AP U.S. Government and Politics Course Overview The objective of this course is to teach the basic operations of government and analyze how our government works. Students will develop critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens. This course explores political theory, history and the formation of the American system and its cumulative effect on the daily operation of our government and public policy. We will analyze political structure and influences upon it. The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the AP Exam for U.S. Government and Politics. The course is rigorous and it requires a substantial amount of reading and preparation for every class. Course Readings Texts: Edwards, George, Wattenberg, M, and Lineberry, R. Government In America. Pearson/ Longman, 2008. Serow, Ann, Ladd, E. The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity. Lanahan, 2011. Grading and Course Requirements Grades are figured on a cumulative point basis. Each test, quiz, project and homework assignment is worth a given number of points according to the quality and level of completion of the work. Participation in class discussion is valued and important. Grade average is determined by dividing the total points possible by points earned. There will be comprehensive tests over each unit featuring multiple choice and essay questions and interpretation of primary source material. Current Topics Students will be required to keep up on current events for the purpose of class discussion and to connect the material from class to real events in the political world. To that end, students will keep a current topics journal where they will summarize and reflect on events that have meaning themselves and their community. Unit 1: Foundations of Government: Students should understand political theory and topics such as federalism and the separation of powers. We will examine the history of the colonies and early structure of the United States, focusing on the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention. Also we will look at the arguments adopted by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists and Constitutional Ratification.
Chapter 1: Introducing Government in America Chapter 2: The Constitution Chapter 3: Federalism The Leviathan chapters 13 and 14 by Thomas Hobbes Second Treatise on Government by John Locke The Spirit of Laws by Charles de Montesquieu Letters from Jefferson by James Madison--1787, 1789 Eighteen Reasons to Reject the Constitution by Mercy Otis Warren Week 1-- Principles of Government: Topics include origins of the state, political theory, specifically Hobbes, Locke and Montesquieu; different forms of government, and basic concepts of democracy such as rights of the individual in a market, or free enterprise, society. Week 2-- Origins of American Government: Topics include history of pre- Revolutionary America, the movement toward revolution and its leaders, the critical period following independence and an examination of the Articles of Confederation. Week 3-- Federalism: Topics include a discussion of the Constitutional Convention and the fight for ratification, as well as an examination of the basic structure of federal government and the concept of balance of power and checks and balances. A unit test will also be given. Unit 2: Voting and Political Parties We will analyze the common beliefs that form the foundation of the U.S. political culture. We will examine political participation and how it affects the American system. Students will learn how factions are developed around political issues and how these factions have formalized into our modern two-party system. Campaign strategies and financing will also be explored. We will study current trends in voting, both in numbers, demographics and regions. Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Political Agenda Chapter 8: Political Parties Chapter 9: Nominations and Campaigns Chapter 10: Elections and Voting Behavior Chapter 7: Mass Media and the Political Agenda
Going Dirty by David Mark The Problem of Nonvoting by Curtis B. Gans Nonvoting is Not a Social Disease by Austin Ramsey The Second Civil War by Ronald Brownstein Millennial Makeover by Morley Winograd and Michael Hais More than Money by Richard Skinner Week 4-- Voters and Voter Behavior: Topics include the history of suffrage issues, voter qualifications and registration issues, and an examination of voter behavior based on age, gender, religion, region, and income levels (professions). It will also include a study of the origins of the 2-party system in the United States and its affect on today s government at all levels. We will look at the platforms of the third or minor parties that are ballot eligible. We will look at the role of the party as an election tool highlighting the process of campaigning for office and the role of primary elections. Week 5-- Mass Media and Public Opinion: Topics include an examination of the role of the media in the political process, from mainstream sources such as network television and nationally known newspapers, to talk radio and the increasing importance of internet web sites or blogs. A unit test will be given. Unit 3: Article I and the Legislative Branch We will learn the basic organization of the Legislative Branch and the process of how a bill becomes a law. Students will examine the role of the legislator in the process and explore the various influences on the legislative process such as political parties and leadership, special interest groups and PACs with focus on the role of lobbyists in the process. Chapter 12: Congress Chapter 11: Interest Groups The Legislator as Delegate by the General Assembly of Virginia The Legislator as Trustee by John F. Kennedy The Interest Group Society by Jeffrey Berry (chapters 5 and 8) Filibuster by Gregory Wawro and Eric Schickler The Difference Women Make by Michele Swers The Congressional Experience by David Price Pork: A Time-Honored Tradition Lives On by Paul Starobin
Week 6-- Congress: Topics include an understanding of the basic role of Congress, the election requirements to be a Congressman, the different structures of the Senate and the House of Representatives, a demographic look at the Congress as a whole, and a debate over what is exactly the role of a Congressman. We will also look at the powers of Congress. Topics include a look at the powers of Congress-- expressed vs. implied powers, as well as non legislative powers such as the power to investigate. Week 7-- Legislative process: We will look at how a bill becomes a law as a basic concept, the role of congressional committees and leadership positions and party loyalty, the role of special interest groups, PACs and lobbyists in the society and as part of the lawmaking process. A unit test will also be given. Unit 4: Article II and the Executive Branch We will learn the basic structure and evolution of the Executive Branch. Students will examine the role of the president and the executive branch in making both domestic and foreign policy decisions. We will explore the impact of political parties, public pressure and presidential personality and stylistic differences that affect public policy development. Chapter 13: The Presidency Chapter 15: The Federal Bureaucracy Taking the Presidency out of Politics: The Six Year Term by Thomas Cronin A Single Six-Year Term for the President? The Case Against the Electoral College by Lawrence Longley In Defense of the Electoral College by Robert Weissberg The Presidential Character excerpt by James David Barber How Much is His Fault? by Thomas Cronin Locked in the Cabinet by Robert Reich The White House Staff by Bradley Patterson Week 8-- The Presidency: Topics include an understanding of the many roles of the president, presidential succession and election, and a historical look at the growth of presidential power. Week 9-- The President and administration: Topics include a study of the bureaucratic structure of the federal government, the role of party politics and presidential character and personality in the process. A unit test will be given.
Unit 5: Article III and the Judicial Branch and Civil Liberties Students will learn the basic structure of our judicial system focusing on issues of jurisdiction, civil, constitutional and criminal law. They will see the impact of the court system on public policy and examine the process by which judicial decisions are made. Students will see how decisions by the Court affect the interpretation of constitutional civil rights and liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the rights of defendants in the criminal justice system. We will look at the evolution of the system and current issues concerning minority civil rights. Chapter 16: The Federal Courts Chapter 4: Civil Liberties and Public Policy Chapter 5: Civil Rights and Public Policy Pursuit of Justices by David Yalof How the Supreme Court Arrives at Decisions by William Brennan Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963) The Democratic Character of Judicial Review by Eugene Rostow The Dynamic Constitution by Richard Fallon You Can t Say That! by David Bernstein In Our Defense by E. Alderman and C. Kennedy Week 10-- The Federal Court System: Topics include a study of its basic structure, jurisdictional issues, different types of law and selection and affirmation of federal judges. We will examine the process of how a case proceeds through the judicial system and the deliberation process of the U.S. Supreme Court. Weeks 11-12 -- Introduction to Civil Liberties: Topics include a discussion of the amendments to the U.S. Constitution and the appropriate Court cases that allow us to interpret them. Civil liberties such as first amendment issues, rights of the accused, and equal justice under the law will be examined. The students will then have a research project to complete. A unit test will be given. Project: Given a hypothetical case, a group of 4-5 students will research similar cases (precedent, vote, and write opinions that mirror what the U.S. Supreme Court may do. We will model this in class so as to offer a model for proper technique. Unit 6: Financing Government and Public Policy Issues We will look at public policy formation using an examination of political issues of the day. We will focus primarily on financing government and budgetary issues
such as controllable vs. uncontrollable spending. We will explore different financing plans (demand-side vs. supply-side), taxes and the role of deficits and debt. We will look at foreign policy as initiated by the executive branch, both peaceful and military. Chapter 14: The Congress, the President, and the Budget: The Policies of Taxing and Spending Chapter 17: Economic Policymaking Chapter 18: Social Welfare Policymaking Chapter 20: National Security Policymaking Chapter 21: The New Face of State and Local Government The Mythology of Deficits by Steven Landsburg From the Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria Democratic Laboratories by Andrew Karch Boss by Mike Royko (chapter 6) Week 13-- Financing government: Topics include taxation and spending policies of the government, an examination of the budget process, controllable vs. uncontrollable spending. The issue paper will be assigned during the week. Project: Issue paper: Students are required to choose a political issue related to current events. They must research the history of the issue, what is being argued and when did the issue arise as an issue in this country. Then students must present a persuasive argument, taking a side on the issue. The papers will then be presented in class, culminating in debates with opposite sides engaged in formal arguments. Week 14-- Foreign Policy: Topics include the role of the president in foreign policy and defense both historical terms to the present day, and a study of influences, both domestic and international on the process. Week 15-- Local Government: Topics include the specific problems of finance at the local government level addressing especially education, safety, growth, and immigration issues. The issue papers will be presented. A unit test will be given. Review Week 16-- Review for the final exam and A.P. Test. A comprehensive review by unit over the vocabulary, topic analysis and writing strategies necessary to maximize the students score.