AP Government and Politics Summer Assignment To the AP Government student: For AP Government, you are required to complete the summer assignment prior to August 15, 2014 of the school year. The purpose of the assignment is to prepare you for the rigor of the AP Government course. You should also be prepared for a Summer Assignment Assessment on the same day which will assess your knowledge of the vocabulary/information from the Summer Assignment. This class will utilize technology frequently, and communication will be vital. Please be sure you have a professional email account that is easily recognizable (such as your name and a couple of numbers). We expect you to utilize itslearning, where you will find links to assignments, packets to print off, and rubrics for scoring of assignments. Summer Assignment Grading Part 1: Philosophical Readings = 50 Points Part 2: Note cards = 50 Points Part 3: Constitution Assignment = 100 Points Total Points Possible = 200 points 1. You will read each of the 5 readings provided 2. You will respond to the guided reading questions 1. You will create note cards for the vocabulary that is so inherently important in this course! 1. Answers to each question (worth 2 points each) Additional Information: You should get in the following habits: o Follow the news!!! o Review, review, review o Read the supplemental materials given o Read the notes in advance of the class Email your teacher with questions/concerns We hope you enjoy the summer, the readings, and look forward to seeing you in the fall and working with you.
Part One: Philosophical Readings Assignment Information: You will need to download copies of the readings from my website. The assignments are in pdf format, so you will need to have Adobe to access them. You will have 5 readings, of which each excerpt can be found on my website and is available for download: 1. John Locke: Second Treatise of Government 2. Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws 3. Jean Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract 4. Thomas Paine: Common Sense 5. Virginia Declaration of Rights & The Declaration of Independence For each reading, a series of guided questions will be given. Each of the questions may be answered in complete sentences OR bullet-point. The grading rubric is attached to this document. John Locke: Second Treatise of Government 1. Before reading the excerpt by John Locke, research his background and the historical context of the reading Second Treatise of Government. When did he write this and why? What was his purpose? What events were taking place that gives the reader insight into his motivations and perspectives? 2. How does Locke continuously refer to the laws of nature? How does Locke differentiate between the laws of nature and the laws of man? 3. When, according to Locke, is it necessary for a man to give up certain liberties under the laws of nature? 4. According to Locke, what is the role of the legislative power and how does it get that power? Explain your response. 5. Under what circumstances, to Locke, might it be necessary for people to dissolve their government and start new? Explain your response. Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws 1. Before reading the excerpt by Montesquieu, research and discuss the historical context of The Spirit of the Laws. When did he write this and why? What was his purpose? What was happening at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and perspective of the author? 2. Immediately in the first 5 paragraphs, Montesquieu lays out an idea that directly influenced the shaping of American government. What is it and why does he state it is so important?
3. According to Montesquieu, who should exercise executive power? Who should exercise legislative power? Why? 4. What does Montesquieu say about the idea of the executive limiting the legislative power? How about the legislative limiting the executive power. 5. Who, according to Montesquieu, should comprise the army, and what role does he say the army should play? 6. To Montesquieu, what will ultimately cause the state to perish? Jean Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract 1. Before reading Rousseau, do some research and discuss the historical context of The Social Contract. When did he write this and why? What was his purpose? What was happening at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and perspective of the author? 2. To Rousseau, what is the fundamental question that he seeks to address in The Social Contract? 3. According to Rousseau, what is the social contract and what are the social contract s benefits to society? Explain. 4. What does Rousseau think of the concept of individualism, and how does the social contract affect the individual will? 5. What is Rousseau s overall thinking on the concept of representative democracy vs. direct democracy? Explain 6. In what ways are Rousseau s theories and Locke s theories of the role of government similar? Explain. Thomas Paine: Common Sense 1. Before reading Pain, read the introduction to the book and discuss the historical context of Common Sense. When did he write this and why? What was his purpose? What was happening at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and perspective of the author? 2. How does Paine view the role and importance of government in general? Be specific.
3. What are Paine s views on the monarchy, both in general and that of England? Use supporting details from Common Sense. 4. What arguments does Paine use to support the notion that the American colonies would be better off as an independent nation? 5. A number of Paine s appeals and ideas exhibit the influence of people like Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. Discuss some areas where you see these influences. Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Declaration of Independence 1. What specific things do the Virginia Declaration of Rights and Declaration of Independence have in common? 2. What specific ideas expressed in both documents can be traced back to those of Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Paine? Make direct connections.
Part One: Philosophical Readings Guided Questions: Scoring Rubric Name: Period: *A note to the student: The readings and the guided questions are designed to aid you in a more thorough understanding of the underpinnings of the American government system. Your answers are being assessed on completeness, support of your statements, and examples from the readings. The main purpose here is to assess whether you truly understand the philosophical foundation on which our governmental system is based. We will be discussing these readings in class where you will have the opportunity to revise your answers. A. Answers to the questions concerning historical context: 15 Excellent Work 13 Good work, needs some improvement 10 Needs Significant improvement B. Responses to the guided questions show that the texts were read and analyzed in full, through the connections and evidence used to support statements. 20 Excellent Work 18 Good work, needs some improvement 15 Needs Significant improvement C. Responses to guided questions illustrate a strong effort to provide complete and supported answers 15 Excellent Work 13 Good work, needs some improvement 10 Needs Significant improvement
Part Two: Vocabulary Note cards Assignment Information: The United States is rich in political history. The first part of the Summer Assignment is to give you an understanding of the works and thinkers which influenced American government and the documents that are the foundation. The second part of the Summer Assignment is to give you greater knowledge of the vocabulary you will need to know, understand, and use daily in this course to be successful. Many people stay away from government because the vocabulary is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. This should not be the case with AP Government. The vocabulary should give you greater understanding and therefore equip you better to participate in government. The following are a list of terms you are expected to know and have ready to show when you come into class the first week. These terms can be found in the textbook, on the internet, etc. Note cards Directions: 1. Term on the front of the card 2. Definition of the term on the back in 10 words or less 3. A sentence that shows you understand the meaning of the term. Hints to finding the definition of the terms: 1. Use www.google.com to search for the words. 2. When searching, put in the following phrase. Define: lobbyist a. By using quotations, you are refining your search and getting better quality results. 1. Government 2. Public goods 3. Politics 4. Political participation 5. Single-issue groups 6. Policy making system 7. Linkage intstitutions 8. Policy agenda 9. Political issue 10. Policy making institutions 11. Public policy 12. Democracy 13. Majority rule 14. Minority rights 15. Representation 16. Pluralist theory 17. Elite and class theory 18. Hyper pluralism 19. Policy gridlock 20. Gross domestic product 21. Project grants 22. Formula grants 23. Individualism 24. Constitution 25. Declaration of independence 26. Natural rights 27. Consent of the governed 28. Limited government 29. Articles of Confederation 30. Shays Rebellion 31. Factions 32. New Jersey Plan 33. Virginia Plan 34. Connecticut Compromise 35. Writ of habeas corpus 36. Separation of powers 37. Checks and balances 38. Republic 39. Federalists 40. Block grant 41. Anti-Federalists 42. Federalist papers 43. Bill of Rights 44. Equal Rights Amendment 45. Judicial review 46. Federalism 47. Unitary government 48. Intergovernmental relations 49. Supremacy clause 50. Tenth amendment 51. Enumerated powers 52. Implied powers 53. Elastic clause 54. Full faith & credit clause 55. Extradition 56. Privileges & immunities 57. Cooperative federalism 58. Fiscal federalism 59. Categorical grant 60. Madisonian Model
Part Three: Learning the US Constitution Assignment Information: Since 1789, the US Constitution has been used as a framework for how the US government should work. It has a great deal of information that has been changed/amended, and causes a great deal of conflict among groups and individuals when it comes to interpretation. You will need to, not only be familiar with, but to know all of the information in the Constitution (which will be found in the worksheet attached). Having a working knowledge of the US Constitution will better aid you in class discussions/debates and analyzing Supreme Court cases. A great website to aid in completing the assignment in part three is: http://constitutioncenter.org This assignment is also on my website.
Part Three: Constitution Assignment Assignment Information: The United States Constitution has been a framework for American government since 1789. It has been changed numerous times (27 to be exact!), debated over, fought over, and created a great deal of conflict among groups throughout American history! You will be held responsible for, not just being familiar with, but knowing specific aspects of the US Constitution. This work will provide an easy reference for you throughout the year. You may use it to refer to on assignments, add to during the year, and study from for tests. Directions: Read (yes, the entire document!!) the US Constitution and complete the questions. www.constitutioncenter.org correct answers Click on Interactive Constitution and sort through to find the #1) Read each article of the Constitution and summarize the general purpose in 15 words or less. Article I Article II Article III Article IV Article V Article VI Article VII #2) Eligibility Requirements Constitutional Office Member of the House of Representatives Senator List the Constitutional Qualifications to hold this office President (& VP) Supreme Court Justice #3) Expressed (Enumerated) Powers are those powers that are specifically granted to the Federal government by the Constitution. a. List 2 expressed powers of the President.
b. List 2 expressed powers of the Vice President. c. List 2 expressed powers of Congress. #4) Checks and balances are those concepts placed into the Constitution that give each branch specific control over the other two branches. This is stated in the first 3 articles of the Constitution and prevents abuses of powers and one branch becoming more powerful than the other two branches! a. List a power the executive branch has over the legislative branch. b. List a power the executive branch has over the judicial branch. c. List a power the legislative branch has over the executive branch. d. List a power the legislative branch has over the judicial branch. e. List a power the judicial branch has over both branches. #5) Answer the following: a. Who has the power to declare war? b. What power does the Constitution give the President in regards to war? c. What bodies have the power to override a presidential veto? d. What margin is required to override a presidential veto? e. Where in the Constitution is the veto power described? f. What body has the power to ratify treaties? g. Where in the Constitution is the ratification power described? h. What body has the power to impeach the president? i. Where in the Constitution is the impeachment power described? j. What body has the power to convict the president of charges brought against him in the impeachment process? k. What margin is required to convict and remove a president from office? l. What body has the power to accept or reject the president s nomination to the Supreme Court? m. Where in the Constitution are judicial nominations described? n. If no candidate for president wins a simple majority of electoral votes, what body has the power to choose the president? o. What margin is required to choose president? p. Where in the Constitution is the Electoral College? #5) Processes listed in the Constitution: a. The Constitution specifies a three-fourths majority for just ONE process. What is it? b. Read Article VI. Explain the Supremacy Clause in your own words.
c. What are two ways that amendments to the Constitution can be proposed? d. What are two ways that amendments to the Constitution can be ratified? #6) Summarize each of the first 10 Amendments (Bill of Rights) in your own words. Amendment 1 Amendment 2 Amendment 3 Amendment 4 Amendment 5 Amendment 6 Amendment 7 Amendment 8 Amendment 9 Amendment 10 #7) More Amendment questions: a. Which amendment(s) protect the rights of women? b. Which amendment(s) of the Constitution provides for the people to receive equal protection under the law? c. How were US Senators chosen before the 17 th Amendment? d. The Twenty-fifth Amendment describes the sequence of events that would install the vice president as acting president against the will of the president. Outline this process.