Course Description

This course explores the political theory and everyday practice that direct the daily operation of our government and shapes our public polices. The purpose of this course is to prepare you to take the AP Exam for U.S. Government and Politics, however it is also my intent to prepare you to become an active citizen of the U.S. as well as arm you with strategies for success in college. The course is for all intents and purposes taught on a college level and it requires a substantial amount of reading and preparation for every class. The objectives of this course go beyond a basic analysis of how our government works. You will develop a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, as well as your rights and responsibilities as citizens. All students in the course are expected to take the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

Course Goals
* 85% mastery for every student, every day, every objective. * Every student will score at least a 4 (out of 5) on the AP Government and Politics Exam * Every student will absolutely LOVE coming to this class every single day.

Expectations
1. Come to class in uniform (White or maroon collar shirt only and khakis with close-toed shoes). 2. Respect yourself, peers, teacher, and classroom resources/environment. 3. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. 4. Report prepared; Listen carefully; Follow directions; Seek assistance quietly, and Refrain from disrupting others.

Consequences
The following consequences will occur when expectations are NOT followed: Level 1: Warning Level 2: Loss of credit, time out of activity, and/or detention. Level 3: You will be sent to SAC, a referral will be written, and parental contact will be made.

Policies
Cell Phones: If an electronic device is seen or heard, one CLASS-WIDE warning will be given. After that, ANY student with an electronic decide that is seen or heard will have their device taken away. If the student refuses to relinquish the cell phone, they will be escorted to the Student Accountability Center (SAC) by security.

Bathroom Policy: No passes will be given during class time. The restroom must be utilized during transition periods. In the case of an emergency, a student must write their own pass and quietly exit the room. Upon leaving the restroom, they must report to SAC and return immediately to class with a pass. No Food or Drink is allowed in the classroom at any time. Uniforms: Students must follow the guidelines set forth in the handbook. Absolutely NO HATS at any time, unless required.

Required Materials
Students should come to class each day with a writing utensil and notebook. It is also HIGHLY recommended that students purchase a 1 binder to keep in the classroom, as it will help them stay organized with any paperwork that we will have.

Grading and Course Requirements

Grading Policy
Letter Grade A B C D E Percentage Grade 100-90% 89-80% 79-70% 69-60% 59-0% Point Conversion 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 0

Participation and Classwork (25%) Students should do their best to come to class every day. If a student is unable to attend a class, they are responsible for all work that is done during the class. Lesson materials will be posted after class on the classroom website and work should be handed in by the next class period. Homework and Current Events (25%) Students will complete two regularly scheduled homework assignments, based on the need to develop a deep understanding of current events and policy issues. The first is a weekly policy journal. The journal may be kept online through a blog format, or in a composition notebook. Journal entry topics will be provided each week on the classroom website. Students will be expected to locate articles and videos covering current policy happenings, and then critique policy that has recently been passed or is being proposed. The policy journal will be checked monthly.

Secondly, students will maintain a current events portfolio. Each week, students will be responsible for submitting a government related current event/article to the portfolio, along with a justification for why the article should be read. The events portfolio will be checked every week. Beyond the regularly scheduled homework assignments, students will be expected to prepare for upcoming classes by reading assigned chapters of the textbook, as well as complete any other assigned tasks. Readings must be completed BEFORE coming to class. Assessments (50%) At the end of each unit, students will participate in 90 minute assessments comprised of both multiple-choice and free response questions. The number of each type of question will vary based on the content of each unit. Students will also be assessed on vocabulary acquisition with random pop-quizzes. Students will be provided with a list of vocabulary prior to a unit, and are expected to define and apply critical terminology. AP Exam Simulation We are tentatively planning on having students take quarterly AP Exam simulations at the end of each quarter. Students will report to the school building on a Saturday in order to complete the simulation. If a student is unable to report on the scheduled Saturday morning, it is their responsibility to schedule another time after school during the week day. In order for the student to receive credit, they must sit for the exam within one week before or one week after the scheduled date. If a student is currently taking multiple AP classes, they may choose which exam they will sit for during the simulation.

Course Readings
Wilson, James Q. American Government, 9th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2004. Supplemental Readings Woll, Peter. American Government: Readings and Cases, 16th ed. New York: Longman, 2005.

Course Plan
Unit 1: Underpinnings of the U.S. Constitution Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lesson Topic Enlightenment and Modern Political Theory The Articles of Confederation The Constitutional Convention The Constitution as an Instrument of Government The Federalist Papers Federalism States Rights Federalist #51 Chart: Impact of Federal Mandates on the State of MD 17-22 22-27 28-30 30-35 49-59; 68-71 Review 55-59 Supplementary Materials Readings

Principles of the Constitution: Separation of Powers and the System of Checks and Balances Formal and Informal Changes to the Constitution (Amendment Process) Bill of Rights Unit 1 Assessment Unit 2: Political Beliefs, Public Opinion, and the Media

28-29; 41-42; 427-429 41 35-36

9 10 11

Day 12 13 14 15

Lesson Topic Characteristics of Public Opinion Political Socialization Demographic Trends of Ideological and Political Behavior Polling and Public Opinion

Supplementary Materials

Readings 103-106

Chart: Religious Orientation of Voters Chart: Opinions of College Students over time Chart: Trust in Government

106-111 111-115 116

Unit 2: Political Beliefs, Public Opinion, and the Media Day 16 17 18 19 Lesson Topic Political Ideologies and Beliefs The Impact of Mass Media on Public Opinion Bias in the Media Supplementary Materials Chart: Differences in Political Views by Demographic Chart: Decline in Viewership News clip analysis: Obama v. McCain Unit 2 Assessment Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and PACs Day 20 21 22 23 24 Political Parties Functions of Political Parties Party Coalitions Party Reform: Realignment or Dealignment Interest Groups and Lobbyists Lesson Topic Supplementary Materials Chart: Decline in Party Identification Chart: Trends in Split-Ticket Voting Chart: Who Likes the Democrats? Map: Realignment over time Political Cartoon Analysis Readings 151-158; 171-177 162-171 214-216 158-161 223-241; 243-246; 442-443 241-243 Readings 116-124 251-260; 266-267 260-266

25 26

Political Action Committees and 527 Groups

Chart: Spending by Political Action Committee

Unit 3 Assessment Unit 4: Elections

Day 27 28

Lesson Topic Primaries and the National Convention General Elections and the Electoral College

Supplementary Materials

Readings 192-200

2008 Electoral College Map

336

Unit 4: Elections Day 29 30 31 32 33 34 Lesson Topic Congressional Elections Campaign Finance Voter Turnout Political Participation Trends in Elections Supplementary Materials Chart: The Incumbent Advantage Chart: Sources of Campaign Funds Chart: Voter Turnout in Federal Elections Chart: How Citizens Participate Chart: Voter Participation in Presidential Elections Unit 4 Assessment Unit 5: Congress and the Legislative Branch Day 35 36 Lesson Topic Congressional Structure Congressional Districts and Representation Map: 2010 Congressional Reapportionment Map: Changes in House Representation Supplementary Materials Readings 297-304; 309-310 294-297 Readings 189-192; 289-294 200-208 131-140; 208-214 140-146 179-180; 208

37 38 39 40 41 42 43

Congressional Powers Non-legislative tasks of Congress Legislative Process Legislation by Committee Congressional Leadership Influences on Congress Unit 5 Assessment 391-395 288; 310-322 304-309 300

Unit 6: The President and Executive Branch Day 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Lesson Topic Formal Powers of the Presidency President as Commander in Chief Informal Powers of the President Executive Office of the President The Cabinet The President and Congress (Impeachment) Presidential Approval Chart: Presidential Vetoes Chart: Impeachment Chart: Presidential Approval Unit 6 Assessment Unit 7: The Judicial Branch Day 52 53 54 55 Lesson Topic American Legal Principles Judicial Review Types of Law Structure and Jurisdiction Map: District and Appellate Courts Chart: Female and Minority Judicial Appointments Chart: How Partisanship Affects judicial Attitudes 411-424 Supplementary Materials Readings 405-411 406 341-345 345-346 365-366 266 Supplementary Materials News Analysis: Treaties and Executive Agreements News Analysis: War on Terror Readings 329-341; 350-365 555-560

56 57 58

The Politics of the Judiciary (Activism vs. Restraint) Supreme Court

403-405; 424-427 421-424

Unit 7 Assessment

Unit 8: The Bureaucracy Day 59 Lesson Topic Bureaucratic Structure and Implementation of Policy Controlling the Bureaucracy Rule Setting, Alliance Building, and Iron Triangles (Influences on Behavior) Civil Service and Maintaining Neutrality Unit 8 Assessment Unit 9: Public Policy Day 64 65 Lesson Topic Making Public Policy Economic Theory of Taxing and Spending Fiscal Policy Supplementary Materials Readings 435-456 Chart: Federal Expenditures 459-462; Chart: Sources of Federal Revenue 463-476 Chart: Surpluses and Deficits Chart: National Debt 462-463 385-391 Supplementary Materials Chart: Number of Political Appointments in Cabinet Departments Readings 346-350; 373-385; 395-397

60 61 62 63

66

67 68 69 70 71 72

Monetary Policy Entitlement Programs Health Care and Education Environmental Policy Foreign Policy Chart: Trends in Military Spending Unit 9 Assessment Chart: Social Services Spending

467 479-493

553-580

Unit 10: Civil Rights and Liberties Day 73 Lesson Topic The Extension of Civil Liberties Freedom of Speech / Press Freedom of Religion Rights of the Accused Womens Rights Voting Rights The Struggle for Equality Equal Protection and the Law Unit 10 Assessment Chart: Changing White Attitudes Toward Different Levels of School Integration 523-539 544-548 Supplementary Materials Chart: Changing Composition of U.S. Immigration Readings 497-502

74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81

503-510 510-513 513-518 539-543

Curriculum Review will be held in the final days leading up to the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. ________________________________________________________________________________ I understand and am aware of all the policies, procedures, and expectations that students must abide by in our our AP Government class. I pledge to put forth my best effort in order to achieve both our class goals and the individual goals I set forth for my own success throughout the year. Students Printed Name: __________________________________ Students Signature: _____________________________________ Parents Printed Name: ___________________________________ Parents Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ________________