Waynesville High School 2015-16 AP U.S. Government & Politics Grade Level: 11-12 Course Duration: 2 Semesters Prerequisite: None Credit: 1 (Quality Point) Instructor: Kelly Tillott Conference: 6th period Email: ktillott@waynesville.k12.mo.us Phone: (573) 842-2400 ext. 3143 Course Design Advance Placement U.S. Government and Politics is an in-depth and demanding review of the American government system. Since students will be reading and assessing college level material, the course requires a high level of competence and interest. A thorough review of the structure, powers, and influences of the U.S. government system will be covered. This course will meet three graduation requirements of the Waynesville R-VI School District and of the state of Missouri: (1) successful completion of a government course, (2) the passage of the U.S. Constitution test, and (3) the passage of the Missouri Constitution test. Students will also be required to take the U.S. Government End-of-Course Exam. Course Objectives 1. Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics 2. Understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principals used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures) 3. Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics 4. Be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum Curricular Requirements 1. The course includes the study of the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution, the constitutional system, and major events, individuals, and concepts important in the development of the American governing system. 2. The course includes the study of how political beliefs are formed, how they evolve, and the process by which they are communicated. 3. The course includes the study of the structure, powers, and responsibilities of the major political institutions of the United States: Congress, the presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts. 4. The course includes the study of constitutional provisions that guarantee civil liberties and rights to all citizens. 5. The course includes the study of the impact that political parties, interest groups, and media have on formulating government policy. 6. The course includes the study of key components of the government s public policy process, and the impact of government policy on domestic and foreign policy areas. 7. The course includes the study of the major components of Missouri s state government system as provided in its constitution. 8. The course provides students with practice in analyzing and interpreting data and other information relevant to U.S. government and politics. 9. The course includes supplemental readings, including primary source materials and contemporary news analyses that strengthen understanding of the curriculum 10. The course provides students with frequent practice in writing analytical and interpretive freeresponse questions.
Course Textbooks Wilson, James Q., Dilulio, John J., Jr, and Bose, Meena, American Government: Institutions & Politics, 13 th edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013. Other Material Assigned and used in class: articles from current newspapers, such as the New York Times or Washington Post, St. Louis Post Dispatch; news magazine excerpts from Time, Newsweek, or U.S. News and World Report; news footage and documentaries; C-SPAN S coverage and current events materials; numerous Web sites; political cartoons from various sources; charts, graphs, and polling data from various sources. Assessment Evaluation will include formative and summative objective quizzes and tests, written free-response questions, concept identification and application, and projects. Students will be given the Missouri End of Course Exam for U.S. Government. This exam will be 10 percent of the final grade for second semester. Course Plan: Units of study are not in order. This is a 36 week course. (2 Semesters) Unit of Study Timeline Topics Foundations of U.S. government 4 weeks Founding the Constitution *Primary Source: Declaration of Independence (1 st draft, and final draft) Articles of Confederation Compromise in the Constitution Bill of Rights Federalism and Separation of Powers * Students will read and analyze the Federalist, Number 51 and 10 Types of federalism AP Question (93.5) It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure. James Madison The Federalist, Number 51 Using the quotation above and your knowledge of United States politics, perform the following two tasks. A. Explain the central point that Madison is making about popular government and power. B. Explain two constitutional provisions the framers devised to guard against the problems that Madison is addressing. Test over Unit
Political Beliefs 4 weeks Public Opinion and Behavior Formation of political opinion Polling Elections Regulation in electoral process Voter choice Elections: 2002, 2004, 2006 Students will analyze and interpret data on voting trends in the 2002, 2004, and 2006 elections. Data will come from text sources and polling data from the elections. Campaign Finance & Reform Decline in voter participation 1. Specific political attitudes develop from a number of sources. Identify three of these sources, and explain how they affect political ideology. 2. Identify and explain three reasons for the incumbency advantage. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 6 weeks 2 party system Students will analyze political cartoons from various media outlets using procedures from the National Archives. Third parties in the United States Types of Interest Groups Role of Media in government 1. Identify and describe three kinds of third parties, and explain their role in a two-party system. 2. While interest groups and political parties each play a significant role in the United States political systems, they differ in their fundamental goals. a. Identify the fundamental goal of interest groups in the political process. b. Identify the fundamental goal of major political parties in the political process. c. Describe two different ways by which interest groups support the fundamental goal of political parties in the political process. d. For one of the forms of support you described in (c), explain two different ways in which that form of support helps interest groups to achieve their fundamental goal in the political process. Missouri State 2 weeks Missouri state constitution Review and exam. Constitution RSMO 170.011
Public Policy 3 weeks Policy making - setting political agenda - costs, benefits, and policy - business regulation Domestic policy: Social and Environment - social welfare politics and policy o students will analyze and interpret data on Social Security and Medicare benefits from the last decade. Data will come from text book and other government sources. - politics and environmental protection Foreign policy - Constitutional and legal context - Foreign policy-making since World War II Economic policy - economic health - economic policy making o students will analyze and interpret economic trends throughout U.S. history. Data will come from the text and other government sources - budget 1. Sometimes policies are adopted that provide benefits to most of society and impose substantial costs on a small group. For EACH of the following, identify a policy that has been adopted, and describe who benefits and who bears the cost. A. environmental policy B. consumer protection policy 2. Social Security and Medicare are in need of reform if they are to continue for future generations. For each program, identify the problem it is facing and explain one possible solution to that problem.
Institutions 9 weeks Congress (Legislative Branch) - bicameral legislature - organization - law making process - checks and balances Presidency (Executive Branch) - powers of the president - staff and cabinet positions - duties of the president - succession of the president Bureaucracy (Executive Branch) - federal agencies - iron triangles Federal Court System (Judicial Branch) - development of the federal courts - impact on public policy - selection of federal judges - jurisdiction of federal courts - powers of the Supreme Court Congress exercises control over both the judiciary and the bureaucracy. a. Identify and explain two checks that Congress has over the judiciary. b. Identify and explain two checks that Congress has over bureaucracy. The federal courts have played a larger role in our government over time. With respect to TWO of the following issues, explain how the court enlarged the role of federal government: a. slavery b. the economy c. civil liberties Test over Unit Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 4 weeks Civil Liberties: Bill of Rights, Fourteenth Amendment, Court Cases: Gitlow v. New York Near v. Minnesota, Mapp v. Ohio, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, Roe v. Wade, Civil Rights: Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas and Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Affirmative Action 1. Civil Liberties include the right of criminal defendants to be treated fairly during investigation, arrest, and trial. Rules against illegal search and seizure and self-incrimination protect a defendant s right to due process. a. Identify one rule regarding illegal search and seizure, and explain how that rule operates to protect a defendant s right to due process b. Identify one rule regarding self-incrimination, and explain how that rule operates to protect a defendant s right to due process 2. Both Brown v. Board of Education and Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education deal with school desegregation: For each case, a. Discuss the Court s ruling and its impact. b. Identify and discuss one limitation on school desegregation. U. S. 2 weeks U.S. Constitution Review and exam. Constitution RSMO 170.011
End of Course 2 weeks Exam/AP testing allowance TOTAL 36 WEEKS Grading: a. Late Assignments will be taken until the last day of the grading period for no more than 75% credit in value. After that time, assignments will be taken according to the homework policy set by the high school. Assignments for SAVE or OSS will be given based from regular academic assignments and must be returned to the teacher on the first day back to class or the student will receive a zero for all work not completed. Due to the nature of this class, it is important that students complete assignments in a timely manner. b. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students who are caught cheating will be given a zero on the assignment or exam and parents and administrators will be notified. c. Grades will be updated weekly on powerschool.. 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D Below 60% F I do not round grades. Grades will be based on the following breakdown. *Tests, unit quizzes, projects and unit FRQ s = 80% of final grade Online and in class assignments = 20% of grade During second semester students will be required to take the Missouri End of Course Exam and it will be worth 10% of the final grade. d. Academic Assistance will be available after school by appointment - Tuesday and Thursday. Students are required to sign up for academic assistance before 7th period each day. Students are able to attend the Academic Support room for additional assistance. e. Tiger Time is available for students who need assistance during the academic day. Students should sign up for Tiger Time before school begins Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Students will be given a pass for the day. VIII. Classroom behavioral expectations 1. Be on time and prepared to work. 2. Absolutely no foul language and all class conversations must be civil. 3. Turn assignments in on time. 4. Have fun while learning. 5. All school rules apply in this class. (Handbook will be followed.)