Course Title: AP US Government and Politics

Ms. Campbell Edgren High School

Meeting times: This is a 36 week course.
Classwebsite: http://edgrenapgovernment.weebly.com/

The date of this years AP exam is TBD (May 2017).

Course Description
AP U.S. Government and politics is a year-long course that is the equivalent to a one
semester introductory college course in U.S. Government and Politics. This course
should provide a learning experience that incorporates:
Studying general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics
Analyzing specific examples that explore the general concepts
Understanding the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that form U.S.
Politics
Introducing a variety of theoretical viewpoints and explanations for behaviors and
outcomes in the U.S. political arena
Review and discuss public policy issues
Intrepret charts, graphs or other graphic organizers to support topics and
information
Goals
The goal of this class is to learn about the political process and to pass the AP exam
given. The assumption is that each person enrolled in this class is an adult and will be a
college student in the near future. Much of this AP Government and Politics curriculum
will be devoted to preparing you for your academic future.
Assignments
The class is divided into six units that mirror the organization of the AP Exam. Students
can expect a daily reading assignment and subsequent quiz over that material. Each class
will begin with a quiz to ensure students are keeping up with the assigned material. Each
unit will also contain several out of class writing assignments to prepare students for the
end of course AP exam. These writing assignments will encompass interpretation of
primary sources, political cartoons and supplied writing prompts. Each unit will
conclude with an exam drawing from questions patterned after previous AP exams. They
will contain multiple choice as well as essay and short response questions. The AP
Government and Politics exam emphasizes content, NOT essay writing skills. Proper
responses simply and directly address the supplied writing prompts.
Outside Readings
Outside-the-text readings will be assigned for homework or in-class work. Students are
expected to complete these as required. Adequate time will be allowed for students to
locate a copy of a book, article or other resource if needed. These will be assigned
throughout the year. (Examples of outside readings, primary and secondary, include:
Federalist Papers, The US Constitution, exerpts Systems of War and Peace (Caplow,
2002), and more).

Current Events will be assigned as an anaylsis of student learning, application and to

strengthen student learning. These will include: current news (video, readings) and events
occurring around the world.
Evaluation and Assessment
The DoDEA mandated grading scale is as follows:
90% - 100% A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
Below 60%
Student grading period marks will be formulated by combing the following components:
Daily Quizes 25% of grade
Assigned writing assignments 25% of grade
Unit Exams 50% of grade
Student semester grades will be formulated by combining the following components:
Grading period 1 score 40% of grade
Grading period 2 score 40% of grade
Semester exam score - 20% of grade
End of Course AP exam scores range from 1-5. A score of 3 or above may entitle the
student to receive college credit for the course. Increasingly, universities are requiring a
4 or 5 to receive credit; however, merely enrolling in an AP class confers admission
advantages at competitive colleges and universities.
Course Purpose and Goals
AP U.S. Government is designed to offer students an opportunity to experience a
rigorous and challenging course equivalent to an introductory college level course. This
course is open to students who are willing to accept the challenge and responsibility of
engaging in a demanding curriculum. Unlike the standard U.S. government semester
course, AP Government and Politics requires a year long commitment. Each student in
the class is expected to take the AP exam. I am approaching this class as though it were a
college freshmen level political science class. As such, there will be frequent lectures
and note taking.
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
Identify important facts, concepts and theories relating to U.S. government and
politics.
Recognize typical patterns of political processes, behaviors and their
consequences.
Analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics
(examples: Students will study data in relation to: relationships about political
culture and voters, media influences, public foreign policy support, and more)
I will provide knowledge of the topics below via a combination of deliveries including
but not limited to questions from the text, directed readings, student research and
presentations, and lectures.

Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4

Constitutional Underpinnings of the US Government

Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media
Institutions of national Government: The Congress, The Presidency, The
Bureaucracy and The Federal Courts
Unit 5 Public Policy
Unit 6 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Textbook
Required Text: Karen OConner & Larry Sabato American Government; Roots and
Reform. (10th edition) (2009) Pearson Education Inc.
As the AP Exam Date draws closer there will be extra study sessions available. I wish
you all an enjoyable academic experience. This class will be taught at a level to prepare
all for success on the AP Exam.
STUDY GUIDE: Please consider purchasing a study guide (I like 5 Steps to a 5:
Government) However, any additional material will be worth your money if you use it.
Course Content: May change as needed, but here is a rough draft.
Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings
Semester

Topics

Text Pages

Sem 1

American Polical Landscape

Chapter # 1 Pages 2 - 26
Roots of American Government
Philosophical Origins
American Political Culture
Politica Ideology
Changing Characteristics Americans

Sem 1

The Constitution

Chapter # 2 Pages 30 - 61
Roots of a New Nation
Articles of Confederation
Writing the U.S. Constitution
The U.S. Constitution
Ratification of the Constitution
Amending the Constitution

Sem 1

Federalism

Chapter # 3 Pages 94 - 117

Roots of the Federal System
Federalism and the Marshall Court
Dual Federalism
Cooperative Federalism
New Federalism

Unit 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors

Semester

Topics

Text Pages

Sem 1

Political Socialization and

Public Opinion

Chapter # 11 Pages 376 - 400

Political Socialization
Public Opinion and Polling
Why We Form and Express Pol. Opinion

Sem 1

Voting and
Elections

Sem 1

The Campaign Process

Chapter # 13 Pages 444 - 466

Roots of Voting Behavior
Elections in U.S.
Presidential Elections
Congressional Elections
Chapter # 14 Pages 492 - 527
Roots of Modern Political
Campaigns
Candidates and Campaign Staff
Media Role in Campaigns
Campaign
Finance
2008 Presidential Campaign

Unit 3 Political Parties, the Media and Interest Groups

Semester

Topics

Text Pages

Sem 1

Political Parties

Chapter # 12 Pages 404 - 440

Roots of American Political System
Function of American Party System
Party
Organization
Party in Government
Party in the Electorate

Sem 1

The Media

Chapter # 15 Pages 530 - 561

Roots of News Media in U.S.
Current Media Trends
Rules Governing the Media
How the Media Covers Politics
Media Influence and Bias

Sem 1

Interest Groups

Chapter # 16 Pages 566 - 592

Roots of American Interest Group System
Development of American Interest Groups
What do Interest Groups Do?
What makes Interest Groups Successful?
Regulating Interest Groups

Unit 4
Institutions
Semester

Topics

Text Pages

Sem
1/2

Congress

Chapter # 7 Pages 234 - 269

Roots of the Legislative Branch
Congress Organization
Members of Congress
How Members Make Decisions
Law Making
Congressional Checks on Other Branches

Sem
1/2

Presidency

Chapter # 8 Pages 272 - 299

Roots of the
Office
Delegated
Powers
Develop. and Expansion of Pres.
Power
The Presidential Establishment
Presidential Leadership
President as Policy Maker

Sem
1/2

Sem
1/2

Executive Branch and

Federal
Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Chapter # 9 Pages 306 - 330

Roots of the Federal Bureaucracy
The Modern Bureaucracy
How the Bureaucracy Works
Making Agencies Accountable

Chapter # 10 Pages 334 - 371

Roots of Federal Judiciary
American Legal System
Federal Court System
Selecting Federal Judges
Supreme Court Today
Judicial
Philosophy
Judicial Policy making

Unit 5 Public Policy

Semester

Topics

Text Pages

Sem 2

Domestic Policy

Chapter # 17 Pages 596 - 632

Policy Making Process
Income Security and Health Care Policies
Energy and Environmental Policy

Sem 2

Economic Policy

Chapter # 18 Pages 636 - 666

Government Involvement in the Economy
Stabilizing the Economy

Sem 2

Foreign and Defense Policy

Chapter # 19 Pages 670 - 702

Roots of American Foreign Policy
U.S. as World Power
Foreign and Defense Policy Decision Making

Unit 6 Civil Liberties and Rights

Semester

Topics

Text Pages

Sem 2

Civil Liberties

Chapter # 5 Pages 152 - 188

Roots of Civil Liberties
First
Amendment
Second Amendment
Rights of Criminal Defendants
Rights to
Privacy

Sem 2

Civil Rights

Chapter # 6 Pages 192 - 230

Roots of
Suffrage
Push for
Equality
Civil Rights Movement
Women's Rights Movement
Other Groups Mobilize for Rights
Affirmative Action and Pay Equity

***LATE WORK POLICY FOR ALL AP COURSES (standard DoDEA late work
policies apply for all excused absences: students have the same number of days to
submit late work as students have been excused): All AP courses at Edgren have
adopted the following late work policy (in addition to alignment with Late Work policies
stated in our Edgren Student Handbook): All late work not submitted by stated due date
may only receive 50% credit and will only be accepted up to the one week past stated due
dates. Extenuating circumstances will be determined by each AP teacher. ***

Parents and Students:

Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics is an extremely
challenging full year college level course. It will entail reading and writing
assignments that will require extensive work outside of the classroom.
Students and their parents must both be aware of this fact and make an
informed decision if it is the proper course selection. The school policy is
that there is a ten day window to drop the class should the student / parent
decide to do so. After that time students must stay in the class until the
semester break and the grade earned in the class will be posted on their
transcripts. In addition, be aware that that successful completion of
American Government is a requirement for graduation in the DoDDS school
system. After the review of the syllabus and reading this message, parent
and the student please sign this document and return the signed portion.
Your signatures will signify your acknowledgement of the rigor of this
course and the expectations of the instructor.
Martina Campbell
Email: martina.campbell@pac.dodea.edu;
martina.campbell@student.dodea.edu
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Detach this portion and Return to Mrs. Campbell

Print Student Name: ____________________________________ Date: _____________

I have read and understand the rigor of the A.P. U.S. Government and Politics class and
am prepared to devote the time and work necessary to be successful in the course.
___________________________________________________ student signature

I have read and understand the syllabus for AP American Government and Politics as
well as the schools policy for withdrawal from the course.
____________________________________________________ parent signature
Parent EMAIL: __________________________________________________________

Assigned Text # ______________