Advanced Placement (AP) United States Government and Politics Syllabus

Course Description: A.P. American Government is an intensive study of the principles,

structures, and functions of U.S. government and the American political system. This course is
designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement College Board United States
Government and Politics Exam. Emphasis will be placed on the six content areas of the A.P.
Exam:
I)
Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government
II)
Political Beliefs and Behaviors
III) Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
IV)
Institutions of National Government
V)
Public Policy
VI)
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
This course is equivalent to an introductory college level political science class. It fulfills the
Washoe County School Districts requirement for credit in government. And, passage of the AP
exam with a 3, 4, or 5 will be counted in many colleges and universities for credit. The school
district mandates that all students enrolled in AP U.S. Government and Politics take the exam.
Registration for the exam and the date of the exam will be announced at a later time.
Attendance the first rule to being successful in school is you gotta show up! Attendance in AP
classes is critical. This is an intensive course and missing just one class can severely set a
student back. Students should consider finding an absence buddy to fill them in on what they
missed. Repeated absences will be cause for removal from the class. WCSD attendance policy
states that a student has as many days as they were absent plus one to turn-in any work past the
due date of that assignment. I will strictly adhere to that policy.
Instruction will be a combination of lecture/power-point/notes, project based learning, primary
and secondary source analysis, Socratic seminars, debates, and simulations, along with song,
film, and other media examination. Student requirements are a strong work ethic, along with a
willingness to learn, participate, and respect the opinions of others.
Homework will be issued consistently. Students will be expected to outline each chapter in the
textbook as we cover them using the Cornell Notes System. Students will also create a rolodex
of chapter vocabulary terms on 3x5 cards. Homework assignments, projects, focus-sheets for
films, worksheets, outside readings, writing prompts, quizzes, exams, and participation points
will all be entered into the Infinite Campus gradebook to evaluate student performance.
Late work policy I expect all work to be turned in on time! If the assignment is not in my turnin box, by the end of the class period, on the date it is due, it is late. All late work will begin to

be graded at 50% of the value of that assignment. The deadline for late work is the day before the
unit test. After that date, the assignment will not be accepted for credit. There is no grace period
for projects and presentations (unless the absence is excused in that case see WCSD absence
policy detailed above). Students who miss class when seminars, debates, and simulations are
taking place will be given an alternative assignment. It is the students responsibility to contact
me, the teacher, concerning their absences.
Assessment will run the gamut from homework and participation points, to projects, quizzes, unit
tests, and finals. A major emphasis of this course will be to improve students writing skills and
prepare them for the AP exam through free response and documents based questions. After tests,
students can complete test corrections within one week to earn back half of the lost points.
Extra-credit opportunities are available, but no more than 100 points per semester will be
allowed. A total points system will be used to determine the percentage and grade.
Grading Scale: 100-90% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-70% = C; 69%-60 = D; 59% or less = F
Cheating and Plagiarism: Both cheating and plagiarism are serious academic offenses that will
be aggressively investigated. Students will be confronted, parents and administrators will be
contacted, and serious consequences could result; including but not limited to, total loss of
assignment points, a full grade reduction in the Employability grade, detention, and/or other
administrative disciplinary action.
Class Rules: Show up on time and prepared to work. Keep your hands and all negative comments
to yourself. And all school rules, local, state, and federal laws, as well as international treaties
are to be observed. Review the McQueen Student Handbook regarding Washoe County School
Districts and McQueens rules and policies. Violations of class/school rules will be detailed in the
students Employability grade with a short explanation. The Employability Grade worth 100
points and 5 points is deducted for every transgression. Deducted points can be earned back by
completing in-class tasks after school. Continued disregard for rules and policies will result in a
parent-teacher conference and possible administrative disciplinary measures.
I believe that clear and frequent communication between teachers, students, parents, and
administrators is crucial to the educational development of our students. Infinite Campus is an
on-line service available for you and your child to check on academic progress and any behavior
issues that might arise. I post behavior issues in my grade book under a category labeled
Employability. The weekly agendas for the class, along with other pertinent class information
will be posted on the class webpage at mrfarrellvaughn.weebly.com If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact me at:
McQueen H.S. (746-5880) or fvaughn@washoeschools.net
Text: OConnor, Karen and Larry J. Sabato. American Government: Continuity and Change.

New York. Longman. 2006

Supplementary Readings: Selected essays from; The Lanahan Readings in the American
Polity, Fifth Edition. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd.
Various primary and secondary sources will be examined, along with current news reports, and
commentary from major newspapers, magazines, television, and the internet will be used in daily
coursework.
Optional student reading: Fast Track to a 5_Preparing for the United States Government and
Politics Examination, Benson, David G. and Karen K. Maples, Wadsworth Cengage Learning,
Boston, 2011.
Optional student resource: Barrons AP US Government and Politics Flashcards
Student Internet Resources:
Course-Notes.org AP US Gov. and Politics (notes, outlines, vocabulary)
http://www.course-notes.org/US_Gov_and_Politics
College Board - Preparation/Resources
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap/scores/prepare/resources
Teaching American History http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/
Unit One - Week 1-5: Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Government (5%-15% of the
AP exam [multiple choice questions] with the approximate corresponding percentage of class
time spent on curriculum unit).
1) Political philosophers and the considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption
of the U.S. Constitution
2) Separation of Powers
3) Federalism
4) Theories of Democratic Government
Text: OConnor and Sabato, American Government: Continuity and Change.
Chapter One The Political Landscape, Origins of American Government
Chapter Two The Constitution
Chapter Three Federalism
Supplementary Readings: Selected essays from; The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,
Fifth Edition. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd.
Hofstadter, Richard The American Political Tradition
De Toqueville, Alexis, Democracy in America
Madison, James The Federalist 10
Madison, James The Federalist 51

Primary Source Analysis:

Locke, John Second Treatise of Civil Government
The Articles of Confederation
Declaration of Independence
United States Constitution
McCulloch v. Maryland
Activity - Political Philosophers and Founding Fathers Baseball Trading Cards
Film Patriocracy
Film - Constitution USA
Activity Ratification Debates - Federalism Analysis of a Constitutional Issue"
Assessment: Unit Test (30 multiple choice and two free response questions).
Unit Two - Week 6-9: Political Beliefs and Behaviors (10%-20% of the AP exam [multiple
choice questions] with the approximate corresponding percentage of class time spent on
curriculum unit).
1) Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders.
2) Processes by which citizens learn about politics.
3) The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion.
4) The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life.
5) Factors that influence citizens in the development of political beliefs and behaviors.
Text: OConnor and Sabato, American Government: Continuity and Change.
Chapter 11 Public Opinion and Political Socialization
Chapter 12 Political Parties
Chapter 13 Voting and Elections
Supplementary Readings: Selected essays from; The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,
Fifth Edition. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd.
Moore, David The Opinion Makers
Key, V.O. Public Opinion and American Democracy
Mayhew, David Congress: The Electoral Connection
Brownstein, Ronald The Second Civil War
Campbell, David Why We Vote
Primary Source Analysis Political Cartoons
Analysis Charts, Graphs, Polls, and Political Maps
Activity Political Ideology Surveys - http://www.nolanchart.com/survey.php

Group Activity Political Campaign Activity

Film Recount
Assssment: Unit Test (30 multiple choice and two free response questions).
Unit Three - Week 10-12: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (10%-20% of
the AP exam [multiple choice questions] with the approximate corresponding percentage of class
time spent on curriculum unit).
1) Political Parties and Elections functions, organization, development, effects on the
political process, electoral laws.
2) Interest Groups and Political Action Committees (PACS)
3) The Mass Media Text: OConnor and Sabato, American Government: Continuity and Change.
Chapter 14 Campaign Process
Chapter 15 Media
Chapter 16 Interest Groups
Supplementary Readings: Selected essays from; The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,
Fifth Edition. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd.
Burnham, Walter Dean Critical Elections and the Mainsprings of American Politics
Mark, David Going Dirty
Todd, Chuck and Sheldon Gawiser How Barack Obama Won
Winograd, Morley and Michael Hais Millenial Makeover
Mutz, Diana How the Mass Media Divide Us
Peterson, Russell Strange Bedfellows
Scala, Dante Stormy Weather
Zernike, Kate Boiling Mad
Analysis Charts, Graphs, Polls, and Maps
Activity Media Analysis Worksheet
Activity Interest Group Brochures
Film: - PBS Frontline: Big Sky, Big Money
Assessment: Unit Test (30 multiple choice and two free response questions).
Unit 4 Week 13-24: Institutions of National Government: Congress, the Presidency,

Bureaucracy, and the Courts (35%-45% of the AP exam [multiple choice questions] with the
approximate corresponding percentage of class time spent on curriculum unit).

1) Examination of the formal and informal institutional arrangements of power

2) Investigate the relationships between the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches
along with the Federal Bureaucracy.
3) Analyze the linkages between the above institutions and a) public opinion and voting, b)
interest groups, c) political parties, d) the media, and e) sub national governments.
Text: OConnor and Sabato, American Government: Continuity and Change.
Chapter 7 Congress
Chapter 8 Presidency
Chapter 9 Bureaucracy
Chapter 10 Judiciary
Supplementary Readings: Selected essays from; The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,
Fifth Edition. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd.

Binder, Sarah Stalemate

Wawro, Gregory and Eric Schickler Filibuster
Fenno, Richard Going Home
Ellwood, John and Eric Patashnik In Praise of Pork
Price, David The Congressional Experience
Neustadt, Richard Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents
Schlesinger, Arthur The Imperial Presidency
Troy, Gil Leading from the Center
Patterson, Bradley The White House Staff: [Chief of Staff]
Light, Paul A Government Ill Executed
Reich, Robert Locked in the Cabinet
Wilson, James Q. Bureaucracy
Hamilton, Alexander The Federalist 78
OBrien, David Storm Center
Yalof, David Pursuit of Justices
Fallon Richard The Dynamic Constitution

Activity Bill to Law

Activity Diagram The Executive Branch (including Cabinets and Departments)
Activity - Pro Se Trials
Activity Diagram The Federal Courts
Activity Mock Trial
Documentary The Congress by Ken Burns

Film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Assessment: Unit Test (30 multiple choice and two free response questions).
Unit Five Week 25-27: Public Policy (5%-15% of the AP exam [multiple choice questions]
with the approximate corresponding percentage of class time spent on curriculum unit).
1)
2)
3)
4)

Examine the structure and challenges of policy making in a federal system

Investigate the formation of policy agendas
Analyze the role of institutions in the enactment of public policy
Describe how bureaucracy and the courts impact the implementation and
interpretation of public policy
5) Identify the linkages between policy processes and the following; political institutions
and federalism, political parties, special interest groups, public opinion, elections, and
policy networks (think tanks).
Text: OConnor and Sabato, American Government: Continuity and Change.
Chapter 17 Social Welfare
Chapter 18 Economic Policy
Chapter 19 Foreign and Defense Policy
Supplementary Readings: Selected essays from; The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,
Fifth Edition. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd.

Harrington, Michael The Other America

Friedman, Milton Free to Choose
Hays, Sharon Flat Broke with Children
Cohen, Steve Understanding Environmental Policy
Zakaria, Fareed The Post American World
Chalmers, Johnson Blowback
Nye, Joseph Soft Power

Activity Fishbowl
Film Why We Fight
Assessment: Unit Test (30 multiple choice and two free response questions).
Unit Six - Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: Week 28-30 (5%-15% of the AP exam [multiple
choice questions] with the approximate corresponding percentage of class time spent on
curriculum unit).

1) Analyze the development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
2) Develop a knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
3) Illuminate the impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of
rights and liberties
4) Investigate and explain landmark United States Supreme Court cases
5) Identify the role of activists and organizations in the promotion of civil liberties and civil
rights
Text: OConnor and Sabato, American Government: Continuity and Change.
Chapter 5 Civil Liberties
Chapter 6 Civil Rights
Supplementary Readings: Selected essays from; The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,
Fifth Edition. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd.

Lewis, Anthony Gideons Trumpet

Kettl, Donald System under Stress
Kluger, Richard Simple Justice
Ogletree, Charles All Deliberate Speed
Bernstein, David You Cant Say That!

Activity Civil Rights Activists and Organizations

Song Analysis Civil Rights Songs
Film Mississippi Burning
60 Minutes Emmet Till
Documentary Freedom Riders
Assessment: Unit Test (30 multiple choice and two free response questions).
Student Comprehensive Unit Review and AP Exam test-prep.: Week 31-32
A.P. Exam: May 10

Financial Literacy Unit: Week 33-35

Final Exam: Week 36