AP US Government and Politics Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics is a challenging one-semester course designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course. Students will learn how people behave politically, and about the development and design of the American political system. Particular attention is paid to how the system is structured and how it functions as a pluralistic system of various individual and group interests, all promoting their own agendas. Course Organization: The course provides instruction in each of the following six topics and three skill areas as outlined in the College Board Course Description: CR1: Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government CR2: Political Beliefs and Political Behaviors CR3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media CR4: Institutions of National Government CR5: Public Policy CR6: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties CR7: The course provides students with practice in analyzing and interpreting data and other information relevant to U.S. government and politics. CR8: The course includes supplemental readings, including primary source materials (such as the Federalist Papers) and contemporary new analyses that strengthen student understanding of the curriculum. CR9: The course requires students to answer analytical and interpretive free-response questions on a frequent basis. Textbook Edwards, George, Wattenberg, Martin, and Lineberry, Robert. Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy. 10 th ed, Pearson-Longman, 2002. Woll, Peter. American Government: and Cases. 15 th ed., Pearson-Longman, 2004. Other Resources Braat, Nancy, Kish, Jeanne, and Schafer, Holly. Advanced Placement US Government and Politics, Book 1. Center For Learning, Villa Maria PA, 2007. Benedict, James A., Kocab, Kenneth, Ludlum, Daniel, and Schafer, Holly. Advanced Placement US Government and Politics, Book 2, The Center For Learning, Villa Maria PA, 2007. Brusney, Kent, and Culver, John. Critical Thinking and American Government. Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1998. Center For Civic Education. We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution, 1999. Craig, Jane Ann. Drawing On Your Rights: Using Editorial Cartons to Teach the Bill of Rights. State Bar of Texas, Law Related Education, 1991. Hatton Sumners Institute. Law Related Education Guide for the Founding Documents, Course 1, 2 and 3, State Bar of Texas, 2002. Matzke, Charles. Study Guide to accompany Government in America. Pearson-Longman, 2002.
Youth Leadership Initiative, University of Virginia Center For Governmental Studies. Mock Elections and Simulations of bill creation and Mock Congress UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA AND CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS Text Chapters 1, 2, and 3 The Declaration of Independence (see Appendix in text or Woll) Articles of Confederation - class handout George Mason's Objections to the Constitution - class handout John Locke, Second Treatise of Civil Government, Woll James Madison, Federalist 10, see appendix in text or Woll Federalist 51 (see appendix in text or Woll) Federalist 47,48 - Woll US v. Lopez (1995) class handout Lesson 15 (Book 1) The Founding Fathers Lesson 16 Omissions in the US Constitution Lesson 1 (Book 2) The Tyranny of the Majority (Federalist 10 and Tocqueville excerpt) Lesson 2 The Amending Process Lesson 4 Separation of Powers Lesson 5 Philosophers (Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Hobbes) Lesson 6 Federalists vs. Anti Federalists Lesson 7 The Bill of Rights Lesson 9 Strengths and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Lesson 30 Federalism Current events Obtain articles illustrating the policy-making system at work and the 3 theories of government Essay reasons for/against Electoral College FRQ 2000 #1: Constitution attempted to address problems of decentralization in the Articles of Confederation FRQ 2006 #4 2 reasons framers created a bicameral legislature, Id. one unique power of each house and why that power was given to that particular house FRQ 1997 #2 analysis of federalism and federal mandates
UNIT II CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS Text Chapters 4 and 5 The Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment (see Appendix) Texas v. Johnson (1989), (Class Handout) Adarand Constructors v. Pena (1995) Shaw v. Reno (1993), Woll p.151-156 Lesson 34 (Book 2) Freedom of Religion Lesson 35 4 th Amendment Lesson 36 Due Process (Exclusionary Rule) (students must use US Supreme Court Reports to trace the development of the exclusionary rule and its modifications) Lesson 37 Applied Affirmative Action (students use internet and print to research Affirmative Action Milestones) Lesson 38 Flag Burning Amendment Lesson 39 Reactions of King s I Have a Dream Speech Lessons from LRE Drawing on Your Rights in the analysis of political cartoons FRQ 2001 #3 Id. Provisions of the 14 th amendment as it applies to 6 SC cases and explain significance of the decision FRQ 2005 #3 define selective incorporation and explain how 1 st amendment and privacy rights have been incorporated. Name specific SC cases. FRQ 2002 #3 obstacles and opportunities that Federalism, US political party system, and US electoral system present to racial minority groups in their efforts to achieve political goals. UNIT III SOCIALIZATION, PARTIES, AND INTEREST GROUPS Text Chapters 6, 8, and 11 David R. Mayhew, Divided We Govern, Woll p. 180-187 David B. Truman, The Governmental Process, Woll p. 217-224
Public Opinion Poll Project: students conduct their own poll based on teacher created questions, collect data, and create graphs and tables with disaggregated data, present to class in PowerPoint presentation. Lesson 10 (Book 2) Are Younger Voters Really Apathetic? (US Census Bureau tables from 2004 election to analyze trends in voter apathy) Lesson 11 Political Tolerance (survey and data analysis as it pertains to ideological consistency) Lesson 12 Political Culture (survey and graph creation based on responses) Lesson 13 Formation of Political Beliefs (Dr Seuss) Lesson 14 Liberals and Conservatives (analyze table on policy differences) Lesson 15 Politics and Religion Lesson 17 Understanding Voter Paradox (examine voting patterns when more than two candidates appear on a ballot; evaluate methods of statistical analysis in determining election winner) Lesson 18 The Political Gender Gap (table of gender gap in 2004 presidential election; analyze patterns from 1980-2004 w/ reference to gender) Lesson 19 Demographics of Voters (study table showing data from 1992 and 1996 elections to identify 5 groups Republicans would target in order to defeat Clinton; identify characteristics of probable swing voters using table which shows why people don t vote Lesson 31 Political Party Differences (analyze tables for policy differences) Lesson 33 Interest Groups: The Madisonian Perspective (Federalist #10) Lesson 19 (Book 1) Political Attitude Evolution Lesson 20 Factors That Influence Political Beliefs (find 3 magazine or newspaper articles with a conservative perspective and 3 articles with a liberal perspective; write a letter to the editor) Lesson 21 What Do We Know About Political Socialization? Lesson 22 Sampling Public Opinion: What Do You Think? (understand how a survey is taken and how to evaluate its accuracy) Lesson 23 The Structure of Political Parties Current Events research the difference between liberal and conservative internet sites and blogs. How has the blogosphere changed the political landscape? FRQ 2006 #1 Goals of political parties and interest groups, ways that interest groups support goals of political parties and how that support achieves the goals of the interest group. UNIT IV CAMPAIGNS, ELECTIONS, AND THE MEDIA Text Chapters 9, 10, and 7 B. Berelson, Democratic Practice and Democratic Theory,Woll p. 205-212 V.O. Key, The Responsible Electorate, Woll p.212-217 L. Sabato, The Misplaced Obsession with PACs, Woll p.244-251
Lesson 33 (Book 1) Election Laws: Voting Rights Act of 1965 (read and interpret data on voter registration; examine local election results to determine patterns in electing minority legislators Lesson 34 Creation of a PAC (students create their own PAC) Lesson 16 (Book 2) Campaign Finance (FECA) Lesson 20 The Impact of the Media (analysis of Nixon-Kennedy debate) Lesson 32 PACs (analysis of tables of campaign contributions and money spent by candidates in 2004 along with top 20 PAC contributors to federal candidates; incorporate into essay supporting or opposing the role of PACs) FRQ 2005#4 Campaign Finance Reform Essay Compare and contrast the Presidential elections of 1800, 1896, and 2000 as to campaign styles, media influence, and problems. What would have been the result of the 2000 election if the results of the 2000 census had been in effect? Research voter turnout in the 2004 Presidential election at the national, state, and local levels. Compare with stats for the 2000 election. Evaluate. UNIT V CONGRESS Text Chapter 12 M. Fiorina, The Rise of the Washington Establishment, Woll p.339-347 R. Fenno, If, How Come We Love Our Congressmen, Woll p. 376-383 T. Cook, Media Power and Congressional Power, Woll p.360-368 Lesson 26 (Book 1) Analyzing a Filibuster (research CQ for recent filibuster) Lesson 30 Acts of Legislation (how a bill becomes law) Lesson 32 Participating in a Caucus (students organize caucus and participate in nomination process) Lesson 22 (Book 2) Reapportionment (redistricting case studies esp. Texas in 2004) FRQ 2001 #2 Use graph of rate of congressional incumbent reelection, Id. 2 patterns, Id. 2 factors that contribute to incumbent advantage, 1 consequence of incumbency advantage for US political process FRQ 1995 #1 Iron triangles Current Events Research the current Congress to determine the typical member. Research our Texas Senators and our Congressman from the 16 th district to find out what
committee assignments they have. Evaluate. Research the 2006 Congressional Election. How many incumbents won reelection? Compare with the 2004 election. Research Research topics for legislation. Write a rough draft of a bill. Work with your group to finalize bill. Bring completed bill for mock Congress. UNIT VI THE PRESIDENCY AND THE BUREAUCRACY Text Chapters 13 and 15 Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 70, Woll p. 265-268 Richard Neustadt, Presidential Power, Woll p.274-277 C. Rossiter, The Presidency-Focus of Leadership, Woll p. 273-277 C. Jones, The Presidency in a Separated System (Class Handout) P. Woll, Constitutional Democracy and Bureaucratic Power,Woll p. 318-322 Lesson 23 (Book 2) Why Great Individuals Do Not Always Become President (Bryce vs. Hess) Lesson 24 Factors That Influence Presidential Decision Making w/video Missiles of October Lesson 25 The White House Office (flowchart of Carter and Clinton WH staffs) Lesson 29 Bureaucratic Pathology (categories of bureaucratic problems) FRQ 2003 #1 Id. 2 factors that decrease and 2 factors that increase Presidential approval ratings and explain how each factor has that effect. FRQ 2002 #1 Id. 2 problems that divided government poses for Presidential appointments and 2 ways Presidents overcome those problems. FRQ 1999 #3 congressional oversight of bureaucracy FRQ 2006 #3 2 reasons why Congress gives Fed agencies policy making discretion, choose EPA, FCC, or Federal Reserve Board, the policy area that it controls, and example of discretion. Lesson 37 (Book 1) The War Powers Resolution 1973 (main points and whether power to use military is solely executive)
Current Events Research the war in Iraq and evaluate the influence of the media and public opinion on the President s policies and agenda and his relationship with Congress. UNIT VII THE JUDICIARY Text Chapter 16 Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 78, Woll p. 405-410 W. Brennan, "How the Supreme Court Arrives at a Decision", Woll p. 420-427 Justice Sandra Day O Connor, Constitutional Liberty and the Right to Abortion Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Liberty, Privacy, and the Right to Abortion and Justice Antonin Scalia, Liberty and Abortion: A Strict Constructionist s View DeHart, Messe and Confessore - "The Imperial Judiciary" and "The Judicial Vigilantes" Lesson 27 (Book 1) Judicial Activism FRQ based on quote from SC Justice Brennen on judicial activism Lesson 28 Military Justice using example of Port Chicago explosion and tribunal 1946 Lesson 38 The Supreme Court and the Right To Die: Gonzalez v Oregon Lesson 27 (Book 2) Analyzing a Supreme Court Case (components of a SC case) Cases Handout: 60 SC cases Students must know FRQ 2000 #2 3 characteristics of SC nominees and 2 methods used by interest groups to influence the nomination process FRQ 2005 #1 Describe 2 ways the SCOTUS is insulated from public opinion and how the 2 factors work to keep the Court from deviating too far from public opinion. Current Events Using magazines and newspapers find articles involving the Supreme Court or the Justices. Concentrate on recent cases and judicial philosophy. UNIT VIII PUBLIC POLICY Text---Chapter 17, 18, 19, 20 Congress and Domestic Policy Making
Why Clintons Health Bill Failed Lesson 35 (Book 1) Alternative Energy Sources Lesson 36 Environmental Regulatory Legislation Lesson 40 The Courts and Public Policy Lesson 28 (Book 2) James Q. Wilson s 4 Points of Public Policy FRQ 2006 #2 Social Security and entitlement programs with graph analysis FRQ 2001 #4 Explain how divided govt, weak party discipline and growth in # of interest groups make it difficult for the fed govt to enact public policy Essay Choose an economist to research and describe the main points of his economic theory. Current events Research the proposed changes to healthcare in one area: research, insurance coverage, Medicare, Medicaid Students will use the following suggested web sites in addition to Newsweek, Time Magazine, US News and World Report, and the newspapers either online or the El Paso Times to do research on Current Events and Issues assignments. Several assignments throughout the semester will require the students to get graphic data and political cartoons to use as evidence. AP Government: Resources on the Web Chapter 1: Introducing Government in America Policy. Action Network National Center for Policy Analysis- Idea House American Political Science Association Core Documents of US Democracy Chronology of US Historical Documents Basic in U.S. Democracy PBS Democracy Project 2000 Chapter 2: The Constitution The Bill of Rights Institute Web Sites About the Constitution Revolution's Ideal Enshrined The Founders Constitution The National Constitution Center John Locke - The Second Treatise of Civil Government Thomas Paine The Articles of Confederation
The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 The Federalist Papers Thomas "The Federalist Papers" The Debates in the Several States on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution The American Constitution - A Documentary Record Foundations of American Government Milestone Documents Supreme Court Cases: Marbury v. Madison (1803) Chapter 3: Federalism Cases and Materials on American Federalism Supreme Court Cases: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) Chapter 4: Civil Liberties and Public Policy First Amendment Issues US Court votes to bar pledge of allegiance The Bill of Rights Institute ACLU - American Civil Liberties Union Bush Pick for Faith Based Office Sparks Debate The Last (E-Mail) Goodbye From 'gwb' to His 42 Buddies Supreme Court outlaws Alabama prison punishment Football, Subways and the Fourth Amendment Supreme Court Cases: Gideon v.wainwright (1963) Engle v. Vitale (1962) NYTimes Co. v. NY US (1971) W. Va. Bd. of Ed. v. Barnette (1943) LAWRENCE et al. v. TEXAS 2003 Chapter 5: Civil Rights and Public Policy Landmark Cases on Equal Protection Landmark Cases on Civil Rights National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement The History of Jim Crow Civil Rights Act (1964) Seneca Falls Convention (1848) Library of Congress: Seneca Falls Convention Freedom of Assembly: Seneca Falls (Bill of Rights Institute) Supreme Court Decisions: Korematsu V US (1944) Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Plessey v. Ferguson (1896) Brown v. Board of Education (1954), Regents of Univ. of California v. Bakke (1978) GRUTTER v. BOLLINGER et al 2003 GRATZ et al. v. BOLLINGER et al. 2003
Chapter 6: Public Opinion and Political Action The NES Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior Groliers - The American Presidency: Public Opinion Gallup Poll US Census Chapter 8: Political Parties Links to Political Websites Political Party Platform Comparison assignment. Democratic National Committee Republican National Committee Directory of US Political Parties Mugwumps Chapter 9: Nominations and Campaigns Federal Election Commission (FEC) The Brookings Institution's Campaign Finance Reform Home Page The Great Debate and Beyond:: The History of Televised Presidential Debates Buckley v. Valeo, 1976 Chapter 10: Elections and Voting Behavior Vote-Smart.org The Living Room Candidate (American Museum of the Moving Image) The National Commission on Federal Election Reform The History of Voting Machines 2000 Electoral Vote Totals 2000 Popular Vote Totals Electronic Voting Grolier's - The American Presidency: Primary Elections How direct should democracy be? "Deadlock: The Inside Story of America's Closest Election" Chapter 11: Interest Groups American Association of Retired Persons. AARP AFL-CIO United Farm Workers National Education Association NEA National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP American Medical Association AMA US Chamber of Commerce The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference National Catholic Education Association NCEA Mothers Against Drunk Driving MADD National Rifle Association NRA Common Cause National
Organization of Women NOW Chapter 12: Congress Vote-Smart.org [ Project Vote Smart] Biographical directory of the US Congress (1774-present) Congress Online Project, Issues of Importance: (Campaign Finance Reform The Brookings Institution's Campaign Finance Reform Home Page Project Vote Smart - Campaign Finance Reform opensecrets.org -your guide to the money in American elections Racial - Gerrymandering Congress in Action Apportionment of the US House of Representatives 108th Congress. Supreme Court Cases: Powell v. McCormack (1969) US Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton (1996) Reynolds v. Sims (1964) Chapter 13: The Presidency The White House Official US Executi ve Branch Web Sites American Presidency.org Presidents of the United States Grolier's Online - The America n Presiden cy The Bush Cabinet Presidential Libraries IDEA Network Presidential Inaugurations: Menu of all Presidents Historical Tour of the White House The American Presidency - A Glorious Burden Cuban Missile Crises:, 1962: A Perspective The Great Debate and Beyond: The Archives: State of the Union Speeches
after 40 years. History of televised Presidential Debates Supreme Court Decisions: Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. US (1952) US v. Nixon (1974), Bush v. Gore (2000), Chapter 14: The Congress, The President, and the Budget: The Politics of Taxing and Spending The Office of Management and Budget The Congressional Budget Office "If tax plan crashes, Bush may be its biggest fatality" Like Father, Bush is Caught in a Politically Perilous Budget Squeeze National Priorities Project Chapter 15: The Federal Bureaucracy Federal Independent Agencies and Commissions Independent Establishments and Government Corporations The Pendleton Act (1883) Chapter 16: The Federal Courts The Supreme Court of the United States US Supreme Court Supreme Court Justices Landmark Supreme Court Cases Supreme Court Decisions Exploring Constitutional Conflicts Famous Trials of the 20th Century, Judicial activism influence Justice Learning Federal Court Concepts Time: How Rehnquist Changed America (6/30/03) Time: Rehnquist Courts Biggest Decisions In A Momentous Term, Justices Remake the Law, and the Court Bush Would Sever Law Group's Role in Screening Judges, Chapter 17: Economic Policymaking The Federal Reserve System FED101 - the Federal Reserve Today Chapter 18: Social Welfare Policymaking Social Security Administration The Sky Will Fall in 2016 Chapter 19: Policymaking for Health, Energy, and the Environment
US Department of Health & Human Services US Department of Energy Chapter 20: Foreign and Defense Policymaking US Department of State Department of Defense NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization United Nations Virtual Tour Chapter 21: The New Importance of State and Local Government 50states.com - States and Capitals