AP United States Government



Newport High School 2013-14

Instructor: Mr. Brian Murphy

Email: murphybr@

Course Description:

This AP American Government course gives students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the U.S.  This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples.  Students will examine the constitutional basis of government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups, mass media, institutions of government, public policy, and civil rights and liberties. 

Advanced Placement Exam:

This course is designed to prepare you for the AP Government Examination. Although the exam is not required, it is highly recommended and is needed in order to potentially earn college credit and/or advanced placement in college. This exam is difficult and extreme effort will be required on everyone’s part (myself included) to succeed.

Course Materials

George C. Edwards, Martin P. Wattenburg, and Robert L. Lineberry. Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, 2012 Election Edition. New York: Addison Wesley Educational Publishers, Inc., 2012.

A variety of AP-level readings, scholarly articles, and resources including the Federalist Papers and other primary source materials as well as contemporary research and analysis.

Current news articles from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, C-SPAN, and other sources.

Course Outline

I. Political Beliefs and Behaviors (Chapters 6, 7 and 10)

• Political Socialization, Citizen Attitudes, Public Opinion, Voting Patterns, Mass Politics and Protest

II. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Media (Chapters 8, 9, 11)

• Political Parties (functions, history, organization), Elections and the Electoral Process, Interest Groups, and Political Action Committees (PACs)

III. Constitutional Foundations (Chapters 1-3)

IV. The Institutions of the American National Government (Chapters 12-14, 16)

• Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, Courts

V. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (Chapters 4-5)

• Bill of Rights, Role of the Judiciary in the Development of the Meaning of Rights, Minority and Special Group Rights

Tests and Essays:

• There will be four exams in AP US Government in the style of the AP Exam. All exams are a combination of essay and multiple choice questions. Each exam will cover all assigned reading and the class lecture/discussion notes.

Assignments and Quizzes:

• The reading will be the major expectation of the course. The readings from the text will be referred to in the lectures and in class discussions, but not systematically reviewed. It is essential, therefore, that you read the assigned material in advance of the lectures and ask questions.

o Students who read get higher scores on the AP exam! To ensure you get the 4 or 5 that many colleges require for you to receive credit…READ!

• Study Guides—You will be responsible for assignments on each chapter. These will generally be assigned in class on the first day of a new chapter and due upon conclusion of the chapter to . You should look this over before you read, as it will tell you what you should get from the reading. You will respond to each objective in writing. These responses may be brief and in note format, but should use key words and ideas. Assignments which bear enough similarities or suggest shared work will not be given credit. An 80% or higher similarity rating from will result in an automatic 0 on the assignment.

• Other types of assignments include Free Response Questions (FRQs), response papers, class discussions, debates, or projects on specific topics or supplemental readings.

Expectations:

Academic Honesty—“Borrowing” or “sharing” another student’s assignment is cheating and both students will receive a zero. Homework assignments ARE NOT group work assignments. You should not be working on ANY assignments with another student unless you are specifically instructed to do so. To protect against abuse of academic honesty, all assignments will be expected to be submitted to .

Absences – Absences must be excused through the main office. If an assignment was due on a day you had an excused absence, it is due on your return. If you are absent it is YOUR responsibility to find out what homework you have missed. Your steps should be:

1. Check the website

2. Pick up any extra documents in class folders

3. Contact me for extra help in tutorial.

All late Homework will automatically result in a 60%. Late work will be accepted until 2 weeks before the end of the semester. After that, the assignment will not be accepted. Missed quizzes/tests must be made up during tutorial within a week of your return.

Tardies—The Newport policy on unexcused tardies is enforced in this class. If you are held up in another class, only a note from that teacher will excuse you from penalty.

1st TA – warning

2nd TA – 1hr detention

3rd TA – 2hr detention

4th TA- 2hr detention with parent notification

5th – Referral to Administrator

Class Website—To be checked daily! I work hard to maintain a web page. It can be accessed through . Bookmark the page! You are also welcome to email me whenever you have a question at murphybr@. The following may be accessed from the web page:

• Syllabus

• Class calendar—Days for larger units, topic for each day, any supplemental documents, and homework. If school is cancelled, you will be responsible for checking the website for updates on readings!

• Lecture notes—You will either take notes on separate paper in class or print the lecture notes out beforehand to take notes.

• Readings and Study Guides—Longer readings will be available only on the website. If you have no computer access, please contact me about making sure you are provided with hard copies on the day the reading is assigned.

• Links to helpful materials

• Announcements

|General Expectations for Student Participation |

|(Quality is valued over Quantity) |

|Student is active in discussion, helps clarify concepts, and asks insightful questions on a consistent basis. |

| |

|Student participates sporadically throughout the week and exhibits a basic understanding of issues and concepts; questions or concerns are |

|helpful, but highlight course logistics rather than subject matter. |

| |

|Student is on time, prepared and attentive, but seldom engages in discussions or otherwise contributes to class. Sometimes even bright students |

|who choose not to get involved in discussions receive this participation grade. My advice to improve the overall grade: Let’s hear your voice! |

| |

|Student is disruptive (including disrespectful or frequently tardy), or student exhibits little attention to class activities. Attitude matters. |

|Any student who is asked to leave the classroom will automatically receive a D for participation during that 2-3 week grading period. |

| |

|Student is blatantly disruptive or disrespectful, willfully defies instructor, or otherwise gets in the way of learning. Any student who receives|

|an F will also receive a written referral and a conference with an administrator. |

Grading:

Grades are awarded on point basis. In this type of grading system, any and all points earned are important. This includes late assignments! Very few Extra Credit assignments/activities will be available during the course of the semester, so please take full advantage of all regular points available.

Grade Scale:

100-90 A 89-90 B 79-70 C 69-60 D 59-0 F

After you have thoroughly read through the AP US Government Class Syllabus, please sign and date the agreement below. By signing this agreement, you are saying that you understand all of the class expectations and rules and will adhere to them the remainder of the semester. Please be sure to have a parent also read the class syllabus and sign and date below as well. Please return this form by the end of the week.

Thanks and I look forward to a Great Semester!

If you or your parent/guardian has any questions or concerns, please let me know in person, or they can contact me:

E-mail: murphybr@ (I will reply within 48hrs)

Facebook:

Twitter: @MrMurphyNHS

Wordpress Blog:

Phone: (425) 456-7490 – please call after school ends (around 2:30 pm)

A Note on Social Networking:

I use social networking sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Wordpress, to communicate with students, parents and faculty. I do not require that you “friend” or “follow” me on these mediums. However, I believe that using these tools can only serve to increase our communication, collaboration and positive connectivity. Social networking is a great way to stay in touch, ask questions and build relationships. If you choose to partake in this medium of communication with me, I expect that you do so in a respectful and responsible manner.

Mr. Murphy

I, _______________________________________, and my parents have fully read the Class Syllabus for AP US Government and understand what is expected of me during this semester. We also understand and accept all of the classroom rules and realize the consequences of any inappropriate action in the classroom. I will do all that I can within my power to be respectful in the classroom and help create a positive learning environment.

______________________________________ ______________________________________

Student’s Name—Print Parent’s Name—Print

______________________________________ ______________________________________

Student’s Signature Parent’s Signature

______________________________________ ______________________________________

Student’s Email Address (that you check) Parent’s Email Address (for communication purposes)

______________________________________ __________________________________________

Date Parent’s Phone Number

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AP US Government and Politics

Class Syllabus

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