Advanced Placement Government and Macroeconomics
Mr. Eric Krause Coral Reef Senior High School
Ekrause1@ 2019-2020
Honors US Government and Politics
Honors Economics
“All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.” Aristotle
Course Description- US Government and Politics
The U.S. Government and Politics course is designed to provide a traditional, college level course and will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course will emulate the academic rigor of a college-level course, while including the study of both the general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. Throughout this course, students will examine and analyze the Constitution of the United States, including federalism, political parties and the behavior of citizens, interest groups, and the mass media, as well as gaining a familiarity with the institutions, processes, beliefs, and policies that constitute U.S. politics. Students will use higher order thinking skills to formulate solid opinions and interpret the various trends throughout politics and our society, and the importance of participation in local, state, and national government.
Course Overview- Honors Economics
This class is designed to provide you with insight into the American free enterprise system and practical application of key concepts in macro and micro-economics. The course includes investment strategies, the economic way of thinking, trade, exchange and interdependence, banking services, consumer credit, and the role of government. Students will be encouraged to utilize the computer laboratory facilities and will be provided a variety of opportunities to learn about economics through case studies and simulations. My goal is that you leave this course equipped with a working knowledge of personal finance and economic survival as independent citizens as well as an understanding of our free market system.
Course Requirements
1. Students are required to attend class prepared to participate in discussions. The course is discussion-based and is designed to promote analytical study of issues. This will require extra effort on the student’s part to complete out of class reading and class assignments. AP courses tend to require more reading than most.
2. Keep a notebook containing class notes, study questions, and handouts.
3. Turn in all assignments on the due date. Failure to do so will result in a letter grade deduction per day the assignment is late.
Attendance
Attendance is very important to successful completion of the course. Students who miss class often will quickly jeopardize chances for both good grades in the course and successful AP Exam grades. Students should make a sincere commitment to be in class. Attendance is one of the items that a teacher is legally responsible for, so cutting or skipping while you are under my care is strictly enforced and will result in a referral immediately the next day.
Expectations for student behavior
1. Follow instructions the first time they are given. Insubordination, defiance, disrupting the class, or failure to comply with instructions is not acceptable.
2. Unless instructed, remain in your assigned seat at all times. If you need to do leave this seat for some reason, ask for permission.
3. Please finish all food and drinks during lunch, not in the classroom.
4. Stay on task at all times. If you finish the current task early, you are to find something productive to work on while the class catches up, or until the exercise is completed. (see rules 1 and 6)
5. Please refrain from talking while the instructor is talking or while a fellow student is trying to concentrate on work.
6. It is expected that grooming and sleeping is to be done at home or on your own time, not in class
7. Dishonesty or cheating will result in an automatic zero on an assignment.
8. Defacing, breaking, or stealing school equipment will result in a fine for the property or a referral to school administrators for disciplinary action.
9. Please do not use vulgar language or profanity. This will result in a referral as you are disturbing the learning environment of the class.
10. I have a Bring Your Own Device policy as does Coral Reef. DEVICES ARE TO BE USED FOR CLASS PURPOSES ONLY! If a student is caught using his cell phone/ tablet/watch for other classes and or non academic purposes, a referral will be written to the administration as the student is in defiance of school authority. I will review this policy on day one of every class as well. Please be mindful of this policy as it is ZERO TOLERANCE . (Note to parents: Please do not call or text your child during school hours as this sends a mixed message regarding this rule and will only result in wasted time for you and your child. If you must reach your child immediately, please contact the school office.)
All other school expectations outlined in the student handbook apply.
All other school expectations outlined in the student handbook apply.
Procedures for non-instructional routines
1. Instructions will be given at the beginning of class daily.
2. Sharpen pencils at the beginning of class or after initial instruction.
3. Attendance will be checked daily.
4. Students must have a pass from the teacher to leave class. One person at a time is permitted.
5. The school tardy policy will be followed.
6. During fire drills, hurricane/tornado drills, bomb threats, or school lock-down, students will follow the school procedures accordingly and adhere to the instructions given by the teacher. (as outlined in the handbook).
7. Work areas should be left neat and clean.
8. Excessive restroom usage, or excessive time in the restroom will be considered skipping and result in a referral.
9. If a substitute is instructing all assignment grades and class penalties will be doubled. No late assignments will be accepted from anyone who did not have an excused absence from school (I went to Mr. Blah’s room is not acceptable- only an excused absence or pre-approved school function is acceptable in this case.)
Evaluation
Academic Grades issued will be based on the following scale:
Work = Frequency = Weighting
Classwork Given as necessary 1 Grade
Homework Every day 1 Grade
Quizzes Appx. 1/week 1-2 Grades
Tests Appx. 1/ Topic 4 grades
Special Projects Appx. 1-2/year 5- 6 grades
Mid-Term 1/year 10% of Final Grade
Final 1/year 10% of Final Grade
Grading and Attendance
A – 100% to 90% 4.00 to 3.50
B – 89% to 80% 3.49 to 2.50
C – 79% to 70% 2.49 to 1.50
D – 69% to 60% 1.49 to 1.00
F – Below 60% below 1.00
Grading Procedures
1. Work not turned in will be given a zero in the gradebook and also impacts the effort grade. (Potential Senoritis Victims please pay attention)
2. If a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to obtain the work missed and consult with the teacher regarding the due date of the missed assignment.
3. Unsatisfactory absences over the permitted amount (1 credit classes=10/year; .5 credit classes=5/year) will result in the student receiving a NC grade. I held up credits of 4 seniors last year, so pay attention to this part!
4. One letter grade will be deducted for each day an assignment is late.
5. Note that the Grading scale is subject to change pending a school board ruling on the application of plusses and minuses.
Effort Grade:
A student’s effort grade will be based on the following: absences, tardiness, preparation for class, efficient use of class time, and making up work missed work.
Conduct Grade:
Adhere to the classroom rules of conduct at all times. Failure to do so will result in a lower conduct grade.
Text:
Remy, Richard C. United States Government Our Democracy. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill,
2016.
Economics
Clayton, Gary E. Economics: Principles and Practices Florida Edition. Online Ed. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill, 2013
Web Resources
CNN’s Political Website
NY Times Political Section
The Economist Online Magazine
C-Span
Republican Homepage
Democrat Homepage
Federal Information Center
.gov
Official Government Website
Supreme Court Cases
Course Outline
I. WHAT ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT AND CONSTITUTION?
Course Time=Approximately Two Weeks
Topics Covered
1. Shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation
2. Goals of the Constitutional Convention
3. Differentiate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
4. Parliamentary system of government versus Presidential Republic
5. Various forms of government in the world
6. Examine the political philosophers that influenced the framers of our government
7. Federalism
8. Differentiate between cooperative and dual federalism
Major Assignment-Primary Source Material
Students are to break up into groups of four and are assigned two major Federalist or Anti-Federalist papers. They will then read the papers individually and put together a presentation to be given in front of the class teaching each other the defining points of their assigned Federalist papers. Federalist papers to be covered: 47, 48, 51, 16, 17, 10, 44, 45, 70, 53, 56, 57, 58, 62, 63, 78
Major Assignment-Constitution
Constitutional Scavenger Hunt- Students are to look up the correct Article, Section and Clause of the US Constitution when given various scenarios, facts and rights. Students may also have to give an explanation regarding the specific scenario based on their reading of the constitution Example-
The Republican candidate for president wins the election but dies of a heart attack three days before inauguration day. Who becomes president? Why?
Answer Amendment 20 Section 3- If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the
President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President
II. PUBLIC POLICY, POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS OF INDIVIDUALS
Course Time=Approximately Two Weeks
Topics Covered:
1. Direct versus Representative Democracy
2. Theories of power distribution in a democracy
3. Examine who governs and to what ends
4. Decision making matrix
5. Differentiate between Majoritarian politics, Interest Group politics, Client Politics, and Entrepreneurial Politics
6. How business regulation relates to the decision making matrix
7. American political culture versus other nations
8. Describe the role of religion in American politics
9. Political Efficacy
III. MASS MEDIA, POLITICAL PARTIES, INTERST GROUPS AND ELECTIONS
Course Time=Approximately Two Weeks
Topics Covered:
1. Political Socialization
2. Political divisions in society by class, race, religion, and region
3. Political Ideology- Examine the differences between liberalism and conservatism
4. Voting behaviors
5. Voter turnout and other forms of political participation
6. Purpose of political parties
7. History of the political party and party structure
8. Minor parties and why America has a two-party system
9. Party conventions and nominating a candidate
10. Presidential campaigning, versus congressional campaigning
11. Describe how primaries differ from general elections
12. Various sources of campaign funding and campaign finance rules
13. Purpose and history of interest groups
14. Examine different interest groups and why citizens join them
15. Discuss how interest groups relate to various social movements in history
16. Sources of funding for interest groups
17. Tactics interest groups use
18. History of the mass-media as it relates to politics
19. Rules governing the mass-media and its coverage of politics
20. Discuss the effects the mass media has on politics
21. Leaks, bias, sensationalism and other problems with the mass media
IV. THE CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENCY, THE BUREAUCRACY, THE FEDERAL COURTS: INSTITUTIONS AND POLICY PROCESS
Course Time=Approximately Eight Weeks
A. THE CONGRESS
1. Congress versus parliament
2. Examine the makeup of congress by race, gender, and party
3. Various ways a member represents his/ her constituents
4. Parties and Caucuses
5. Committees
6. Discuss how a bill becomes a law
7. Rules of the Senate and the House
8. Ethics reform
B. THE PRESIDENCY
1. Presidential systems versus Prime Ministers
2. Divided government and gridlock
3. Presidential powers
4. White house staff and the executive office
5. The Cabinet
6. Discuss Presidential appointments
7. Examine the various audiences that the President speaks to during speeches
8. Examine Presidential approval ratings
9. Veto power
10. Presidential transition and Impeachment
11. Examine Presidential power over time
C. THE BUREAUCRACY
1. Discuss how the American bureaucracy differs from others
2. History and growth of the bureaucracy
3. Congressional oversight of the bureaucracy
4. Efforts to reform the bureaucracy
5. Discuss Iron Triangles, what they are and how they work
6. Power of the bureaucracy
D. THE COURTS
1. Discuss the organization of the Federal Court system
2. Examine the appointment process and whether the courts are non-partisan
3. Judicial restraint versus “Judicial Activism”
4. Discuss the limits of public influence of the court system
5. Policy making and the courts
Major Assignment:
Case Law- The American legal system is based on precedent, as such students should
know what cases established the rights we have today. Students are to look up 55 of the
most important cases in US legal history. The cases established precedent in the
following areas: free speech, right to privacy, religious freedom, due process, free
speech, religion and the state, equal protection, federalism, checks and balances, and civil
rights. Students are to research the cases and for each provide a brief history/background
and the result of the decision on US jurisprudence.
V. CIVIL LIBERTIES & CIVIL RIGHTS Course Time=Approximately Two Weeks
1. Civil liberties protected in the Bill of Rights
2. Freedom of speech versus national security
3. Libel, Obscenity, and Symbolic Speech
4. Define “Person” with regard to speech
5. Examine the Establishment Clause
6. Due-Process and Crime
7. “Separate but Equal” and the Courts
8. Affirmative Action
9. Women and Equal Rights
Final Exam-Good Luck!
Economics
UNIT 1 Fundamental Economic Concepts
I. Chapter 1: What is Economics
A. Scarcity and the Science of Economics
B. Basic Economic Concepts
C. Economic Choices and Decision Making
II. Economic Systems and Decision Making
A. Economic Systems
B. Evaluating Economic Performance
C. American Free Enterprise
III. Business Organizations
A. Forms of Business Organizations
B. Business Growth and Expansion
C. Nonprofit Organizations
UNIT 2 Microeconomics: Prices and Markets
IV. Demand
A. What is Demand
B. Factors Affecting Demand
C. Elasticity of Demand
V. Supply
A. What is Supply
B. The Theory of Production
C. Cost Revenue and Profit Maximization
VI. Prices and Decision Making
A. Prices as Signals
B. The Price System at Work
C. Social Goals and Market Efficiency
VII. Market Structures
A. Competition and Market Structures
B. Market Failures
C. The Role of Government
UNIT 3 Economic Institutions and Issues
VIII. Employment, Labor, and Wages
A. The Labor Movement
B. Wages and Labor Disputes
C. Employment Trends and Issues
IX. Sources of Government Revenue
A. The Economics if Taxation
B. Federal, State, and Local Revenue Systems
C. Current Tax Issues and Reforms
X. Government Spending
A. The Economics of Government Spending
B. Federal, State and Local Government Expenditures
C. Deficits, Surpluses, and the National Debt
XI. Financial Markets
A. Savings and the Financial Markets
B. Financial Assets and Their Markets
C. Investing in Equities and Options
UNIT 4 Macroeconomics: Performance and Stabilization
XII. Macroeconomic Performance
A. Measuring the Nation’s Output and Income
B. Population and Economic Growth
C. Poverty and the Distribution of Income
XIII. Economic Instability
A. Business Cycles and Fluctuations
B. Inflation
C. Unemployment
XIV. Money, Banking, and the Fed
A. The Evolution, Functions and Characteristics of Money
B. The Development of Modern Banking
C. The Federal Reserve System and Monetary Policy
XV. Economic Stabilization Policies
A. Macroeconomic Equilibrium
B. Stabilization Policies
C. Economics and Politics
UNIT 5 The Global Economy
XVI. International Trade
A. Absolute and Comparative Advantage
B. Barriers to International Trade
C. Foreign Exchange and Trade Deficits
XVII. Developing Countries
A. Economic Development
B. Achieving Economic Development
C. The Transition to Capitalism
XVIII. Global Economic Challenges
A. Globalization: Characteristics and Trends
B. Global Problems and Economic Incentives
C. Applying the Economic Way of Thinking
FINAL EXAM- Good LUCK!
NOTES!
1. As a former coach, I realize that extracurricular activities and academy activities are important. However, your PRIMARY responsibility is to be in class at all times. If there is a school approved field trip and we get an email from activities saying to release you, you must go. PLEASE do not ask to be released for anything other than an official school administration (not teacher) sanctioned activity for which your sponsor has submitted the proper paperwork. “my sponsor says we need to practice because such and such activity is coming up” or “I’m in X club and I have to leave early to set up for blah” is unacceptable. IF YOU ARE ABSENT FROM CLASS WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION FROM ME, YOU WILL BE GIVEN A REFERRAL.
*This Syllabus is subject to change*
*Your signature indicates that you have reviewed the Syllabus, classroom policies and procedures and the POINTS SYSTEM*
Students Name- Print __________________________
Students Signature ____________________________
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Supreme Court Homepage
Civil Liberties Websites
arts.
Civil Rights Websites
Public Opinion Websites
Interest Groups and the Policy Process
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