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AP U.S.

Government and Politics Course Syllabus Fall 2012

Mr. McHenry Room 123 Edward C. Reed High School 1350 Baring Blvd Sparks, NV 89434
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I am not a politician by profession. I am a citizen who decided I had to be personally involved in order to stand up for my own values and beliefs. Ronald Reagan Americas 40th President July, 1976 Course Intro: AP U.S. Government and Politics is a year-long introductory college level course open to all students who want the opportunity and challenge of a thorough, intensive study of their nations political environment, government institutions, and policy-making process. The goals of the course are to stimulate and develop student interest, knowledge, and participation in their government, and to prepare them for the spring AP examination. This course requires a substantial amount of reading and preparation for each class, utilizing a primary textbook, supplemental reading selections, primary documents, and current event resources. The course content structure is based on the six units outlined in the College Board AP U.S. Government and Politics Course Description, with a strong emphasis on developing and building student ability to discern and understand the relationships between the units and apply them in critical analysis of politics and government in the United States. There is also emphasis on developing study, reading, and writing skills necessary for college success, with added focus on practice and skills to improve performance on the AP exam. Textbook: OConnor, Karen and Larry J.Sabato. American Government: Continuity and Change. 2006 ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006. Course Objectives: Students will be able to demonstrate : A) A thorough knowledge of the principles, institutions and processes of the national, state and local levels of government in the United States. B) Increased skills of analysis, synthesis, and communication in writing and in oral communication. C) Understanding of the organization and functions of the American government; branches, bureaucracy and budget. D) Familiarity with the complexities of the US Constitution and development of federalism. E) Recognition of, and tolerance for, competing viewpoints on issues, and the ability to distinguish convincing evidence from unsupported opinion. F) Knowledge of the role of politics, political parties, and interest groups in the public policy process. G) Understanding of the nations court system and evolution of public policy concerning civil liberties and civil rights.
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H) The ability to pass and excel on the AP exam given in May. Behavior Standards: This is a introductory college level class in Political Science and I expect students to behave as such. Here are some key points: 1. Be respectful to everyone. 2. No swearing or put downs. 3. Non-academic electronic devices are forbidden during class time; I see it, I take it! 4. No personal grooming in class. 5. The teachers desk is off limits. 6. The teacher, not the bell, will dismiss students at the end of class. 7. No one leaves until the classroom is clean and orderly. 8. No food, drink, or gum allowed in class, except bottled water. 9. No hats, bandanas, gloves, etc. are to be worn in class. All District and Reed High School dress code and conduct policies are enforced. Absences/Tardies and Hall Passes: All make-up work due to an excused absence must be turned in at the beginning of the first class after the next weekend. However, if the complete assignment is available on-line, I expect it your first day back. Late assignments will not be accepted unless due to an excused absence. Missed exams and quizzes must also be made-up as soon as possible; discuss make-up arrangements with me as soon as you return to school. It is your responsibility to obtain missed assignments (on your time, not during in-class activities) and to arrange for exam, quiz, and assignment makeup. Procedures on how to accomplish this will be discussed in class. I am also usually available during lunch and for several hours after school if you need assistance. This is a fast-paced course; you must keep up. If you are tardy you are expected to take your seat with as little class interruption as possible. If you are tardy during a quiz you will miss the quiz. Tardy penalties will follow the Reed High School Discipline Policies. I also will add lunch-time detention in my classroom for repeated tardiness. In order to leave the room for any reason students must present their Reed High School ID card, and will be required to sign-out and sign-in. Restroom passes are discouraged and will not normally be allowed. They interrupt the class and we all have ample opportunities to use these facilities, so plan accordingly. Cheating: This is defined as gaining an unfair advantage, or trying to do so. Do your own work. Plagiarism of any kind (including copying homework, cheating on a quiz or exam, or lifting material from printed sources or the Internet without proper citation) will earn a zero for that assignment, a lowering of your citizenship grade, and an opportunity to explain your dishonesty to both the teacher and your parents. If found copying homework, both students involved will receive a zero. Class Expectations:
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Readings: Expect nightly reading assignments. TAKE THESE SERIOUSLY! You will be in the dark during lectures and discussions if you do a poor job of reading or (gulp!) do not do the reading at all! You will also bomb the quizzes that are based upon the reading. Furthermore, all the material covered in reading assignments cannot be covered in class. The readings, lectures, videos, and class discussions are all means of carrying on an inquiry into the topic. They are meant to supplement rather than duplicate one another. Students who expect to succeed in the class and pass the AP examination must actually read the textbook and other assigned articles. Notes: Proper note taking is of tremendous importance in a class of this nature. Notes must be taken on all reading, lecture, and discussion material. This point cannot be overemphasized. Outlining material, especially from the textbook, will be very beneficial. You are expected to keep a well-organized notebook of all course related materials. The binder needs to be organized using tab dividers for each unit, and a separate section for current events. A model will be kept in the classroom. Participation: You are expected to attend class, contribute to in-class discussions, and effectively participate in activities. Some sessions will be seminars or debates; in order for discussions to work, your preparation and participation is critical and essential to your class success. If short on sleep this is neither the time nor place to make it up. Please bring your positive attitude, your energy and inquisitiveness, and your terrific work ethic to class with you each day. Students who are on the border between grades at the semester may be given the higher grade if their overall participation has been commendable. Quizzes/ Exams: There will be numerous quizzes, usually at the beginning of class, based both on the previous nights reading assignment and on previous material in each unit. Missed quizzes must be made-up as soon as possible. Unit exams will be a combination of multiple choice and several free response questions, similar to the AP Exam structure. Final Exams will also follow the AP Exam format. Academic Grades: Each students total performance will be evaluated in determining grades. Effort and participation will be rewarded, but quiz/exam performance better reflects progress toward success on the Semester Final and the May AP Exam. The weighted categories include participation/in-class work (15%), quizzes(10%), homework (20%), writing assignments/projects (5%), unit exams (20%), and the semester final (30%). The overall grading scale is based on the percentage earned out of points possible in the weighted categories, and is as follows: 90 - 100% = A 80 - 89% = B 70 - 79% = C 60 - 69% = D 0 - 59% = F

Your course progress and class assignments must be tracked on the WCSD Infinite Campus (IC) link and Mr. McHenrys course Web-page. Grades will generally be updated on IC each Monday. The course Web-page will have useful links, folders listing assignments and daily class activity summaries. The URL is http://mrmchenry.weebly.com. Students should check this course Web-page daily; make it a favorite! Material Requirements:

1. Course Fee: As part of the key current events aspect of this course we will be using the New York Times-Scholastic UpFront Teen News Magazine. There will be an $11.00 course fee to cover your subscription. All other materials for in-class exercises and group projects (poster board, markers, etc.) will normally be provided by the instructor. 2. Textbooks are an expensive resource that must be used with care. Your AP government textbook must be covered throughout the semester and returned in the condition it was issued to you. Failure to protect your textbook will result in damage fines at the end of the year. You must turn in the textbook you were issued; failure to do so will result in a $98 charge. 3. Please obtain yellow hi-liters for both in-class and homework. All work not typed must use blue/black ink or dark pencil; no red ink, nor other designer colors. Spiral notebook paper is also discouraged; loose-leaf college-ruled preferred. As mentioned earlier, a 3-ring binder with tabs is needed (should be at least 3 in). Course Overview: Weeks 1-4: Introductory Activities/ Unit I: Constitutional Underpinnings (Chap 1-3) (5-15% of AP Exam) Course Syllabus, classroom procedures, AP Exam overviews. Study and writing skills review/assessment; textbook Analyzing Visuals Guide (tables, charts & graphs, maps, news photographs, political cartoons). Daily current events/political cartoon process; use of supplemental reading handouts. Textbook reading and student outlines/chapter quizzes (pp. 3-123) Chapter 1: The Political Landscape (The origins of American Government; what it is and why we need it Roots of American government; where did the ideas come from? American political culture and the characteristics of American democracy Changing characteristics of the American people Ideology of the American public Current attitudes toward American government). Chapter 2: The Constitution (The origins of a new nation The first attempt at government; the Articles of Confederation The miracle at Philadelphia; writing a Constitution The U.S. Constitution in detail The drive for ratification Methods of Amending the Constitution. Assessment: Unit Exam: (Chaps 1-2) Chapter 3: Federalism (The roots of the federal system; federal powers under the Constitution Federalism and the Marshal Court Dual federalism Cooperative federalism New federalism A changing federalism in the 21 st century?) Free Response Practice: review and practice grading sample student responses Assessment: Unit I Exam: multiple choice and free response. (Chaps 1-3)

Weeks 5-7: Unit II: Political Beliefs and Behaviors (Chap 11/Chap 13) (10-20%) Textbook reading and student outlines/chapter quizzes (pp. 385-415, 459-507). Chapter 11: Public Opinion and Political Socialization (What is public opinion? Efforts to influence and measure public opinion How political socialization and other factors influence opinion formation Why we form political opinions How public opinion is measured How polling and public opinion affect politicians, politics, and policy). Chapter 13: Voting and Elections: (The purposes of elections Kinds of elections Presidential elections Congressional elections Voting behavior Reforming the Electoral process). Free Response Practice: Outline answers for representative questions. Compare/discuss in groups. Assessment: Unit II Exam multiple choice and free response.

Weeks 8-12: Unit III: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (Chap 12, 14-16) (10-20%). Textbook reading and student outlines/chapter quizzes (pp. 417-457, 509-609) Chapter 12: Political Parties (What is a political party? The evolution of American party democracy The Functions of the American parties The Basic structure of American Political Parties The party in government The modern transformation of party organization The party in the electorate Third-partyism). Chapter 14: The Campaign Process (The structure of a campaign The media and campaigns Campaign finance Bringing it together: The 2004 and 2008 Presidential campaigns and election). Chapter 15: The Media (The evolution of journalism in the United States The U.S. media today How the media cover politicians and government The medias influence on the public The publics perception of the media Government regulation of the electronic media). Chapter 16: Interest Groups (What are interest groups? The roots and development of American interest groups What do interest groups do? What makes an interest group successful?). with Free Response Practice: Peer grading of free response short answer questions, class discussion of question and answer elements. Assessment: Unit III Exam multiple choice and free response. Weeks 13-25: Unit 4: Institutions of National Government - Congress, Presidency , Bureaucracy, Courts (Chaps. 7-10) (35-45%). Textbook reading and student outlines/chapter quizzes (pp. 237-383)
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Chapter 7: Congress (The Constitution and the legislative branch of government How Congress is organized The members of Congress How members make decisions The law-making function of Congress Congress and the President Congress and the Judiciary). Week 18: 1st Semester Final Exam AP Exam format multiple choice and free response over material covered to date. Chapter 8: The Presidency (The roots of and rules governing the office of the President of the United States The Constitutional powers of the President The development and expansion of presidential power The presidential establishment The President as policy maker Presidential leadership and the importance of public opinion). Chapter 9: The Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy (The Executive Branch and the development of the federal bureaucracy The modern bureaucracy How the bureaucracy works Making agencies accountable The Iron Triangle and Issue Network relationships). Chapter 10: The Judiciary (The Constitution and the creation of the federal judiciary The American legal system The federal court system How federal court judges are selected The Supreme Court today Judicial philosophy and decision making Judicial policy making and implementation). Free Response Practice: review and practice grading sample student responses. Assessment: Unit IV Exam multiple choice and free response.

Weeks 26-28: Unit V: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (Chaps. 5-6) (5-15%) Textbook reading and student outlines/chapter quizzes (pp. 157-235) Chapter 5: Civil Liberties (The first Constitutional Amendments: The Bill of Rights First Amendment guarantees: freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly The Second Amendment: The right to keep and bear arms The rights of criminal defendants The right to privacy). Chapter 6: Civil Rights (Slavery, abolition, and winning the right to vote, 1800-1890 The push for equality, 1890-1954 The Civil Rights movement The womens rights movement Other groups mobilize for rights Continuing controversies in civil rights). Free Response Practice: write and practice grading of free response questions, with class analysis and discussion. Assessment: Unit V Exam multiple choice and free response. Weeks 29-33: Unit VI: Public Policy/Review (Chaps 17-19) (5-15%) Textbook reading and student outlines/chapter quizzes (pp. 611-729)

Chapter 17: Social Welfare Policy (The policy-making process The roots of social welfare policy Social welfare policies today). Chapter 18: Economic Policy (The roots of government involvement in the economy Stabilizing the economy The economics of environmental regulation). Chapter 19: Foreign and Defense Policy (The roots of U.S. foreign and defense policy The United States as a world power The executive branch and foreign policy making Groups that influence foreign policy Twenty-first century challenges Building a grand strategy). Free Response Practice: Answer and grade a comprehensive free response question; analyze and discuss as a class. Assessment: Unit VI Exam multiple choice and free response. Review for AP Exam: Vocabulary review games/flash cards, practice tests. Week 33: 2nd semester Final Exam (based on AP exams) Week 34: APGOPO exam Weeks 34 37: State and local government, comparative government, foreign policy project, introduction to economics, Financial Literacy Week 38: 2nd semester Final Exam (Reed H.S. Social Studies Government Common Assessment, weeks 34-37 material)

PARENT and STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT PAGE

PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Please review this course syllabus with your student, initial the appropriate boxes and fill in the information below, sign as indicated, and return to Mr. McHenry along with the $11.00 fee for the Upfront teen news magazine. Thank you. 1. IN-CLASS MOVIES: While most of the films I use are documentaries or products made for education purposes and purchased by the Washoe County School District, occasionally I may show commercial films or clips that illustrate government activities, such as Congress in action, or Supreme Court cases.. All of these are rated PG-13 or less. If you have any questions or concerns about the films to be shown, feel free to contact me at school. Please initial the appropriate box and print your students name in the space below. My student, _____________________________ has my permission to view in-class films as discussed above. I do not give permission for my student, ________________________to view inclass films as discussed above. I realize my student is responsible for any applicable alternative assignments.
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PARENTAL CONTACT : I would like you to specify the most convenient way for me to contact you about your students progress. Please indicate a primary contact person and phone number or E-mail address. If these prove unsuccessful, I will use school data to attempt to reach a responsible adult. While I cannot assume responsibility to provide automatic E-mail updates, I will gladly respond to inquiries and can provide a grade/progress printout to your student on request. I may be reached at: kmchenry@washoeschools.net . My home phone and E-mail address can be provided on request. Preferred Parent/Guardian Contact: Name:________________________________________ Phone: (H)________________ Work: (W)________________ E-mail:________________________________________ Cell:____________________

3. Importance of Infinite Campus and Course Web-Page : Please note that you should track your students progress, assignments, in-class activities, and upcoming exams by utilizing these links. I normally update assignments on the course Web-page (http://mrmchenry.weebly.com) each day after school and grades on IC each Monday.

(over...) 4. SIGNATURES: We have read and understand these course guidelines, have completed the information on the previous page, and are enclosing the $11.00 course fee.
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Students Name (please print):___________________________________ Student Signature:_____________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature:______________________________________ Date:_______________________

Thank you for taking the time to review these course guidelines with your student and for providing the requested contact information, initials, and signatures. See you at Graduation!

________________ Kenton D. McHenry

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