AP United States Government and Politics Syllabus

Transcription

1 AP United States Government and Politics Syllabus Overview The Advanced Placement course in United States Government and Politics is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret United States politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and the ideas that make up the American political reality. At the conclusion of the course, students will have the opportunity to take the A.P. Examination in the hopes of receiving college credit. Along with the texts, a series of readings in government and politics as well as social history, several novels, and primary and secondary source materials are required. Reading is assigned in units and expected to be completed by the date specified. Please note that in this class reading is NOT optional. In-class discussions are far-ranging and serve to supplement rather than replace the necessary independent reading. The course emphasizes a critical approach to the study of government and politics in America. The use of critical thinking skills plus the application of comprehensive persuasive writing are an integral part of AP United States Government and Politics. Activities designed to promote student interest and help them learn is an essential element of AP Government and Politics. Mock trials, congressional budget simulations, and debates provide performance-based assessment and a valuable learning experience. Tests are designed to simulate the AP Exams. Questions, both multiple choice and essay for past exams are used. Students need to learn to interpret charts, graphs, and political cartoons. This kind of practice will make students less apprehensive for the real AP Exam. Objectives The students will: Investigate the major events in the development of the United States Constitution pertaining to: constitutional underpinnings (5-15% of exam) civil rights and civil liberties (5-15% of exam) political behavior and political beliefs (10-20% of exam) political parties, interest groups, and media (5-15% of exam) political institutions (35-40% of exam) Congress the Presidency the Federal Courts Bureaucracies diplomacy and international relations (5-15% of exam) economic developments (5-15% of exam) public policy, social change, cultural and intellectual developments (5-15% of exam) Analyze cause and effect of major historical trends in politics

2 Page 2 of 15 Analyze and synthesize historical facts and data and use that knowledge to determine change over time pertaining to the themes of: American diversity American domestic policy American foreign policy changes in demographics economic transformations politics and citizenship reform movements religion war and diplomacy Examine the function of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the United States government. Analyze topics in the mass media as they relate to: elections politics and citizenship American domestic policy American foreign policy Identify and investigate the influence of mass media on the American voter including: bias negative campaigning effectiveness of print versus broadcast Use, read, and interpret a wide variety of maps, graphs, charts, political cartoons, and pictures Texts Primary text Edwards III, George C., Robert L. Lineberry, and Martin P. Wattenberg. Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy. New York: Pearson Education, Inc th ed. Secondary text Wilson, James Q., and John J. Dilulio Jr.. American Government: Institutions and Policies. Boston: McDougal Littell/Houghton Mifflin th ed. Supplemental resources Plano, Jack C. and Milton Greenberg. The American Political Dictionary. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, a Division of Thomson Learning, Inc th ed. The Princeton Review. Cracking the AP United States Government and Politics Exam. New York: The Princeton Review, a division of Random House Inc Woll, Peter. American Government Readings and Cases. New York: Pearson Longman th ed. Newspaper and magazine articles as assigned Videos that explain/illustrate topics in United States Government and Politics

3 Page 3 of 15 Websites (include but a re not limited to the following): Novels Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, and John Jay. Selected Federalist Papers. Mineola: Dover Publications, Inc Herman, Edward S. and Noam Chomsky. Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. New York. Pantheon Books, a division of Random House Inc Matthews, Chris. Hardball: How Politics is Played Told by One Who Knows the Game. New York: Simon & Schuster Patterson, Thomas E. The Vanishing Voter: Public Involvement in an Age of Uncertainty. New York: Vintage Books, a Division of Random House, Inc Rakove, Jack N. Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. New York: Vintage Books, a Division of Random House, Inc Supplies Students need a three-ring binder in which to keep lecture notes, chapter outlines, essays, and other work assigned throughout the year. Students are expected to maintain their binders in an organized fashion and to come prepared for every class meeting. Class Preparation and Expectations Adequate preparation for class includes, but is not limited to: completing assigned readings outlining (taking notes on) chapters in the primary texts as assigned going beyond the text to understand the material developing questions for discussion carefully completing all assignments and submitting them when due attending class on a regular basis (attendance is mandatory) engaging in collaboration when necessary to complete group activities/lessons studying for chapter and unit tests, given in both multiple choice and essay format Student Success In order to be successful in AP United States Government and Politics, students must: assume personal responsibility for their own education, devoting the appropriate time and energy to learning the subject bring and use appropriate prerequisite skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking prepare properly for all examinations, including the AP exam in May apply knowledge and concepts learned in class to current events and personal opinions Collaborative Activities At different points during the year, students will be asked to work in collaborative groups. They will engage in various activities which will require them to research, create, and present information as a team. These assignments include but are not limited to:

4 Page 4 of 15 jigsawing chapters between groups to discuss information developing PowerPoint presentations to teach the class a specific chapter or period of time Writing assignments in addition to FRQs Journal critiques ask the students to read and summarize an article concerning the presidential election and then form an opinion about the validity/point of view of the article. Position papers require the students to read both the pro and con arguments of a particular issue in American government and politics. The students are then required to do the following: Determine the problem and issue If possible from the information given, determine the author s frame of reference. Determine the author s thesis and elaborate on what position each author takes on the issue. Formulate their own thesis and write an essay following this format: Cite the supporting evidence each author uses to support his/her position (interpretation). In the remaining paragraphs, give their own support for their position: With which author to they agree? What evidence offered in the articles enables them to draw that conclusion? What outside evidence (from text, other books, or articles) enabled them to draw that conclusion? General vocabulary: The meaning and use of the following terms are introduced at the beginning of the course and are referred to throughout the year. Students are expected to understand and use them appropriately. Terms: Analyze, assess, compare, contrast, criticize, define, describe, discuss, enumerate, evaluate, explain, illustrate, interpret, justify, prove, summarize, synthesize, trace Course Outline The AP United States Government and Politics class meets every day for 57-minutes. There are approximately 85 class meetings before the May exam. Unit 1 The Constitutional Framework Edwards: Chapters 1, 2, and 3 Wilson: Chapters 1, 2, and 3 Woll: Chapter 1 Hamilton: Federalist Papers Novel: Original Meanings Worksheets: Comparing/Contrasting Colonial Regions: New England, Middle, and Southern From Authority to Individualism Anti-federalist Papers Map: 13 colonies a geopolitical perspective

5 Page 5 of 15 Steps toward Self Government The Road to Revolution Declaring Independence The Colonial Mindset The English Heritage: The Power of Ideas (Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu) The American Creed The Conservative Revolution The Government That Failed The Articles of Confederation The Drift Toward Anarchy Shay s Rebellion Making a Constitution The Philadelphia Plan Equality Issues Economic Issues Individual Rights Issues The Madisonian Model Federalism How Federalism Works Checking and balancing power Diversity and Accountability Liberalism and States Rights Fiscal Federalism The Changing Nature of Federalism Intergovernmental Politics Categorical Grants Project Grants Block Grants Ratifying the Constitution The development of political parties The Federalist Papers natural rights, limited government, Shay s Rebellion, constitutionalism, supremacy clause, necessary and proper (elastic) clause, pluralism, factions, checks and balances, separation of powers, bicameral federal system, Writ of Habeas Corpus, Great Compromise, federalism, decentralization, concurrent powers, fiscal equalization, revenue sharing, project grants, unitary, confederation, categorical grants, intergovernmental politics, block grants, states rights, bureaucracy, and judicial review. Position paper The Constitution: Fate or Fraud. Critical Review and/or Extended Response Test upon completion of Original Meanings

6 Page 6 of 15 Unit 2 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Edwards: Chapters 4 and 5 Wilson: Chapters 18 and 19 Woll: Chapter 3 Hamilton: Federalist Papers Worksheets: The Bill of Rights Landmark Supreme Court Cases How to Write a Case Brief The Bill of Rights: Freedom of Religion: Establishment Clause Free Exercise Clause Freedom of Expression Speech vs. Press Types of Speech Commercial Speech Symbolic Speech Restrictions on free expression Prior Restraint Libel Slander Sedition Time, Place, and Manner The Right to Privacy Expansion of Civil Liberties over time Racial Equality throughout history Gender Equality throughout history Gay Rights The Graying of America ADA Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Sixth Amendment, Eighth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, incorporation doctrine, probable cause, warrantless search, exclusionary rule, selfincrimination, cruel and unusual punishment, equal protection, suffrage, poll taxes, literacy tests, protest, civil disobedience, and comparable worth.

7 Page 7 of 15 Position Paper Write a case brief from the list of cases included in the handout and analyze the impact the case made on civil rights and civil liberties and investigate the extent the case had on the American political and/or social system. Unit 3 Political Behaviors and Beliefs Edwards: Chapters 6 and 10 Wilson: Chapters 4, 5, and 6 Woll: Chapter 4 Novel: The Vanishing Voter Worksheets: The Constitution Balancing Competing Interests Analysis of the Constitution Foundations of American Foreign Policy Political Ideology Survey The American People The Melting Pot The Graying of America Gender Gap Regional Issues Educating America Political Socialization Learning Politics Over Time Measuring Public Opinion The Role of Polls in American Politics How Polls Are Conducted What Polls Reveal About American Politics Political Ideologies Public Participation Historical Perspective Comparative Perspective Participation and Democracy Voting Registration Identifying the Non-voters The Disillusioned Electorate

8 Page 8 of 15 Public opinion, demography, census, melting pot, minority majority, reapportionment, sampling, political culture, political socialization, political ideology, gender gap, exit poll, legitimacy, referendum, initiative, political efficacy, civic duty, civic virtue, policy voting, and retrospective voting. Position paper Red State, Blue State - The Demographics of Politics. Critical Review and/or Extended Response Test upon completion of The Vanishing Voter Unit 4 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Media Edwards: Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 11 Wilson: Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 Woll: Chapters 4 and 5 Novel: Manufacturing Consent/Hardball Political Party Outline Political Parties Political Party Organization Party Eras throughout American History The First Party System ( ) Jackson and the Democrats ( ) The Republican Eras ( ) The New Deal Coalition ( ) The Era of Divided Party Government (1968-Present) The Nomination Game Deciding to Run Competing for Delegates The Convention Send-off The Campaign Game Organizing a Campaign Media Coverage Advantage to Incumbents The Economics of Campaigning Campaign Finance Reform Pac Money and its influence The Impact of Campaigns

9 Page 9 of 15 The Role and Reputation of Interest Groups Theories of Interest Group Politics Pluralism Elitism Hyper-pluralism How Interest Groups shape Public Policy The Development of Media Politics The Media and Public Opinion The Functions of Mass Media in Politics Today Gatekeeper Communication Channel Agenda Setter Party competition, linkage institution, party image, rational choice theory, ticket-splitting, party machines, patronage, open primaries, closed primaries, blanket primaries, coalition, critical election, reapportionment, party realignment, party neutrality, responsible party model, proportional representation, caucus, superdelegates, frontloading, primaries, party platform, soft money, selective perception, subgovernments, collective good, lobbying, electioneering, selective benefits, amicus curiae briefs, high-tech politics, mass media, media event, narrowcasting, chains, beats, trial balloons, sound bites, talking head, and policy entrepreneurs. Critical Review and/or Extended Response Test upon completion of Manufacturing Consent and/or Hardball Unit 5 - Congress Edwards: Chapters 12, and 14 Wilson: Chapter 11 Woll: Chapter 8 Congressional Organization Bicameral legislature Majority/Minority Leadership Whips Committee Chairs

10 Page 10 of 15 Powers of Congress Enumerated Powers Implied Powers Necessary and Proper Clause Congressional Process Introducing a Bill Referral to Committee Scheduling Debate Markup and Revisions Funding Congress and the Scope of Government incumbents, casework, pork barrel, filibuster, censure, cloture, immunity, logrolling, seniority system, standing committees, joint committees, select committees, conference committees, bill, and legislative oversight. Research Paper Congressional Profile Unit 6 The Presidency Edwards: Chapters 13 and 14 Wilson: Chapter 12 Woll: Chapter 6 Presidential Organization Vice President Cabinet Executive Office Advisors White House Staff First Lady The Politics of Shared Power Domestic Policymaking Foreign Policymaking Formal Powers Informal Powers The Budgetary Process

11 Page 11 of 15 The President and the People Chief Legislator Party Leader Commander-in-Chief Crisis Manager Fall Guy Presidents in Perspective George Washington Thomas Jefferson Abraham Lincoln Theodore Roosevelt Franklin Roosevelt Richard Nixon Ronald Reagan Bill Clinton George W. Bush Impeachment, cabinet, veto, pocket veto, line-item veto, executive privilege, War Powers Act, expenditures, revenues, incrementalism, entitlements, reconciliation, appropriations, and continuing resolutions. Position Paper 2008 Presidential Election Unit 7 The Judicial System Edwards: Chapter 16 Wilson: Chapter 14 Woll: Chapter 9 List of significant Landmark Supreme Court Cases commonly found on the AP Exam. Structure of the Federal Judicial System District Courts Courts of Appeals The Supreme Court

12 Page 12 of 15 The Courts as Policymakers Judicial Review Judicial Activism Judicial Restraint The Federal Courts: A Historical Perspective Federalism The Marshall Court Manifest Destiny The Taney Court Progressivism Justices Holmes and Brandeis Civil Rights The Warren Court Judicial Conservatism The Rehnquist Court standing to sue, class-action suits, original jurisdictions, appellate jurisdiction, stare decisis, opinion, dissenting opinion, precedent, original intent, judicial implementation, federal question, and statutory construction. Position Paper Ivory Tower Policymaking: Judicial Activism without Worry. Unit 8 - Bureaucracies Edwards: Chapter 15 Wilson: Chapter 13 Woll: Chapter 7 How Bureaucracies Are Organized Cabinet Departments Regulatory Agencies Government Corporations Independent Executive Agencies Nongovernmental Organizations Bureaucracies as Implementers Bureaucracies as Regulators patronage, civil service, merit principle, independent regulatory agency, non-governmental organization, governmental corporations, standard operating procedures, administrative discretion, street-level bureaucrats, regulation, deregulation, command-and-control policy, incentive system, executive orders, and iron triangles.

13 Page 13 of 15 Position Paper Who Runs America? Unit 9 Domestic Policymaking Edwards: Chapters 17, 18, and 19 Wilson: Chapters 15, 16, 17, and 21 Economic Policymaking How Governmental Policies affect the Economy Controlling Inflation Controlling Unemployment Social Policymaking Income, Poverty and Public Policy Welfare Social Security Healthcare Education Environmental Policymaking Energy Policymaking Land Use and Development Global Responsibilities capitalism, mixed economy, inflations, stagflation, consumer price index, laissez-faire, monetarism, fiscal policy, Keynesian economics, supply-side economics, multinational corporations, anti-trust policies, insider trading, collective bargaining, entitlement programs, means-tested programs, poverty line, feminization of poverty, proportional tax, regressive tax, transfer payments, health maintenance organization, national health insurance, parent s bill of rights, superfund, and unfunded mandate. Position Paper Poverty by Choice: The Dumbing Down of America s Education System. Day 1 80 multiple-choice questions in AP style

14 Page 14 of 15 Unit 10 Foreign Policymaking Edwards: Chapter 20 Wilson: Chapter 20 American Foreign Policy : An Overview Imperialism Isolationism The Cold War The Era of Détente The End of Communism The War on Terror Politics of Defense Spending Defense Spending Personnel Weapons The New Global Agenda The Decreasing Role of Military Power Nuclear Proliferation The International Economy The Global Connection Human Rights Foreign Aid The Role of the United Nations Foreign policy, détente, communism, containment, tariff, balance of trade, and interdependency. Position Paper America Standing Alone in Iraq.

15 Page 15 of 15 Unit 12 Review for AP United States History Exam Activities: Use of review texts; use of Edwards and Wilson texts as needed. Review of topics in U.S. Government and Politics through collaborative group presentations. Review of various charts and worksheets from throughout the year. Synthesizing of information to review change over time in areas such as the expanding role of government, civil rights and liberties, democratic ideals, and foreign policy. Essay topics and brainstorming of thesis statements and vital facts Practice exams The culmination of the course is the AP United States Government and Politics exam in May. I have read the syllabus for AP United States Government. I understand that I am being asked to read and comprehend approximately ten (10) pages per day from my American Government Textbooks and assigned reading. I also understand that my hard work in this class will enable me to successfully pass the AP U.S. Government Exam in May and therefore satisfy the general education requirement for American Government and Politics in most colleges and universities. Student Signature Date I have read the syllabus for AP United States Government. I understand that my child is being asked to read and comprehend approximately ten (10) pages per day from their American Government Textbooks and assigned reading. I also understand that their hard work combined with my support will enable them to successfully pass the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam in May and therefore satisfy the general education requirement for American Government and Politics in most colleges and universities. Parent Signature Date