AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
WINTER HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
MRS. CHARLOTTA M. SABB, INSTRUCTOR
Brief Description of Course
OBJECTIVES: This course will follow the curriculum designed by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students taking this course will be able to demonstrate proficiency and competency in the institutions of United States government and politics, the political theories and political processes, voting patterns, the relationship between United States government and politics, and the impact that government institutions and politics have on public policy development and implementation.
Specifically, the course will cover the following topics to assist students to successfully complete this course.
I. CONSTITUTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
Students will examine the kind of government established by the
U.S. Constitution, focusing on the concepts of federalism and the separation of powers. They will also develop familiarization with
a variety of theoretical perspectives relating to the
Constitution, such as democratic theory, theories of republican government, pluralism, and elitism.
II. POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS
Students will develop an understanding how various political beliefs are formed, how they evolved and the processes by which they are transmitted. Students will learn why U.S. citizens hold certain beliefs about politics, and how families, schools, and the
media act to perpetuate or change these beliefs. Students will also understand what leads citizens to differ from one another in their political beliefs and behaviors, and the political consequences of these differences.
III. POLITICAL PARTIES, INTEREST GROUPS, AND MASS
MEDIA
Students will understand the mechanisms that allow citizens to organize and communicate their interests and concerns. Specific attention will be focused on political parties, elections,political action committees, interest groups, and the mass media.
Students will examine the historical evolution of the U.S. party system, the functions and structures of political parties, and the effects they have on the political process.
IV. INSTITUTIONS OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
Students will become familiar with the organization and powers of Congress, the Presidency, the bureaucracy, and the federal courts.
V. PUBLIC POLICY
Students will become familiar with the formation of policy agendas, the enactment of public policies by Congress and the President, and the implementation and interpretation of policies by the bureaucracy and the courts. Students will also investigate policy networks and issue networks in the domestic and foreign policy areas.
VI. CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
Students will study the development of individual rights and liberties and their impact on citizens. Basic to this study is an analysis of the workings of the United States Supreme Court and familiarity with its most significant decisions. Students will examine judicial interpretations of various civil rights and liberties such as freedom of speech, assembly, and expression; the rights of the accused; and the rights of minority groups and women.
There are three required textbooks for this course:
• American Government: Institutions and Policies,
9th Edition. By James Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio, Jr. Publisher:Charles Hartford@ Houghton Mifflin Company. Published Date:2004
• American Government Readings and Cases, 17th Edition. By Peter Woll. Publisher: Pearson and Longman. Published Date: 2008.
• BARRON’S AP U. S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS REVIEW.4TH EDITION. By Curt Lader. Publisher: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
Other Course Materials
Description: Selected Supreme Court cases and Presidential addresses.
WEEK ONE
Unit One: The American System.
Chapter 1-The Study of American Government
Overview of Political Cartoons. The Study of American Government: Explain what is political power? What is democracy? Distinguish between what is Direct versus Representative Democracy? How is power distributed in a democracy? What are the four theories of Elite Influence?
Due this week: pretest, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons, read Wilson/Dilulio chapter 1 outline, complete definition of Key Terms, answer chapter questions, and chapter test. Read Woll pages 3-41 the writings by John Locke, John P. Roche, Charles A. Beard, and James Madison. Prepare a brief synopsis of Federalist Papers 47, 48, and 51 pages 41-45.
WEEK TWO
Chapter 2--The Constitution
Discussions on the problem of Liberty, the Constitutional Convention, the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, the Compromise, the Constitution and Democracy, the Constitution and Liberty, the motives of the Framers, and Constitutional Reform.
Due this week: Outline of the Constitution, chapter test, Constitution test, submit and explain two political cartoons, read Wilson/Dululio chapter outline, complete definition of Key Terms, Read Woll’s Interpreting the Constitution and How Not to Read the Constitution, Chapter 1, pages 45-49.
WEEK THREE
Chapter 3—Federalism
Discuss the Governmental Structure, the Founding Fathers, the Debate on the Meaning of Federalism, Federal-State Relations, Federal Aid and Federal Control, A Devolution Revolution, and Congress and Federalism.
Due this week: Read the chapter outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons, and analyze chart on Federal Grants to State and Local Government, page 63. Read Woll’s Chapter 2, pages 51-104. Prepare a synopsis of Federalist Papers 16, 17, 44, 45, and 39.
WEEK FOUR
Unit Two: Opinions, Interests, and Organizations
Chapters 4-5- American Political Culture and Public Opinion
Discuss the Political Culture, Comparing America with other Nations, the Sources of Political Culture, Mistrust of Government, Political Efficacy, Political Tolerance, Public Opinion defined, the origins of political attitudes, Cleavages in Public Opinion, Political Ideology, and Political Elites, Public Opinion, and Public Policy.
Due this week: Read the chapters outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapters test, submit and explain two political cartoons per chapter. Review and summarize charts on Trust in Government, pages 92-93. Read Woll’s Federalist Paper 10 on page 174 and write a synopsis; and Party Government, page 179-182.
WEEK FIVE
Chapters 6-7-- Political Participation and Political Parties
Analysis of Nonvoters, the Rise of the American Electorate, Participants in Politics, Political Parties Here and Abroad, the Rise and Decline of the Political Party, the National Party Structure Today, State and Local Parties, the Two-Party System, Minor Parties, Nominating a President, and Parties versus Voters.
Due the week: Read chapters outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapters test, submit and explain two political cartoons per chapter. Sketch the evolution of the presidency from 1789 to present. Compare charts on Presidential Elections on page 140. Read Woll’s Chapter 4, The Party Model of Government, and Political Parties in Divided Government, pages 183-199.
WEEK SIX
Chapters 8-9—Elections and Campaigns and Interest Groups
Lecture on Presidential Versus Congressional Campaigns, Primary versus General Campaigns, Campaign Finance, What decides the Election, the Effects of Elections on Policy, Analysis of Interest Groups, Kinds of Organizations, Interest Groups and Social Movements, Funds for Interest Groups, the Problem of Bias, the Activities of Interest Groups, Regulating Interest Groups.
Due this week: Read chapters outline, define Key Terms, and answer chapters questions, chapters test, submit and explain two political cartoons per chapter. Complete hand-out chart with questions on Democratic and Republican elections. Review and analyze chart on the Sources of Campaign Funding, and Top 20 PACs. Read Woll’s Chapter 4: Functions and Types of Elections, Voting Behavior: Rational or Irrational, and Political Campaigns and the Electorate. Read Woll’s Chapter 5 Constitutional Background, Buckley v. Valeo, The Nature and Functions of Interest Groups, and Money, PACs, and Elections, pages 219-252.
WEEK SEVEN
Chapter 10—The Media
Discussion on Journalism in American Political History, the Structure of the Media, Rules Governing the Media, the effects of the Media on Politics, Government and the News, and Interpreting Political News.
Due this week: Read chapter outline, and define Key Terms. Answer chapter questions, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons.
WEEK EIGHT
Unit Three: Institutions of Government
Chapter 11—Congress
Analyses on Congress versus Parliament, the Evolution of Congress, Congressional Make-Up, Ideology and Civility in Congress, the Organization of Congress, how a Bill becomes a Law, Reducing Powers and Perks, and Ethics and Congress.
Due this week: Read chapter outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons. Read Woll’s Chapter 8, The Congress, pages 321-376.
WEEK NINE
Chapter 12—The Presidency
Lecture and discussion on Presidents and Prime Ministers, Divided Government, the Evolution of the Presidency, The Powers of the President, the Office of the President, Who gets Appointed, Presidential Character, the Power to Persuade, the Power to say no, the President’s Program, Presidential Transition, and How Powerful is the President.
Due this week: Read chapter outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, and chapter test. Submit and explain two political cartoons. Read Woll’s Chapter 6, The Presidency, pages 255-306.
WEEK TEN
Chapters 13-14—The Bureaucracy and The Judiciary
Distinctiveness of the American Bureaucracy, the Growth of the Bureaucracy, the Federal Bureaucracy Today, Congressional Oversight, Bureaucratic “Pathologies” Reforming the Bureaucracy, the Development of the Federal Courts, the Structure of the Federal Courts, the Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts, the Supreme Court in
Action, the Power of the Federal Courts, and Checks on Judicial Power.
Due this week: Read chapters outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapters test, submit and explain two political cartoons per chapter. Read Woll’s Chapters 7 and 9, The Bureaucracy and The Judiciary.
WEEK ELEVEN
Unit Four: The Politics of Public Policy
Chapter 15 --The Policy-Making Process
Setting the Political Agenda, Making a Decision, Majoritarian Politics, Interest Group Politics, Client Politics, Entrepreneurial Politics, Business Regulation, Perceptions, Beliefs, Interests, and Values.
Due this week: Read chapter outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons.
WEEK TWELVE
Chapters 16 and 17—Economic Policy and Social Welfare
Discussion of The Politics of Economic Prosperity, The Politics of Taxing and Spending, Economic Theories and Political Needs, the Machinery of Economic Policy, Spending Money, the Budget, Reducing Spending, and Levying Taxes. Social Welfare in the United States, and Two kinds of Welfare Politics.
Due this week: Read chapters outline, define Key Terms, answer chapters questions, chapters test, submit and explain two political cartoons per chapter.
WEEK THIRTEEN
Chapters 18 and 19—Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Discussions on Politics, Culture and Civil Liberties, Interpreting and Applying the First Amendment, Speech defined, Church and State, Crime and Due Process. The Black Predicament, the Campaign in the Courts and Congress, Women and Equal Rights, Affirmative Action, and Gays and the Supreme Court.
Due this week: Read chapters outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapters test, submit and explain two political cartoons per chapter. Review chart on Composition of U.S. Immigration, 1901-1996. Read Woll’s Chapter 3 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, pages 105-170.
WEEK FOURTEEN
Chapter 20—Foreign and Military Policy
Kinds of Foreign Policy, the Constitutional and Legal Context, the Machinery of Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy and Public Opinion, Cleavages Among Foreign Elites, the Use of Military Force, the Defense Budget, the Structure of Defense Decision-Making, and Spending for the War on Terrorism.
Due this week: Read chapter outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons. Analyze chart on Defense Spending before and after breakup of Soviet Union.
WEEK FIFTEEN
Chapter 21—Environmental Policy
The American Context, Entrepreneurial Politics: Global Warming, Majoritarian Politics, Interest Group Politics, Client Politics, the Environmental Uncertainties, and The Results.
Due this week: Read and outline chapter, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons.
WEEK SIXTEEN
Unit Five: The Nature of American Democracy
Chapter 22—Who Governs? To What Ends?
Discussion on Restraints on the Growth of Government, Relaxing the Restraints, the New System, Consequences of Activist Government, the Influence of Structure, and the Influence of Ideas.
Due this week: Read chapter outline, define Key Terms, answer chapter questions, chapter test, submit and explain two political cartoons.
WEEKS SEVENTEEN-NINETEEN
Review and Study for AP Exam. Practice Questions, Post Test, Essays, Landmark Court cases, and analyses of information formatted on charts/graphs will be used for intensive review.
MAY 1, Thursday— FINAL EXAM
MAY 5, Monday—AP EXAM, 8AM
Major Assignments and/or Assessments:
Current Events: Students are responsible for keeping up with daily events in the nation and world. Students will need to skim the front page of the Lakeland Ledger, listen to CNN or another radio/television news program. Students may also access a reliable online news source.
Tests and Quizzes
Students will be routinely given Chapter essay and multiply choice tests, Essay Quizzes, Objective Quizzes, Objective Tests, Essay Tests, Vocabulary Tests and Video Quizzes. Students will also be quizzed and/or tested on their knowledge of Current Events related to Government and Woll Readings. Students will be tested on their understanding of quantitative and visually presented information (maps, charts and graphs) at regular intervals.
Grading: Grades are figured on a cumulative point basis. Each test, quiz, homework assignment, etc. is worth a given number of points according to the quality and level of assignment.
GOVERNMENT HONORS
TEXT- UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, DEMOCRACY IN
ACTION BY RICHARD C. REMY, Ph.D.
SYLLABUS-WINTER HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE: HONORS AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
TEXTBOOK: Glencoe United States Government, Democracy In Action, 2006
By Richard C.Remy, Ph.D.
WEEKS SUBJECT
1 Political Cartoons, Constitution thought
Constitution
Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 13-15
TEST October 19 Chapters 1-4, 13
2 Legislative Branch
Chapters 5, 6, 7,
TEST October 26 Chapters 5-7
3 Executive Branch
Chapters 8, 9, 10
TEST November 2 Chapters 8-10
4 Judicial Branch
Chapters 11, 12
TEST November 9 Chapters 11-12
5-6 Participating in Government
Political Parties, Public Opinion
The Media, Elections & Campaigns,
Interest Groups
Chapters 16-19
TEST November 16 Chapters 16-19
7 State & Local Government
Chapters 23, 24
TEST November 28 Chapters 23-24
8 Global Politics
Chapters 25, 26
TEST December 7 Chapters 25, 26
9 Final Review
Final Exam December 21
November 17 Project Due
On each test day you will turn in the following assignments for each chapter which are found at the end of each chapter. These should be in your own words and not copied from classmates. If caught copying, you will receive a 0 on that assignment.
1. 2 Political cartoons, per chapter
2. Any 2 of the critical thinking per chapter
3. Key terms
WORLD HISTORY
TEXT- WORLD HISTORY, CONNECTIONS TO TODAY
ELLIS & ESLER
WINTER HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
WEEK CHAPTER TOPICS STANDARDS
1,2 1,2 Pre-history- early man
& his environment & culture SS A.1.4.1
Neolithic revolution SS A.4.2.1
Early River Valley
Civilizations in Mesopotamia
& Ancient Asia
3,4 2,3, Ancient river valley
civilizations
of Egypt, India, China
SS A.2.4.3
SS A.2.4.2
5,6 4 Empires of India and China SS A.2.4.4
7,8 5 Ancient Greek Civilization SS A.1.4.3 SS A.2.4.5
9, 10 6,7 Ancient Rome & Rise of
Christianity SS A.2.4.7
Civilizations of the Americas SS A.2.4.6
11, 12 8,9 Early, Middle, High Middle Ages SS A.2.4.8
End of Middle Ages SS A.2.4.9
Economic revival of the West SS A.2.4.11
13,14 10, 11 Byzantine Empire and Russia SS A.3.4.1
Muslim faith and culture SS A.3.4.2
15, 16 12,13 Non-Western Unit on Africa &
& East Asia
SS A.3.4.3
SS A.4.4.1
17, 18 14, 15 Renaissance and Reformation SS A.3.4.5
SS A.3.4.6
19, 20 16, 17 Global Age of Europe, Americas and Africa SS A.1.4.3
21, 22 18, 19 Scientific Revolution SS A. 3.4.3
Empire Building
Mercantilism Commercial
Revolution
23, 24 20, 21, 22 Industrial Revolution SS A 2.4.8 Revolutions in Europe &
Latin America SS A 2.4.11
25, 26 23, 24, 25 Nationalism in Europe SS A.3.4.2
Growth of Western Democracies SS A.2.4.3
Imperialism
27, 28 26,27,28 New Global Patterns: Japan, Canada, Australia SS A.4.4.1
Causes of World War I
Russian Revolution
29,30, 31 29,30,31 Revolutions Around the World SS A.4.4.1
Western Democracy SS A.2.4.3
World War II SS A.2.4.4
32,33,34 32,33,34 Europe and North America 1945-Present SS A.1.4.1
Nations of East Asia, Southeast Asia
35,36,37 35,36,37 Nation Building in Middle East SS A.3.4.10
Africa and Latin America SS A.1.4.3
38 Current Issues SS A.3.4.10
Future Studies
Final update
Comprehensive Law Studies
Text: Glencoe, Street Law, A Course in
Practical Law, Seventh Edition
Overview:
• This elective course in law and justice will provide students with an opportunity for concentrated study of the legal, judicial, law enforcement, and corrections systems of the United States. Students will focus on legal principles and the laws and procedures derived from them. Students will examine relevant examples of civil and criminal laws, law enforcement methods, court procedures, and efforts toward corrective justice. Students will also examine problems within the legal and justice systems and issues that arise from their operation.
Students will increase their practical understanding of how the justice system in the United States works. They will learn to analyze, evaluate, and resolve legal disputes. Students will learn through case studies, role plays, mock trials, moot court simulations and research the practical understanding of law and the legal system, and how it relates to their everyday lives.
Students must be proficient in reading and writing, as well as possess a willingness to devote considerable time to research and study. Students will acquire the analytical skills necessary to examine legal disputes and develop informed interpretations and resolutions substantiated by evidence.
Course Goals/Objectives:
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of law and the legal system which will be of use to students in their everyday lives;
• Students will demonstrate understanding of the fundamental principles and values underlying our Constitution, laws, and legal system;
• Students will demonstrate an awareness of current issues and controversies relating to law and the legal system;
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of citizen participation in our legal system;
• Students will develop skills to resolve disputes through informal and/or formal resolution mechanisms;
• Students will improve basic skills including critical thinking and reasoning, communication, observation and problem solving;
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of, and clarify attitudes toward, the role that law, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and the legal system play in our society; and
• Students will gain exposure to the many vocational opportunities that exist within the legal system.
Other Course Information:
Meeting Date(s) and Time: Monday-Friday
Intended Audience: 10th thru 12th grades
Prerequisite(s): None, but completion of
American History is recommended.
Credit Awarded: 1 Credit
Classroom Materials
TEXT: Arbetman & OBrien, Street Law: A Course in Practical Law.
Various handouts and articles
• Students will be required to bring a 3-ring binder (minimum of 2”) with paper and a pen or pencil to class daily. A notebook is essential to keep track of all class work and worksheets given.
• Students should also bring their textbook and notebook to class everyday unless otherwise instructed.
Grading
Students will be graded using the point system, which will be generated homework, tests, vocabulary assignments, research projects, formal writing projects, quizzes, presentations and simulations. The following grading scale will be used:
100-90 A 60-69 D
80-89 B <59 - F
70-79 C
Course Outline:
Unit 1: Introduction to Law & the Legal System
Chapters 1-6
5 Weeks
Unit 2: Criminal Law & the Juvenile Justice System
Chapters 7-17
9 Weeks
Unit 3: Torts
Chapters 18-22
3 Weeks
Unit 4: Consumer & Housing Law
Chapters 23-29
6 Weeks
Unit 5: Family Law
Chapters 30-35
6 Weeks
Unit 6: Individual Rights and Liberties
Chapters 36-44
7 Weeks
EXPECTIONS
Street Law is a tremendously fulfilling class that challenges you to move outside of your own perspective. The course itself is labor intensive and demands a considerable amount of your time. In addition, active student participation is an integral part of the course and will be required. Though the demands upon you are great, the recompense for outweighs the heightened effort.
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