AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER ASSIGNMENT 2014AP Government Students:

Welcome to Advanced Placement® U.S. Government & Politics! This capstone social studies course will help you learn the foundations, function, structure and processes of the United States Government and prepare you to take the AP Government Exam in May 2015. Throughout the course you will learn the general concepts necessary to interpret U.S. government and politics and analyze current politics and events.

The summer assignment will lay the foundation for the entire curriculum and contains 6 different components to prepare you for this college level course. The different components will familiarize you with significant current events, challenge you to learn the Constitution, provide practice accessing a variety of government websites and political resources, and familiarize yourself with various political processes, understand various civil rights and liberties and gain a greater awareness of the influence of government in your life.

The AP Government Summer Assignment consists of:

Component 1: Current Events Online Journal (turnitin.com) Component 2: The Constitution – Preparing for Test on the First Day of Class (textbook) Component 3: The Founding – Notes on Chapter 1 from Government Textbook Component 4: Political Processes – Online simulation games

Carefully follow the directions for each component of the Summer Assignment. The Summer Assignment may be completed in small portions throughout the summer or during a few intense sessions of study as needed to suit your schedule. The Summer Assignment is due at the beginning of class on the first day of school – no late work will be accepted.

Edmodo – www.edmodo.com, user name – studentID#@student.carson.k12.nv.us, password: student.604, Group join code: 5ar9fp

Interacting with me as your instructor is yet another important part of this course. You, as a student, must demonstrate your initiative and responsibility by contacting me when you have questions, encounter technical difficulties or need help throughout the course. You may contact me THROUGHOUT the summer by messaging me in Edmodo or emailing me at jchandler@carson.k12.nv.us.

Looking forward to a great year,

Jennifer Chandler Social Studies Department Chair/AP Government Instructor

Pledge of Academic Integrity

As an AP Government student you are expected to perform all academic tasks with honor and integrity. Throughout the course you will be challenged to think, process, organize, represent and create your own ideas. Unethical use of information, cheating, and plagiarism violate the learning experience and at the same time compromise your personal integrity and honor and reflect poorly on Carson High School.

Cheating

Cheating or academic dishonesty can take many forms, but always involves the improper taking of information from and/or giving of information to another student, individual, or other source. Examples of cheating can include, but are not limited to:

Taking or copying answers on an examination or any other assignment from another student or source Giving answers on an examination or any other assignment to another student Collaborating on exams, assignments, papers and/or projects without specific teacher permission Allowing others to complete coursework for you instead of doing your own original work Using unauthorized electronic devices Unethical use of electronic devices to share exam or course assignment information Falsifying course data, including changing grades electronically

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a common form of cheating or academic dishonesty in the school setting. It is representing another person’s works or ideas as your own without giving credit to the proper source and submitting it for any purpose. Examples of plagiarism can include, but are not limited to:

Submitting someone else’s work, such as published sources in part or whole, as your own without giving credit to the source

Turning in purchased papers or papers from the internet written by someone else Representing another person’s artistic or scholarly works such as musical compositions, computer

programs, photographs, drawings, or paintings as your own Helping others plagiarize by giving them your work to copy

You are expected to produce work that is yours alone, recognizing the importance of thinking for yourself and learning independently, when that is the nature of the assignment. Adhering to the Code of Honor for the purposes of academic honesty promotes an essential skill that is expected at all higher education institutions and far beyond the school environment. It is your responsibility to demonstrate careful planning and time management so as not to create the temptation towards academic dishonesty.

I, _______________________________, commit to submit AP Government course work that is uniquely my own. I will adhere to the code of honor as described above for the duration of the course.

_____________________________________________________ ___________________________Student Name Date

SUBMIT YOUR SIGNED PLEDGE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS

(Based upon the Nevada Department of Education Code of Honor)

Name: _________________________________________ AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

Component 1: Current Events Online Journal

Objective: To build a strong background in national and international current events to equip students with contemporary examples to use in their writing.

In a democracy, the responsibility of understanding political events and participating in the political process rests upon the voting citizen. In addition, one part of your success in AP Government will be your ability to cite contemporary political events to justify your reasoning in your writing (primarily in your FRQs, free response questions) and classroom discussions.

Throughout the course of the summer, complete 10 current event entries relating to the news topics listed below. Each week in Edmodo, I will post links to high profile national political news stories that relate directly to the content of the course. The articles may be found in the Current Events folder in Edmodo. Each event will have its own folder. The folder will contain several articles and links to help you learn about the topic. If you still feel that you need more information in order to write the summary, go online and conduct your own research using credible sources.

Edmodo materials may be printed out and taken with you if you are travelling this summer. Please note that articles will be posted as they happen in the news. Some weeks there may be several new folders and other weeks there may be none. Regardless, all ten articles/topics will be posted two weeks prior to the start of school.

Create your current event article summaries in a word document or a Google document. Save all article summaries using this file name format: Lastname_Firstname_CURRENT EVENT ARTICLE # ___Following the correct file naming format will ensure that your work is graded efficiently and recorded correctly. Check to be sure all files are named correctly before submitting them to www.turnitin.com.

Use the sample entry guide following the exact format and including all required elements for each entry to earn full credit for this component. For each entry, cite each source using MLA format, write a 1 paragraph factual summary of the story, and a one paragraph analysis of the event’s significance as it pertains to politics. Each entry must have at least 250 words. FOLLOW THE FORMAT CAREFULLY – YOUR GRADE WILL REFLECT HOW WELL YOU FOLLOW DIRECTIONS.

All entries must be submitted online at www.turnitin.com by August 17 at 11:59 pm (the day before school begins). The class code for AP Government is 8073412. The password is CONSTITUTION. Check to be sure all files are named correctly before submitting them to www.turnitin.com.

It is your responsibility to follow these directions and join the 2014 AP Government class in both Edmodo and at www.turnitin.com.

Sample Current Event Entry:Please submit all Current Event Entries using this format to www.turnitin.com

Student Name: SMITH, JOE

Current Event Article # EXAMPLE:

TOPIC : Executive Branch - PRESIDENT – Official Responsibilities

Date of Article: January 12, 2011

Location: Tucson, Arizona – Arizona State University

Summary: Main speaker at the memorial service for the 6 victims of the shooting rampage that included a

federal judge. President Obama acknowledged the many heroic acts performed by ordinary Americans to help,

protect and stop the killer in the Safeway Parking Lot at Representative Giffords’ Congress on the Corner event.

He also expressed the nation’s condolences to the families who lost a family member in the shooting. He

memorialized each person, noting their contributions to our country. He also visited Rep. Giffords in the

hospital and shared with the crowd that she had opened her eyes for the first time. He challenged the media

and politicians to tone down their rhetoric towards each other.

Analysis: The president fulfilled his duty at the head of our government to respond to crisis situations. In this

crisis a federal judge was killed and a member of the House of Representatives was shot in the head at a public

event known as “Congress at the Corner”. Representative Gabby Giffords was attacked by shooter Jared

Loughner as she greeted members of the community. The president expressed the sympathy of the nation to

those experiencing the situation first hand by visiting Representative Giffords in the hospital, met with families

of those killed in the attack and delivered a funeral message at the memorial service in Tucson. This is an

example of the President, as head of the Executive Branch of government, interacting with the legislative branch

by reaching out to Representative Gabby Giffords of Arizona and interacting with the judicial branch by

expressing condolences to the family of the judge killed in the shooting.

Citations:

Source 1: Tucson shootings:” Let us heal together, Obama says at Memorial Event”, Washington Post, January

13, 2011

Source 2: “President speaks at Tucson Memorial”, www.cnn.com, January 13, 2011

Line spacing 1.5

Your name - ALL CAPS and bold

bold

A well written, 5 sentence summary with details

Explains what the government is doing in my own words (over the required 250

words)

Two credible sources, correctly cited using MLA format (use EasyBib online)

Title of Assignment

Using Turnitin.com

Objective: Using turnitin.com will help you check your work for originality. This site will help hold you accountable for doing your own work and ensure that you are giving proper credit to the sources you are referencing. Many institutions of higher education use turnitin.com so this is excellent preparation for college.

Follow these simple instructions carefully to use this website. You will have to enroll ONCE this year (Step 1), then you can submit all current event articles here (Step 2).

Turnitin.com Instructions

Teacher: J. CHANDLER

Class: AP GOVERNMENT

If you have questions, you can e-mail me at message me in Edmodo or jchandler@carson.k12.nv.us .

Step 1: Enroll in Mrs. Chandler’s AP Government Class:

1. Go to www.turnitin.com2. In the upper, right-hand corner, choose New User (Or enter your user login

information)3. On the pull-down menu, choose student4. Click on the Next button5. Put in your class ID, which is 80734126. Type in your e-mail and check to be sure it is correct7. Click on the Next button8. Type in your own personal password, which is your first initial and your last name

Be careful with this step. The password is case sensitive and you must remember it.

9. Click on the Next button10.Choose a secret question, one for which only you know the answer.11.Type the answer.12.Click on the Next button13.Type in your first and last name.

Class password is

CONSTITUTION

(all capital letters)

14.Click on the Next button15.Read the agreement message.16.Click on the button that says I agree.17.Click on the link that says End Wizard and login.

Step 2: Electronic Submission of Current Event Articles:

1. If you are not already logged in, do so by going to turnitin.com and typing in your e-mail and password.

2. Click on AP Government.3. Choose the Current Event Article you would like to complete. This brings

up a window that contains any information your teacher would like you to read before submitting your paper. When you are done reading it, close the window.

4. Click on the icon under the submit column .5. Type in your submission title (Lastname_Firstname_CURRENT EVENT

ARTICLE # ___)6. Submit entry. (follow the format provided on the Component 1 assignment

sheet in your summer assignment packet) a. Submit your file containing your writing assignment:

Click on the button that says browse.Find your document on your computer and double click on it.Click on the button that says submit.You will be asked if this is the paper you want to submit. Double check your work. If this is correct, click on the button that says yes, submit. If not, click on the link that says no, go back.Record your paper id number in your summer assignment packet.

Note: If you already have a turnitin.com user account, you may use your same account and simply join the 2014 AP Government class.

Turnitin.com is constantly upgrading its site to maximize usefulness to students and teachers. If you encounter difficulty with these instructions, contact a classmate or email me.

Name: _________________________________________ AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

Component 2: ConstitutionObjective: Read and become familiar with the articles,

amendments and principles of United States Constitution.

Use your “Government by the People” Burns textbook to complete the following basic information on the Constitution. Once finished, use the answers as your study guide for the quiz.

CONSTITUTIONAL ARTICLES: (Refer to your textbook p. 47-59)What are the first three words in the Preamble?

Write the number of the Constitutional Article it described:1. ___________The supremacy of the Constitution over state law, federal laws

and treaties is stated. A requirement that all national and state officials must pledge to uphold the Constitution.

2. ___________The power to interpret the laws and restraints on those interpreting the laws is given, treason is also mentioned.

3. ___________The power of the states is determined as well as the relationship between states, territories and the federal government is given.

4. ___________The office of President is set up and its powers, restraints, duties and manner of election are stated.

5. ___________The method for ratification of the Constitution by the states is given.

Constitution Quiz – First Day of Class!

Be prepared to take a matching test covering all Articles and Amendments of the United States

Constitution.

6. ___________Explains how the Constitution may be changed as necessary and a guarantee of equal representation of states in the Senate is given.

7. ___________Congress is organized and the powers and restraints concerning both houses are specified.

Write the number of the Constitutional Article each example describes:8. ___________Bill of Rights9. ___________Every part of government and the people answer to the

Constitution10. ___________extradition – arresting a criminal in one state and returning

them to the state where the crime was committed.11. ___________Nine of the 13 original colonies signing the Constitution12. ___________Senator Harry Reid13. ___________Supreme Court of the United States14. ___________Vice President Joe Biden is currently serving a four year term

Guidelines for Oaths of Office are found in ARTICLE _____, SECTION ______

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (Refer to your textbook, pages 47 – 59)

Study all 27 Constitutional Amendments. Use your textbook as a reference. Create one notecards for each amendment. Write the number of the amendment on one size and a phrase or phrases that will remind you of the topic of each amendment (6 or 7 words maximum). Memorize the amendments so that you can successfully match the amendment to its description on the quiz the first day of class. Bring your notecards to class on the first day of school to be graded.

A practice Constitution Quiz will be posted in Edmodo the week before school begins so that you can practice.

Name: _________________________________________ AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

Component 3: The Founding – Notes on Textbook Chapter 1

Objective: To review key concepts and components of American democracy.

Read all of Chapter 1 in the “Government by the People” Burns textbook. Then answer the following questions

based upon the reading:

Identify and explain the five core values of democracy:

Explain how each political process supports our democratic system:

Free and fair elections

Majority/Plurality Rule

Freedom of Expression

Right to assemble and protest

For each condition, explain how and why they establish and maintain our democracy:

Educational

Economic

Social

What were the Articles of Confederation? What were the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

What major decisions were made at the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

Explain the difference of opinion between Federalists and Anti-Federalists:

Name: _________________________________________ AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

Component 4: Political Processes

Edmodo has several game apps that teach you about our government while you play them. To complete component 4 you will need to play these games more than once until you complete all required information and meet the goal. Some require you to achieve a certain score, to complete a chart or just to win. Read all instructions carefully. Examples have been provided to help clarify what is required. Instructions and tutorials are available online when you begin each game.

Login to Edmodo.com – enter your username and password, on the left hand side of the screen you will see “Folders”, click folders, then open the folder titled, “Component 4”. The direct link to each game can be found in the folder. When you get to www.icivics.org where the games are hosted you may sign up for a free account or click No Thanks and play the game without an account.

You will play a total of five games:

Executive Command – this game will teach you about the Presidency, the daily decisions to be made by the President and the different stresses and demands of the job.

Win the White House – this game will familiarize you with the complex process of running for public office, political platforms, campaign strategy and the electoral college.

Argument Wars – this game will aquaint you will key Supreme Court cases representing different types of civil liberties, the situations of each case and the accompanying Constitutional issue.

Do I Have a Right? –this game helps you connect specific Constitutional amendments to individual situations and the reasoning used to plead each case. It will help you study the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights.

Branches of Power – this game teaches you about the interrelatedness of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, about different influences upon each branch and about how a bill becomes a law.

Should you have any questions as you go through each simulation, just message me in Edmodo and I will answer your question.

Executive Command

Ever wanted to be president for a day? In Executive Command, you can be president for four years! Try to achieve what you set out to accomplish while facing the challenges and responsibilities that crop up along the way. Being commander-in-chief and chief executive is no easy job! See how you do!

GOAL: Play the game as many times as you need to until you score 3,000 points. Read the INSTRUCTIONS before beginning the game. Based upon your experience playing the game, complete the assignment below:

Identify the FOCUS ISSUE you select: ___________________________________________________

What is the role of the focus issue during the game: _______________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

What game goal is directly related to your focus issue: _____________________________________

What two things are most challenging about the game: _____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

What is a bill? ______________________________________________________________________

Describe diplomacy and provide two examples that occur in the game: ________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

What is the State of the Union? ________________________________________________________

What is the role of your Chief of Staff? ___________________________________________________

Identify 7 departments and explain the types of issues they deal with based upon what happens in the game:

________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Once you reach the goal of 3,000 points, EITHER print the certificate provided or fill in the following:

Player Score: ________ Focus Issue: _______ Focus Outcome: ____________

Domestic: Bills Signed Correctly ____ Incorrectly _____, Delegated Correctly ____, Incorrectly ____

Foreign: Diplomatic Missions _____ Military Actions _______ War Outcome __________________

Win the White House

In Win the White House, students take on the role of presidential candidate from the primary season all the way through to the general election. The player strategically manages time and resources to gain control of as many electoral votes as possible over a ten-week campaign. This can only be done by effectively communicating his or her position on issues, and mastering media and public appearances. This game has a limited

number of rounds so strategize!

Be sure to select the HIGH SCHOOL VERSION when you are prompted as the game loads. Play until you WIN the game. Read INSTRUCTIONS before beginning the game and answer the following:

What criteria did you use to select your running mate? _____________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

How many electoral college votes do you need to earn in order to win the game? ________________

What four different functions can you perform during one turn of the game:

_______________________________ ______________________________

_______________________________ ______________________________

List the states with the 5 highest amounts of electoral votes:

_______________________________ ______________________________

_______________________________ ______________________________

_______________________________

Identify/Define/Explain each of the following:

Primary ________________________________________________________________

Political party ________________________________________________________________

Momentum ________________________________________________________________

Poll ________________________________________________________________

Convention ________________________________________________________________

When you WIN the White House EITHER print the provided certificate or fill in the following info:

Impact Points: ___________ Party: ________________________ Electoral Votes: _________

Funds Raised: __________ Persuasiveness: _________ Fund Raising Efficency: _____________

Top Five Issues (The ones you select as your agenda):

___________________________ _________________________ _______________________

___________________________ _________________________

Name: _________________________________________ AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER ASSIGNMENTArgument Wars (Objective – to recognize basic judicial processes, civil rights and liberties.

Ever tried to win a disagreement? In Argument Wars, you will try out your persuasive abilities by arguing a real Supreme Court case. The other lawyer is your competition.

Whoever uses the strongest arguments wins! Read the INSTRUCTIONS before you begin the game, then complete the chart based upon what you learn playing the game. Play until you complete the entire chart. Examples provided.

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Case SituationA student was caught smoking in the bathroom and her personal belonging (purse) was searched by school officials revealing cigarettes and marijuana.

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Case Situation Constitutional Issue Key Arguments Court Decision9-0 for BrownCourt reverses Plessy v Ferguson, declaring separate but equal unconstitituional.

Do I Have A Right?

You’ll need to decide whether potential clients have a right, and if so, match them with the right lawyer. The more clients you serve and the more cases you win, the faster your law firm will grow! Can you think on your feet? You're going to have to while learning the amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Read the game INSTRUCTIONS before you begin.

Your goal is to build the largest law first and continue playing until you have lawyers that cover all the listed amendments. As you play, complete the chart:

Amendment Topic of Amendment Client Situations/Examples of each type of amendment case1st Person was told they couldn’t wear a T-shirt that said . . .

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

8th

13th

Abolition of slavery

14th

15th

19th

26th

Print your best certificate OR Fill in the blanks:

Correct uses of rights _________ Wrong uses of rights _________ Cases Won _____ Cases Lost _____

Name: _________________________________________ AP GOVERNMENT SUMMER ASSIGNMENT

Branches of PowerDo you like running things? Branches of Power allows you to do something that no one else can: control all three branches of government! You'll have the power to write any laws you want about issues you choose. Careful, though, there's a lot to juggle when you're playing all three branches. Be careful – this game is timed! Read instructions and use the tutorials as needed.

What two legislative values did you select for your round in the game? _________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

What three critical issues did you select as the President? ____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The legislative branch has two options: Town Hall and Deliberation. Explain the purpose of each and when they are used in the process of playing the game.___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The executive branch has two options: Press Conference and Considering a Bill. Explain the purpose of each and when they are used in the process of playing the game.___________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The judicial branch must consider each bill. What must they take into account?____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

At the end of the game record your scores for the following categories:Legislative Final Score _______________

Executive Final Score ________________

Judicial Final Score _________________

Winning Time Bonus ________________

Towers signed or upheld bonus __________________

Impact Points ______________