Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics Course Syllabus Instructor:

Rebecca Kegley
Contact information Rebecca.kegley@ops.org Voicemail 557-3200 Rm 129

Welcome senior class 2018! I am glad to have to you in AP US Government and Politics this semester! This class is
very challenging and fast paced. If you find you are falling behind or know you have some absences approaching,
please stop by Rm 129 after school or email me at the above email to let me know. I am always willing to help
clarify concepts, give feedback on assignment or help students prepare for a test.
The best approach for missed assignments is via email so I may send you an electronic copy. It is sometimes hard
to come up with a spare copy right before or during class. Please read over the following information and see me
or send me an email if you have any questions. Student and guardian signatures are requested at the end.

AP U.S. Government and Politics Course Description

Welcome to Advanced Placement Government. In this course students will study-the essential
principles of government and participate in a concentrated analysis of governmental institutions and
the governmental processes that are unique to the American political system.
Topics to be studied are mandated by the AP College Board course standards and objectives.
AP US Government is now dual enrollment!

Method of Instruction Due Dates and Unit close information!!!! If you are Absent.
A variety of instructional methods will be employed in this class, including lecture, text readings,
discussion, debate, research projects, current events assignments, primary document analysis,
essays, quizzes and exams. If you are going to miss class, please see me outside of class time or email
me to schedule a make-up or turn-in appointment.
End of units dates still apply even if you are absent. You may have to email an assignment on due
date. Again, being absent does NOT excuse you from a due date on unit close dates. I will work with
you if you must miss class, but attendance is crucial to excelling in class.
All textbook reading will be done as homework and is an important element to understanding lecture
and activities during class.

OPS AP US GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND COURSE OBJECTIVES FOR A TOTAL OF 6 UNITS :

AP-US GOV 01: Critical analysis of the historical foundations of American Government and the examination of the
Constitution of the United States, particularly federalism, the separation of powers and checks and balances.

AP-US GOV 02: Evaluate how individuals and groups can effectively use the structure and functions of various
levels of government to shape policy (e.g., lobbying, voting, contacting government officials, petitioning). It is
important for students to understand how these beliefs are formed, how they evolve, and the processes by which
they are transmitted.

AP-US GOV 03: Analyze and evaluate the roles that political parties, interest groups, and mass media have played
in the United States.

AP-US GOV 04: Analyze and evaluate the functions of United States government (e.g., national security, legislative
law-making, executive implementation, judicial interpretation, constitutionalism, taxation, naturalization of
citizens.) Students will become familiar with the organization and powers, of the legislative, executive and judicial
branches of the United States.

AP-US GOV 05: Students will analyze the policy areas of government in both domestic and foreign relations.
Students will have an understanding of the formation and impact of policy processes and policy within all levels of
government. The policy unit will be covered before writing bills in the legislative process.

AP-USGOV 06: Students will study the development of the individual rights and liberties and their impact on
citizens. Students will read and analyze the United States Supreme Court and its landmark decisions.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
Textbook reading assignments will be done outside of class. We will be reading articles, cases and other
supplemental material in class. Expect to read one chapter a week. Reading quiz dates will be on the
assignment calendar. Expect a reading quiz once a week!

TEXTBOOK: Government in America 2015 edition Pearson Publisher.

OPS District Grading Policy and Grading Scale All coursework and assessments are judged based on the level of
student learning from below basic to advanced. This course will provide multiple opportunities to achieve at
the proficient to advanced levels. Students are evaluated based on a proficiency scale or project rubric.

At the end of a grading period, scores for each reporting topic/standard will be averaged using assigned weights.
This weighted average is converted to a letter grade using this grading scale for the 2013-2014 school year.
A = 3.26 4.00 C = 1.76 2.50
B = 2.51 3.25 D = 1.01- 1.75
F = 0.00 1.00

Grades for the course are based on a variety of exercises and assignments throughout the course. The weights of
these components will be based on summative (proof of learning) and formative

Study guides and daily assignments 35% Quizzes: RSP Projects 65%
35% Examinations and FRQ Essays 65%
Current Events 35%

Notes and vocabulary

Notes will be a mix of student created and teacher led. Students can email me for make up notes.
Each student is required to submit a study guide or outline notes for each chapter showing evidence
of main concepts and key topics.
Each student is required to keep a vocabulary list or flash cards consisting of key terms (usually
listed in bold on the side) from the chapter. Quizlet or Study Stack may be used.

Required Semester Project The required semester project for this class will be a bill writing simulation that
will follow bill to law as well as executive action and constitutionality on an approved issue facing the United
States. Other projects: We will also complete a unit which includes an election simulation, and Supreme
Court case project that combines the duties of the Supreme Court and civil rights and liberties.

I have read the above guidelines and requirements for AP US Government and Politics.

Student signature _____________________________________________________________________

Parent or Guardian signature ____________________________________________________________

Unit Objectives and End of Unit dates
Introducing Government in America
Traditional Democratic Theory
Contemporary Theories of American Democracy
Pluralist Theory
Elite and Class Theory
Hyper-pluralism

The Constitution:
Origins of the Constitution
Articles of Confederation
National Government under the Articles
Weaknesses of the Articles
Philadelphia Convention
Checks and Balances
Ratification of the Constitution

Federalism:
Defining Federalism
Decentralized Government
Decentralized Policy
Constitutional Basis of Federalism
Supremacy Clause
McCulloch v. Maryland
Elastic Clause

Unit AP US-01 Exam Ch. 1-3 End of Unit September 7th and 8th
Unit 02: Civil Liberties:
The Bill of Rights
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech, Press, Assembly
Defendants rights

Civil Rights:
Civil Rights Era
Right to Vote
Women and Public Policy
New Groups and Civil Rights
Affirmative Action
Exam #2: Unit 02: Unit 2 End date: Sept 23 & Sept 24

Unit 03
Public Opinion and Political Action:

The American People

Political Socialization
Public Opinion and Political Information
Political Ideologies
How Americans Participate in Politics Mass Media & the Political Agenda
 Development of media politics
The print media
The broadcast media
The media's agenda setting function

Unit 03 Project and end date Oct 1 & 2

Unit 04 Branches of American Government: Unit 05 Public Policy

Congress RSP 1 Bill Writing and Debate

Reps. & Senators
Congressional Elections
Advantages of incumbents
Money in elections
Organization of Congress
Congressional leadership
Committees and subcommittees
Congressional process
Lobbyists
Social Policy
Defining rich and poor
Government involvement
Social welfare programs
Foreign and Defense Policy
American foreign policy, an overview
Politics of defense policy

Presidency
Presidential powers
Running the government The executive office
Politics of shared powers
The public president

The Federal Bureaucracy RSP 2 Executive Implementation

Bureaucratic organization
Cabinets and Executive Agencies

Economic Policy
Govt. and the economy

The Federal Courts RSP 3 Constitutionality argument

Nature of judicial system
Structure of federal judicial system
Politics of judicial selection
Supreme Court function and cases

Unit Test and Close Date November 23 &24

Unit 06: Linkage Institutions in American Government

Political Parties
 Party in the electorate
Party organizations
The party in government: policy
Party eras
3rd parties: Impact on politics Nominations & Campaigns
Presidential primaries
National conventions
The campaign game
Money & campaigning
Elections & Voting Behavior
Who votes?
How Americans Vote
The electoral college Interest Groups
Role of interest groups
Interest group politics
Shaping of policy
Types of interest groups

Unit Exam and Election Project Close Date December 10 & 11

Finals Review and Test Week December 14-18