AP United States Government and Politics

Course Description:
AP United States Government and Politics is a year long class in which
student will study the formal and informal structures of government, at the
federal and local levels, and its policy making. This course is designed to prepare
students to take the AP Exam for United States Government and Politics. This
course is intended to be comparable to a college-level American Government
course. It requires outside reading, assignments, and research.

Teaching Strategies:
This class will involve lecture, discussion, individual, and small group
activities. Students will be required to participate in class activities including both
reading and writing assignments. It is expected that students are knowledgeable
on current news and debates related to our system of government.

Assessment and Grading:

Grades are divided by daily work and debates (30%), quizzes (30%), and
tests, essays, and projects (40%). Participation points can be earned during lectures
and debates. Chapter tests will be formatted as the AP Exam, with a combination of
multiple choice and analytical free response questions. Tests are based on required
reading from the textbook. Class assignments can involve reading, short essays,
and analysis of charts, maps, graphs, and other images.

Teacher Text and Supplemental Materials:

Benedict, J.A., N.E., Kish, J., and, H.S. (2007). Advanced Placement US Government
& Politics 1. Center for Learning.
Benedict, J.A., N.E., Kish, J., and, H.S. (2007). Advanced Placement US Government
& Politics 2. Center for Learning.
Berman, M. (1994). The Only Boobs in the House Are Men: A Veteran Woman
Legislator Lifts the Lid on Politics Macho Style. Momentum Books LLC.
Boardman, J., Griffin, J., O.M. (1998). The Oxford History of the Classical World:
Greece and the Hellenistic World. Oxford University Press, USA.
Ellis, J.J. (2007). American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the
Republic. Knopf, 1 edition.
Kelly, A.H. And, W.A.H. (1948). The American Constitution – Its Origins and
Development – Two Volume Set. W.W. Norton & Company.
Ketcham, R. (2003). The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention
Debates. Signet Classics.
Kutler, S.I. (1984). The Supreme Court and the Constitution: Readings in American
Constitutional History. W. W. Norton & Company.
Newsom, D.D. (1988). Diplomacy and the American Democracy. Indiana University
Press.
Novello, D. (1992). Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters, Volume 2. Workman Publishing
Company.

O'Rourke, P.J. (1996). American Spectator's Enemies List: A Vigilant Journalist's

Plea for a Renewed Red Scare. Atlantic Monthly Press.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1993). Give War a Chance. Vintage Books.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1988). Holidays in Hell. Vintage Books.
O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of Whores. Grove Press.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1995). Republican Party Reptile: The Confessions, Adventures,
Essays, and (Other) Outrages of... Atlantic Monthly Press.
Twain, Mark. “The Facts in the Case of the Great Beef Contract.” Saturday Evening
Post (1839 – 1885) (1870):4.
Wilson, J.Q. And Jr., J.J.D. (2005a). American Government: Institutions and Policies,
7th edition. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Wilson, J.Q. And Jr., J.J.D. (2005b). American Government: Institutions and Policies,
7th edition. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Student Text:
Wilson, J.Q. And Jr., J.J.D.a. (1998). American Government: Institutions and Policies
(Student Text), 11th edition. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Course Plan:
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of the US Government (3 weeks)
Concepts:
• Ideological and philosophical traditions of American Government
• Understanding Federalism and Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances
• Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
• The historical context of the Constitutional Convention
• Concerns of Framers: Madison and other factinos
• Reason for adoption of Bill of Rights
• Theoretical perspectives relating to the Constitution: Republic,
democracy, pluralism, and elitism
Reading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: Constitution, 2
Federalism, 3
Supplemental Reading: Federalist 10 and 51
O'Rourke, Parliament of Whores, Preface
Ellis, American Creation
Ketcham, R. (2003). The Anti-Federalist Papers
and the Constitutional Conventions Debates

Assignment/activities: U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1

Lesson 16: Omissions in the U.S.
Constitution: A Debate
*understanding the period in which
the Constitution was written
Lesson 17: Tracing the History of Political
Parties
*historical roots of political parties,
development of 2-party system

U.S. Government and Politics, Book 2

Lesson 1: Constitutionalism: The Tyranny
of the Majority
*threat of the majority, functional
differences between democracy &
republic
Lesson 2: Article V: The Amendment Process
*method, purposes, fairness of amendment
process
Lesson 4: Separation of Powers-The original
intent of the Founders
*understanding Founders' intent;
compromises
Lesson 5: Philosophers of the Time
*philosophic influences and beliefs on the
formation of U.S. Government
Lesson 6: Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist
*Arguments for and against the
Constitution
Lesson 7: The Bill of Rights: A compilation of
others
*sources and principles of the Bill of Rights
Lesson 8: Theories of Governance:Who Governs?
*the characteristics and application of the 4
theories of government
Lesson 30: Federalism: National vs. State
Expectations
*concept of federalism as it relates to the
national and state governments
Lesson 33: Interest Groups: The Madison
Perspective
*analyzing Federalist 10

Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors (5 weeks)

Concepts:
• Beliefs about government and its leaders
• U.S. Political system
• U.S. Political culture: formation, evolution
• Political behavior/participation, beliefs, socialization
• Citizen demographics, minority/ethnic perspectives & the political
process
• Public opinion
• Voters, voting trends
Reading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: American Political
Culture, 4
Public Opinion, 7
Political Participation, 8
Supplemental Reading: Novello, D. (1992). Citizen Lazlo!: The Lazlo Letters,
Volume 2.
O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of
Whores. Grove Press.
Assignment/activities:
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1
Lesson 26: Analyzing a Filibuster
*understanding concepts of filibuster and
 cloture
Lesson 27: Judicial Activism
*interpretation of the Constitution and
judicial activism by analyzing justice
remarks
Lesson 30: Acts of Legislation
*Understanding joint resolutions and
compromise bills
Lesson 37: The War Powers Resolution of 1973
*identifying Presidential powers and
Congressional oversight
Lesson 18: Bush v. Gore: The Supreme Court
Decides an Election
*examine Supreme Court role in 2000
election
Lesson 40: The Courts and Public Policy
*understand judicial power, review, and
procedure
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2
Lesson 22: Reapportionment: Under Court
Control?
*analyzing issues of reapportionment and
gerrymandering
Lesson 24: Factors that Influence Presidential
Decision Making
*application of Presidential decision making
Lesson 25: The White Office
*identifying the organization of the White
House Office
Lesson 29: Bureaucratic Pathology
*understanding bureaucracy problems and
impact on the political system
Lesson 27: Analyzing a Supreme Court Case
*analysis of Supreme Court decision-making
Unit 4: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (4 weeks)
Concepts:
• Development of individual right and liberties
• Rights under the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments
• Significant Supreme Court decisions and interpretation of the
Constitution
• Racial segregation: legal, social, and political evolution
• Fourteenth amendment
• Evolution of minorities and women's rights
Reading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: Civil Liberties, 5
Civil Rights, 6
Supplemental Reading: Boardman, J., Griffin, J., and O.M. (1988). The
Oxford History of the Classical World: Greece and
the Hellenistic World.

O'Rourke, P.J. (1993). Give War a Chance.

 O'Rourke, P.J. (1988). Holidays in Hell.
O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of
Whores.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1995). Republican Party Reptile:
The Confessions, Adventures, Essays, and (Other)
Outrages of...
Assignment/activities:
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1
Lesson 39: Trial by Jury/Mock Trial
*understanding structure and organization of trial
court
Lesson 40: The Courts and Public Policy
*understanding judicial review/precedent and civil
liberties
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2
Lesson 34: Freedom of Religion: Challenges of
Separation
*understanding religion and politics
Lesson 35: Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure
*understanding and identifying legal requirements
and exceptions
Lesson 36: Due Process of Law: Exclusionary
Rule
*understanding exclusionary rule and criminal
justice system
Lesson 37: Applied Affirmative Action
*understanding historical evolution and application
Lesson 38: The Flag Burning Amendment: A student case
study
*understanding historical perspective and First
Amendment Rights
Lesson 39: Protest Movements: And Examination of MLK Jr.
*analyzing nonviolent civil disobedience
Unit 5: Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (7 weeks)
Concepts:
• Role and operations of political parties
• Development of political parties, types, and differences of parties
• Influence of political parties on the political system
• Influence of political parties on the political system
• Mechanism for citizen political involvement: Political parties, special
interest groups, PACs
• Impact of interest groups on the political process and public policy
• Success of certain special interest groups
• Media's role in the political system
• Impact of media on public opinion, public policy, the political agenda,
and elections
Reading Assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: Political Parties, 9
Elections & Campaigns, 10
Interest Groups, 11
The Media, 12
 Supplemental Reading: O'Rourke, P.J. And, A.F. (2003). Parliament of Whores.

Assignment/Activities:
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1
Lesson 23: The Structure of Political Parties
*understanding function, organization,
leadership
Lesson 31: Third Parties
*understanding role of third parties on the
political process
Lesson 32: Participating in a Caucus
*analyzing the role and effectiveness of caucus
Lesson 29: A Mock Election
*role-play process of choosing a candidate
Lesson 33: Election Laws
*identifying the effects of the Voting Rights of
1965
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2
Lesson 31: Political Parties: Differences between
Dems & GOP
*understanding the differences in party platform
Lesson 16: Campaign Financing
*identifying limitations of financing federal
elections
Lesson 20: The Impact of Mass Media: Analyzing a
Debate
*analyzing political messages and the media,
use of media by candidates
Lesson 21: Financing a Presidential Campaigning
*identifying campaign donors and motives for
donating to presidential campaigns
Lesson 32: PACs: Out of Control
*identifying the scope and impact of PACs on
federal elections

Unit 6: Public Policy (4 weeks)

Concepts:
• The formation of public policy by the President and Congress
• Implementation and interpretation of public policy by the bureaucracy
and courts
• Types and forms of policy: Domestic and foreign policy: policy networks,
iron triangles
• Impact of policy on federalism. Interest groups, parties, and elections
Reading Assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: The Policy-Making Process, 17
Economic Policy, 18
 Social Warfare, 19
Foreign and Military Policy, 20
Environmental Policy, 21
Supplemental Reading: O'Rourke, P.J. (1993). Give War a Chance.
Assignment/Activities:
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 1
Lesson 34: Creation of a Political Action Committee
*examine role of PACs in U.S. political system.
Lesson 35: Alternative Energy Sources
*research alternatives to petroleum
Lesson 36: Environmental Regulatory Legislation
*identifying regulatory legislation that deal with the
environmental and health
U.S. Government & Politics, Book 2
Lesson 28: Wilson's Four Points of Public Policy
*understand majoritarian politics, interests group
politics, client politics, and entrepreneurial politics

Unit 7: Review/Practice AP Exam (2 weeks)

Assignment/Activities: Test Strategies
Practice Tests

Unit 8: State and Local Government (2 weeks)

Concepts:
Reading assignment: Wilson & DiIulio, Chapters: State and Local Gov., 25 (7ed)
Supplemental Reading: Berman, M. (1994). The Only Boobs in the House are
Men: A Veteran Woman Legislator Lifts the Lid on
Politics Macho Style.
Assignment/Activities: State Capitol Visit
Mock Election