12th Grade AP U - Fort Bend ISD



12th Grade AP U.S. Government and Politics

Syllabus and Course Requirements

Ms. Roberts

Room V-11

Course Description:

This course is for ½ credits. Its focus is upon the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the structure, functions, and powers of government on the national, state, and local levels. A significant focus of this course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and ideas and the form of government it created. This course is in preparation for the Advanced Placement test in May and is consequently more in depth, more rigorous, and at a faster pace than the advanced course.

General Information: Parents and students should feel free to contact me through my school e-mail address BARBARA.ROBERTS@. My direct number is 281-634-4333. If you do not understand the material or have questions, please contact me for help. I am usually at school by 7:00 a.m. and stay until at least 4:00 pm in the afternoon on most days. My conference period for this semester is 6th period. I am available for tutorials and make up work on Tuesday. Please plan accordingly to secure a pass.

Tutorials: I am available for tutorials as indicated above. If you are having trouble with an assignment please feel free to come by and speak to me. I may not change the grade or policy, but I can at least explain my decision.

Readings: In order to be successful in a college level course it is essential that students maximize their time and complete all assigned reading prior to class discussion and lecture. The textbook, readings, and lecture will figure prominently into quizzes and tests.

Text:

III Edwards, George C., Wattenberg, Martin P., and Lineberry, Robert L. Government in America. Government in America: people, politics and policy. 10th Edition. New York: Pearson Education, 2002.

Woll, Peter. ed. , American Government: readings and cases. 15th ed. New York: Pearson Education, 2004.

Also Recommended:

AMSCO Advanced Placement: United States Government and Politics, 2019 edition by David Wolfford (ISBN # 978-1531112837) ($23 on Amazon)

Link to Purchase:



Lamb, Pamela. 5Steps to A 5AP U.S. Government and Politics. 2020. New York: McGrawhill Education, 2020.

Materials: Composition Book, Blue/Black Pens, Pencils, Assigned Colored Folder, Glue Sticks

Current Events: Knowledge of contemporary political issues and events is essential for the analytical focus that must be exhibited in research papers and essays. It is highly recommended that students expose themselves to as many types of political media as possible. Some examples: New York Times, Weekly Report, National Review, US News, C-Span, MSNBC. Additionally you will be required to maintain a current events section in your notebook with both articles and your own interpretations.

Grading: School policy dictates grading policy. Daily work and homework will constitute 50% of your grade and tests and projects will constitute the other 50%. School policy is clear on make-up work for absences (1 class period for each class period missed). Late work will carry severe grade point deductions and without extraordinary circumstances may result in an assigned grade of 50 or less.

When determining grades for late work (daily and major) use the following chart:

-10 points for one school day late (not class day)

-20 points for two school days late

-30 points for three school days late

-40 points for four school days late

No grade higher than a 50 for all other work.

All Assignments should be uploaded on Schoology before the bell rings to be considered on time. Each page must be attached for work that is more than one page in order for the teacher to view and completely grade the assignment. The student’s name must be clearly visible on each page of the assignment. Then assignments are to be retain in the student’s interactive notebook through the use of glue sticks and stapling.

Students should refer to Schoology for posted deadlines and times for online submissions.

Assignments given on Monday/Tuesday will be do on the following Thursday/Friday.

Assignments given on Thursday/Friday will be do the following Monday/Tuesday.

Quizzes and Test will go live on Thursday/Friday and will be due the follow by Sunday @ 11:59 pm on less otherwise noted.

It is your responsibility to get your assignments when you are absent. Please see the folders in the back of the room for additional information.

(This looks a bit differently online – Refer to rules for Remote learning attendance policy)

Digital Citizenship: Students are permitted to use MP3, IPADs, Tablets, readers etc inside of their Economics classroom for educational purposes and with the permission of the teacher at state times. The student is responsible for keeping up with and securing such devices. Bringing them to class is at the student’s own risk.

Attachments and training to support the increased use of technology will be available for Edmodo, Schoology, and Twitter.

Schoology: Schoology will be used a regular two way form of communication in this class. As per district policy make sure your AUP in up to date for this purpose. Remember you are to comply with all district rules regarding good netiquette. (Ex. No pictures of students may be used on your profile picture).Please plan accordingly to submit assignments and refer back to it often for updates and details. Those needing assistance should speak to Ms. Roberts for assistance.

AP Classroom:

AP classroom houses built in tools to help prepare students for the AP Government exam.  It will be used throughout the semester assess and track student growth. Students should make sure they are registered within the 1st week of school. 



Exams: There will be one major exam at the end of each unit of study. Most exams will consist of both multiple choice and free-response questions. There will be no re-takes and no curves. Your work stands for itself.

Groups: You will be required to work in a group with 3 to 4 of your peers on several occasions this semester. This includes presentations over the reader as well as a research based products at the end of the semester. All are major grades. Choose your partners carefully as work outside of class will be required.

2018 Syllabus Revision: In the summer of 2018, College Board updated the course description for AP Government to include increase rigor and real world application of the course. It now better aligns with other AP exams in its style for FRQ and time allotted to complete the exam.

Additionally, students are required to complete a community service project component that you must document for me by the end of the term. It is best to start early. This assignment is hard to complete at the last minute. Please make authentic.

Please refer to Schoology for the latest updated course outline.

You are expected to participate in an AP examination at the end of the semester.

AP EXAM: May 3, 2021

[pic]

Policies and Procedures

All district and school policies are to be followed at all times. Additionally, I have five simple expectations to encourage success in our classroom. Other procedures are reinforced and established throughout the semester.

❖ The learner will be Present – Come to class

❖ The learner will be Prompt – Come to class on time and be ready to work when the bell rings.

❖ The learner will be Prepared – Come to class with homework and all supplies in hand daily. Pencils are sharpened and minds are opened.

❖ The learner will Participate – Come as an active learner. Add to the discussion

❖ The learner will be Positive – Come without any negativity. Leave it at the door. Always show respect. When in a heated discussion it maybe necessary to agree to disagree.

❖ If all of the above is accomplished, then it is our hope the learner will

❖ Pass!!!!!!!!!!!!

Course Outline:

|Week 1: Welcomes and Intro |

|Syllabus |

|How To Navigate |

|Schoology Scavenger Hunt |

|AP Classroom |

|Due Sunday by 11:59 AP Classroom Pre Assessement |

|Week 2: |

|Public Opinion and Political Action |

|- Political Socialization |

|- Political Ideology |

|- Methods of Polling |

|- Sampling Error |

| |

|Due Friday in Class: Portrait of Me |

|Week 3: |

|Constitutional Beginnings |

|Declaration of Independence and 2nd Treatises |

|Articles of Confederation |

|Federalist Anti/Federalist Game |

|Federalist Paper 10, 51 |

|Brutus #1 |

|Great Compromise |

|US Constitution |

|Marbury v. Madison |

|McCullough v. Maryland |

|United States vs. Lopez |

|Necessary and Proper Clause/Elastic Clause/ Implied Powers |

|Commerce Power |

|Due By Sunday @ 11:59 PM Ch 2 Quiz |

|Week 4: |

|Civil Liberties |

|Bill of Rights |

|Process of incorporation |

|10th Amendment |

|14th Amendment |

| |

|Court Cases: |

|McCullough v. Maryland |

|United States vs. Lopez |

|Engel v. Vitale |

|Wisconsin v. Yoder |

|Tinker v. Des Moines |

|Schenck V. United States |

|McDonald. V. Chicago |

|Gideon v. Wainwright |

|Roe v. Wade |

|NY Times vs. Sullivan |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 4 Quiz |

|Week 5: |

|Federalism |

|10th Amendment |

|14th Amendment |

|McCullough v. Maryland |

|United States vs. Lopez |

|Commerce Clause |

|Necessary and Proper Clause/Elastic Clause |

|Concurrent powers |

|Enumerated powers |

|Full Faith and Credit |

|Privileges and Immunities |

|Supremacy Clause |

|Block/Catgorical/Formula/Project Grants |

|Due by Sunday @ 11:59 pm : Unit 1 Test |

|Week 6: Mass Media and Political Agenda |

|Linkage Institutions |

|Social Media |

|Horse Race Journalism |

|Narrowcasting |

|Trial Balloons |

|Soundbites |

|Policy Agenda |

|Selective exposure |

|Selective Perception |

|1960 Debate |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 7 Quiz |

|Week 7: |

|Political Parties |

|Linkage Institution |

|Rational Choice Theory |

|Party Platform |

|McGovern Fraser Commission |

|Party Eras |

|Party Realignment |

|Party Dealignment |

|Patronage |

|Responsible Party Model |

|Third Party |

|Nomination |

|Open Primaries/Closed Primaries |

|Ticket splitting |

|Critical Election |

|New Deal Coaltion |

|Winner-Take-All |

|Party in the Electorate |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 8 Quiz |

|Week 8: |

|Campaigns and Voter Behavior |

|Nominations |

|Open/Closed Primaries |

|Caucuses |

|McGovern Fraser Commission |

|Superedelegates |

|Electoral College |

|Swing/Battleground states |

|FECA/FEC |

|Frontloading |

|Citizens United vs. FEC |

|Super PACs |

|501 cs |

|Mandate Theory |

|Selective Pereception |

|Political Efficacy |

|Motor Voter Law |

|Voter Expansion |

|Soft Money |

|527 |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 9 Quiz |

|Week 9: |

|Interest Groups |

|Roles of Interest Groups |

|Lobbying |

|Litigation |

|Electioneering |

|Going Public |

|Theories of Interest Groups |

|Elitism |

|Hyperpluralism |

|Pluralsim |

|Success of Interest Groups |

|Olson’s Law |

|Free Rider Problem |

|Types of Interest Groups |

|Single Issue |

|Labor |

|Business |

|Environmental |

|Equality |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Unit 2 TEST |

|Week 10: |

|Congress |

|Article I |

|Baker V. Carr |

|Shaw vs. Reno |

| |

|Congressional Elections |

|Incumbency advantage |

|How Congress is Organized |

|Bicameral |

|Majority Leader/Whip |

|Speaker of the House |

|President Pro Tempore |

|Committee system |

|Caucuses |

|Seniority system |

|Bill making Process |

|Rules committee |

|Select Committee |

|Standing Committee |

|Oversight Function |

|Filibuster |

|Casework |

|Logrolling |

|Pork barreling |

|Discharge petition |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 11 Quiz |

|Week 11: The Presidency |

|Article II |

|Federalist 70 |

|Federalist 78 |

|22nd Amendment |

|Formal/Informal Requirements |

|Presidential Powers |

|Presidential Popularity |

| |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 12 Quiz |

|Week 12: |

|The Budget and the Politics of Taxing and Spending |

|Budget |

|Expenditures |

|Income tax |

|16th Amendment |

|Deficit |

|Incrementalism |

|House Ways and Mean |

|Senate Finance Committee |

|Budget Resolution |

|Authorization bill |

|Continuing resolution |

|Reconciliation |

|Appropriations bill |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Reading Road Map |

|Week 13: |

|The Federal Bureaucracy |

|Burecrats |

|Patronage |

|Pendleton Civil Service Act |

|Hatch Act |

|Government Corporations |

|Independent executive agency |

|Regulatory agency |

|Command and Control |

|Incentive Policy |

|Administrative Discretion |

|Issue Networks |

|Iron Tringles |

|OPM |

| |

| |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 14 Quiz |

|Week 14: The Federal Courts |

|Artilce III |

|Federalist 78 |

|Structure of Judicial branch |

|Judicial selection |

|Courts and policy makers |

|History of the courts |

|Marshall Courts |

|Judcial Review |

|Warren Courts |

|Burger Courts |

|Rehnquist Courts |

|Roberts Courts |

|Judicial Activism |

|Judicial Restraint |

|Precedent |

|Stare decisis |

|Marvbury v Madison |

|Amicus Curae Brief |

|Applelate Court |

|District Court |

|Supreme Court |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 15 Quiz |

|Week 15: Civil Rights |

| |

|Equal Portection Clause |

|Civil Rights Act of 1964 |

|Title IX |

|Brown v. Board |

|Voting Rights Act 1965 |

|Letter from a Birmingham Jail |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Ch 5 Quiz |

|Week 16: Domestic/Foreign Policy |

|Due By Sunday@ 11:59 PM Civic Engagement Project |

|Week 17: |

|Week 18: Finals |

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download