AP US Gov. & Pol. COURSE SYLLABUS: Fall 2016-2017 Wagner
Room A226 ■ http://education.fcps.org/ths/danwagner 240-236-6493
Course Overview & Description:
Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics is a highly structured and very demanding course intended for qualified high school students who wish to complete studies in a one-semester, college-level introductory course. The course is intended to enable students to develop a critical perspective of government and politics in the United States. To accomplish this goal, students are required not only to thoroughly read college-level text, but to also augment this material through research and reading of supplemental articles and then critically apply the findings to the political nature of current governmental policies and analyze the ramifications of these policies. Thus, the nature of the American political system, its development over time, and how it works today are examined. Both general concepts and specific case studies are stressed. Emphasis will be placed on increasing the techniques of evaluating, refuting, comparing, contrasting, analyzing, documenting and supporting ideas.
One of the primary objectives of this course is to expose students to all areas of information covered on the AP examination. The goals of this course go beyond a basic analysis of how our government “works.” Students will develop a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Thus, it is imperative that a high-level academic environment exist and that the student is dedicated to his/her study, is highly motivated, and is willing to put forth the time and effort—both in and outside the classroom—required for a course of this intensity. Consequently, quality work is expected for all grades rendered.
Goals and Objectives: Students successfully completing this course will . . .
1. Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics
2. Understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures)
3. Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats)
4. Be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum [from the College Board AP United States Government & Politics Course Description]
Resources and Materials:
• Magleby, David B., Light, Paul C., and Nemacheck, Christine L. Government by the People: AP Edition. 25th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. Prentice Hall. 2014.
• Woll, Peter, ed. American Government: Readings and Cases. 18th ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2010.
• Additional articles, essays, papers, primary source documents, books, novels, charts, graphs, handouts, Internet sites, etc. supplied by the teacher.
• Pens and/or pencils, notebook, folder and/or 2" three-ring-binder, and index cards.
Teaching Strategies:
Student-centered seminar topics, debate, discussion, simulations, role-plays, individual presentations, essay writing, journal review, limited research papers, reading, use of primary and secondary source materials, analyzing and interpreting document stimulus, and practicing sample exam questions.
Assignments, Activities, Assessments & Grading Procedures:
Participation (5%): Students will be evaluated on their comprehension of course issues and content, in part, by their participation in class discussion and activities. Class discussion (dialogue) on the course material is intended to serve as a means of empowering the student through self-awareness, self-reflection and self-criticism as the student attempts to arrive at meaningful conclusions. Dialogue is also intended to make students active—as opposed to passive—participants in their own learning process by introducing the student to their decision-making potential; a skill fundamental to democracy. Attendance, tardiness and inappropriate behavior will also factor in.
Homework (10%): Examples . . .
● Readings & Notes: Homework will consist primarily of guided readings, note taking and outlining related to the textbook and additional sources. In many cases the student will receive questions to answer and/or graphic organizers (Cornell Notes) to complete as they read the assignment.
● Current Events Articles: Students will be required to collect current events articles pertaining to U.S. politics and government, and write a summary and their opinion of the event/issue the article addresses. The articles will be clipped and neatly posted with the student’s comments and opinions. The student will be expected to share the article and their opinion(s) with the class on the day the assignment is due.
● Free/Written Responses: Free/written responses are designed to fulfill a similar goal to that of the paper (see “Papers”), only not as in-depth. They are also a key component on the AP US Government and Politics exam.
● Additional Homework Assignments: On top of the class readings, discussion, current events and public policy articles, and FRQs, the teacher reserves the right to assign any other additional homework he sees fit such as handouts, worksheets, review questions, charts, graphic organizers, posters, cartoons, poems, etc.
Class Projects (10%): Class projects will consist of either group or individual activities to help reinforce the content and curriculum goals of the course. These projects include a variety of cooperative learning activities, role-play simulations, research, etc. In many cases, students will be required to “teach” their classmates the information in order to enhance the learning experience.
Journal/Notebook & FRQ Checks (10%): At the beginning of almost every class block (and sometimes at the end), students will be required to write a Free Response Question (FRQ) as a warm-up (or closure) for class. These activities are intended to introduce or summarize the information being dealt with in class. The FRQs also help to prepare students to successfully pass the AP exam since they are patterned after the questions on the exam. It is very important students do these activities and keep their FRQs organized in their notebooks since their notebooks will be periodically evaluated. In addition, students MUST take accurate and well-organized notes to use in preparation for class activities or to study for tests.
Assessments (30%) and Quizzes (20%): Quizzes and Assessments will also be given to test the student’s knowledge and comprehension of the course materials as well as their ability to apply, synthesize and make evaluations or judgments about the issues surrounding the material. All exams will be announced and will include multiple choice questions (MCs) and free response questions (FRQs). Quizzes, however, may not be announced and may or may not include FRQs. (Note: some pop-quizzes will be included with the class projects or homework grade depending on what the quiz is intended to assess). Expect to take, on average, a pop-quiz a week.
Papers, Debates & Presentations (25%): Students will be required to do at least two papers, debates and/or presentations during each term of the course. The intent of the papers is to encourage the student to formulate a coherent and logical argument about one or more of the issues/events in modern American history and to make an evaluation of (or on) the issue/event. The importance and benefits of debate are very similar to that of writing papers with an obvious additional benefit; public speaking. In summary, the writing of papers (and engagement in debate) requires the student to give special attention to problems of analysis, organization and articulation of arguments which support his/her thoughts and evaluations regarding a variety of topics.
Absences & Make-up Work/Assessments: FCPS policy
Excused Absences: It is the sole responsibility of the student to arrange make-up work for excused absences within two school days of the absence. The teacher will determine an appropriate time frame for the student to complete the make-up work. Failure to complete this work within this time frame will result in zeros as grades for these assignments.
Unexcused Absences: As stated in Frederick County Public School's Regulation 500-25, "students have the right to make up class work missed and to have this work reviewed and evaluated by the teacher. Credit will not be given toward a grade for this work. Students have the responsibility to request make-up work within two (2) days of their return to school."
Course Grading: “…The final grade … is calculated by multiplying the term grades by 50% and adding the product of each. A student must pass one (1) of the two (2) terms in order to pass the course… [However], a student who fails the second term of a one (1) credit semester course due to lack of acceptable effort may be failed for the course regardless of total quality points earned ” (FCPS Reg. No. 500-05).
Term Grades
Assessments 25%
Papers & Presentations 25%
Quizzes 15%
Journal 10%
Class Projects 10%
Homework 10%
Class Participation 5%
TOTAL 100%
Resubmit PolicyStudents can receive back up to half the credit they have lost on exams. In order to qualify for this credit, students MUST resubmit their test questions while STRICTLY adhering to the following guidelines. Students who receive a grade of “D” or lower MUST resubmit their test. NO partial credit will be given!
On resubmitted Free Response Questions (FRQs) students MUST:
• Identify what they did well.
• Identify what they need to improve on.
• Identify what was out-and-out incorrect and/or provide the correct information.
• Explain what they need to work on for future written responses.
On resubmitted Multiple Choice questions students MUST:
• Correctly identify the term or concept the question is testing.
• Write the term or concept on one side of a note card (and include your name).
• On the other side of the card, write an appropriate question to which the term or concept is the answer.
• Do NOT use the term or concept in the question!
UNIT / TITLE / DAYS / DATES
2 / Political Beliefs & Behaviors (10-20% of MC Exam questions) / 13-14 / Aug 22 – Sep 9
1 / Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government (5-15%) / 9-10 / Sep 12 – 22
3 / Political Parties, Interest Groups & Mass Media (10-20%) / 13-14 / Sep 26 – Oct 20
4 / Institutions of National Government: (35-45%)
a. The Congress
b. The Presidency
c. The Bureaucracy
d. The Federal Courts / 35-36 / Oct 24 – Dec 2
5 / Public Policy* (infused, in part, into the other units; 5-15%) / 9-10 / Dec 5 – 16
6 / Civil Rights & Civil Liberties (5-15%) / 13-14 / Dec 19 – Jan 13
AP US Government & Politics Review (during FLEX and after school) / Jan 24 – May 3
AP United States Government and Politics Exam / Thu. May 4 (AM)
FCPS Grade Scale
A = 90-100% or 3.50-4.00
B = 80-89% or 2.50-3.49
C = 70-79% or 1.50-2.49
D = 60-70% or 0.50-1.49
F = below 60% or 0.00-0.49
(I will NOT round up)
College Board
For a course overview, a description of the AP exam, scoring criteria, sample questions and more, visit: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-government-and-politic
Classroom Policies & Procedures
Rules & Policies
Ø DO NOT BE LATE!!! Class begins at the bell and is in session the entire period of every day. A strong warm-up will begin the class and a closure will end the class period. Students shall NOT be waiting at the door for the bell to ring at the end of class. Every minute available for instruction is valuable. Detentions, referrals, and parent contacts will be issued according to school policy.
m USE THE BATHROOMS BEFORE CLASS! I do not handout bathroom passes unless it is an emergency, and only then it will be a couple times a semester. You MUST have a Pass if you want to be excused from class.
m Passes to get out of class are rarely ever issued. This includes bathroom, locker, water fountain, office, phone, etc.
Ø COME TO CLASS PREPARED!!! Students are required bring all appropriate materials (e.g., textbook(s), notebook(s), pen or pencil, homework, projects, assignments, etc.) to class every day and are not allowed to leave the classroom except in cases of emergency. If students MUST leave the classroom, they can do so ONLY if they have their Passbook.
m NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN CLASS! (Unless you are a professional educator with a Master’s degree.)
m The use of electronic devices for instructional purposes is only permissible with the authorization of the teacher and prior approval of a guardian.
Ø All Students are to REMAIN ON TASK throughout the entire period.
m No heads are to be down in class. If you do not feel well you must either stay in class or go to the nurse.
m This class is NOT a beauty parlor or a study hall. You are NOT allowed to apply makeup, fix your hair, or do homework during class, unless otherwise directed.
m Always be respectful and mindful of others. Keep your hands, feet, objects, etc. to yourself, use appropriate language, and listen quietly while others are talking.
Ø Make-up Assessments and other activities which prevent a student from giving full attention to the lesson are to be completed within two days of their return, before or after school.
Ø All independent assignments are to be completed and submitted on time.
m Cheating and plagiarism will NOT be tolerated and will be dealt within accordance to school policy.
Ø Help is always available, all you have to do is ask. I can usually meet with you during my prep period or after school until 3:20 most days.
Ø Remember, we all make mistakes, even me. The important thing is not to dwell on them, but rather acknowledge and correct them, and then get on with the principle task.
Consequences For Tardies & Policy Infractions
# of Times / Disciplinary Action / # of Times / Disciplinary Action1st & 2nd / Teacher warning / 6th / Saturday School
3rd & 4th / Home contact & detention / 7th / Saturday School
5th / Referal, AASR & home contact / 8th / 1 OOS
Note: Major policy infractions or consistent violations of policy will result in immediate intervention steps such as parent contact, detention, or counselor and/or administrative referral.
FLEX Statement: