AP United States Government & Politics

2008-2009

Course Overview

This course explores the political theory and everyday practice that direct the daily operation of US government and shape national public policies that affect us all.  The purpose of this course is to prepare students to take the AP Exam for U.S Government and Politics in May 2007.  As this is a college level course, it requires a substantial amount of reading and preparation for every class.  In addition, the objectives of this course go beyond a basic exploration of general concepts, terms, and names and enables students to analyze the operation of the US government, public policy initiatives, and current events through a variety of perspectives.  Ultimately, students in this course develop a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of US government and politics, as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens; lessons that will sustain them for a lifelong engagement with the American political system.

Current events provide concrete connections for each lesson.  Thus, students are responsible for keeping up with the news.  Students are encouraged to read a newspaper daily, to watch an evening news program, or to explore on-line news sources to stay in touch with the latest political developments both here in the United States and abroad. 

Throughout the year, in order to strengthen student understanding of the curriculum, the course text will be supplemented by primary source materials (such as selections from The Federalist Papers, Constitution, Bill of Rights and excerpts from Locke, Hobbes and Rousseau), selections from current political scientists from sources such as The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, and relevant articles from contemporary sources of news and analysis such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Christian Science Monitor, other major news publications, and on-line and network news sources.  Online resources, including those maintained by the US government, reputable news organizations, and prominent think tanks and interest groups will also serve as sources of information for this course.

Course Goals

Students successfully completing this course will:

• Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to US government and politics.
• 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).
• Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to US government and politics.  This includes activities and testing that evaluates understanding, analyzing and evaluating election, political polling, and sociological data, political cartoons, maps, graphs, charts and opinion and analysis pieces; analyzing current events issues for causes, impacts and political motivations and developing and supporting student opinions, both written and oral, on the issues of the day through research, development of thesis, analysis, evaluation and documented sources.
• Be able to answer analytical and interpretive free-response questions.  This will be accomplished by providing frequent instruction and opportunities for student practice through the design of essay questions on periodic tests, in class writing assignments and the use, evaluation and analysis of released analytical and interpretive free-response questions. 

Course Outline

Unit 1:  Foundations of Government—The U.S. Constitution and the Federal System (4 weeks)

Unit 2:  Political Beliefs and Behaviors (4 weeks)

Unit 3:  Political Parties, Interest Groups, Campaigns and Elections, and Media (6 weeks)

Unit 4:  Institutions of National Government (8 weeks) (Legislative, Judicial, Executive, Bureaucracy)

Unit 5:  Public Policy (4 weeks)

Unit 6:  Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3 weeks)

Required text for this course is:

Grades and Homework

Tests are on two or three chapters and are 50 points.  Homework is on half a chapter and is worth 5 or 10 points.  Short papers are worth 10-20 points.  Big projects or papers are worth 30-60 points.  High quality in written or spoken work is always the goal. 

Late work is accepted with decreasing point value until the test on the material where it is worth 50%.  After the test late work is not accepted except in case of illness or other approved reason.

Grades are calculated on total points earned each quarter.  Final grades are based on an average of each quarter.

I usually round grades up but that is not a guarantee.  93.999 is not an “A,” 94 is.   The question for rounding is- Who is a good citizen of this class?  Who has made the class experience better for all of us?

Rules

For dress code, ethics and integrity issues, attendance, tardies, etc.  this class follows the rules set out by Fairfax County Public Schools

Answers to FAQ’s and things you should know (in no particular order)

1. Thank you for being in this class.  I think that teaching is a lot of fun and it would be hard to do without you.
2. Our primary goals are that you learn to think, communicate, and be a better person.
3. Everyone has to treat everyone else with respect and compassion.  This goes for me as well as all of you.  Be kind to each other.
4. Part of respect is being on time for class.
5. Part of respect is being prepared for class with something to write on, something to write with and your notebook.
6. No one in this class will lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate anyone who does.
7. We do a fair amount of projects and group work.  Almost everyone, almost all the time, works hard and does their best.  However, while I will be disappointed if you let down yourself I will be very upset if you let down other students.  You should be upset too.
8. Grades are a fact of life at this school.  However, you will have more fun and will learn more if you can forget about the grades every so often.
9. Except on tests, I almost never give extra credit.  Don’t count on it.
10. All of our class assignments are on the web page.  Bookmark it.
11. Government and politics is a big game for adults where power is sought and wielded.  Some people are in it for themselves and some are in it to do good (or some combination thereof).  There are rules.
12. Your government text is the rule book.  Rule books are often dry reading but at least your rule book is filled with examples and charts.  Color pictures too.
13. This is a class based on discussion of current issues and events in the United States and around the world.  You must read the newspaper or a news magazine so you know what everyone is talking about.  TV news alone (except maybe PBS) is not good enough.
14. To discuss is to speak together in order to determine the truth.  To debate is to win points for your position.  I’ll let you know when the debate starts.  You can always be sure that I will oppose your point of view.
15. Go to the bathroom when you have to.
16. Eat and/or drink if you are hungry or thirsty but food cannot smell or make noise or distract others.  Sharing with the class is a good idea.  No soda allowed. Clean up.
17. English is an extension of everything we do in this class.  It provides the tools to show what you know.  Learn to write, speak, and analyze well. Focus.  No whining!