Advanced Placement Government & Politics- Mrs. Smith

ADVANCED PLACEMENT GOVERNMENT & POLITICS- MRS. SMITH

WHAT ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) MEANS: Name: ______

The Advanced Placement Government & Politics curriculum reflects a college level course, and is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarly with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the political reality. Emphasis is placed upon understanding the basic values of American politics, how the major political institutions operate, and what direction and policies may be expected in the future. The students in this course will also examine and analyze through many simulations our four basic governmental institutions (the presidency, the federal courts, Congress and the bureaucracy) and the processes of government (elections, interest groups, role of the media, political participation, freedoms in the Bill of Rights, etc.) as well as our political heritage and philosophy.

The primary purpose of this course is to gain college credit by preparing students to take the AP exam administered by the College Board in May. Each test has an objective section (60 multiple choice questions) and a free-response section (four questions). Students taking the exam are graded on a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest score. Students who earn a 3 or better may be entitled to college credit and advanced placement in college. It should be understood at the outset that the class reflects a college-level curriculum and as a result are significantly more challenging than regular courses in American Government and will require outside preparation and independent learning.

AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS:

This course is about the American political system. In the wake of September 11th many Americans are experiencing a new sense of patriotism, civic responsibility and interest in civic education. This course is a good place to begin active citizenship. We will take a look at topics in American Government using an interactive format that will involve student simulations, lecture/discussion, current events, debates (both formal and informal), and several class simulations including but not limited to a Mock Constitutional Convention, a Mock General Assembly, and a Mock Supreme Court. Students will complete a major project each semester, including at least one independent research paper one aspect of public policy. Prior to the AP exam, students will be given numerous practice tests and a final exam, which is similar to the AP exam that they will take in May. All students, even those who will not take the national AP exam, are required to take all of the review tests and quizzes.

READINGS:

There is extensive reading in this course and it must be completed in advance of the material being covered.

O’Connor, Karen; Sabato, Larry J: American Government: Continuity and Change. 2011 ed.

Person/Longman

Cigler, Allan J.and Burdett, A. Loomis, American Politics-Classic and Contemporary Readings, 7th Ed., Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company

GRADING:

All grades will be weighted as follows:

Tests and Projects: 50%

Quizzes and AP Writing Prompts: 30%

Homework, classwork, groupwork: 20%

TESTS:

Unit tests are usually given after every two-three chapters or about every three weeks. All tests will be given in the AP format, with 75-90 multiple-choice questions consisting of five choices, data, charts, graphs, and cartoons to analyze and one or two free response questions. All tests will be timed as the AP exam is also timed. Tests will count as 50% of your nine-week grade. There will be no curves on any test.

CLASS SYLLABUS:

UNIT ONE: Constitutional Underpinnings (This makes up 10-15% of the AP exam)

Chapter One: The Political Landscape

Chapter Two: The Constitution

Chapter Three: Federalism

UNIT TWO: Political Beliefs and Behaviors (This makes up 10-15% of the AP exam)

Chapter 11: Public Opinion and Political Socialization

UNIT THREE: Elections, Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (20% of the AP exam)

Chapter 12: Political Parties

Chapter 13: Elections and Voting

Chapter 14: The Campaign Process

Chapter 15: The Media

Chapter 16: Interest Groups

UNIT FOUR: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (10-15% of the AP exam)

Chapter 5: Civil Liberties

Chapter 6: Civil Rights

UNIT FIVE: Institutions of Government (45% of the AP exam)

Chapter 7: Congress

Chapter 8: The Presidency

Chapter 9: The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy

Chapter 10: The Judiciary

UNIT SIX: Public Policy (5-15% of the AP exam)

Chapter 17: Social Welfare Policy

Chapter 18: Economic Policy (the Federal Budget)

Chapter 19: Foreign and Military Policy

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES ON HOW TO SUCCEED IN AP GOVERNMENT:

Writing is an extremely important component and it will be greatly emphasized. Possibly the most important skills AP students should acquire are those of analyzing data, and writing and presenting written and oral arguments. Because these skills are so important, fifty percent of the AP Government exam requires students to analyze data and respond to four essay questions. In order to help students develop the ability to think and express thoughts, several writing assignments will be assigned throughout the year. The most important of those writing assignments will be the AP writing prompts.

AP WRITING PROMPTS / WRITING FOLDER:

· AP writing prompts will be giving periodically for a grade and will be both announced and unannounced. The topics will be based on the previous day or week’s lesson. They will also be timed. These writing prompts will be very similar to those given on the AP exam.

· AP prompts will be graded using a rubric and once students have received their score, prompts will be filed in the classroom. No Prompts will be allowed to leave the classroom.

· To succeed on these, review each day’s lesson at home at the end of the day. If you are absent, find a responsible student who can review the day’s lesson with you before you enter the classroom the next day. You will be responsible for all class activities, even those that you miss, and I will expect you to address an unannounced prompt when it is given.

· All free-response questions will count as a quiz grade, or 30% of your nine-week grade.

ESSAY WRITING:

Responses to AP prompts should ADDRESS THE PROMPT ONLY:

· Follow the tasks given in the essay question CLOSELY and EXACTLY and THOROUGLY

· Essays will have different "tasks" that require different types of responses.

· Some examples of these tasks include:

- "identify", "describe” or “discuss”, "explain" or “analyze" and “support” or “compare”

Formal Essays should:

· Have a clear thesis statement (topic sentence) and an introductory paragraph which provides background or places the topic in context

· Provide evidence to support the thesis (at least three accurate pieces of evidence)

· Have a conclusion that summarizes or provides additional insight

PREPARING FOR QUIZZES:

· Quizzes are based on reading assignments, and preparing for them will require independent reading comprehension skills. It is suggested that students make themselves a study guide of all major topic headings and quiz themselves prior to taking the quiz in to study.

· Most quizzes will consist of all fill in the blank questions or short answers. There may be a few multiple-choice questions on quizzes.

· All quiz items will be taken from major terms in boldface, major chapter headings and subheadings, or items in italics.

· Quizzes count as 30% of your nine-week grade.

PREPARING FOR TESTS:

· Tests will always have multiple choice, sometimes short answers and 1-2 AP Writing Prompts.

· Multiple choice questions generally come from assigned reading, essay and short answer questions come from class activities and discussion.

· Tests will count as 50% of your nine-week grade.

CLASSWORK GRADES

· Occasionally warm-up questions will be posted on the board. Students are expected to work on these immediately when the bell rings. All classwork accounts for 20% of your nine week grade.

CURRENT EVENTS:

About every three weeks, students will be required to watch one hour of a variety of television news shows and take narrative notes of the stories covered. They are to pay attention to any liberal or conservative bias in the media and document that in their notes. This assignment is designed to create a more informed and active citizen. This current event analysis requires an additional editorial critique, a political cartoon critique and a news article response. Students will have an opportunity to complete one extra current events packet a nine weeks for extra credit. The current events packet will explain this assignment in full detail.

CLASS DEBATES : All students will be required to complete outside Internet research for both sides of controversial issues before participating in the class debates. Graded debates will include some of the following topics: abolition of the Electoral College, the Defense of Marriage Act, abortion, a nation-wide moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

CLASSROOM RULES AND POLICIES: Please keep this packet in the front of your notebook.

1. ATTENDENCE POLICIES:

· If a student misses an AP Writing prompt, the STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO TAKE THE ASSIGNMENT DURING CLASS IMMEDIATELY UPON RETURN. You are responsible for what you miss, and you are responsible for asking me for the assignment at the beginning of class. Please select two responsible classmates to contact for makeup note purposes. List those students below.

· Students will have three school days to make-up a missed test or quiz. See me as soon as possible to schedule a make-up time. The best time for me is during after school help.

· Students are responsible for getting class notes/assignments for days missed. If a student misses a class when an assignment is given, they are still responsible for turning in the assignment upon their return.

2. Please bring your textbook “American Government: Continuity and Change” to class every day. Failure to do so could result in a zero on class work. All books must be covered by the second week of school.

3. All work, homework, papers, readings, etc. must be turned in the day it is due. Late work will be

accepted for half credit.

4. Collaboration on any assignment (including homework) that is not designated as “group work” is considered cheating and will result in a zero on that assignment and an office referral.

5. Plagiarism of any kind is considered cheating. We will use the Internet frequently for research in this class. You must cite your sources and you may not “cut and paste” information you gain from the Internet. That is considered plagiarism and will result in a zero for that assignment. Please refer to the honor/plagiarism pledge from your English class.

6. Tardies: If you are not in your seats when the bell rings you are considered tardy to class

7. For all class activities, you are expected to be alert and participate. Therefore, you must have your head up and eyes opened at all times. Failure to do so will result in a zero for a class work grade.

8. No food or drinks (except water) are allowed in the classroom.

9. Make-up work is your responsibility. You will have three days to complete make-up work with the exception of the AP writing prompts, which must be taken the day you return to class. All assignments will be listed on your nine-week calendar. This calendar will be posted on Edline. Since we use a nine week calendar for assignments, daily assignments will NOT be posted on Edline. Please just click on our nine week calendar posted on Edline to see what is due when.

10. All tests, quizzes, writing prompts and AP Review assignments must be turned in to the teacher after the AP test in May. This will count as a homework grade.

11. Failure to take the AP US Government and Politics Exam in May will result in this class Not being counted as a Weighted Grade course.

SIGNATURE SHEET:

I have read the above information and understand its application to my student. I understand a copy of these policies is in the classroom and my student will be responsible for them.

______

Student’s Signature Print Student’s Name

______

Parent’s Signature Print Parent’s Name

Students Name: ______

TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION:

E-mail: (This is the best way to reach me.)

Phone Number: 804-333-

Parents: Please complete the information listed below.

Mother/Stepmother’s name: ______

(Please circle the correct title)

Home Phone Number: ______

Work Phone Number: ______

Cell Phone Number: ______

E-mail Address: ______

The best way to reach me is: (Please check the box that applies)

q At home

q At work

q On my cell phone

q By e-mail

Father/Stepfather’s name: ______