apgov2011

AP U.S. Government & Politics

Course Overview

The AP Government & Politics: United States course provides an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality.

AP U.S. Government & Politics (Ellmaker) Syllabus (2011-2012)

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Course Objectives

Students successfully completing this course will:

• Know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U .S . government and politics

• Understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures)

• Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U .S . government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats)

• Be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum

Essential Texts and Study Materials

Bianco, William T. and David T. Canon. American Politics Today. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2011.

Brundney, Kent M. and Mark E. Weber. Critical Thinking & American Government. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007.

Serow, Ann G. and Everett C. Ladd, eds. The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lanahan Publishers, Inc., 2011

Small, Rebecca. U.S. Government and Politics: Interpreting Political Data. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2010.


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TopicsTopics

TEXT: Bianco and Canon American Politics TodayTEXT: Bianco and Canon American Politics Today

Semester 1 Semester 2

Unit 1: Foundations Unit 3: Institutions

Chapter 1: Understanding American Politics Chapter 10: Congress

Chapter 2: The Constitution and the Founding Chapter 11: The Presidency

Chapter 3: Federalism Chapter 12: The Bureaucracy

Chapter 4: Civil Liberties Chapter 13: The Courts

Unit 2: Politics Unit 4: Policy

Chapter 5: Public Opinion Chapter 14: Civil Rights

Chapter 6: The Media Chapter 15: Economic Policy

Chapter 7: Political Parties Chapter 16: Social Policy

Chapter 8: Elections Chapter 17: Foreign Policy

Chapter 9: Interest Groups Post-Exam: Wisconsin State and Local Gov.

Assessment

Semester Grade Break Down

Quarter 1 40%

Quarter 2 40%

Semester 1 Exam 20%

Quarter Grade Break Down

Major Assessments 70%

Minor Assessments 30%

Quizzes 0%

Practice 0%


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Major Assessments (70%)

Chapter Tests

Tests will be administered after almost every chapter. Based on the format of the AP test, chapter tests will include two parts: (1) multiple choice questions (MCQ) and (2) free response questions (FRQs).

Students will be given a KBAT (Know and Be Able To) unit overview hand-out prior to the introduction to every unit. Unit tests will be based on these KBATs. KBATs will also be posted on the Moodle site.

Chapter tests are worth 70% of the quarter grade.

Unit Tests

There will be a unit test after each unit. Looking at our schedule, each semester has two unit tests. Although students have already been assessed on previous chapters, unit tests serve to keep students up-to-date on past content and for student to synthesize material across content areas.

The last chapter in each unit will not have an individual chapter assessment. However, material from those last chapters will be on the unit test.

At this point, I have scheduled unit test to be two-day assessments. Like the AP test, one day will be 60 multiple choice questions and the other day will be four free response questions. Students will be informed a head of time on which assessment will be first.

Papers & Projects

Depending on the content, I may assign a project or paper to assess learning. When projects or papers are assigned, a rubric will be provided. Projects and papers, like chapter and unit tests, are considered major assessments.

Minor Assessments (30%)

Classwork

Classwork will consist of individual, partner, or group activities done during classroom time. Instructions and expectations will be provided by the instructor.

Homework

Homework can be assigned either in class or through the class Moodle site. Instructions, expectations, and due dates will be provided by the instructor.


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Participation

Participation will be entered on a weekly bases. Scores and criteria include:

Score Criteria

10 Participates in a positive academic context with the instructor and other classmates (at least three times a class period) and displays an engaged attitude in all classroom activities

7 Sometimes participates in an academic context with the instructor and other classmates (at least one time a class period) and sometimes displays an engaged attitude in all classroom activities

0 or 5 Rarely or never participates in an academic context with the instructor and other classmates and rarely or never displays an engaged attitude in classroom activities

Quizzes (0%)

Quizzes will be administered through our class Moodle site. Quizzes will be based on the information after each chapter of our text book. The point of quizzes is to reinforce the reading of the the textbook. The best score out of each quiz will be the official score. Quizzes will “open” on the Moodle site at the beginning of the chapter and “close” when a student begins the chapter test. Because quizzes are weighted at zero percent, they will have no impact on a student’s letter grade. However, quizzes will be entered into Skyward to indicate both completion and comprehension of material. Students and parents may see a letter grade (even an F) or a missing assignment. Again, quizzes do not have an impact on the overall grade.

Quizzes will remain open throughout the year to serve as a study aid--specifically for the AP exam in May.

Practice (0%)

Practice refers to homework or classwork assignments that are not weighted in the gradebook. These assignments are designed to serve as a quick check for student understanding. Practice assignments may come in the form of an in class quiz, and in class writing assignment, or any other method appropriate to gauge student learning. Results of practice assignments will be entered into Skyward to indicate progress, but do not have an impact on the overall letter grade.


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Semester 1 Exam (Week of January 16)

In the 1 hour 15 minute time frame, students should expect 36 multiple choice questions and three Free Response Questions (students must do all three FRQs).

The content for the exam will cover chapters 1-9. All students are required to take the first semester exam. No exemptions will be allowed.

The semester exam will make up 20% of the Semester 1 grade.

Semester 2 Exam (Week of June 4)

Students that take the College Board AP examination on May 15 test are not required to take the Semester 2 exam.

If a student does not take the AP examination, he or she is required to take the Semester 2 exam. The Semester 2 exam will follow the same format as the Semester 1 exam. The exam will be 20% of the second semester grade.

After the Exam

After the May 15 AP exam, AP United States Government and Politics students will work on a final project in regards to Wisconsin state and local government. More information will be provided about this project closer to the end of the year.


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