speak your mind (not just your heart). Restate what the other person has just said before you respond to it. Attack ideas, not people. Don t kill the messenger. Ask as many questions as you make statements. It s ok to disagree. You can still be friends. Do us all a favor and think about what you are going to say before you say it. Follow this guide: Is what you are saying true? Is it important? Is it worth saying? Is it harmful? Don t repeat things that have already been said. Don t begin with, Somebody already said this Respond to the current thread of the discussion, not what was said five minutes ago (let it go). If you start a sentence with, I m not racist, but you shouldn t say it. Contact Information: Room: 214 Email: mbezbatchenko@lhschools.org School Phone: (740) 927-9046 x20214 Webpage: www.msbez.wordpress.com Final Thoughts: This is an AP course and to succeed you have to be motivated, independent, and willing to work harder then you have before. I can help you during the year, but when you sit down to take the test you will only have yourself to rely on. You need to understand this and spend the year making sure that you are prepared for this test. Good luck! Mr. Bez
Course Calendar Course To help students meet these goals, the course should cover the following topics. I. Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government II. Political Beliefs and behaviors III. Political parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts V. Public Policy VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Introduction to AP Government 1: Introducing Government in America - Government - Politics - Policymaking system - Democracy in America - The Scope of Government in America Read and outline 1: Monday, August 22 Reading Quiz on 1: Monday, August 22 Breakdown of how to approach multiple choice questions Breakdown of how to approach FRQ s Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution B. Separation of powers C. Checks and balances D. Federalism E. Theories of democratic government 2: The Constitution - Origins of the Constitution - The Government That Failed - Making a Constitution - Critical Issues at the Convention - The Madisonian System - Ratifying the Constitution - Changing the Constitution - Understanding the Constitution Read and 2: Monday, August 29 Read the Declaration of Independence: Monday, August 29 August 29 Read Federalist Papers #10: Wednesday, August 31
3: Federalism - Defining Federalism - The Constitutional Basis of Federalism - Intergovernmental Relations - Diversity in Policy - Understanding Federalism Read Federalist Papers #51: Wednesday, August 31 Read Anti-Federalist excerpts from Brutus I and Centinel I: Wednesday, August 31 Weekly blog: initial= August 31, responses Sept. 3 Read Case Summary of Marbury v. Madison : Friday, September 2 FRQ: Friday, September 2 Read and 3: Tuesday, September 6 Reading Quiz: Tuesday, September 6 Read Article VI of U.S. Constitution: September 7 Read Amendment 10 of U.S. Constitution: September 7 Read Madison, Federalist Paper #39: September 7 Read Case Summary of McCulloch v. Maryland : September 7 Weekly blog: initial= Sept. 7, responses Sept. 10 FRQ: Friday, September 9 UNIT 1 TEST: Wednesday, September 14 & Thursday, September 15 Unit 2 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 6: Public Opinion & Public Action - The American People - How Americans Learn about Politics: Political Socialization - Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information Read and 6: Friday, September 23 Reading Quiz: Friday, September 23 Watch FRONTLINE Documentary The Persuaders : September 28
Read and Analyze Voter Turnout Data: September 30 Read and Analyze 2016 Public opinion polls: September 30 Weekly Blogging: initial Sept. 28, responses Oct. 1 FRQ: Friday, September 30 UNIT 2 TEST: Wednesday, October 5 & Thursday, October 6 - What Americans Value: Political Ideologies - How Americans Participate in Politics - Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action Unit 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media A. Political parties and elections a. Functions b. Organization c. Development d. Effects on the political process e. Electoral laws and systems B. Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs) a. The range of interests represented b. The activities of interest groups c. The effects of interest groups on the political process d. The unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process C. The mass media a. The functions and structures of the news media b. The impacts of the news media on politics c. The news media industry and its consequences 8: Political Parties - The Meaning of Party - The Party in the Electorate - The Party Organization: From the Grass Roots to Washington - The Party in Government: Promises and Policy - Party Eras in American History - Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics - Understanding Political Parties Read and 8: Monday, October 10 October 10 Weekly Blogging: initial= Oct. 12, responses Oct. 15 FRQ: Friday, October 14 9: Campaigns and Voting Behavior - The Nomination Game - The Campaign Game - Money and Campaigning - The Impact of Campaigns Read and 9: Monday, October 17 October 17
- Whether to Vote: A Citizen s First Choice - How Americans Vote: Explaining Citizen s Decisions - The Last Battle: The Electoral College - Understanding Campaigns and Voting Behavior Read Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission: October 19 Weekly Blogging: initial= October 19, response Oct. 22 FRQ: Friday, October 21 10: Interest Groups - The Role of Interest Groups - Theories of Interest Group Politics - What Makes an Interest Group Successful? - How Groups Try to Shape Policy - Types of Interest Groups - Understanding Interest Groups Read and 10: Monday, October 24 October 24 Weekly Blogging : initial= Oct. 26, responses Oct. 29 FRQ: Friday, October 28 7: Mass Media and the Political Agenda - Mass Media Today - The Development of Mass Media - Reporting the News - The News and Public Opinion - Policy Entrepreneurs and Agenda Setting - Understanding the Mass Media Read and 10: Monday, October 31 October 31 Weekly Blogging : initial= Nov.2, responses Nov. 5 FRQ: Friday, November 4 UNIT 3 TEST: Wednesday, November 9 & Thursday, November 10 Unit 4 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: a. Public opinion and voters b. Interest groups c. Political parties d. The media e. State and local governments 11: Congress - The Representatives and Senators - Congressional Elections - How Congress is Organized to Make Policy Read and Article I of U.S. Constitution: Tuesday, November 15 Read and 11: Friday, November 18
- The Congressional Process and Decision Making - Understanding Congress 12: The Presidency - The Presidents - Presidential Powers - Running the Government: The Chief Executive - Presidential Leadership of Congress: The Politics of Shared Power - The President and National Security Policy - Power from the People: The Public Presidency - The President and the Press - Understanding the American Presidency 13: The Budget: The Politics of Taxing and Spending - Federal Revenue and Borrowing - Federal Expenditures - The Budgetary Process - Understanding Budgeting 14: The Federal Bureaucracy - The Bureaucrats - How the Federal Bureaucracy is Organized - Bureaucracies as Implementors - Bureaucracies as Regulators - Controlling the Bureaucracy - Understanding Bureaucracies 15: The Federal Courts - The Nature of the Judicial System - The Structure of the Federal Judicial System - The Politics of Judicial Selection Reading Quiz: Friday, November 18 Weekly Blogging: Initial= Nov. 16, responses Nov. 19 FRQ: Monday, November 21 Watch the documentary The Congress by Ken Burns, a PBS home video: Monday, November 28 Congress Project November 28- December 6 Practice AP Test- December 7 & 8 Read and Article II of U.S. Constitution: Tuesday, January 3 Read and 12: Friday, January 6 Reading Quiz: Friday, January 6 Analyze current map of Electoral College: Monday, January 9 Analyze and compare popular vote table to electoral college vote in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 election tables: Monday, January 9 Weekly Blogging: initial= Jan. 11, responses Jan 14 FRQ: Friday, January 13 Read and 13: Tuesday, January 17 Reading Quiz: Tuesday, January 17 FRQ : may be from any chapters we have covered so far! Read and 14: Monday, January 23 January 23 Weekly Blogging: initial= Jan. 25, responses Jan 28 FRQ: Friday, January 27 Read and Article III of U.S. Constitution: Monday January 30 Read and 15: Monday, January 30
- The Backgrounds of Judges and Justices - The Courts as Policymakers - The Courts and Public Policy: A Historical Review - Understanding the Courts January 30 Read Federalist Papers #78: Wednesday, February 1 Review Marbury v. Madison: Wednesday, February 1 Review McCulloch v. Maryland: Wednesday, February 1 Read Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier Opinion: Wednesday, February 1 Weekly Blogging: initial= Feb. 1, responses Feb. 4 FRQ: Friday, February 3 UNIT 4 TEST: Wednesday, February 8 & Thursday, February 9 Unit 5 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 process and the following: a. Political institutions and federalism b. Political parties c. Interest groups d. Public opinion e. Elections f. Policy networks 16: Economic and Social Welfare Policy - Economic Policymaking - Types of Social Welfare Policies - Income, Poverty, an Public Policy - Helping the Poor? Social Policy and the Needy - Social Security: Living on Borrowed Time - Social Welfare Policy Elsewhere - Understanding Economic and Social Welfare Policymaking 17: Policymaking for Health Care, the Environment, and Energy - Health Care Policy - Environmental Policy - Energy Policy Read and 16: Tuesday, February 14 Reading Quiz: Tuesday, February 14 Weekly Blogging: initial= Feb. 15, response Feb. 18 FRQ: Tuesday, February 21 Read and 17: Monday, February 27 February 27
- Understanding Health Care, Environmental, and Energy Policy 18: National Security Policymaking - American Foreign Policy Instruments, Actors, and Policymakers - American Forign Policy Through the Cold War - American Foreign Policy and the War on Terrorism - Defense Policy - The New National Security Agenda - Understanding National Security Policymaking Weekly Blogging: initial= March 1, responses March 4 FRQ: Friday, March 3 Read and 18: Monday, March 6 March 6 Weekly Blogging: initial= March 8, responses March 11 FRQ: Friday, March 10 UNIT 4 TEST: Wednesday, March 15 & Thursday, March 16 Unit 6 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 4: Civil Liberties and Public Policy - The Bill of Rights - Freedom of Religion - Freedom of Expression - Freedom of Assembly - Right to Bear Arms - Defendant s Rights - The Right to Privacy - Understanding Civil Liberties 5: Civil Rights and Public Policies - The Struggle for Equality - African Americans Civil Rights Read and The Bill of Rights: Tuesday, March 21 Read and 4 in Text: Tuesday, March 20 Read the 14 th Amendment: Tuesday, March 20 Reading Quiz: Tuesday, March 20 Read Morse v. Frederick Decision: Wednesday, March 22 Read Mapp v. Ohio Decision: Wednesday, March 22 Read Gideon v. Wainright Decision: Wednesday, March 22 Read Tinker v. des Moines Opinion: Wednesday, March 22 Weekly Blogging : initial= March 22, responses March 24 FRQ: Friday, March 23 Read and 5: Tuesday, April 4
- The Rights of Other Minority Groups - The Rights of Women - Other Groups Active Under the Civil Rights Umbrella - Affirmative Action - Understanding Civil Rights and Public Policy Reading Quiz: Tuesday, April 7 Read Amendments 11 27: Wednesday, April 5 Read Brown v. Board of Education Decision: Wednesday, April 5 Read Korematsu v. United States Decision: Wednesday, April 5 Read Lau v. Nichols Decision: Wednesday, April 5 Read and analyze parts of The Voting Rights Act of 1965 : Wednesday, April 5 Weekly Blogging: initial= April 5, responses April 8 FRQ: Friday, April 7 UNIT 4 TEST: Wednesday, April 12 & Thursday, March 13 Review/Preparation for AP Test A. AP Government Content B. AP Government FRQ Preparation C. AP Test Taking Skills Materials AP Government Content Material FRQ Writing techniques Chart/Graph/Image interpretation Test Taking Skills Review Text Review Notes Review Handouts and Readings Review Course Vocabulary Take Practice Multiple Choice Tests Take Practice FRQ Tests Complete Practice Chart/Graph/Image Review Test Taking Tips and Strategies AP GOVERNMENT EXAM: Thursday, May 4, 2017