Advanced Placement
U.S. Government & Politics
2106420 –Course Syllabus
(2nd Semester: 2106460 - The American Political System:
Process and Power Honors)
Mr. Iacono – Social Studies – Room 670
(904) 547-8340 x22544
Welcome
This course is challenging and rewarding. It is better to have an understanding of what is expected from you as a student and what I am promising you as a teacher. These expectations and procedures will allow us the best opportunity to accomplish all the goals we set as individuals and as a class. Always remember, “It’s your education”, make the best of it.
Course Description
The Advanced Placement (AP) course in U.S. Government and Politics is intended for students interested in developing an analytical perspective on the United States government and politics. This course examines the various institutions, groups, ideologies, and beliefs, but most importantly, the ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Topics include the constitutional underpinnings of U.S. government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, mass media, institutions of national government, public policy, civil rights and civil liberties.
Course Goals
Students successfully completing this course will be prepared to:
Describe and compare important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. governmentand politics
Explain typical patterns of political processes and behavior and theirconsequences
Interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government andpolitics
Critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply themappropriately, and develop connections throughout the course
PASS the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam
Course Outline
To help students meet these goals, the course will cover the following topics.
Unit 1: Constitutional Foundations of American Government (Ch. 1, 3 & 4)
- The Political Landscape and the adoption of the Constitution
- Separation of Powers
- Checks and Balances
- Federalism
Unit 2: Political Beliefs & Behaviors (Ch. 2, 1114)
- Political Socialization, Political Culture and Public Opinion
- Voting
- Campaigns
Unit 3: Institutions of National Government (Ch. 7-10)
- Congress (Legislative)
- Presidency (Executive)
- Supreme Court (Judicial)
- Executive/Federal Bureaucracy
Unit 4: Linkage Institutions (Ch. 12, 1315)
- Political Parties
- Interest Groups
- Mass Media and Relevance
Unit 5: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (Ch. 5 & 6)
- Bill of Rights
- Suffrage
- Equality
*Public policy (Ch. 17-19) will be interwoven throughout the courseat appropriate times through discussions, readings and current events.
Class Description
Students will be expected to engage in classroom discussions and activities about the current study topic because education is not received, it is achieved. Therefore, students are expected to be active participants in their education and will be provided various platforms from which to achieve, such as:
- Group Collaboration- Current Events
- Table & Chart Analysis- Note Taking
- Text Readings- Class Discussions
- Written Assessments- Home Assignments
Class Expectations
Classroom Environment: The following is the initial foundation on which our class will be built.
Respect:Positive words and actions for yourself and others you talk with or about. Be nice.
Order: Leave your area better than when you arrived. Keep our classroom clean!
Patience: Wait quietly and calmly until you are called upon. Raise your hand.
Effort: Be prepared for everything you are asked to do and do your best. Be on time.
Safety: Create no physical harm to yourself or those you learn with. Stay seated.
** In accordance with school policy, cell phones, I-pods, or any other electrical devices are not permitted in class without the expressed permission of the instructor. Also no hats, hoods or other non-religious headgear may be worn.
Course Rigor: This class will proceed at a quick pace. In class we will discuss the previous night’s reading to clarify items you may not have understood. It is essential that you read the material and prepare a set of notes. We will be engaging in various activities/assignments to deepen your understanding of the concepts. Assessments will be often but announced. This is an advanced placement course that may be eligible for college credit so be prepared daily! Remember, work hard and hard work is easy.
Academic Success Plan
Binders: All studentsare encouraged to keep a 3-ring binder for each unit of the course. The binders will aid each student in organizing materials that will be essential to their success on the AP exam. The binder could be organized using dividers for class notes, handouts and formal notes.
Daily Assignments:Doing work at home is beneficial to your performance in school. I will only assign homework that will improve your understanding of any given topic. Therefore, since I am making an attempt to not waste your time please do not waste our time. Come to class prepared to the best of your ability so you can contribute to our class in a positive and productive manner. There will be daily reading assignment checks (DRAC’s). These will consist of questions based on the previous night’s reading assignment. All assignments will be given in a unit learning plan as well as posted online at our group code is 3isc5k.
Current Events: There will be a weekly current event assignment. The current event will focus on government, politics and policy. Current event’s from reputablepolitical/news based sources such as, but not limited to CNN.com, are necessary.
Tests:There will be a chapter test at the end of each chapter. Tests will be partially based on the AP Exam model, consisting of AP formatted multiple choice questions.
Unit Exams: There will be a unit exam at the end of each major unit. Unit exams will be based on the AP Exam model, consisting of multiple choice questions mainly from the current unit but also from previous units and FRQ’spertaining to topics coveredduring the current unit.
Projects/Classwork/Other Assignments: There will be projects, learning activities, and assignments throughout the course to help further your understanding of course content.
The Exam: The AP Exam will be held on Thursday, May 4th, 2017 at 8a.m. It is 145 minutes long. It includes a 45 minute multiple-choice section consisting of 60 questions and a 100 minute free response section consisting of 4 questions.
Team Work: If you have a problem or a question that you would like to discuss, you can see me before school, after school, schedule a time, or when I am otherwise unoccupied with another student (Period 7 planning). Also, you can call me or email me with any questions, concerns or problems. Nothing is too big for us to overcome together. Go Bears!!
Procedures
Attendance: Regular attendance and active participation are ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. Absences will be dealt with in accordance with school policy. If you miss an assessment due to an excused absence, it can be made up but quickly. All effort must be made to make up a chapter test and/or a unit exam before school the next day you are present. Otherwise make ups will be given in class on that day but you are responsible for missed material. Only excused absences allow you to make up an assessment. Try to be at school so you don’t miss out. I want you to want to be here!
Procedures Continued…
Tardiness: When you are late to class you miss out on valuable information and this can cause you to be at a disadvantage. Arrive on time and if you are late, enter the room quietly and present to me your pass or reason for being late. Unexcused tardies will be dealt with according to school policy.
Grading: The grade you earn will be calculated using a weighted points system. The percentages and categories are as follows:
Summative Assessments (80%)(2nd Semester 70%)
(Exams, Tests, Projects & Papers)
Formative Assessments (20%)(2nd Semester 30%)
(DRAC’s, Current Events & Classwork)
Grading Guidelines: Your quarterly grades are calculated based on academic achievement only. Students are expected to submit assigned material during class on the due date, unless you were out on an excused absence. Only assignments submitted on the due date in class will be eligible to earn the total points possible. Assignments that are submitted after class and/or the due date but before the completion of a chapter can only earn a maximum of seventy-five percent of the total points possible. Absolutely no work will be accepted once the chapter and/or marking period has been completed and a zero will remain. In order to have students’quarterly grades closely correlate to a potential AP exam score, one additional opportunity on one summative assessment will be given per academic quarter but only when ALL of the following has been met:
- Student earned less than 75% of the total points possible on the assessment.
- Student completed ALL assignments prior to the initial assessment.
- Student has revised the original assessment prior to the additional opportunity.
- Student has met with the teacher for additional instruction.
- Student is present at the time designated for the additional opportunity.
The score on the additional opportunity will be recorded but not to exceed 75%. The original score will be recorded in the event that the new score is lower than the original score. Quarterly letter grades will be reported according to the following scale:
A = 90-100Outstanding
B = 80-89Above Average
C = 70-79Average
D = 60-69Lowest Acceptable
F = 0-59Failure
I = 0Incomplete
Grades can be reviewed by parents/guardians and students at the Home Access Center located on the web at:
Resources
Online:
Class website via Bartram Trail’s website or directly at
Textbook:
Barbour, Christine and Gerald C. Wright. Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship in
American Politics. 4th ed. & 6th ed. Washington D.C.: CQ Press, 2009 & 2014.
AP Course Review Book (Optional - To be purchased by student at a later date):
The Princeton Review, Cracking the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam. 2017 ed. New York.
Other Readings/materials:
The Federalist Papers
The U.S. Constitution and amendments
A More Perfect Constitution by Larry J. Sabato
Supreme Court Case Studies
American Government: Readings and Cases. 15th ed. by Peter Woll
Other various supplemental materials/readings (political cartoons, charts, graphs, films...etc.)
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Advanced Placement
U.S. Government & Politics
Course Syllabus Acknowledgement
Purpose
This acknowledgment page serves as notification to the instructor that the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) are aware of the essentials and expectations pertaining to the AP U.S. Government and Politics course. Please read, sign, detach and return this page to Mr. Iacono.
I, ______, have read and understand what is expected of me for the
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AP U.S.Government & Politics course (The American Political System: Process and Power Honors).
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As the parent or guardian of this student, I have read and understand what is expected of my child forthe AP U.S. Government & Politics course(The American Political System: Process and Power Honors).
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