Teacher: D Shannon Mendez Classroom: 149 Contact: 432-456-2352 2017 AP GOVERNMENT COURSE REQUIREMENTS & SYLLABUS Email: dshannon.mendez@ectorcountyisd.org Conference Time: SUPPLIES Writing utensil Composition notebok YOU MUST HAVE COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS OUTSIDE OF THIS CLASSROOM A binder or folder is suggested TEXT: GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA: PEOPLE, POLITICS AND POLICY, 10 th ED. By Edwards, Wattenberg & Lineberry. READER: READINGS AND CASES IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT, 15 th ED., edited by Peter Woll. REMIND 101 Remind 101 is a safe way for me to communicate with parent and student about upcoming assignments, tests, etc. Text @2017gopo to 81010 (use the app if the text isn t working) INTERACTIVE CONSTITUTION APP QUIZLET Study the vocabulary GOOGLE CLASSROOM- A majority of the class assignments, discussion boards, handouts etc. will be found here.
GENERAL COURSE DESCRIPTION & EXPECTATIONS: Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics 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. The major topics to be examined are: o Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Government o Civil Rights and Civil Liberties o Institutions of National Government o Political Beliefs and Behaviors o Public Policy o Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Because this course is the equivalent of a college course and in order for students to perform well on the AP National Exam, students must meet the high expectations of the course and share the responsibility for mastery of the course objectives. This involves the careful reading of the textbook, class participation, cooperation, and collaboration, as well as the knowledge and application of current examples of contemporary American politics. READING: The text is designed for college and university students. In order to be successful in a course of this type, students need to maximize their time, through proper organization and time management skills, to complete all assigned reading prior to class discussion. In addition to the text, students will be required to read portions of the supplemental reader, news articles, and other additional sources. GROUP WORK: For the purpose of some reading assignments, and your research and policy papers, students will periodically be placed in groups. Establishing a good rapport within the group is key to success in the class and will help students manage the amount of reading required. CURRENT EVENTS: Knowledge of contemporary political events is essential for the analytical focus that must be exhibited in research papers and FRQs. Students will be responsible for knowledge of current events and how to analyze those events in light of our studies. It is highly recommended that students expose themselves to as many political types of media as possible. In addition to the major national newspapers like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, etc., the Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report is a good source of political news. All provide news of contemporary events, and analysis of those events, as well. All have websites that can be accessed. Also, the cable news networks (CNN, Fox, & MSNBC) collectively provide commentary of all political positions. o GRADES: Tests/projects count 60% of your grade, homework/classroom assignments count 35%, and daily planner will count for 5% of your 6 weeks grade. o Late work will receive a 25 point grade reduction on the assignment for each day late, up to 2 days. After 2 days- you will NOT receive credit o Exams may also be corrected/retaken (see policy below) and must be corrected in the given time period during tutoring or homeroom only! o It is your responsibility to get your work if you are absent. Most assignments and projects can be submitted online. DO NOW: Each day there will be an activity to complete when you walk into the room. It must be completed within the first 10 minutes of class and will be graded at the end of the 6 weeks. HOMEWORK A majority of your homework will be reading, discussion board questions, and notetaking. YOU MUST COMMIT TO READING!
EXAMS: As review for the AP test, we will be answering free response questions from previous tests throughout the year in reviewing for the exam. Previous multiple choice questions will also be presented and answered. All tests will be written AP format, prepare yourself, they're not easy! There will be an exam at the end of each chapter/unit. You will take a FRQ exam and a multiple choice exam. Exams will cover materials from the text, assigned readings, homework, and class discussions. You are expected to read, study, and be prepared for exams. You may retake an FRQ (a new question) and still score up to 100% and you may also make corrections to m/c questions for ½ credit back. Corrections/retakes MUST be completed within one week of the original exam during homeroom or tutorials ONLY! QUIZZES: Quizzes will be given periodically at my discretion over vocabulary or Primary Sources. BEHAVIOR: The Code of Conduct as outlined in the Student Handbook will be followed. This is an advanced course. If you are not mature enough to behave yourself, you are probably not mature enough to be successful in this course. PHONES: We will use your cell phone OFTEN for learning. Bring a charger. Please respect the learning environment NO social media, No games! I m here to teach and you chose to be here to learn! My EXPECTATIONS for the students in my classes are as follows: 1. Be on time. Be prepared. Be respectful. Do your BEST. Follow directions. 2. No student will be allowed out of the classroom the 1st or last 15 minutes of class. (You will be allowed 2 restroom/water passes per 6 weeks which will be documented in your planner. You will not be allowed out of class without your planner) 3. All ECISD and Permian rules will be enforced! CHAMPS! DAILY PROCEDURES Enter classroom with ID on correct lanyard around your neck and in proper dress code with your supplies (no locker, no car, no locker room, no friend/teacher in another class) Roll call, bell work, and planner Get your assignment if you were absent Lecture/Lesson/Test etc. All assignments, tests, etc. go in the basket for your class period. GRIEVANCES: If you disagree with a grade or policy, please come talk to me about it. I may not change it, but it will give me a chance to explain in greater detail. I cannot address your concerns if you do not talk to me. TUTORIALS: 8:00 am or during homeroom. If you have difficulty in understanding the material, please come to see me. I will also stay after school if prior arrangements are made. My e-mail is dshannon.mendez@ectorcountyisd.org or use the Remind if you need to get in touch with me at any time. You may also submit assignments via email (which is highly encouraged!)
SYLLABUS: Introduction and Constitutional Underpinnings: Discuss power and how it is used. Historical basis of framing of Constitution. How pressures created the federalist system, and how has it evolved. Is our current idea of federalism the same as that envisioned by framers and opponents? Continuing debate started by Federalists and Anti-federalists: what is to be size and role of national government? Edwards, Government in America, chapter 1-3 *Woll, Second Treatise of Civil Government, John Locke Federalist 10, 51 Brutus #1 Cases: US v. Lopez, McCulloch v. Maryland, Oregon v. Gonzales, Major Assignments: Test- multiple choice and FRQ (Constitution including the Bill of Rights) Case briefs and oral presentations on Federalist papers and Supreme Court Cases Civil Rights & Civil Liberties: The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation. You will have knowledge of fundamental rights and liberties. What is the 14th Amendment and why is it so incredibly important. What are the differences between civil rights and civil liberties? Edwards, Government in America, Chapter 4-5 Analyze the 14th Amendment *Major assignments: Case Briefs and oral presentation Test- multiple choice and FRQ (civil rights v. civil liberties; equal rights and due process) 1. Engle v. Vitale 2. Lemon v. Kurtzman 3. Wisconsin v. Yoder 4. Tinker v. Des Moines 5. New York Times v. U.S. 6. Schenck v. U.S. 7. Gideon v. Wainwright 8. Mapp v. Ohio 9. Griswold v. Connecticut 10. Roe v. Wade 11. Gitlow v. New York 12. Miranda v. Arizona 13. Brown v. Board of Education 14. Plessy v. Ferguson 15. Obergefell v. Hodges Political Beliefs & Behavior: The ideologies and opinions of Americans, and the foundations of those beliefs. How divided are we? What are factors determining voting and active participation, including contributions of money? Analyze data from elections to substantiate issues concerning Americans and demographic factors determining results. Edwards, Government in America, Chapter 6, 9 Woll, Perspectives on American Political Parties *Major assignments: Test- multiple choice and FRQ (voting and elections - 15th, 19th, 26thAmendments, voting rights act) Elections and Electoral College
Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media: Creation, history, and evolution of political parties. Analyze strength of political parties. Are they needed? Do we need more political parties? What role does the media play in influencing voters and policy makers? Do we have too many interest groups and how do they influence voters and policy makers? Edwards, Government in America, Chapters 7, 8, 10 Woll, Interest Groups and the American System, Rozell & Wilcox Buckley v. Valeo; Citizens United v. FEC Test- multiple choice and FRQ (Electoral College, political parties, polarization) Research and oral presentation - analyze the two major political parties and third parties Institutions: Congress, Presidency Bureaucracy, Courts: Congress: A thorough look at Congress and its structure and internal workings. The committee system and how bills work their way through the system to become laws. What do members of Congress do to get support for their bills? The role of Congressional oversight. The advantages of incumbency and how Congress helps itself. Edwards, Government in America, Chapter 11 o Woll, The Rise of the American Establishment, Test- multiple choice and FRQ (roles of Congress) Process of a bill becoming a law Presidency: Analyze the office of the president and its growth to the present. Is the president too powerful? What are roles and duties of the president? Discuss the concept of the unitary executive. Edwards, Government in America, Chapter 12 Woll, Presidential Power, Neustadt Federalist 70, Hamilton Test- multiple choice and FRQ (Presidential Roles and Powers) The Bureaucracy: The agencies, their internal politics and the influence of presidential appointments. The impact of Congressional oversight on the power of the bureaucracy. The politics of budgeting and funding. The role of interest groups and iron triangles on the work of the bureaucracy. Edwards, Government in America, Chapters 13, 14 * Woll, The Rise of the Bureaucratic State, Wilson * Constitutional Democracy and Bureaucratic Power, Woll Test- multiple choice and FRQ (bureaucracy) Analyze and present a selected agency
2017 AP GOVERNMENT COURSE REQUIREMENTS & SYLLABUS The Judiciary: Analyze the court system, both the constitutional courts and legislative courts. The internal workings of the Supreme Court and its effect in politics and the government. Analyze the schools of judicial interpretation: original intent, literalists and the non-originalists. Edwards, Government in America, Chapter 15 Woll Judicial Self Restraint, John P. Roche Federalist 78, Hamilton Cases: Marbury v. Madison, Bush v. Gore * Major Assignments; Test- multiple choice and FRQ (Judicial Branch/Supreme Court Case briefs Public Policy: Class will analyze the policy making process in the areas of the environment, social programs, foreign policy and economic policy. Edwards, Government in America, Chapters, 16, 17, 18, *Major Assignments: Test- multiple choice and FRQ (fiscal v. monetary policy) Policy paper on a current issue involving environment, social programs, foreign affairs, or economic policy or Iron Triangle Project Format of AP Exam to be administered May 10 at 8 am Section I: Multiple Choice 60 Questions 45 Minutes 50% of Exam Score (60 points) Demonstrate understanding of major course concepts, policies and institutions Apply skills of comparison and interpretation in addition to factual recall Section II: Free Response 4 Questions 100 Minutes 50% of Exam Score (60 points) Define concepts and explain or interpret content across all course topics Analyze political relationships and evaluate policy changes using examples from the course to support the argument or response Useful websites https://www.youtube.com/ (my best friend) http://www.oyez.org/ (Supreme Court cases) http://www.factcheck.org/ (Get your facts straight)