AP US Government and Politics
Teacher: Mr. Furnary
E-mail:
Course Overview:
This course is a college level survey of American government, intended to prepare you for the Advanced Placement examination in May of 2018. We will discuss political ideology, along with the development of our political system and its governmental institutions. Upon course completion students will be able to critically examine the role of the national government and its relationship to the concept of liberty in a pluralistic society. The course will be organized around three broad topics. First, through the study of the Constitution, we will examine the basic “rules of the game” and the logic underlying the structure of American government. Second, we will examine how the institutions of national government--the Presidency, the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Bureaucracy -- operate to channel competition and to perform the essential task of choosing the "winners" and "losers" in public conflicts. Third, we will examine those who participate in politics and raise the specific question of what motivates a citizen to engage in political activity and how they organize themselves for collective action.
Methodology
This is a college level course and will be conducted accordingly. Students are responsible for note taking, individual and group assignments, participation in discussions, examinations, and all outside readings. Classes will consist chiefly of lecture and discussion. Due to the fast-paced nature of the course and the vast amount of material involved, students are expected to become learners both inside and outside the classroom. It is expected that students read at least one major newspaper everyday. The New York Times, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post are all available on-line. Also, you are encouraged to read the weeklies such as The Weekly Standard, The Economist, Newsweek, and Time.
Students will know in advance the topics and the assigned readings necessary for information and analysis of the themes and topics being studied. Each new topic will be introduced by the instructor and explained over a one or two day period. The remaining time on a topic or chapter will be spent exploring and discussing the underlying issues as it relates to American constitutional government.
Topics Outline
Below is an outline of the major content areas we will cover this semester.
Unit I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
B. Separation of Powers
C. Checks and Balances
D. Federalism
E. Theories of democratic government
Unit II. Institutions of Gov’t: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy and the Federal Courts
A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
B. Relationships among these four institutions, and varying balances of power
C. Linkages between institutions and the following:
1. Public opinion and voters
2. Interest groups
3. Political parties
4. The Media
5. State and Local governments
Unit III. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
C. The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
D. The ways in which citizens vote and participate in political life
E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors
Unit IV. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
A. Political Parties and elections
1. Functions
2. Organization
3. Development
4. Effects on the political process
5. Electoral laws and systems
B. Interest groups, Political Action Committees (PACs)
1. The range of interest represented
2. The activities of interest groups
3. The effects of interest groups on the political process
4. The unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process
C. The Mass Media
1. The functions and structures of the media
2. The impact of media on politics
3. The news media industry and its consequences
Unit V. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
A. The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
B. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
C. The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties
Course Information:
Textbook:
· Government in America, Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry, 16th Edition, 2012
Supplies:
· A 3 ring binder with divider tabs.
Expectations:
· My lectures and classroom exercises are based on the assumption that you have read the assigned pages. My comments in class are not designed to explain through repetition the material you have already read; rather, they are a means of introducing new ideas and topics of discussion, and promoting critical thinking.
· Be engaged! Participate in class activities & discussion.
· Be respectful of your peers – raise your hand to share your thoughts and make positive contributions.
· Student Handbook rules always apply.
Explanation of Grading Criteria:
A: 90-100 50% Tests
B: 82-89 20% Quizzes
C: 75-81 15% Project
D: 70-74 10% Homework
F: Below 70 5% Classroom Discussion
Tests: Expect at least three tests per quarter, which is normally about one test every other cycle. Expect approximately 20 objective, multiple choice questions and one free response essay per test. The format of our tests will closely resemble the AP examination
Homework: Each week you will have text-based reading assignments that covers the “nuts and bolts” of the chapter. The purpose of the assignments are to give you a basic foundation of the content. In addition to the text-based assignment, you will be given a supplemental reading list for each unit that will strengthen your comprehension of the course material.
Quizzes: Expect a ten-minute quiz covering the chapter material on the due-date of the text-based assignment. Current events will also be quizzed periodically. If a student misses a reading quiz, he may not make it up. The next quiz will count as two quizzes. I will drop your lowest quiz each quarter.
Research Projects: You will have one project due at the conclusion of each quarter. Suggested guidelines for projects will be provided in the first few weeks of each quarter.
Participation: Criteria for participation includes active listening, contribution to the discussions, and being prepared with the proper materials. Your contribution is not based solely on how frequently you speak, but also on the quality and thoughtfulness of your comments. Good participation includes being prepared, completing work on time, and respecting the opinions of your classmates. If any student cuts class he will receive a 0 for his quarter participation grade.
Attendance Policies & Procedures:
Tardiness: No one will be admitted late to class without written permission from the Dean’s Office. Anyone can be admitted late with a permission slip, but an unexcused tardiness will not be given extra time to complete quizzes or other written work.
Excused Absences: In the event of an excused absence, a student will be permitted to make up both class work and homework. The student will have as many days as he is absent to make up the missed work. For example, if a student is absent two days, he has two days to submit the missed work. Missed work will not be accepted beyond the number days absent. In the case of extenuating circumstances, the student should make an appointment to discuss the special circumstances and to establish a timeline for the completion of the work. It is the student’s responsibility to visit Finalsite to find out what work was missed, and to obtain missed lecture notes. If a student knows he will be absent from class for legitimate reasons, he should let me know in advance in order to keep up with the class.
Unexcused Absences: In the event of an unexcused absence, the student will not be permitted to make up the missed class work, homework, quiz, or test.
Miscellaneous:
AP EXAM: All Advanced Placement students must register and take the May exam regardless of college acceptance of the scores.
Exemptions: There will not be any exemptions in the first semester. All seniors will be required to take the semester exam in December. Information about the final exam will be promulgated at a later date.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If a student violates this code, he will receive a zero for the assignment and will receive a disciplinary referral. If there is any questions on how to cite, always ask for clarification first.
Extra-Help: If you need extra-help with a homework assignment or to clarify a topic covered in class, you are encouraged to come in for extra-help before or after school. Regular office hours will be announced soon after the school year begins. If a specific time or date is needed outside of office hours, please make an appointment.
Note: I reserve the right to adapt this syllabus as factors permit. If a change is made, you will be informed well in advance.