LOA
A.P.
2007-2008
Course Description:
This
year, we are embarking on a challenging and important adventure together: to study the government of our great nation
and the ways we citizens can participate in its functions. We will begin with the study of the Constitution—the
structure and system that forms the foundation for everything else. By the end of the year, you will be ready to
take the A.P. test and excel.
Texts:
O'Connor, Karen, and Larry J. Sabato. American
Government: Continuity and Change.
Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, and
John Jay. Selected
Federalist Papers.
Grafton, John, ed. The Declaration of
Strategy:
In addition to lectures, class activities will include the following:
--Group inquiry and discussion;
--Simulations;
--Student led seminars;
--Case studies;
--timed essay writing.
My Expectations:
I expect you to attend class faithfully, read assiduously, study voraciously, Write energetically, and participate wholeheartedly. You should come to class with your textbook, a pen, a three ring binder, and plenty of paper.
Our Learning Community:
As the year
progresses, you will find it very helpful to establish study partners and
groups in order to review the material from your AP classes after school. In addition, we will have an online community
or forum where you will have a chance to respond to readings, ask questions,
and generally argue to your hearts' content.
Grading:
Your grade will be based on the following:
--Six unit tests: 50%
--Timed, in-class writing exercises: 15%
--Homework and Quizzes: 10%
--Current events portfolio: 15%
Schedule of Assignments
|
Date |
Topic |
Assignment |
|
Unit One |
Foundations of Government |
|
|
Week One (9/3) |
The Political Landscape |
Chapter one, O’Connor John Locke, 2nd Treatise |
|
Week Two (9/10) |
The Constitution |
Chapter two, O’Connor Federalist #51 |
|
Week Three (9/17) |
Federalism |
Chapter three, O’Connor Selected readings: Federalist |
|
Week Four (9/24) |
Unit test #1 |
Timed writing |
|
Unit Two |
Institutions of Government |
|
|
Week Five (10/ 1) |
Congress |
Chapter seven, O’Connor Federalist |
|
|
|
|
|
Week Six (10/15) |
The Presidency |
Chapter eight, O’Connor Federalist |
|
Week Seven (10/22) |
The Bureaucracy |
Chapter nine, O’Connor |
|
Week Eight (10/29) |
|
|
|
Week Nine (11/5) |
Unit test #2 |
Timed writing |
|
Unit Three |
Electoral System |
|
|
Week Ten (11/12 |
Voting and Elections |
Chapter thirteen, O’Connor |
|
Thanksgiving (11/19) |
|
|
|
Week Eleven (11/26) |
The Voting Process |
Chapter fourteen, O’Connor |
|
Week Twelve (12/3) |
The Media |
Chapter fifteen, O’Connor |
|
Week Thirteen (12/10) |
Unit test #3 |
Timed writing |
|
Christmas Break (12/17-1/5) |
|
|
|
Unit Four |
Political Behavior |
|
|
Week Fourteen (1/7) |
Public Opinion & Political Socialization |
Chapter eleven, O’Connor |
|
Week Sixteen (1/14) |
Political Parties |
Chapter twelve, O’Connor |
|
Week Seventeen (1/21) |
Interest Groups |
Chapter sixteen, O’Connor |
|
Week Eighteen (1/28) |
Unit test #4 |
Timed writing |
|
Unit Five |
The Courts and Our Rights |
|
|
Week Nineteen (2/4) |
The Judiciary |
Chapter 10, O’Connor |
|
Week Twenty (2/11) |
Civil Liberties |
Chapter 5, O’Connor |
|
Week Twenty-one (2/18) |
Civil Rights |
Chapter 6, O’Connor |
|
Week Twenty-two (2.25) |
|
|
|
Week Twenty-three (3/3) |
Unit test #5 |
Timed writing |
|
Unit Six |
Public Policy |
|
|
Week Twenty-four (3/10) |
Social Welfare Policy |
Chapter 17, O’Connor |
|
Easter Break (3/17) |
|
|
|
Week Twenty-five (3/24) |
Economic Policy |
Chapter 18, O’Connor |
|
Week Twenty-six (3/31) |
Foreign and Military Policy |
Chapter 19, O’Connor |
|
Week Twenty-seven
(4/7) |
Unit test #6 |
|
|
Unit Seven |
A.P. Review |
|
|
Week Twenty-eight (4/14) |
|
Practice Test |
|
Week Twenty-nine (4/21) |
|
Practice Test |
|
Week Thirty (4/28) |
|
Practice Test |
|
Week Thirty-one (5/5) |
A.P. Exam |
|
|
Week Thirty-two (5/12) |
|
|
|
Week Thirty-three (5/19) |
Semester Final Exam |
|
|
|
|
|