Course Overview/Description
This course explores the political theory and everyday practice that direct the daily
operation of our government and shape our public policies. The express purpose of
this course is to prepare students to take the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam.
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.” Students will develop a critical understanding of the strengths and
weaknesses of the American political system, as well as their rights and responsibilities
as citizens.
Primary Text: Government in America: People, Politics and Policy 12th edition, Edwards, Wattenberg and Lineberry
Supplementary Reading: Perspectives on American Politics by Lasser, Wiliam
Course Objectives
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
• Describe and compare important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U .S .
government and politics
• Explain 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)
• Interpret basic data relevant to U .S . government and politics (including data
presented in charts, tables, and other formats)
• Critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and
develop their connections across the curriculum
Students shall be graded on the following criteria:
Classwork 20%
Homework 20%
Quizzes/Tests 30%
Current Event Write up 10%
City Council Attendance 5%
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest 5%
Grade is based on percentage of total points earned out of point possible:
90% and up A
80% and up B
70% and up C
60% and up D
Classwork 20%
Homework 20%
Quizzes/Tests 30%
Current Event Write up 10%
City Council Attendance 5%
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest 5%
Grade is based on percentage of total points earned out of point possible:
90% and up A
80% and up B
70% and up C
60% and up D
Supplementary Online Resources
- AP Central Course Description
- AP Central Past Exams
- Documents of US History
- House of Representatives
- The US Senate
- Federal Judicial Center
- The White House
- Land Mark Court Cases
- The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
- Census Bureau
- Congressional Budget Office
- DIRECTORY OF U.S. POLITICAL PARTIES
- JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
chapter_1__the_policty_making_system_and_theories_of_democracy.ppt | |
File Size: | 322 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Week 1
Assignments: Chapter One Classwork Read Introducing Government in America and Do Activity Packet Due Friday.
Homework: Read Lasser Foundations Federalist Papers 10,47,48 and 51 and The Address and Reason of Dissent of the Minority of the Convention of Pennsylvania to their Constituents (1788) Due Monday
Read and summarize the current event: Drought Has California Debating Its Unregulated Water Pumping Policies
Video: The Fight for California's Fresh Water: America's Water Crisis
Our objective is to explore the role of government. Please be prepared to discuss the central challenges that are confronting government over water scarcity.
Week 2:
Chapter two: Constituion: Powerpoint
Complete The Constitution Chapter Two class work
Homework: Lasser Issue and Controversy: The Constitution is Fundamentally Undemocratic and The Constitution is Not Undemocratic
Due Review Questions 1,2, and 3 on page 25 and 26 Due Thursday 8/28
Read and Summarize: The constitutional debate over Obama’s move against ISIS
Video: The Growing Power of the Presidency
Video: Marbury vs Madison, 1803
Video: The Constitiution Crash course
Video: The 3/5ths Compromised Explained
Video: Federalist Papers Explained
Video: Federalist Paper #10
Video: Federalist Paper # 51
Video: Federalist Paper # 78
Week 3
Chapter 3: Federalism Powerpoint
Complete the Federalism Chapter Three class work: Due Friday
Due Friday Class reading: Do a 1 page analysis on the Washington Post report: Legislatures taking state education into their own hands.
Identify examples of Reserve Power and or Federalism.
Be prepare to discuss the following in class Friday
- What are some examples of Reserve Power in the reading?
- In what ways does Federal Common Core policy illustrate competing interests between the states and the federal government over education policy?
Video Resources
Federalism
USA State and Federal Powers
10th Amendment
Article IV for Dummies: Full Faith and Credit Explained
McCulloch vs Maryland Explained: US History Review
Gibbons vs Ogden Explained in 5 Minutes (1824): US History Review
FEDERALISM: Lessons of Katrina
Unit II - Political Beliefs and Behaviors:
Week 4
Chapter 6 Powerpoint
Lasser Readiing: Read Page 154 Polling and Democracy Do Question 1 and 2 on page 154 due Friday 9/12
Video and Online Resources:
Gallup Poll
Science of Public Opinion Polls
Polling Propels Political Process
Week 5 Chapter 10
Chapter 10 Powerpoint Elections and Voting Behavior
Lasser reading 5.7 page 166 and 167, Write an 1/2 page to 1 page summary due Friday
Video resources
The Internet -- a Powerful Political Tool
Less Than One in Five Voters Believe U.S. Representatives Should Be Re-Elected
Should You Be Forced to Vote?
How to Rig a Majority Vote
Unit III - Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media:
Week 6
Chapter 9: Nominations and Campaigns
Lasser Reading: Why Parties? (1995) Page 226 -232 Please respond to the Questions 1,2,3 on page 226 due Friday 9/26
Video resources
U.S. Elections: Conventions
U.S. Elections: Caucuses Explained
What are Political Parties and How Do They Work
Money in Politics
Are Super PACs Good for Democracy?
Lyndon Johnson - Daisy Commercial
Top 10 Political Ads
Political Ads of 2012
Week 7
Chapter 11: Interest groups
Lasser reading: Interest Group connection in Changing Political Environments(2005) Page 177-185 Questions 1 -2 page 177
Videos:
INTEREST GROUPS - Cram for the Exam
A Lesson on Interest Groups
What is lobbying and why is it important? - The American League of Lobbyists
Week 8
Chapter 7: The Mass Media and the Political Agenda
Lasser Reading: The New Media Page 202 to 209 Do Questions 1 and 2 on Page 201
What is Mass Communication P.1
What is Mass Communication? P.2
What is Mass Communication? P.3
How FaceBook Changed The World The Arab Spring
Week 9
Chapter 8: Political Parties
Videos
The Evolution of America's Major Political Parties
Third Parties Explained: US History Review
Week 10:
Chapter 9 Elections and Campaigns
Video
Reviewing Political Parties and Campaigns
Unit IV - Institutions of National Government:
Week 11
Chapter 12: The Congress
Video
Article 1 of the Constitution
The U.S. Congress in Twenty Minutes (1 of 2)
Week 12
Chapter 13: The Presidency
Video
The Executive Branch Explained
Week 13
Chapter 14: The Budget, The politics of Taxing and spending
Videos:
Week 14:
Chapter 15 Bureaucracy
Week 15
Chapter 16: The Federal Court System
Unit V - Public Policy:
Chapter 17: Economic Policy
Chapter 18: Social Welfare Policy
Chapter 19: Healthcare and Environmental Policy
Chapter 20: National Security
Unit VI - Civil Rights and Liberties: