Advanced Placement Us Government & Politics

ADVANCED PLACEMENT US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

EMMETT WALSH

ROOM 2116 8th PERIOD: 2:25-3:10

COURSE OVERVIEW / DESCRIPTION

The major purpose of this course is to help students gain an understanding and appreciation of American political behavior and the processes of government that formulate our public policies. A primary goal of this course is to prepare students to take the AP Exam for US Government & Politics scheduled for May of 2012. The course is taught on a collegiate level and requires a substantial amount of reading and preparation. Students must also be able to analyze data from textbooks, charts, graphs, political cartoons and major periodicals. At the completion of the course, students will have developed a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

COURSE GOALS

*know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to US government and politics

*understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences

*be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to US government and politics

AP EXAM

The AP United States Government and Politics Exam is two hours and twenty five minutes long. It includes a 45 minute multiple choice section consisting of 60 questions and a one hundred minute free response section consisting of four questions. The 2012 exam is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15 at 8:00 am. Students not taking the AP Exam will have their final grade lowered by one letter grade on their report card and final transcript; therefore, it is essential students take the AP Exam. The cost of the exam is $87.00.

TEXTS

*Basic Text-Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy (13th edition), George Edwards, Martin Wattenberg, Robert Lineberry

*Graphs, Maps, Charts, Cartoons-Students will demonstrate their understanding of quantitative and visually presented information at regular intervals.

*Current Events-Numerous current news reports and commentary from major newspapers, television, and the internet are utilized in daily coursework.

GRADING

Grades are determined by a cumulative point basis with an emphasis placed on unit objective tests and analytical free response questions. The reporting grade is determined by dividing the total points possible by points earned. Other forms of assessment to be used include the following: Reading Checks, Review Quizzes, Presentations/Projects, Journal Reviews, and Participation.

HONOR CODE

Students will abide by the honor code statement “I have neither given nor received help on this assignment” for all assignments. Violations of the honor code pledge will result in a zero for the assignment and potential loss of status in honor societies. Examples of violations of this policy include, but are not limited to, giving or receiving help on any in class or take home test, free response question, or quiz, plagiarism of material on take home free response questions, and discussion of any quiz, test, of free response questions with students who have not yet completed that assignment.

COURSE OUTLINE: UNITS OF STUDY

Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government (5-15%) (2 weeks)

*Influences on the formation and adoption of the Constitution

*Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances

*Federalism

*Theories of democratic government

CHAPTERS-1, 2, 3

Unit 2: Political Beliefs & Behaviors (10-20%) (2 ½ weeks)

*Beliefs citizens hold about their government and leaders

*Processes by which citizens learn about politics

*Nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion

*Ways in which citizens vote and participate in political life

*Factors that influence citizens to differ in terms of political beliefs and behaviors

CHAPTERS-6, 9, 10

Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (10-20%) (2 ½ weeks)

*Functions of political parties

*Political parties and elections

*Electoral laws and systems

*Activities of interest groups

*Effects of interest groups on the political process

*Unique characteristics and roles of PACs

*Functions and structures of the news media

*Impact of the news media on politics

CHAPTERS-7, 8, 11

Unit 4: Institutions of the National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts (35-45%) (6 weeks)

*Formal and informal institutional arrangements of power

*Relationships among these four institutions and varying balances of power

CHAPTERS-12, 13, 15, 16

Unit 5: Public Policy (5-15%) (2 weeks)

*Policy making in a federal system

*Formation of policy agendas

*Role of institutions in the enactment of policy

*Role of the bureaucracy and courts in policy implementation and interpretation

CHAPTERS-14, 17, 18, 19

Unit 6: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (5-15%) (2 ½ weeks)

*Development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation

*Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties

*Impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and

Liberties

CHAPTERS-4, 5

CONTACT INFO

Please feel free to contact me any time concerning your child’s progress.

*Career Center-727-8181