AP U.S. Government and Politics
Ms. Goyak
AP United States Government and Politics is an study of the formal and informal structures of government and the processes of the American political system, with an emphasis on policy-making, national identity as it relates to the democratic political, social and moral traditions of the United States, and responsible citizenship so that all history students will be trained to articulate and civilly debate of the major issues of our time in light of the nation’s living traditions. This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Exam.
Required Materials:
1. AP History Folder (this should be a separate 3-ring binder with dividers—you will put all returned/graded work in this notebook and keep it well-organized)
2. Paper, Pens, Pencils
3. AP Guide Book: 5 Steps to a 5 (Purchase this at any bookstore or library…may need to put-in an order for this)!! PURCHASE THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!!! This guide is an outline of the entire AP Gov course and will remain at home (mostly). You will want to read each chapter of this guide as we move along through the course, particularly to study for unit tests.
4. Textbook: This will be used primarily for homework (note-taking) at home and will rarely be brought with you to class
5. You will be required to log on to our website. The address is http://woodgoyak12.blogspot.com
Course Plan:
Unit One: The American System
Objectives:
o Discuss course expectations
o Introduce current events and political issues
o Assessment of political knowledge
o Explain various definitions of democracy
o Analyze democracy in the American political system
o Analyze the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
o Assess distribution of power (pluralism, elitism, hyper-pluralism)
o Power struggles and problems in US political system
o Analyze the significance of the Constitution
o Analyze the different perspectives between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
o Introduce forms of government and political systems
o Explain characteristics of federalism through released free response questions
o Analyze the US federalism for efficiency and capacity
Unit Two: Opinions, Interests, and Organizations
Objectives:
o Analyze demographic information in U.S. (analyzing and interpreting data)
o Define political culture
o Describe how public opinion is measured
o Evaluate the forces the influence political socialization
o Analyze voting data and trends (analyzing and interpreting data)
o Analyze the types and effectiveness of polling
o Analyze and evaluate the role of the media in U.S. politics.
o Explain the origins of political parties in US including role of third parties
o Describe the steps in the electoral process for the Executive and Legislative levels
o Assess the role and importance of parties in a political system and in policymaking
o Outline differences in types of party systems (two-party, multi-party)
o Analyze the factors that influence the outcomes of elections
o Explain interest aggregation and the extent to which elections reflect the political preferences of the people
o Assess the role of interest groups and PACs in the electoral process
o Describe and assess dealignment and realignment as factors in elections within historic context.
Unit Three: Institutions of Government
Objectives:
o Congress
o Understand the electoral process for Congressmen
o Explain the structures and processes of coherent policymaking
o Outline the factors which influence legislative decision making
o Assess the reasons for and successes of congressional reform efforts
o Explain the dynamics of executive-legislative interactions in the areas of budget making and executive use of the war-making authority
o Evaluate the extent to which the US Congress is representative and efficient.
o Evaluate the process of how a bill becomes a law
o The Presidency
o Outline the organizational elements of the executive branch
o Describe the functions and responsibilities of executive agencies and the cabinet
o List the steps in presidential succession and disability
o Assess the value of presidential powers
o Evaluate the imperial presidency
o Describe possibilities of executive abuse of power
o Evaluate presidents and policy over the years including the strengthening of the executive branch in times of crisis
o The Bureaucracy
o Describe attributes of both executive and legislative bureaucracies
o Assess the importance of the bureaucracies and their role in policymaking and politics
o The Judiciary
o Describe structure of national and state courts and their jurisdiction
o Define basic concepts and terminology such as judicial reviews, stare decisis, and political questions
o Explain historical periods of Supreme Court decision making and historic cases
o Evaluate power of judicial branch
o Explain concepts of judicial restraint and judicial activism
o Define and differentiate between equity and equality as they pertain to policy considerations
o Explain and assess support and regulation of expression
o Assess and evaluate arguments for and against various punishments, privileges, and controversial policy discussion areas of historic and current importance
o Evaluate longevity and effectiveness of Supreme Court decisions
Unit Four: The Politics of Public Policy
Objectives:
o Explain the influences on policy making
o Evaluate economic, social, defense policy, foreign policy, and environmental policy
o Evaluate the success of policymakers in achieving policy goals
Unit Five: Civil Liberties/Civil Rights
Objectives:
o Understand the protections and limits provided in the 1st Amendment
o Evaluate the protections guaranteed and implied in the Bill of Rights
o Analyze the power and interpretation of the 14th Amendment
o Understand the role of legislation, judicial activism, and executive enforcement in the Civil Rights Movement
Unit Six: Who Governs?
Objectives:
o Explain the restraints on the growth of government
o Evaluate the effects of relaxing the restraints on federal action
o Compare the “old system” v. the “new system” in the politics of policy-making
Classroom Policies/Rules:
· Be in your seat when the bell rings, or tardy
· Sit in YOUR assigned seat at all times
· No electronics (these better not even be visible or they are mine)!
· No food/drinks
· No talking (unless class discussion)
· I dismiss you, NOT the bell!!
· No hall pass (see “G-Unit System” below)
· No using computers unless given permission
· No doing work from other classes ( I’m particularly inflexible about this…don’t do it)!
· DO NOT write on my desks, textbooks, or deface ANY school property
· Do NOT plagiarize (this means copying another student’s work OR taking the work from another author and claiming it as your own)…cheating will also result in a zero.
POLICIES IN DETAIL:
- Be on time: You are considered late if you are not in your seat when the tardy bell rings. Come prepared to every class by bringing your materials and assignments!
- Be Considerate: I will treat you with utmost respect and I expect you to do the same for myself, your fellow students, and the classroom. Always listen to and treat ideas of others with respect. Inappropriate language, excessive talking, and defacing school property (desks, walls, books, etc) will not be accepted in this class.
- Hall Passes: Hall passes are not issued upon request. You may only use a hall pass by using “G-Units.”
Grading:
1. History Folder: Class notes (collected at the end of each chapter). Some “% Steps” notes will also be collected periodically.
2. Chapter Quizzes: Expect quizzes randomly! Study your textbook notes AND your class notes from the previous day’s lecture for your daily quizzes.
3. Unit Exams/Tests: expect to have a comprehensive exam for each of the major units (5 total)
4. Essays: expect to have several (throughout the semester)
5. Activities (In-class and Out-of-Class): These may include in-class projects, take-home projects, individual or group project.
6. Primary Source Activities
7. Participation (This is based on my observation and is therefore subjective): This will include participating orally in-class, completing work, attendance, punctuality, effort, and generally doing what you’re supposed to be doing when you’re supposed to be doing it!!
8. Final Exams: Fall Semester Final Exam / Spring Semester Final Exam
Grade Scale:
100-90%= A 89-80%= B 79-70%= C 69-60% = D 59-0% = F
Make-Ups/Absences:
Quizzes = No make-ups
Unit Exams = ONLY with an excused absence (illness, or other). I will NOT remind you that you need to make-up an exam at any time…it is YOUR responsibility to take the initiative and inform me that you need to make-up your chapter test. If you fail to do so, you WILL receive an automatic “0” for that missed test.
Final Exams = No make-ups unless a qualified, excused absence
Absences:
- If you are absent from class, please call another student/friend to find out what subjects were covered on the day you were gone (i.e. notes, class activities, homework, etc). If you missed an assignment (in-class), you have the opportunity to make it up. However, assignments will be due upon the day you return to class, NO LATER!! In addition, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed, so be sure to ask. I WILL NOT inform you directly.
- You are responsible for going on the website and checking for information/assignments.
- If you happen to be absent on the day of a test, I will give you the opportunity to make it up. However, you need to inform me and make it up, or you will receive a zero for your test grade!
- If you are absent, and the day you return there is a quiz, you will be expected to take that quiz. Thus, be sure to get notes and other important work from someone the night before…I expect you to be PREPARED and RESPONSIBLE!!
G-Unit System: NOTHING IN LIFE IS FREE!!! NEITHER IS ANYTHING IN MY CLASSROOM!!! The “G-unit” system is aimed at giving you privileges (academic and otherwise) and rewards for hard-earned work/effort. You may earn G-Units throughout the semester (in numerous ways) by which you may purchase bonuses, percentage increases, class privileges, etc. I generally do NOT offer extra credit in this class, therefore the G Units can or may in some instances act as extra credit points if you wish to spend them in that manner. You may wish, however, to use them for other class privileges. There is a chart hanging in the classroom to inform you. SPEND WISELY!!! J
