COURSE
OVERVIEW 2006-2007
Teacher: Mr. Crown
Course Title: United States Government and Politics Level: AP
COURSE
OBJECTIVES
Upon
completion of this course students should be able to 1) identify and discuss the
leading institutions of American politics, 2) recognize the political dimensions
of issue conflicts, 3) identify the policy emerging from political conflicts, 4)
identify and discuss the interdependence of the interacting components of the
American political system, and 5) identify and discuss the rights granted,
powers granted, powers prohibited, and the ideals mandated in the United States
Constitution. Students will develop an interest in public issues, will be
motivated to stay politically informed by reading newspapers and articles about
politics, will be able to discuss and debate political issues in a reasonable
and intelligent manner, and will come to understand their obligation to
participate and stay informed in order to ensure that democracy, liberty, and
freedom persist in reality in the United States. Students will be prepared to
take the College Board’s AP United States Government and Politics exam in May
and receive a grade sufficient to earn college credit.
STATE
GOALS
STATE
GOAL 14: Understand
political systems, with an emphasis on the United States.
14A. Understand and explain basic principles of the United States government.
14B. Understand the structures and functions of the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
14C. Understand election processes and responsibilities of citizens.
14D. Understand the roles and influences of individuals and interest groups in the political systems of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
14E. Understand United States foreign policy as it relates to other nations and international issues.
14F. Understand the development of United States political ideas and traditions.
A
significant portion of class time will be devoted to lectures and discussion of
the material covered during the lectures and assigned readings. Cooperative
learning and group work methodology will also be utilized, as well as structured
debates about current political issues, and panel discussions. Students will be
required to present and summarize assigned readings for the benefit of the
entire class, and they will work with partners to do so. Focused reading and
writing activities preparing students for the essay portion of the AP exam,
including in-class and take home essays, will be assigned frequently. Students
should be prepared to write several essays each week. Online tests will be
assigned for the review of each chapter in the textbook.
The Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics course is designed to teach students about the design, foundations, and constitutional underpinnings of the American political system, federalism, American political beliefs and behavior, political parties, interest groups, the mass media, the institutions of national government and their organizational development, the powers and procedures of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, public policy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Students will develop an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States, and they will demonstrate the ability to use what they will learn about the institutional structure and longstanding norms of the American political tradition to interpret and understand historical and contemporary political events such as elections and the national party conventions, political actors such as candidates, public officials, and voters, and the structure and functions of political institutions, political parties, and interest groups. Students will gain an understanding of the role of the mass media and money in American politics and the influence of both on the formation of public policy which is the result of interactions and dynamics among political actors, interests, institutions, and processes.
Central themes of the course are the questions of whether or not the American political system as it is presently structured and functioning is adequate to meet the needs of a modern and highly populated democracy, or whether it is outdated, paralyzed by gridlock, highly resistant to needed change and reform, tarnished by the influence of money and the mass media with its emphasis on “infotainment” rather than reliable news about politics, and essentially unable to fulfill the requirements of a truly representative democracy. How democratic is the United States and what are the consequences for public policy, which is the end result of the balancing of the individual’s needs and society’s needs through politics, if America is not sufficiently democratic? Are the chief shortcomings of the American political system a result of its institutional structure and constitutional rules, or more a result of apathy on the part of citizens who shirk their civic duty to participate in the system by voting and seeking news and information which would enable them to cast their votes in a responsible manner? How do we evaluate the performance of elected officials and members of the bureaucracy and determine the extent to which they can be viewed as public servants or self-interested, power hungry, and avaricious? As the various individuals and groups involved in American politics pursue their own interests, how does this necessarily create conflict and how is this conflict resolved through the political system?
Students will write several short position papers and research papers, and participate in structured debates and panel discussions. To complete these special projects students will need to utilize sources found online or at the Chicago Public Library such as Congressional Quarterly, The Nation, The New Republic, The New York Times, Commentary, The Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, and other publications which regularly cover national politics. Students will need to coordinate and work closely with assigned group members to prepare for debates and panel discussions.
The textbook is Magruder’s American Government by William A. McClenaghan. This book is used with the workbook style Guide to the Essentials which contains section summaries and chapter tests. We will also be using selected readings from American Government: Readings and Cases by Peter Woll. Students must purchase a portfolio folder or binder which they will use for this class only. Students must keep all handouts, assignments, homework, class notes, quizzes, and tests in their portfolio and bring their portfolio to class every day. Throughout the school year I will conduct random checks of the materials in the portfolio. Students will receive 10 points if they can show me the required item in their portfolio and 0 points if they cannot. The point of this portfolio is to help students stay organized throughout the year and ensure that they have all of their materials available to study for quizzes and exams. Everything in the portfolio must be dated and organized in chronological order. Students must come to class prepared every day with all of their required materials. These materials include pens, pencils, notebook, notebook paper, portfolio binder or folder, textbook, homework assignments, and any other materials they are required to bring to class.
FEES
There is a $10 History Fee and a $2 History Fair fee.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework assignments will be assigned frequently. Most assignments are
worth 100 points if done correctly and turned in on time. Late assignments will
be penalized 50% for the first day late, and 100% after that. For many homework
assignments, students will be required to bring their textbooks home with them.
EXTRA-CREDT WORK POLICY
Extra-credit work will be assigned from time to time, but not
frequently. Students should not count on being able to make up late work and
missing assignments through extra-credit.
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
Late assignments will be penalized 50% for the first day late, and 100%
after that. Students will not be allowed to make-up work for absences unless
they show the teacher a note validated by the attendance office which explains
why the absence is excused. Students may not turn in make-up assignments for
work they have missed due to cuts or unexcused absences.
GRADING POLICY
Attendance and tardiness will determine borderline grades. Class
participation will account for 10% of the course grade. This includes
participation in class discussions, completion of class assignments, cooperation
and team work during group assignments, and the maintenance of a respectful,
cooperative, and mature attitude towards classmates and the teacher. Students
must listen carefully to the teacher during class instruction, try to contribute
to class discussion, answer and ask relevant questions in class, and strive to
learn from everyone while helping others to learn. In general a positive
attitude is essential and will significantly increase one’s participation
grade. The most common reason for failure is multiple late and missing
assignments.
Semester grades will be determined according to the following:
Participation 10%
Homework and In-Class Assignments 40%
Quizzes, Tests, and Projects 50%