AP U. S. Government and Politics Pacing Guide Strand 1 Introduction to U. S. Government ½ week Vocabulary related to government and politics Differences between government and politics Wilson, Chapter 1 Assessments Vocabulary Quiz
Strand 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors 4 weeks Political Culture Political Socialization Political Ideology Public Opinion Political Participation Wilson, Chapters 4,7, and 8 Assessments Political Ideology Survey Project Political Participation Project Test on the Strand
Strand 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 4 weeks The Media Development in the United States Media and Politics Media and Government Political Parties Functions of Political Parties History of the two-party system in the U. S. Nature of U. S. Political Parties (Major and Minor) Party Ideology Party Organization Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups Roles played by Interest Groups Interest Group Activities Regulation of Interest Groups The Iron Triangle Comparison of Interest Groups and Political Parties Nominations Nomination Types Presidential Primaries Campaigns Media and Campaigns (Television, print, computer) Campaign Finances Incumbency Advantages Elections Voting Technology Factors that influence elections Voting Coalitions Electoral College Wilson, Chapters 9 12
Assessments Test on Political Parties Project on Interest Groups Test on Campaigns and Elections Project on the Media
Strand 4 Constitutional Underpinnings of U. S. Government 2 ½ weeks What is Government? Freedom, Order, and Equality Forms of Government Majoritarian and Pluralistic Politics Origins of U. S. Government Structure of the U. S. Constitution Formal Amendment Process Informal Amendments Federalism Wilson, Chapters 2-3 Assessment Test on the Unit
Strand 5 Institutions of National Government 13 Weeks The Congress Origin and Powers Organization of Congress Functions of Congress Congressional Ethics and Reform The Presidency Constitutional Basis of Presidential authority Roles of the President Presidential Succession and Disability Expansion of Presidential Powers Sources of Presidential Powers Limits on Presidential Powers Presidential Leadership Presidential Staff (WHO, EOP, Cabinet) The Vice Presidency Presidential Character Presidential Greatness The Bureaucracy Organization of Bureaucracy Staffing the Bureaucracy Policymaking: Formal and Informal Bureaucratic Influence Accountability Reforming the Bureaucracy The Judiciary Origins of Courts Constitutional Foundation of U. S. Courts Judicial Review Structure of U. S. Court System Supreme Court at Work Selection of Judges Constraints on Judicial Power Judicial Philosophy
Wilson, Chapters 13-16 Assessment: Test on Congress Test on Presidency Project on Bureaucracy Test on Judiciary
Strand 6 Public Policy 2 weeks Policymaking Process Economic Policy Foreign and Defense Policy Other Domestic Policies Wilson, Chapters 17-21 Assessment Budget Simulation Public Policy Presentations Free Response Writing
Strand 7 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 2 ½ weeks Development through the Constitution The Impact of the Fourteenth Amendment: Selective Incorporation Development through Judicial Interpretation Substantive Rights and Liberties Wilson, Chapters 5-6 Assessment Test on the Unit
Strand 8 AP Test Review 2 weeks Review of all Units Review of Vocabulary Review of Court Cases Flash Cards Power Points Practice Tests Assessment National Examination
Strand