AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Transcription

1 OFFICE OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Grade 12 Prerequisite: Honors or Advanced Placement Social Studies Credits: 5 ABSTRACT U.S and Politics offers students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and analysis of specific examples. Success in this course will require developing familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students will become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes in government. BOE approved 12/03/2013

2 Established Goals: NJ CCCS and/or CCSS: (include technology and 21 st century standards) Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Unit II: Political Socialization and Public Opinion Unit III: Institutions of National Enduring Understandings: (students will understand...) Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution Separation of powers Federalism Theories of democratic government Roots of American Functions of Types of The Philosophical origins of American The Reformation and the 6 Enlightenment The Social Contract theory The Basic Tenants of American Democracy Political Ideology Prevailing American Political Ideologies Problems with Political labels Changing Characteristics of the American People Changing Size and Population Changing demographics of the U.S. population Roots of a New Nation forming Roots of Political Value The Family School and Peers The Mass Media Religious Beliefs Race Ethnicity Gender Age Region The Impact of Events Public Opinion and Polling The History of Public Opinion research Traditional Public Opinion Polls Political Polls Shortcomings of Polling Forming and Expressing Political Opinions Personal Benefits Political Knowledge Cues from Leaders or Opinion Makers Political Ideology Roots of Voting Behavior Patterns in Voter turnout Why is voter turnout so low? Efforts to improve voter turnout The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power Relationships among Congress, Presidency, Executive Branch, Supreme Court and the varying balances of power Linkages between institutions and the following: o Public opinion and voters o Interest groups o Political parties o The media o State and local governments Congress Roots of the Legislative Branch How congress is organized The role of political parties in organizing congress The Committee System How members make decisions The Law-Making function of Congress Congressional checks on the Executive and Judicial Branches Roots of the office of the President The Constitutional powers of the President The Development and Expansion of

3 Essential (Guiding) Questions: (What provocative questions will foster inquiry, understanding, and transfer of learning?) Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. the Constitution The Drive for Ratification Federalism Dual Federalism Cooperative Federalism New Federalism What is the purpose of government? What was the founders view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic? Are these views still relevant constitution underpinning U.S. government? How is new federalism shaping public policy? What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment? Unit II: Political Socialization and Public Opinion Patterns in Vote choice Elections in the United States Presidential Elections Congressional Elections Midterm elections Roots of Modern Political Campaigns The Candidate and his staff The Role of the Media Campaign Finance How do we come by our political beliefs? What are the sources of public opinion? What is political culture, and is there a unique American political culture? What is the political spectrum? How do these political beliefs define who we are as citizens? What does it mean to be a citizen? What is the role of the citizen in civil society? Which citizens vote and why? What is the relationship between Unit III: Institutions of National Presidential Power The Presidential establishment Presidential Leadership and the Importance of Public Opinion The President as Policy Maker The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy Roots of the Federal Bureaucracy The Modern Bureaucracy How the Bureaucracy Works The Judiciary Roots of the Federal Judiciary The American Legal System The Federal Court System How Federal Court Judges are selected The Supreme Court Today Judicial Philosophy and Decision Making Power, Policy Making, and the Court What are redistricting and reapportionment? What is logrolling? What is the relationship between geography and partisan control of congressional seats? How does the distribution of power within the House compare with the distribution of power within the Senate? How has the balance of power between Congress and the president changed over time? In what ways have former presidents expanded the power of the presidency?

4 Learning Activities: (What specific activities will students do and what skills will students know as a result of the unit?) Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Why was the concept of checks and balances a novel idea in the 18 th century? How does Madison s concept of check and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu s theory of separation of powers? O Connor and Sabato, Chapters 1, 2, 3 The Federalist Nos. 10 and 51, James Madison Selected reading from U.S. Department of Education We the People The Citizen and the Constitution Unit II: Political Socialization and Public Opinion individual rights and the needs of the larger community? Is democracy in America healthy and viable today? How does public opinion and polling affect public policy? O Connor and Sabato Chapters 11, 13, 14 We the People The Citizen and the Constitution Federalist No. 2, John Jay Selected readings from gallup.com Short video selections Colbert report /The Daily show Unit III: Institutions of National What role do first ladies play in American government? Compare and contrast the informal and formal powers of the president. What role do bureaucracies play in American politics? What checks and balances do the president, congress, and the judiciaries have on the bureaucracy? What impact do crises have on the power of the president? Why is FDR said to be the founder of the modern presidency? What makes a president successful? How do presidents exercise control over the bureaucracy? What role does the Supreme Court play in the Federal government? How are justices chosen and confirmed? In what ways is the judiciary a political and policy making branch? What is the significance of the case of Marbury v. Madison to American jurisprudence? O Connor and Sabato Chapters 7-10 From Lanahan Reader David Price, The Congressional Experience, 1992 Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 James Q. Wilson, Bureaucracy, 1989 Short video selections Colbert report

5 Assessments & Evidence: (Through what authentic performance tasks will students demonstrate the desired understandings?) (By what criteria will performance of understanding be judged?) Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Linda R. Monk, The Words We Live By (Article) Short video selections Colbert report /The Daily show Discussion/ debate Census data from the 2010 census Students will look at a current Federalist issue and discuss what impact the issue will have on the federal-state relationship. (This will be kept in a portfolio ) Multiple Choice FRQ test Chapter quiz Resources: g/ gov/ sons/power_grab_game/ govhttp:// nions/index.htm pc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2 Unit II: Political Socialization and Public Opinion Discussion/ debate Students will write up their own Political Autobiography analyzing their own political socialization and the factors that shape their political opinions. In addition, students will examine polling data from gallup.com. Students will look at a current Federalist issue and discuss what impact the issue will have on the federal-state relationship. Multiple Choice FRQ test Chapter quiz gov ons/power_grab_game/ ovhttp:// ons/index.htm /public/courses/teachers_corner/2259. html Unit III: Institutions of National /The Daily show Discussion/ debate Students will look at a current Federalist issue and discuss what impact the issue will have on the federal-state relationship. Multiple Choice FRQ test Chapter quiz ns/power_grab_game/ vhttp:// ns/index.htm public/courses/teachers_corner/2259.ht ml

6 Cross-curricular / differentiation: (What cross-curricular (e.g. writing, literacy, math, science, history, 21 st century life and careers, technology) learning activities are included in this unit that will help achieve the desired results?) (What type of differentiated instruction will be used for ELL, SP.ED. and G&T students?) Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. 259.html ome Unit II: Political Socialization and Public Opinion me Unit III: Institutions of National e

7 Established Goals: NJ CCCS and/or CCSS: (include technology and 21 st century standards) Enduring Understandings: (students will understand...) Essential (Guiding) Questions: (What provocative questions will foster inquiry, understanding, and transfer of learning?) Unit IV: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Political Parties and Elections Functions Organization Development Effect on the Political process Electoral laws and systems Interest Groups The range of interests represented The activities of interest groups the effects of interest groups on the political process the unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process The Mass Media The functions and structures of the media The impact of media on politics What is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? Are there other options beyond these two choices? Although political parties and interest groups are not mentioned in the Constitution, what critical role do they play in a democracy? Unit V: Public Policy Policymaking in a federal system The formation of policy agendas The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation Linkages between policy processes and the following: Political institutions and federalism Political parties Interest groups Public opinion Elections Policy networks How is public policy made? How is the federal budget made? How is monetary policy different from fiscal policy? What is the global economy? How does the global economy influence US policy? What are subsidies and entitlements? What is the proper role for government in social issues such as education, welfare, and crime? Unit VI: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties What constitutes free speech? How does the national Bill of Rights apply to states? Do the courts legislate from the bench? What are the limits of free exercise? What is equal protection under the law? How is the First Amendment affected in times of crisis? What constitutes establishment?

8 Learning Activities: (What specific activities will students do and what skills will students know as a result of the unit?) Assessments & Evidence: (Through what authentic performance tasks will students demonstrate the desired understandings?) (By what criteria will performance of understanding be judged?) Unit IV: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Students will be assigned a weekly news show to watch for 5 days and will report on its handling of the week s events. Students will compare their shows with others presented and draw conclusions about the media s effects on public opinion. William Eggers, 2.0, 2005Martin Wattenberg, Where Have All the Voters Gone? Required Reading: O Connor and Sabato, Chapters 12, 15, 16 From Lanahan Reader: Jeffrey Birnbaum, The Lobbyists, 1992 Multiple Choice test FRQ test Chapter quiz Resources: g/ Unit V: Public Policy Students will select a current or recent domestic, foreign, or economic policy and trace its history, its supporters, detractors, and future effects on the United States. O Connor and Sabato, Chapters 17, 18, 19 From Lanahan reader: Sharon Hays, Flat Broke with Children, 2003 Joseph Nye, Soft Power, 2004 / PowerPoint multiple Choice and FRQ test chapter quiz ons/power_grab_game/ Unit VI: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Is there a right to privacy? Do property rights clash with community interest? How has the interpretation of the equal protection clause changed over time? Students will create PowerPoint presentations on one, or a group of, Supreme Court cases that had a major effect on Civil Liberties or Civil Rights in the US. O Connor and Sabato, Chapters 5 and 6 Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment Commentary from Supreme Court cases / PowerPoint multiple Choice and FRQ test Chapter quiz ns/power_grab_game/

9 Cross-curricular / differentiation: (What cross-curricular (e.g. writing, literacy, math, science, history, 21 st century life and careers, technology) learning activities are included in this unit that will help achieve the desired results?) (What type of differentiated instruction will be used for ELL, SP.ED. and G&T students?) Unit IV: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media sons/power_grab_game/ govhttp:// pc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2 259.html ome Unit V: Public Policy ovhttp:// /public/courses/teachers_corner/2259. html me Unit VI: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties vhttp:// public/courses/teachers_corner/2259.ht ml e

10 Established Goals: NJ CCCS and/or CCSS: (include technology and 21 st century standards) Enduring Understandings: (students will understand...) Essential (Guiding) Questions: (What provocative questions will foster inquiry, understanding, and transfer of learning?) Learning Activities: (What specific activities will students do and what skills will students know as a result of the unit?) Assessments & Evidence: (Through what authentic performance tasks will students demonstrate the desired understandings?) (By what criteria will performance of understanding be judged?) Unit VII: Review for AP Exam Unit VIII: Post AP Exam Students will understand all of the basic concepts in anticipation of the A P Exam What are the major issues covered in the course? What current issues may be covered in the exam? Practice A P test Group work with review books Discussion Students will understand how a political campaign works by applying what they have learned What are the major issues covered in the course? What current issues may be covered in the exam? Students will embark on a graded project based on their knowledge acquired during the school year. A P Test Results Correct application of concepts and practices Resources: g/ A P Study guides Old test questions sons/power_grab_game/ A P Study guides Old test questions ons/power_grab_game/

11 Cross-curricular / differentiation: (What cross-curricular (e.g. writing, literacy, math, science, history, 21 st century life and careers, technology) learning activities are included in this unit that will help achieve the desired results?) (What type of differentiated instruction will be used for ELL, SP.ED. and G&T students?) Unit VII: Review for AP Exam Unit VIII: Post AP Exam govhttp:// pc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2 259.html ome ovhttp:// /public/courses/teachers_corner/2259. html me