Advanced+Placement+United+States+Government

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Advanced Placement United States Government Syllabus 2008-2009 Teacher: Ms. S. Felder Room: 331 Periods: 9-10 ** T//extbook: American Government AP Edition, Ninth Edition////; Houghton Mifflin Company; J. Wilson and J. DiIulio Government in America: People Politics and Policy AP Edition, Twelfth Edition; Pearson Longman; G. Edwards, M. Wattenberg, and R. Lineberry//
 * Roxborough High School

**Abstract:**
AP United States Government and Politics is and intensive study of the formal and informal structures of government and the processes of the American political system, with an emphasis on policy-making and implementation. This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Exam.

**I. Objectives and Themes of the Course**
This college level course will give the students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course includes both a study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also develops familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that constitute U.S. politics and acquaints the student with theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes.

Each thematic unit involves both the study of general concepts and analysis of specific case studies. The student will develop a more sophisticated understanding of majority-rule democracy, constitutionalism, and civil liberties as well as the relationship and distinctions in and among the institutions and the public policies of those who govern. The following six major topics will be covered:

A. Constitutional Underpinnings: 5-15% Considerations influencing formulation and adoption of the Constitution Federalism Separation of Powers Theories of Democratic government

B. Political Beliefs and Behaviors: 10-20% Beliefs citizens have about government and its leaders Processes by which citizens learn about politics The nature, sources and consequences of public opinion Citizen voting, political participation and protest Factors that lead to differing political beliefs and behaviors

C. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media: 10-20% Political parties and elections Interest groups, lobbies and PACs Functions, structures and impacts of media

D. Institutions of National Government: Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, Courts: 35-45% Formal and informal institutional arrangements of powers Relationships among the four institutions Relationships with parties, interest groups, media, sub-national governments, and public opinion

E. Public Policy: 5-15% Formation of policy agendas Policy processes, linkages and outputs in a federal system

F. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: 5-15% Development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation Substantive rights and liberties Impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties

**II. Guidelines for the Course:**
Students are responsible for note-taking, as well as for individual and collective research assignments, discussions, essay explanations, the reading of pertinent political science journals, and informed knowledge of current events. Students should be able to express themselves with clarity and precision, know how to cite sources using MLA format and credit the phrases and ideas of others.

**III. Survey and Seminar Methods of Teaching:**
Weekly topics will be covered with assigned readings necessary for information and analysis of the themes and topics being studied. Each new topic will be introduced and explained through a one or two period lecture. The remaining working days will consist of seminars in which individual students discuss questions and views related to the lecture topic. In this college atmosphere, the student is expected to have completed the assignments before the relevant seminar. Most seminar discussions will be assigned to specific students to lead on a rotating basis.

**IV. Grading**
Throughout the year, projects and assignments will be given that will substantially affect your grades. Each assignment given will reinforce topics covered in class. Projects are assigned in order to evaluate the extent to which you can apply your knowledge. Writing assignments are given in order to evaluate your progress as a writer. Throughout the year multiple formats of assessing your academic performance will be provided that include frequent quizzes, comprehensive chapter and unit tests, multiple choice and open-ended practice and related social studies projects. Grades will be determined by the following guidelines: - Assessments: 70% - Tests: 25% Tests will usually span 1-2 class periods, ½ objective and ½ free response. - Quizzes: 25% o Weekly quizzes are on current event knowledge based upon Face the Nation, Key Terms and/or outside readings. (10% of a test grade) - Projects: 20% (See Student Voices) - Classwork: 15% o Participation: Class discussion on the readings assigned and Face the Nation. - Homework: 15% Most often, analysis of articles that are completed on 5x8 note cards. Analysis are graded: (+) =100%, (+-) =80%, (-) =60%. Study Guide Assignments. (See Absences and Assignments) 90-100 A Excellent 80-89 B Very Good 70-79 C Average 65-59 D Clearly Below Average 0-64 F Failing

**V. Absences and Assignments**
The student is responsible for all missed assignments caused by any absence and for scheduling make-ups. If the student fails to make up an assignment, it will be recorded as a ZERO. Most assignments will be given in advance; thus students will be aware of what will be missed. If you miss a test or quiz it is your responsibility to make it up either before or after school. I am available Mondays thru Thursdays for make-ups. Do not wait to be asked, be mature and take care of it. Missed notes and class assignments are also your responsibility. Please get the phone number of a responsible classmate in order to get homework or assignments that you missed and/or make arrangements to meet with me to get the assignments.

Students are expected to display daily preparation by volunteering information, by questioning, by participating in the seminar classes and by responding to questions from the instructor and fellow students.

Tardiness to class is not acceptable, including lateness to school. A strict policy of allowing two unexcused latenesses each marking period will be enforced. Any more will result in a 5% deduction in your participation grade per occurrence. If you come habitually late, you are either not participating or disturbing the discussion.

All work turned in late will result in a 25% reduction in grade per day.

**VI. A Statement on Plagiarism:**
Plagiarism is: 1. Copying without quotation marks or paraphrasing without the acknowledgement from another’s writing. 2. Using someone else’s facts or ideas without acknowledgement. 3. Handing in work for one course that you handed in for credit for another course without the permission of both instructors. Therefore, if one commits plagiarism, even unintentional plagiarism, the student will fail and appropriate individuals, institutions and organizations will be notified.

**VII. Text and Supplementary Sources:**
American Government, Wilson http://college.hmco/polisci/wilson/am_gov/10e/student_home.html American Government: Student Study Guide Fast Track to A 5 Preparing for the AP United States Government and Politics Examination The Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic Face the Nation, Sunday mornings at 10:30 am Transcripts are available the following Monday online at cbsnews.com

**VIII. Student Voices**
This year the AP Government class is participating in a curriculum designed by the Annenberg Public Policy Center to introduce and raise interest in the structure and processes of local government. Student Voices underscores the role of government in addressing community needs and asks students to think about the effectiveness of the policies adopted by the government. We will follow national and state political issues and complete a senior class project.

**IX. Student Voices and Service Learning**
This year the AP Government class is participating in a curriculum designed by the Annenberg Public Policy Center to introduce and raise interest in the structure and processes of local government. Student Voices underscores the role of government in addressing community needs and asks students to think about the effectiveness of the policies adopted by the city and state. Until November we will follow Philadelphia’s mayoral race. There will be a Spring component as well. The Student Voices project has grown tremendously and is now a national project. It will take a air amount of attention in and out of the classroom. I have set aside one day a week for the project; students can decide individually how much effort they wish to put into it.

**X. Units:**
1. Constitutional Foundations 2.People and Politics 3.The Policymakers 4.Policies 5.State and Local Government Unit 1 Constitutional Foundations - The Constitution: Wilson Chapter 2 p. 16 Government in America Chapter 2 p. 28-66 - Federalism: Wilson Chapter 3 p. 48 Government in America Chapter 3 - Civil Liberties and Public Policy: Wilson Chapter 18 p. 496 Government in America Chapter 4 p. 96-137 - Civil Rights and Public Policy: Wilson Chapter 19 p. 522 - Government in America Chapter 5 p. 138 – 175 Unit 2 People and Politics - Public Opinion and Political Action: Wilson Chapter 5 p. 102 Government in America Chapter 6 p. 176-209 - The Mass Media and the Political Agenda: Wilson Chapter 10 p. 250 Government in America Chapter 7 p. 210-237 - Political Parties: Wilson Chapter 7 p. 150; Government in America Chapter 8 p. 238- 265 - Nominations and Campaigns: Wilson Chapter 8 p. 184; Government in America Chapter 9 p. 266 - Elections and Voting Behavior: Wilson Chapter 8 p. 184, Government in America Chapter 10 p. 296-321 - Interest Groups: Wilson Chapter 9 p. 222; Government in America p. 322-351

Unit 3 The Policymakers - Congress: Wilson Chapter 11 p. 280; Government in America Chapter 12 - The Presidency: Wilson Chapter 12 p. 328 ; Government in America Chapter 13 p.390-433 - The Federal Bureacracy: Wilson Chapter 13 p. 372 Government in America Chapter 15 p. 466-501 - The Federal Courts: Wilson Chapter 14 p. 402 Government in America Chapter 16 p. 502-539 Unit 4 Policies - Economic Policymaking: Wilson Chapter 16 p. 458; Government in America Chapter 17 p 540-561 - Social Welfare Policymaking: Wilson Chapter 17 p. 478; Government in America Chapter 18 p. 562-586 - National Security Policymaking: Government in America Chapter 20 p. 612-649 Unit 5 State and Local Government - The New Face of State and Local Government: Government in America Chapter 21 p. 650-688 Additional Readings will be assigned as needed. Students should begin the practice of reading the newspaper, magazines such as Newsweek, and other periodicals in addition to watching programs such as Face the Nation, Washington Week in Review or the nightly news and cable news such as CNN.

(Some readings and topic dates may be adjusted for school calendar and testing schedules)

Useful Websites
[|College Board]

[|White House] [|Senate] [|House of Representatives] [|The Supreme Court] [|Library of Congress] [|Smithsonian] [|CNN] [|Student Voices] [|FactCheck.org]