Ms. McCort, Room L113

Phone: 833-3300, ext 7164 Email: mccortjennifer@dublinusd.net

Website: http://tinyurl.com/DHSMcCort

AP U.S. Government and Politics

Course Description The objective of this course is to develop a life-long interest in and ability to analyze multiple perspectives on

United States government and politics. Emphasis is on both general concepts essential for understanding and interpreting U.S. government and politics, as well as in depth analysis of specific examples and cases, with a clear

expectation of taking and passing the United States Government and Politics Advanced Placement exam in May. The class focuses on the institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that comprise the U.S. system of government,

while at the same time developing important skills in critical thinking, time management, and problem solving.

Extensive reading, writing and discussion will be emphasized in the areas of political theory, political patterns and process, government structures and procedures as well as the interpretation of data. The curriculum for this

class reflects the content of an introductory university course. You will be expected to be self-motivated, thoughtful, and to complete assignments on your own.

Units of Study I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government (5-15%)

A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution B. Separation of powers

C. Federalism D. Theories of democratic government

II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors (10-20%)

A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics

C. The nature, source, and consequences of public opinion D. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life

E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors

III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media (10-20%) A. Political parties and elections

1. functions 2. organization

3. development

4. effects on the political process 5. electoral laws and systems

B. Interest Groups, including political action committees (PACs) 1. the range of interests represented

2. the activities of interest groups 3. the effects of interest groups on the political process

4. the unique characteristics and roles of PACs in the political process

C. Mass Media 1. the functions and structures of the media

2. the impacts of media on politics IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal

Courts (35-45%)

A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power B. Relationships among these four institutions, and varying balances of power

C. Linkages between institutions and the following 1. public opinion and voters

2. interest groups 3. political parties

4. the media

5. subnational governments

2 McCort – AP GOV SPRING 2015

V. Public Policy (5-15%) A. Policy making in a federal system

B. The formation of policy agendas C. The role of institutions in the enactment of policy

D. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy

E. Linkages between policy processes and the following: 1. political institutions and federalism

2. political parties 3. interest groups

4. public opinion 5. elections

6. policy networks

VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (5-15%) A. The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation

B. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties C. The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties

AP Exam- Tuesday, May 12, 2014 (morning session)

It is expected that all students who complete this course sign up and take the AP Government Exam. There will be additional study sessions in April and May in preparation for the exam. These review sessions are optional,

but strongly recommended for maximum success.

Required Text

American Government. 10th edition, Wilson and Dilulio, 2006

Course Evaluation

CATEGORY & WEIGHT DESCRIPTION

Assessments 50% Tests and quizzes. You will have weekly quizzes worth 10-15 points

each. There will be an exam at the end of each unit. All exams are worth 50 points. Your final exam will be worth 100 points. *Practice AP Exams will be graded as classwork

Assignments 30% This includes both work done in class and at home. Worksheets, current events, lab assignments, group work.

Essays & Semester Project 10%

You will have 2 essays to write this semester. These will be position papers where you must make and support an argument. There is a

semester project you will complete after the AP exam in May.

Participation 10% Includes daily class participation, discussions, attendance, daily preparedness and notebook checks.

Grade breakdown: 90-100% = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% D, Below 60% = F

Plagiarism – Plagiarism is defined as taking someone’s ideas, writings, etc., and passing it off as your own - this

also includes copying from a friend or classmate. Plagiarism of any part of an assignment (classwork, homework, paper, etc.) will result in an automatic zero for the entire assignment and a referral. This applies to all parties

involved, so if you did your work honestly, do not allow a classmate to copy from it.

Expected Student Behavior

All students are expected to be:

Respectful to all those around you and their ideas.

Responsible for all of your work and be sure to know when things are due.

A participant in classroom activities and discussions.

Prepared for every class with their notebook, pen and a positive attitude.

Honest don't cheat, copy, or plagiarize! Academic dishonesty will result in removal from the class with a WF And finally, give the course your best effort. Your performance and course grade are your responsibility. That

means you must: Read! Read once for basic understanding and then again taking notes or outlining

material. Study! Review class notes, underline important terms, ideas, and concepts. Write out questions that you have about the material and ask for clarification. If you are having problems in class, see me, I am

here to help.

3 McCort – AP GOV SPRING 2015

Class Policies

Beginning class - Students are expected to be in class, in their seats, on time and prepared to work.

Ending class - The teacher dismisses the class, not the bell.

Tardies - You have plenty of time to make it to class on time. Any tardy results in the loss of all daily

participation points. Your homework will be considered late and therefore will only earn partial credit. If you are tardy on the day of a test or final exam, you will automatically have 10% deducted off the score of that

test. According to the school attendance policy, once students reach 4 tardies, they will have to serve detentions and possibly Saturday school. See the school’s attendance policy for more details.

Take care of your textbook! We are fortunate to have enough books to have a class set. Even though you do

not need your book in class each day, take care of it at home. Fines for damaged or missing books will be given at the end of the year.

All assignments are to be completed in ink or typed.

All assigned work is to be turned in on time in order to receive full credit. No late work will be accepted.

It is the student’s responsibility to inquire as to what work was missed during an absence. Students can

check the class website, call or email Ms. McCort to find out about work that was missed. ATTENDANCE IS

CRITICAL IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COURSE AND ON THE AP EXAM. We have less than a semester to cover the content, absences will result in automatic reduction of your grade.

For any cuts, students will not be able to make up any assignments or tests that they missed.

Students absent the day of a test are expected to take the test on the day of their return. This may be

during lunch or after school. Students who get suspended may turn in assignments that were completed during the suspension as long as

they are turned in the day they return to class. Students will be expected to make up all quizzes and

tests missed the day they return.

Students involved in sports are expected to turn in homework on the due date regardless of whether games

are played away or at home. If you will miss class due to a field trip or school sporting event, work must be turned in before you leave. If

you will be gone the day of a quiz or exam, you will be expected to take the quiz/exam early. This may

require you coming in during lunch or after school. Cell phones/iPods (etc.)/laptops will be allowed in class if used APPRORIATELY. You will be allowed to use

electronic devices only when directed by the teacher. Failure to follow these rules will result in loss of

participation points and privileges to continue using electronic devices in class. ***Google*** We are fortunate to have access to laptop carts and we will use Google

Chromebooks on a regular basis in class. In addition, you will be expected to use your school

gmail/Google Drive accounts. You will be expected to follow the district network guidelines at all times. If you fail to follow the network rules, you will lose the privilege of using the

technology in class. If any electronic device is found on a student during a test the student will receive an automatic

zero on that test and have the item taken away.

Specified essays/semester project are due no later than 8:00 am on the due date. Papers must be

given to the teacher directly. Papers received after 8:00 am will be penalized 10% grade reduction for each

period the project is late. Projects not received by 5th period on the specified due date will not be accepted for any reason and students will receive a zero on the assignment.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have read and understand the policies outlined above. Student Name – Please Print Period Student Signature Parent Signature Phone # Parent E-Mail