Idea Transcript
AP Government and Politics Fall 2006 Syllabus I. Course Description An Advanced Placement course in government is an introductory college course designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the united states. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. Students should become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Certain topics are usually covered in all college courses. II. Course Requirements Attendance, participation and completion of the reading assignments by class time is expected an essential to success in this course. Completion of all written assignments on time is also expected. Makeup work will not be accepted without an excused absence. Students should plan spending one hour preparing for each class meeting. Attendance in class is critical. Students who miss class often (for any reason) are jeopardizing their grade in this course. Students who anticipate attendance problems should transfer to another government class. If a student is absent, the entire responsibility for obtaining and making up missed work falls upon the student. Familiarity with the current events greatly contributes to the understanding of course materials as real world application is the best way to achieve an understanding of government concepts. Students will be expected to review contemporary news and magazine articles on a regular basis to get the most out of classroom discussions. Prerequisites: In order to best evaluate student understanding of course materials and to prepare for the examination, students will be expected to complete no less than 3 writing assignments throughout the duration of the course. Students must have successful experience in essay writing; otherwise high levels of frustration may occur. Students may be assigned as much as 2 hours of reading in one night. Therefore, students must be committed to personal success in the course to be able to complete the assigned readings. Read above grade level. Read graphs and tables to analyze complex data and concepts. Take notes.
Organize time and discipline self. Read up to two chapters per week. Prepare reading notes for quizzes. Study for tests and essays. III. Required materials TEXT: Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy : 10th Edition Edwards, GeorgeLineberry, RobertWattenburg, Martin, PearsonLongman Addison Wesley Educational Publishers Copyright 2002 American Government Readings and Cases 15th Edition (supplemental reading) Woll, PeterPearsonLongman Copyright 2004 The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity: 3rd Edition LanahanEditors: Ladd, Everett, Serow, Ann Classic Ideas and Current Issues in American Government : Bose, Meena, DiIulio, John. J., Jr. Houghton Mifflin Company, BostonNew York Copyright 2007 Primary Sources: The Federalist Papers The Constitution The Bill of Rights Ammendments to the Constitution Declaration of Independence The AntiFederalist Papers The Magna Carta We will periodically read, discuss and analyze these primary sources. You will be asked to write responses on certain documents and explain there significance and how it has influenced and still influences our society today. Newspapers: These newspapers listed below are a few resources you may use although not limited to in order to complete your newspaper article requirement every Friday. (Although all magazines and magazine articles must be approved by teacher to ensure credibility and appropriateness). New York Times and The Monitor (local newspaper)
2 national and 2 local Current events due every Friday. In these articles you are required to provide a summary, explanation, analysis and social impact and significance of the article (current event) are required for each article. Magazines: These magazines listed below are a few resources you may use although not limited to in order to complete your magazine article requirement every 6 weeks grading period. (Although all magazines and magazine articles must be approved by teacher to ensure credibility and appropriateness). Time The Washington Monthly Life The Reader’s Digest Six current events due at the end of every 6 weeks grading period. In these articles you are required to provide a summary, explanation, analysis and social impact and significance of the article (current event) are required for each article. SUPPLIES: Notebook, Notebook paper, pencil, pen, a folder and binder for storage purposes.
IV. Grading Procedures As in most college courses, examinations will have the most influence when tabulating grades. Given the fact that a satisfactory score on the AP examination could translate to college credit, students must be comfortable in testtaking situations that carry heavy weight. Writing assignments, quizzes, projects and class participation, not withstanding, are also an integral part of the course and will carry the appropriate weight. ReTests will NOT be administered. No late work is allowed. Student work must be submitted with in the time frame specified by the teacher. GRADING:
Major Tests, Free Response Questions, Quizzes, Projects: 50% Daily Assignments, FRQ Practices, Homework: 20% Six Weeks Test: 20%
Class Participation:10% V. Attendance Policy Attendance is crucial for success. We cover a large amount of collegelevel material and we move quickly. I have only one simple rule for attendance: Show Up Everyday on Time, Prepared With an Attitude for Learning. The District policy regarding absences and tardies will be strictly adhered to. If for any reason a class is missed, students are responsible for that day’s work. IN the case of excused absences, missed tests/quizzes must be completed within 3 days, while all other assignments will be allowed one extra day for each day absent. If you know of impending excused absences due to prescheduled events, you must turn in previously assigned work on or before the due date, or the work will be considered late. Furthermore, exams/quizzes missed as a result of unexcused absences must be taken the day of return and will receive a grade of no higher than a 70!
VI. Code of Ethics No plagiarism or cheating of any kind will be tolerated. Both are very serious offences and will lead to an automatic “0” on the assignment. Plagiarism is the act of taking another person’s work or ideas and using them as if they were your own. Quoting, paraphrasing or even using the ideas of another person without giving proper credit is considered plagiarism. Plagiarized material could be something that someone has written for you. Cheating on tests, homework and other class assignments or activities is dishonest and improper conduct. Cheating is an act of deception as is fraudulently obtaining someone else’s work and will be dealt with accordingly. VII. Tutorials/AP Practice Sessions A fall and spring AP practice test will be administered. A schedule will be announced at a later date. VIII. Course Specific Topics The Examination:
The AP United States Government and Politics is 2 hours and 25 minutes long. The examination consists of a 45 minute multiplechoice section and a freeresponse section consisting of four mandatory questions. Students have 100 minutes to answer all four questions and is expected that they will spend approximately 25 minutes on each question. The score on each question will account for ¼ of the student’s total score on this section of the exam. The multiplechoice and free response sections of each examination will have equal weight. Topics to be covered: 1.Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government 2. Political Beliefs and Behaviors 3. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 4. Institutions of National Government 5. Public Policy 6. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
(1) Class Overview Assignments August 21 Get supplies Introductions What is Government Essay? 1 pg. (2) August 22 Read Lanahan“Bowling Alone” Write Freedomland vs. Leaderland Two discussion questions for each article (3)
August 23 Read Ch 1 Edwards Alabama Literacy Test
Nature of Politics PowerPoint Three Elements of Power Legitimacy
Study for Voc. Ch 1 Quiz Unit I: Foundation/ Constitutional Underpinnings Information sheet, text distributed Nature of Politics: HO Quotes Voc. Quiz Lasswell Article HO What are the various answers that have been given To the question, “Who governs?” Read Lanahan, pages 79101 Lasswell and Schattschnieder Models Theories of democratic government (4) August 24 Reading quiz 10 questions DISCUSSION: Lanahan Articles What is the difference between power in general and Political power? C. Wright Mills, Richard Zweigenhaft &
Read Ch 2 Edwards text & notes
(5) August 25 Timed Writing #1 Origins of Constitution, Enlightenment
Read Woll pages 310 Read Woll pages 1029 John Roach
(6) August 28 Philosophers Packet group assignment
Read Woll pages 2940 Charles
British Documents( MC, EBR, WHC, PR) Laswell Model assignment
Beard
(7) August 29 Document Station Questions Colonial Documents Chart
Read Woll pages 4149 Lanahan pages 5978
(8) August 30 Articles of Confederation: Failed Government? Strength & Weaknesses of A of C
Madison’s Fed. # 47, 48, 51 pages 109128 Woll page 271274
(9) August 31 Introduce The Federalist Papers Federalist #10 Discussion Madisonian v. Hamiltonian Model of Government (10) September 1 Debate Roe v. Wade Read Constitution (11) September 5 Timed Writing #2 Kenneth Bowling pages 1727 Overview of Articles IVII in Leadership, Ethics etc. Ways to amend Constitution: Formal & Informal (12) September 6 Amendments Illustration and sharing
Study for Constitution Test
(13) September 7 Read Edwards text Ch. 3 Constitution Test & notes Introduce Federalism Chart: Kinds of governmentunitary, confederation,
federal (14) September 8 Video: Federalism GNP Vocabulary clarification
Woll pages 5069 Study Vocabulary
(15) September 11 Federalism Woll pages 6994 Kinds of federalismdual, cooperative, fiscal Vocabulary Quiz Significance McCullough v. Maryland Read Lanahan pages 132151 Theories Layer Cake, Marble Cake, picket Fence Morrison (16) September 12 Timed Writing #3: Federalism Discussion Articles & Lopez (17) September 13 Unit I Exam 60 MC Questions (18) September 14 Introduction: Civil Rights RightsLiberties Distinction Case Study assigned 1st Amendment Tests/ Cases/Incorporation (19) September 15 Religion Examine Question page 1617 in Leadership
Study for Unit I Exam
Read Edwards Ch 4 & notes
Read Woll, pages 95104 134145; in Leadership pages 316
Read Lanahan pages 409430 Woll pages 113124
(20) September 18 1st Amendment Speech/Press Read Vocabulary Clarification (21) September 19 Gideon v. Wainwright 4th6th Amendment Cases
Woll pages 105112, 145160 Lanahan pages 351 364
Study Vocabulary Quiz Read Ch 5 Edwards text
(22) September 20 Read Woll pages125133 Vocabulary Quiz Ch. 4 Lanahan pages 365390 Civil Liberties Key Points PP Research Public Policy websites Public Policy and write a short essay on the What is the Public Policy Process? significance and impact of Social, National Defense, Domestic, the Public Policy Process. And Education Policy How do this Policies Work? Who addresses these problems? (23) September 21 Discuss Essays and Student’s responses On the Public Policy Process. Plessey v. Ferguson/Brown v, Board Clarify Vocabulary (24) September 22 Vocabulary Quiz, Civil Rights Act 1964 Voters Rights Act 1965 24th Amendment (25) September 25 Women, Newly Active Groups
Read Lanahan pages 391408 Review Vocabulary
Case Study work completed
Study Unit II Exam
Affirmative Action Bakke Display cases Timed Writing # 4 (26) September 26 Affirmative Action Debate Unit II Exam 60 MC Questions (27) September 27 Public Opinion and Political Action Political socialization Political Culture (28) September 28 How Americans Participate Clarify Voc Polling (29) September 29 Voting Behavior V.O. Key, Jr. “The Responsible Electorate” (30) October 2 Video Clip: Public Opinion Vocabulary Quiz Timed Writing #5
(31) October 3 Chapter Presentations
Read Ch 6 Edwards & notes
Read Lanahan pages 431460 Bullet points
Read Woll pages 206217 Write three discussion questions Study for Voc. Quiz
Prepare for debate on different topics Find data on electorate
Prepare reading HO
Study for Exam Ch 6 & Readings
(32) October 4 Unit III Exam: Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Read Edwards Ch. 7 & notes Read Lanahan pages 621 672 as assigned #84, 85, 86, 87, 88 bullet points
(33) October 5 Read Ch. 8 and take notes The Mass Media: Video Starter Discussion: In what ways has the mass media influenced the political thought & behavior of citizens? To what extent does the media aid in creating an informed citizenry, which is vital to the successful functioning of a democratic government? Relate to articles Linkage institutions (34) October 6 Political Parties: Video Starter PowerPoint Organization
(35) October 10 Political Parties Discuss articles Party dealignment Divided Government (36) October 11 Ch 8 Vocab. Quiz Where do you fit? Inventory Computer Third parties
Woll pages 169188 Bullet key points for each Lanahan pages 585610 Short summary of each article, esp, Broder art.#80 & # 82 Black Finish reading and notes Review Vocabulary
Read Woll, 218238 Lanahan pages530539
(37) October 12 Campaign Finance reform McCainFeingold Nominations and Campaigns FEC (38) October 13 Nominations and Campaign Lecture McGovernFraser Commission Timed Writing # 6
Lanahan pages 550572 Read Ch 9 & take notes
Read Ch. 10 and take notes
(39) October 16 Woll 206217, 189199, Voting Behavior 259268 Voter Registration Video Clip Lanahan pages 573584, 507 Political legitimacy 513; summary as assigned Voters v. nonvoters (40) October 17 Elections Kinds of elections; realigning, V. O. Key,Jr. Vocabulary Quiz Ch 9 & 10 (41) October 18 Interest Groups IG handouts PACs (42) October 19 Share Summary of Articles Tools of IGs Vocabulary Ch. 1011 Quiz
Read text Ch. 11 & notes
Woll pages 239258 Lanahan pages 463506 Summary as assigned
Study for Exam Ch. 711
(43) October 20 Unit IV Exam (44) October 23 Congress: Roles, Functions & Qualifications Characteristics Congressional elections (45) October 24 Share Congress Articles How Congress is Organized to Make Policy Key Committees (46) October 25 Process: How a Bill Becomes Law (47) October 26 Congress Video Reapportionment/Baker v. Carr, 1962 Reynolds v. Sims, 1964 (48) October 27 Share/Discuss questions on readings
(49) October 30 Chapter 12 Quiz & voc. Introductory remarks “Hail to the Chief”
Read Ch. 12 and notes
Woll Chapter 8 pages 342 378 bullet summary to share
Woll pages 379407 Summary bullets as assigned
Lanahan 164182 Bullet points
Lanahan pages 183214 Summary bullets
Study Vocabulary Ch 12 Chapter quiz
Read Chapter 13 & notes
(50) October 31 Timed Writing # 7 Qualifications, Characteristics For Presidency
Woll all article #46 pages 271270, 287288, 298299, 328, #47 #52 #48 #53 #49 #54 #50 #55 #51 #56 #57 Lanahan Reader #33 #35 #37
#38 #39 #40 #41 12 page bulleted summary w/illustration demonstrating key points, use color, few words 7 minute max.
(51) November 1 United Streaming: Presidency Review vocabulary (52) November 2 Vocab Quiz Student presentations #47#49 Teacher clarification and additions (53) November 3 Student presentations #50#54
Prepare reading above as assigned Study vocabulary Ch 13
Prepare reading as assigned
Read Edwards Chapter 14 Notes
(54) November 6 Student presentations #55#57, #33#35 (55) November 7 Student presentations #37#41 Teacher clarifications (56) November 8
Finish Ch 14 reading
Study Vocabulary
Read Ch 15 and take notes
Voc. Quiz Ch 14 The Role of OMB The Budget Game
(57) November 9 The Federal Bureaucracy HSO PowerPoint/Prof. Cushman (58) November 10 Vocabulary Quiz Hierarchy, Implementation Civil Service Timed Writing #8 (59) November 13 Judiciary Today Criminalcivil Jurisdiction Court System (60) November 14
Study vocabulary
Read Edwards Ch. 16
Study Vocabulary Ch.16
Woll pages 408445
Voc. Quiz Politics of Selection Courts as Policy Maker Video Clip: SC
Write 12 sentences with keys
(61) November 15 Marbury v. Madison Revisited Judicial Activism v. Judicial Restraint How do courts differ? (62) November 16 Judicial Implementation problems (63) November 17 Courts and Policy Agenda (64) November 20 Timed Writing #9
(65) November 21 Unit V Exam The Institutions
(66) November 27 (67) November 28
Lanahan pages 319350 ½ page summary of each (4)
Study for Exam
Study for Unit V Exam Ch 1216
Read Chapters 1721 as assigned Prepare Bulleted Summary and Vocabulary For Class/ Develop Lesson 2025 minutes Must have handouts copies for each member of class and teacher. Be professional. Major grade. Clarify and simplify!
Public Policy HO How Does Policy Become Reality? Subgovernamental groups, Iron Triangles revisited (68) November 29 Chapter Expert Presentation #17 Commentary (69) November 30
Practice AP exam, plan
(70) December 1 Chapter Expert Presentation #18 Commentary (71) December 4 Chapter Expert Presentation # 19 & #20 (72) December 5 Chapter Expert Presentation # 19 & #20 (73) December 6 Chapter Expert Presentation #21 (74) December 7 Public Policy Timed Writing #10
(75) December 8 Exam Unit VI
Study for Unit VI Exam
Organization your materials
(76) December11 Review Unit I
TBD
(77) December 12 Review Unit II
TBD
(78) December 13 Review Unit III
TBD
(79) December 14 Review Unit IV
TBD
(80) December 15 Final
TBD
(81) December 18 Final
TBD