AP® United States Government and Politics
Mr. Rumpfeldt
Monarch High School
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for high achieving, college-bound students that have a serious approach to their educational career. Unlike all other High School courses where the curriculum and objectives are set by the school, district, or state, this content of this course is determined by the College Board. Therefore, the course may seem more rigorous than your average honors class. There are several purposes of this course. The first is to prepare the student for AP® exam. The second is to expose the student to college level instruction, thinking, textbooks, and tests.
TEXTBOOKS: Wilson, John Q. American Government
Woll, Peter American Government Readings and Cases
SUMMARY OUTLINE: Below is a summary of the major content areas covered by the AP exam. The multiple choice portion of the exam is devoted to each content area in the approximate percentages indicated.
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government 5-15%
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors 10-20%
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 10-20%
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress
Presidency, Courts 35-45%
V. Public Policy 5-15%
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 5-15%
THE EXAMINATION:
Sixty (60) Multiple Choice Questions 45 minutes 50%
Four (4) Free Response Questions 100 minutes 50%
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Reading - Students are responsible for all of the content in the assigned chapters. Students will see questions on tests that were not discussed in class but found only in the readings. Students will be required to read other texts and essays that are not found in the book. These materials will be distributed by the instructor. Students will be given time in class to read the text. There will points awarded to students who participate in these readings.
2- Weekly Current Events - Each student will be required to find 5 current event articles based on specific topics supplied by the instructor. Students must respond to the articles and discuss how they relate to the specific topic.
Current Event Article Schedule:
August 24 Direct Democracy / Representative Democracy
August 31 Framers’ Mentality
September 7 Federalism
September 14 Pork
September 21 Campaign Finance
September 28 Voting Trends / Data
October 5 Presidential Character / Cabinet
October 12 Civil Liberties / Supreme Court Cases
October 19 Environmental Politics
3.- Chapter Presentations - Students will be required to work in small groups and provide the class with a presentation on an assigned chapter.
4. Analyzing Data – The study of politics is a study of data and trends. Students will be trained extensively on data analysis and reading charts and graphs to fully understand the political tends of the past and projections of the future. Supplemental materials will be used to train the students on how to interpret data and make conclusions from this data. Students will also be trained to evaluate questioning used in surveys and how this might effect the statistical analysis of such data.
5. Free Response Writing - There will be a significant amount of time devoted to the free response portion of the examination. Students will write free response questions in class and they will be timed. The students will review previous exam questions and sample responses and be able to formulate a grade for each of the responses.
6. Tests and Quizzes – Tests will include several chapters. Due to the time restraints, tests will occur weekly. Tests will mirror the actual AP® examination and will include multiple choice as well as free response questions. In addition to the free response questions, there will also be a chart, graph, table, or political cartoon that will have to be analyzed.
7. Research Paper - In order to fully understand American Government and Political concepts, students need to explore the ideas presented in class. This project will help meet that end. You will choose an economic concept and research that concept, theory, or ideology. The paper will be at least 10 pages in length, double spaced, and no larger than 12 point font. It will be turned in via turnitin.com and you must include the following components:
Research Paper is Due on October 12 via turnitin.com
- Define the problem / Concept
- Discuss alternative views
- Advocate for one view
- Use appropriate data
- Use statistical techniques where necessary
- Utilize the MLA citation system
- Use tables, charts, and graphs in the body of the paper
GRADING:
System: A point system for each assignment will be used in class. Grades will be entered into the computer and you will be able to view your grade online. If there is a problem with a grade please inform the instructor. I adhere to the SBBC grading policy.
Make Up Work: Students will be allowed to make up work in class when they are absent regardless of the reason.
Extra Credit: I will offer extra credit each 9 weeks of the course. A student must have completed all of the assignments before attempting the extra credit.
Late work: Will not be accepted unless the student is absent on the day the work is due or assigned.
Cheating: Cheating is forbidden as per School Board Policy. Students will be referred to Administration, parents will be contacted and will receive a zero for that assignment.
Test Schedule:
August 27 Chapters 1,2,3,22
September 4 Chapters 4,5,6
September 10 Chapters 7,8
September 17 Chapters 9,10
September 21 Chapter 11
September 28 Chapters 12,13
October 3 Chapter 14
October 10 Chapters 15,16,17
October 16 Chapters 18,19
October 22 Chapters 20,21
