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    AP Govt 2020-2021 Course Syllabi

    ADVANCED PLACEMENT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

     

     

    AP American Government and Politics is an intensive study of the formal and informal structures of government and the processes of the American political system, with an emphasis on policy-making and implementation. It is a year-long course at San Leandro High School intended to meet or exceed the introductory one-semester government course offered at colleges and universities.  The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the various elements of government and politics in the United States and how they work together to produce public policy. 

     

              It examines the critical relationship among the various institutions, government, groups and ideas that make up the dynamic political arena in our country.  This course helps the student to become familiar with the various ideas and theories used to analyze and predict political behavior and the terminology useful in describing and discussing politics. 

     

    It is critical that we, as a society, are familiar with what our government is, and what our government does in order to maintain a system in which an active citizenry controls policy making outcomes.  You will, over the year in this class, learn the generalities and intricacies of the system to help you play a strong role in the process.

     

    Activities include essays, tests, intensive note taking, debates, research projects and use of primary and secondary sources.  Emphasis is on the analysis and interpretation of factual information as it pertains to U.S Government.  The course is designed to give students the opportunity to interact with college-level material.  This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Exam.

     

    METHODS OF INSTRUCTION


            Student learning activities involving college level traditional lecture by teacher with students engaged in the active process of taking notes, critically reading and analysis of both primary and secondary sources, student centered group projects such as trials, cases studies, presentations, problem solving, critiques of films, newscasts, using computer databases to conduct research for extensive essay writing.  Instruction is geared for the student to pass the College Board Exam. 

     

    TEXTS

     

    Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, 14th Ed. – Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry.

    The Lanahan Readings– Serow and Ladd

    Additional readings from current newspapers and periodicals

     

     

    OTHER MATERIALS

     

    Other material included but not limited to: news footage and documentaries; C-SPAN’s coverage and current events materials; numerous websites.

     

    CURRICULAR OBJECTIVES

     

    The AP Government and Politics curricular objectives follow the most recent AP Government and Politics Description found on the AP Government and Politics Course Home Page. 

     

    The course provides a systematic study of governmental topics and elements central to the understanding of the US political institutions and polices.  Students will study and analyze materials centered on the following topics:

     

    1.      Analyze and evaluate the Constitutional underpinnings of the United States government

    2.      National governmental functions of the bicameral Legislative Branch

    3.      Function of the Executive Branch and the development of the Federal Bureaucracy

    4.      Function of the Judicial Branch

    5.      Nature and functions of political parties and interests groups

    6.      Political beliefs and behaviors of the voting citizen

    7.      Evaluate the civil liberties guaranteed by the US Constitution

    8.      Analyze the philosophy of the role of government in policy making and the areas of intervention

     

    COURSE PLAN

     

     

    Part I Chap 2 & 3: Constitutional Foundations of American Government

     

    Part 2 Chap 12: Institutions of National Government: The Congress

     

    Part 3 Chap 13, 14 & 15: Institutions of National Government: Presidency, Bureaucracy, and Federal Budget

     

    Part 4 Chap 16: Institutions of National Government: The Judiciary

     

    Part 5 Chap 6 Chap 7 Chap 8:  Political Parties and the Public

     

    Part 6 Chap 9 & Chap 10: Campaigning and Elections

     

    Part 7 Chap 4 & Chap 5: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

     

    Part 8 Chap 17 Chap 18 Chap 19 Chap 20: Public Policy

     

    GRADING SYSTEM & METHODS OF EVALUATION: 

     

    Competency will be measured by quizzes, previous College Board tests, essays, projects and topical papers. 

     

    Can include but are not limited to:

    o   Quizzes on daily/weekly readings

    o   AP style multiple choice and free response tests

    o   Socratic discussion participation and evaluation

    o   Major research projects

    o   Class activities

    o   Current events assignment (3 times per week)

     

    GRADES

     

    College Board Guidelines will be adhered to.  Grades are calculated on a total point system:


    Participation                                                    20%

    Class Work                                                      10%

    Homework/Projects                                        20%

    Tests/FRQs/Quizzes                                        50%

    Extra Credit (where opportunity allows)

     

    PARTICIPATION


    Participation will be an integral part of the class and will be included directly into the grade.  Participation will be defined as bringing materials to class, attending class, being on time, staying awake with head off the desk, participating positively in activities, responding when called upon, following my basic classroom rules and having assignments completed and on time. 

     

    This course is set up to be equivalent to a college class. There will be a large amount of reading, discussion and note-taking, followed by evaluation, synthesis, critique and overall analysis of information. The course will also include in and out-of-class essays, quizzes, multiple choice exams and verbal participation.

     

    Students who want to be successful should possess the following characteristics:

     

    • Critical thinking skills
    • Intellectual maturity
    • Cornell note-taking skills
    • Personal discipline and self-motivation
    • Passion for learning and at least some interest in becoming politically aware
    • Higher level reading comprehension skills
    • The ability to hear opposing views and respectfully disagree

     

    MAKE UP


    Make up work will be accepted for excused absences only. Excused absences have to clear in 5 business days.  No late work will be accepted.  1 day out = 1 day to make up!  Make up test must be completed before the next scheduled test.   Quiz make ups will be scheduled once a week.  Video viewing will be scheduled once a week.  My discretion.

     

    THE AP TEST

               

    The AP Test for U.S. Government and Politics will be administered in May 2018.  It is a 60 multiple choice and 4 free-response question test.  Taking the test comes with a nominal cost, $90.00 but passage of the test earns college credit in political science at most major universities in the U.S.  It is my expectation that you will sign up for the AP Test; it is, after all, what the course is/was designed for. Look up your preferred colleges and universities’ policies on awarding AP credit for more specific information