AP United States Government and Politics

Course Description:AP United States Government and Politics is a year long class in which

student will study the formal and informal structures of government, at the federal and local levels, and its policy making. This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP Exam for United States Government and Politics. This course is intended to be comparable to a college-level American Government course. It requires outside reading, assignments, and research.

Teaching Strategies:This class will involve lecture, discussion, individual, and small group

activities. Students will be required to participate in class activities including both reading and writing assignments. It is expected that students are knowledgeable on current news and debates related to our system of government.

Assessment and Grading:Grades are divided by daily work and debates (30%), quizzes (30%), and

tests, essays, and projects (40%). Participation points can be earned during lectures and debates. Chapter tests will be formatted as the AP Exam, with a combination of multiple choice and analytical free response questions. Tests are based on required reading from the textbook. Class assignments can involve reading, short essays, and analysis of charts, maps, graphs, and other images.

Teacher Text and Supplemental Materials:Benedict, J.A., N.E., Kish, J., and, H.S. (2007). Advanced Placement US Government

& Politics 1. Center for Learning.Benedict, J.A., N.E., Kish, J., and, H.S. (2007). Advanced Placement US Government

& Politics 2. Center for Learning.Berman, M. (1994). The Only Boobs in the House Are Men: A Veteran Woman

Legislator Lifts the Lid on Politics Macho Style. Momentum Books LLC.Boardman, J., Griffin, J., O.M. (1998). The Oxford History of the Classical World:

Greece and the Hellenistic World. Oxford University Press, USA.Ellis, J.J. (2007). American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the

Republic. Knopf, 1 edition.Kelly, A.H. And, W.A.H. (1948). The American Constitution – Its Origins and

Development – Two Volume Set. W.W. Norton & Company.Ketcham, R. (2003). The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention

Debates. Signet Classics.Kutler, S.I. (1984). The Supreme Court and the Constitution: Readings in American

Constitutional History. W. W. Norton & Company.Newsom, D.D. (1988). Diplomacy and the American Democracy. Indiana University

Press.Novello, D. (1992). Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters, Volume 2. Workman Publishing

Company.

O'Rourke, P.J. (1996). American Spectator's Enemies List: A Vigilant Journalist's Plea for a Renewed Red Scare. Atlantic Monthly Press.

O'Rourke, P.J. (1993). Give War a Chance. Vintage Books.

O'Rourke, P.J. (1988). Holidays in Hell. Vintage Books.O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of Whores. Grove Press.O'Rourke, P.J. (1995). Republican Party Reptile: The Confessions, Adventures,

Essays, and (Other) Outrages of... Atlantic Monthly Press.Twain, Mark. “The Facts in the Case of the Great Beef Contract.” Saturday Evening

Post (1839 – 1885) (1870):4.Wilson, J.Q. And Jr., J.J.D. (2005a). American Government: Institutions and Policies,

7th edition. Houghton Mifflin Company.Wilson, J.Q. And Jr., J.J.D. (2005b). American Government: Institutions and Policies,

7th edition. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Student Text:Wilson, J.Q. And Jr., J.J.D.a. (1998). American Government: Institutions and Policies

(Student Text), 11th edition. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Course Plan:Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of the US Government (3 weeks)

Concepts: Ideological and philosophical traditions of American Government Understanding Federalism and Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation The historical context of the Constitutional Convention Concerns of Framers: Madison and other factinos Reason for adoption of Bill of Rights Theoretical perspectives relating to the Constitution: Republic,

democracy, pluralism, and elitismReading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: Constitution, 2

Federalism, 3Supplemental Reading: Federalist 10 and 51

O'Rourke, Parliament of Whores, PrefaceEllis, American CreationKetcham, R. (2003). The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Conventions Debates

Assignment/activities: U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1Lesson 16: Omissions in the U.S. Constitution: A Debate

*understanding the period in which the Constitution was written

Lesson 17: Tracing the History of Political Parties

*historical roots of political parties, development of 2-party system

U.S. Government and Politics, Book 2Lesson 1: Constitutionalism: The Tyranny of the Majority

*threat of the majority, functional differences between democracy &

republic

Lesson 2: Article V: The Amendment Process*method, purposes, fairness of amendment process

Lesson 4: Separation of Powers-The original intent of the Founders

*understanding Founders' intent; compromises

Lesson 5: Philosophers of the Time*philosophic influences and beliefs on the formation of U.S. Government

Lesson 6: Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist*Arguments for and against the Constitution

Lesson 7: The Bill of Rights: A compilation of others

*sources and principles of the Bill of RightsLesson 8: Theories of Governance:Who Governs?

*the characteristics and application of the 4 theories of government

Lesson 30: Federalism: National vs. State Expectations

*concept of federalism as it relates to the national and state governments

Lesson 33: Interest Groups: The Madison Perspective

*analyzing Federalist 10

Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors (5 weeks)Concepts:

Beliefs about government and its leaders U.S. Political system U.S. Political culture: formation, evolution Political behavior/participation, beliefs, socialization Citizen demographics, minority/ethnic perspectives & the political

process Public opinion Voters, voting trends

Reading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: American Political Culture, 4

Public Opinion, 7Political Participation, 8

Supplemental Reading: Novello, D. (1992). Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters, Volume 2.

O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of Whores. Grove Press.

Assignment/activities: U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1

Lesson 26: Analyzing a Filibuster*understanding concepts of filibuster and cloture

Lesson 27: Judicial Activism

*interpretation of the Constitution and judicial activism by analyzing justice remarks

Lesson 30: Acts of Legislation*Understanding joint resolutions and compromise bills

Lesson 37: The War Powers Resolution of 1973*identifying Presidential powers and Congressional oversight

Lesson 18: Bush v. Gore: The Supreme Court Decides an Election

*examine Supreme Court role in 2000 election

Lesson 40: The Courts and Public Policy*understand judicial power, review, and procedure

U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2Lesson 22: Reapportionment: Under Court Control?

*analyzing issues of reapportionment and gerrymandering

Lesson 24: Factors that Influence Presidential Decision Making

*application of Presidential decision makingLesson 25: The White Office

*identifying the organization of the White House Office

Lesson 29: Bureaucratic Pathology*understanding bureaucracy problems and impact on the political system

Lesson 27: Analyzing a Supreme Court Case*analysis of Supreme Court decision-making

Unit 4: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (4 weeks)Concepts:

Development of individual right and liberties Rights under the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments Significant Supreme Court decisions and interpretation of the

Constitution Racial segregation: legal, social, and political evolution Fourteenth amendment Evolution of minorities and women's rights

Reading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: Civil Liberties, 5 Civil Rights, 6

Supplemental Reading: Boardman, J., Griffin, J., and O.M. (1988). The Oxford History of the Classical World: Greece and the Hellenistic World.

O'Rourke, P.J. (1993). Give War a Chance. O'Rourke, P.J. (1988). Holidays in Hell. O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of Whores.

O'Rourke, P.J. (1995). Republican Party Reptile: The Confessions, Adventures, Essays, and (Other) Outrages of...

Assignment/activities:U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1

Lesson 39: Trial by Jury/Mock Trial*understanding structure and organization of trial court

Lesson 40: The Courts and Public Policy*understanding judicial review/precedent and civil liberties

U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2Lesson 34: Freedom of Religion: Challenges of

Separation*understanding religion and politics

Lesson 35: Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure*understanding and identifying legal requirements and exceptions

Lesson 36: Due Process of Law: Exclusionary Rule

*understanding exclusionary rule and criminal justice system

Lesson 37: Applied Affirmative Action*understanding historical evolution and application

Lesson 38: The Flag Burning Amendment: A student case study

*understanding historical perspective and First Amendment Rights

Lesson 39: Protest Movements: And Examination of MLK Jr.*analyzing nonviolent civil disobedience

Unit 5: Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (7 weeks)Concepts:

Role and operations of political parties Development of political parties, types, and differences of parties Influence of political parties on the political system Influence of political parties on the political system Mechanism for citizen political involvement: Political parties, special

interest groups, PACs Impact of interest groups on the political process and public policy Success of certain special interest groups Media's role in the political system Impact of media on public opinion, public policy, the political agenda,

and electionsReading Assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: Political Parties, 9

Elections & Campaigns, 10 Interest Groups, 11 The Media, 12

Supplemental Reading: O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of Whores.

Assignment/Activities:U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1

Lesson 23: The Structure of Political Parties*understanding function, organization, leadership

Lesson 31: Third Parties*understanding role of third parties on the political process

Lesson 32: Participating in a Caucus*analyzing the role and effectiveness of caucus

Lesson 29: A Mock Election*role-play process of choosing a candidate

Lesson 33: Election Laws*identifying the effects of the Voting Rights of 1965

U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2Lesson 31: Political Parties: Differences between Dems & GOP

*understanding the differences in party platformLesson 16: Campaign Financing

*identifying limitations of financing federal elections

Lesson 20: The Impact of Mass Media: Analyzing a Debate

*analyzing political messages and the media, use of media by candidates

Lesson 21: Financing a Presidential Campaigning*identifying campaign donors and motives for donating to presidential campaigns

Lesson 32: PACs: Out of Control*identifying the scope and impact of PACs on federal elections

Unit 6: Public Policy (4 weeks)Concepts:

The formation of public policy by the President and Congress Implementation and interpretation of public policy by the bureaucracy

and courts Types and forms of policy: Domestic and foreign policy: policy networks,

iron triangles Impact of policy on federalism. Interest groups, parties, and elections

Reading Assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: The Policy-Making Process, 17Economic Policy, 18Social Warfare, 19Foreign and Military Policy, 20Environmental Policy, 21

Supplemental Reading: O'Rourke, P.J. (1993). Give War a Chance.Assignment/Activities:

U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1Lesson 34: Creation of a Political Action Committee

*examine role of PACs in U.S. political system.Lesson 35: Alternative Energy Sources

*research alternatives to petroleumLesson 36: Environmental Regulatory Legislation

*identifying regulatory legislation that deal with the environmental and health

U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2Lesson 28: Wilson's Four Points of Public Policy

*understand majoritarian politics, interests group politics, client politics, and entrepreneurial politics

Unit 7: Review/Practice AP Exam (2 weeks)Assignment/Activities: Test Strategies

Practice Tests

Unit 8: State and Local Government (2 weeks)Concepts:Reading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: State and Local Gov., 25 (7ed)Supplemental Reading: Berman, M. (1994). The Only Boobs in the House are

Men: A Veteran Woman Legislator Lifts the Lid on Politics Macho Style.

Assignment/Activities: State Capitol VisitMock Election