Advanced Placement Government and Politics Course Overview: Mr. Craig M. Grimm craig.grimm@oldham.kyschools.us North Oldham High School ~ 228-0158 Ext 605 Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum is designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course will require students to master historical and analytic skills, including; chronological and spatial thinking, historical research and interpretation. Students will evaluate viewpoints presented through major print and electronic media, understand statistical data and analyze trends related to significant political events. The course will also emphasize preparation and intensive study towards the AP U.S. Gov t & Politics exam. Course Texts & Reading Materials: 1. Edwards, George; Robert Lineberry, Martin Wattenberg. Government in American: People Politics, and Policy. New York, Pearson Longman, 12 th ed. (2006). 2. Conrad, Jessamyn. What You Should Know About Politics But Don t. Arcade Publishing, 2008. 3. Matthew, Chris. Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game. New York, Simon & Schuster. (1999). 4. Woll, Peter. American Government: Readings and Cases. New York: Longman, 16 th ed. (2004). Course Supplies: 1. GRIMM S Class CD: 100s of readings, rubrics, study guides, etc * You will need a digital device to download these files to. (ipad2, Kindle Fire, Laptop, etc ) We use this every week! 2. Apps: CBS News - $0.00 Pulse $0.00 Parity Politics - $0.99 Show of Hands $0.00 US Constitution - $0.00 Flash Cards Max $0.00 Politico - $0.00 Politics Books $0.00 US Presidents - $0.00 PolitiFact $1.99 AP Gov t Practice Test - $3.99 (Optional) 3. Digital Books: The Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Jay, Madison - $0.00 2 nd Treatise of Gov t by John Locke - $0.00 The United States Constitution - $0.00 AP US Gov t & Politics (Barron s) by Kurt Lader - $ 9.78 (Kindle Edition) Politics: A Treatise on Gov t by Aristotle - $ 0.00 Each student will also need a 3 Ring Binder w/ Tab Dividers (2 binder at least)
Classroom Rules / Policy: 1. Be on time to class EVERYDAY! 2. Be prepared to learn and/or participate in class activities and class discussions. 3. Be respectful of course material, classmates, teachers, and guests that will be in our presence. 4. Do 100% of your own work. Under no circumstances will cheating, copying, or plagiarism of any kind be tolerated in this class. Unauthentic work will result in an automatic zero, and will warrant immediate attention from both parents and administration. Homework / Grading Policies: The measure of a great AP class isn t your grade at the end of it but rather your knowledge and interest in the material in which it was meant to provide. ~ Craig M. Grimm Readings / Homework: In order to be successful in this college-level course, you must complete all readings and assignments prior to class discussions. Course readings are substantial and essential to your success in the class, as they will figure prominently in quizzes and examinations. Writing: Writing is an integral part of academic success in the AP program. Students will be expected to utilize writing strengths, and work tirelessly to improve upon existing weaknesses. Writing assignments may include (but are not limited to) Supreme Court Briefs, Transactive Pieces, AP Free-Response Essays, Political Research Analysis Papers, etc Grades: AP Gov t & Politics grades are figured on a cumulative point basis. Grades are accumulated from Tests, Quizzes, Homework Assignments, Papers / Projects, Portfolio Entries and In-Class Activities Pop Quizzes may also be given at any time. Late Work: Due to the collegiate level of this course, I will not accept late work unless special circumstances apply. Students must make arrangements (and receive permission) prior to submission of late work. Student Attendance & Absences: Attendance must be a top priority for all AP Gov t students. It is YOUR responsibility to get class notes and all additional work if you are absent. Mr. Grimm s Tips O Success: 1. Take Notes & Pay Attention! 2. Ask Questions! 3. Complete ALL Assignments on Time! 4. Stay Organized! 5. STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! Course Outline : Unit I - Constitutional Foundation of U.S. Government (6 weeks) - Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution. - Separation of powers / Checks & Balances. - Federalism & its role in government. - Theories of democratic government.
Chapter 1: (Edwards, Lineberry & Wattenberg) Introduction to American Government (p. 2-27) Additional Resources: Essay- What is Government? Who are we in relation to gov t? Woll, Second Treatise on Civil Government. Dahl, Who Governs, & Theories of Political Elitism SSHelp.com ~ AP Gov t, Pluralism, & The Power Elite QUIZ Intro to American Gov t Chapter 2: The Constitution (p. 28-65) Additional Resources: Woll, US Constitution Marbury v. Madison Case Briefs & Debate Woll, Federalist 10, & Federalist 51 Analysis regarding Virginia, New Jersey Plans Woll, Antifederalists Scavenger Hunt (Constitution & Bill of Rights) Free Response Item The Constitution vs. the A.O.C. QUIZ US Constitution Chapter 3: Federalism (p. 66-95) Additional Resources: McCulloch v. Maryland Case Briefs & Debate Woll, Federalist 39 Chart Analysis Limitation on Federal Power Federalism in Modern America (AP Web Resources) Letters to 3 levels of government (Federalism Letters) QUIZ Federalism UNIT 1 EXAM (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items) Unit II - Political Beliefs and Behaviors - Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders - Processes by which citizens learn about politics - The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion - The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life - Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political Chapter 6: Public Opinion & Political Action (p. 176-209) Additional Resources: David Brooks, One Nation, Slightly Divisible. Chris Matthews, Hardball. Evaluation of Current Political Cartoons - Essay: Gauging Public Opinion Woll, Voting Behavior & Democratic Practice Woll, Theory of Critical Elections. New York Times / Washington Post QUIZ Public Opinion and Political Action Chapter 7: The Mass Media & the Political Agenda (p. 210-237) Additional Resources: Chris Matthews, Hardball. Analysis of Media Bias (Times, Post, Journal, etc ) Chart: Voter Turnout in relation to recent efforts to increase (Motor Voter Act, Vote or Die) Television Coverage (Conventions, Campaigns, Elections, etc ) QUIZ The American Media & the Political Agenda Chapter 11: Interest Groups (p. 322-351) Additional Resources: Woll, Interest Groups and the American Political System. Woll, Madison s Dilemma Interest Group Web Analysis (6 Major Interest Groups)
Free Response Question Role of Interest Groups in Gov t Chart: Interest Group Campaign Contributions QUIZ Interest Groups UNIT 2 EXAM (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items) Unit III - Political Parties, Campaigns & Elections - Role of Political parties and elections. - Impact of Interest groups, including political action committees (PACs). - The mass media s influence on the political structure. Chapter 8: Political Parties (p. 238-265) Additional Resources: Comparing the Fundamentals of Amer. Political Parties Woll, Divided We Govern Woll, Perspectives on American Political Parties Woll, Toward a More Responsible Two-Party System. Political Parties PROJECT (Designing parties, platforms, etc ) Free Response Item Comparing Various Demographic Groups Comparison of Major (and Minor) Party Platforms QUIZ Political Parties Chapter 9: Nominations & Political Campaigns (p. 266-295) Additional Resources: National Convention Coverage (Newsweek, Time, Internet) Buckley v. Valeo Case Briefs & Discussion Chart: Electoral College Campaign Strategy Woll, New York Times v. Sullivan. Matthews, Hardball (Analyzing Campaign Strategy) QUIZ Nominations & Political Campaigns Chapter 10: Voting & Elections (p. 296-321) Additional Resources: Electoral College Analysis 1876, 1932, 1960, 1968 & 2000 Woll, American Presidential Elections Bush v. Gore Case Briefs & Discussion Political Parties Project (Debates, Election, Poll Results, etc ) Chart Evolution of the Electoral College Chart Election Spending (Federal, State, Local) Woll, Road to the White House Free Response Item Evolution of the Presidency QUIZ Voting & Elections UNIT 3 EXAM (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items) Unit IV Congress, the Presidency, and Bureaucracy (6 weeks) - The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power. - Relationships among these four institutions, and varying balances of power. - Development of each branch over history, and the impact of each on the political structure. Chapter 12: Congress (p. 352-389) Additional Resources: Woll, Congress and the Quest for Power Chart How a Bill Becomes a Law Congressional Leadership Activity Bi-Cameral Simulation Woll, Media Power and Congressional Power Free Response Item Congressional Oversight QUIZ Congress
Chapter 13: The Presidency and the Public Agenda (p. 390-433) Additional Resources: History of the American Presidency (Research Based Outlines) Woll, Presidential Power Web Reading The Legacy of the President Analysis of Electoral College Effectiveness Woll, Presidential Character Chart Winning the White House Time Magazine Articles (Elections, Candidates, etc ) QUIZ The Presidency and the Public Agenda Chapter 14 & 15: The Bureaucracy [& Budget] (p. 434-501) Additional Resources: Web Reading Bureaucracy and American Government Woll, The 4 th Branch of Gov t Newsweek / Time Magazines: Modern Bureaucracy Chart Measuring the cost of Bureaucracy Woll, The Need to Maintain a Free Marketplace of Ideas Engle v. Vitale Case Briefs & Discussion Worksheets outlining OMB and other bureaucratic agencies QUIZ The Bureaucracy [& Budget] UNIT 4 EXAM (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items) Unit V The Judiciary, Civil Liberties & Civil Rights - The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power - The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation - The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties Chapter 16: The Federal Court System (p. 502-539) Additional Resources: Woll, Constitutional Background: Judicial Independence Web Assignment: Discovering the Judiciary Graphic Organizer: Must Know SC Cases Woll, Powers and Limitations of the Supreme Court Evaluations of major Courts (Berger, Rehnquist, etc ) Essay Analyzing the proper role of Federal Courts. Political Cartoon Analysis QUIZ The Federal Court System Chapter 4: Civil Liberties (p. 96-137) Additional Resources: Woll, AntiFederalist Paper 84 Gideon v. Wainwright Case Briefs & Discussion New York Times Co. v. Sullivan Case Briefs & Discussion Web Activity Protecting the 1 st Amendment Woll, Equal Protection & Due Process Outline Historic Legislation Roe v. Wade Case Briefs & Discussion QUIZ Civil Liberties Chapter 5: Civil Rights (p. 138-175) Additional Resources: Woll, Plessy v. Ferguson Woll, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Brown v. Board (1954) Case Briefs & Discussion Free Response Item Evaluating modern civil rights. Time, Newsweek Articles: Affirmative Action, Gay Rights, etc. 14 th Amendment Analysis Constitutionality of Modern Policy
QUIZ Civil Rights UNIT 5 EXAM (60 multiple choice questions, 2 free response items) Unit VI Public Policy & AP EXAM REVIEW - Policy making in a federal system - The formation of policy agendas - The role of institutions in the enactment of policy - The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation Chapter 17-20: Public Policy (p. 540-649 excerpts) - Economic Policy - Social Welfare Policy - Environmental Policy - National Security Policy Additional Resources: Analysis of Modern Foreign & Domestic Policy Chart: Federal Spending SS Help.com AP Gov t: Making of Public Policy Essay How do the branches of gov t coordinate policy making? - Successes & Failures of Amer. Policymaking Chart: Entitlements & Social Services Spending Web Activity Understanding the National Debt Discussion: Role of Political Parties, Interest Groups, etc Free Response Item Creating Public Policy QUIZ Public Policy AP EXAM REVIEW: Review each major unit content Review study texts (Barons, Princeton, Peterson s) 2 Full Length Practice Exams (1999, 2002) - 60 multiple choice questions / 4 free response Unit VII Life After the AP EXAM (3 weeks) 1. FINAL PROJECTS Outlining key components of American Government Children s Books Review Power Points Writing Legislation 2. Brookhiser, Richard. What Would the Founders Do? (Our Questions Their Answers). New York, Basic Books. (2006) Read and analyze possible Founders answers to modern issues. 3. Web Activity / Class Discussions: Role of American Government in Global Affairs Outlining foreign policy in regards to the United Nations, our Allies, etc Outlining the effectiveness of our economic policy in regards to Nat l Security 4. AP GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - FINAL EXAM