Springfield High School

Mr. Zach Raines

AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

COURSE OUTLINE
raineszs@[Link]

Text: O'Connor, Karen, Larry J. Sabato. American Government: Continuity and Change,

2006 ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2006

Supplementary Material:

Serow, Ann & Ladd, Everett. The Lanahan Readings in the AMERICAN POLITY,
5th ed. Baltimore: Lanahan, 2011
Additional References:
Wilson, James Q, John J. Dilulio, Jr. American Government, 11th ed. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin, 1998
Any Princeton Review Book
Teaching Strategies
The course focuses on lectures and class discussions. You are encouraged to stay up to date with
contemporary political and economic issues. We will consistently refer to current events
(international relations, economic trends, policy making decision, etc,) that are relevant to our
topic. Contemporary issues help connect past precedent with the reality of today's exciting, yet
chaotic, political world. You are encouraged to access the Internet as much as possible to help
you better understand todays political arena. The key is reading; there will be many difficult and
complex readings and concepts to analyze, and the course is meant to prepare you to excel on the
AP US Government and Politics Exam, which you will take in May 2016.
Standards will be high and cannot be altered to suit individuals, so you should expect to do
college-level and not college preparatory work if you are to succeed in the class.
Interpretive and analytical writing will have a major emphasis in the course. In addition to the
contemporary articles, you will also be expected to analyze and interpret numerous supplemental
and primary sources.
Course Description
The goal of the AP U.S. Government and Politics course is to provide you with an in-depth
understanding of the operation of America's national government. We will be guided by the
major areas of U.S. government that are emphasized by the college testing service guidebook:
Constitutional Underpinnings; Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; Political Beliefs and
Behaviors of Individuals; Political Parties, Interest Groups, and the Mass Media; the
Major Institutions of National Government; Public Policy

SUMMARY OUTLINE AND ASSIGNED READINGS

PART I:

CONSTITUTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS OF DEMOCRACY IN THE

UNITED STATES (4 - 5 weeks)
A.
B.
C.
D.

Federalism
Separation of Powers
Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the
Constitution
Theories of democratic government

Text Readings:
Chapters 1, 2, and 3
American Polity Readings: TBA
General Key Terms:
Bicameral Legislature
Centralists
Concurrent Powers
Direct Democracy
Federalism
New Federalism
Implied Powers
Informal Amendment
Marbury v. Madison
Popular Sovereignty
Shays Rebellion
PART II:

Block Grant
Checks & Balances
Confederation
Elastic Clause
Dual Federalism
Federalist Papers
Indirect Democracy
Judicial Review
McCoulloch v. Maryland
Reserved Powers
Supermajority

Categorical Grant
Commerce Clause
Decentralists
Enumerated Powers
Cooperative Federalism
Formal Amendment
Inherent Powers
Mandates
Police Powers
Separation of Powers
Unicameral Legislature

CIVIL LIBERTIES AND CIVIL RIGHTS (3 - 4 weeks)

The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation,
including, for example:
A.
B.
C.

Development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation.

Substantive rights and liberties.
Impact of the 14th Amendment.

Text Readings:
Chapters 5 and 6
American Polity Readings: TBA
General Key Terms:
Civil Liberties
De facto Segregation
Due Process Clause
Establishment Clause

Civil Rights
Clear and Present Danger Doctrine
De jure Segregation
Double Jeopardy
Equal Protection Clause
Eminent Domain
Exclusionary Rule
Free Exercise Clause

Grandfather Clause
Jim Crow Laws
Miranda Warnings
Poll Tax
Sedition
Slander
PART III:

Incorporation
Libel
Plea Bargain
Prior Restraint
Separate But Equal
Strict Scrutiny

Indictment
Literacy Test
Police Powers
Racial Gerrymandering
Shield Laws
White Primary

THE CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENCY, THE BUREAUCRACY, AND THE

FEDERAL COURTS (7 - 8 weeks)
A.
B.
C.

The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of powers

Relationships among these four institutions
Links between these institutions and political parties, interest groups, the
media, sub-national governments, and public opinion

Text Readings:
Chapters 7-10
American Polity Readings:
General Key Terms and Words:
Appropriation
Bureaucracy
Class Action Suit
Concurring Opinion
Discharge Petition
Executive Order
Finance Committee
Hold
Injunction
Judicial Review
Line Item Veto
Mark Up
Original Jurisdiction
Political Appointees
Reapportionment
Stare decisis
Whistleblower
Writ of Mandamus
PART IV:

Appropriations Committee
Casework
Closed Rule
Conference Committee
Dissenting Opinion
Executive Privilege
Franking Privilege
Impeachment
Judicial Activism
Legislative Oversight
Logrolling
Merit System
Patronage
Pork Barrel
Redistricting
Sunset Laws
Writ of Certiorari

Appellate Jurisdiction
Civil Law
Cloture
Constituents
Executive Agreement
Filibuster
Gerrymandering
Impoundment
Judicial Restraint
Legislative Veto
Majority Opinion
Open Rule
Pocket Veto
Quorum
Red Tape
Ways & Means Committee
Writ of Habeas Corpus

POLITICAL BELIEFS AND BEHAVIORS OF INDIVIDUALS

(4 - 5 weeks)
A.
B.
C.

Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and leaders

Processes by which citizens learn about politics
The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion

D.
E.

The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
Factors that influences citizens to differ from one another in terms of
political beliefs and behaviors

Text Readings:
Chapters 11, 13, & 14
American Polity Readings:
General Key Words and Terms:
Attentive Public
Blanket Primary
Coattail Effect
Direct Primary
Gender Gap
Ideology
Issue Advocacy Ads
Party Platform
Political Efficacy
Safe Seat
Solid South
Suffrage
Swing State

PART V:

Australian Ballot
Caucus
Demographics
Fixed Terms
General Election
Incumbent
Open Primary
Political Culture
Political Socialization
Single Member District
Split Ticket Voting
Super-delegate

Balancing the Ticket

Closed Primary
Direct Election
Front Loading
Hard Money
Independent
Party Identification
Plurality
Realigning Election
Soft Money
Straight Ticket Voting
Super Tuesday

POLITICAL PARTIES, INTEREST GROUPS, & MEDIA

(3 - 4 weeks)
A.

B.

C.

Political parties and elections

1.
Functions.
2.
Organizations.
3.
Developments.
4.
Effects on political process.
5.
Electoral laws and systems.
Interest Groups (including PACs)
1.
The range of interests that are or are not represented
2.
The activities of interest groups
3.
The effects of interest groups on the political process
4.
Characteristics /roles of PACs.
The mass media
1.
Functions and structures
2.
Impact on politics

Text Readings:
Chapters 12, 15, & 16
American Polity Readings: TBA

General Key Terms and Words:

Amicus curiae Brief

Dealignment Argument

Divided government

Elite theory

Factions

Fairness Doctrine

Feeding Frenzy

Free Rider Program

Horse Race coverage

Iron Triangle

Litigation

Lobbying

Nonpartisan Elections

Office Column Ballot

Party Column Ballot

Photo Opportunity

Political Action Committee

Pluralism

Patronage

Revolving Door

Selective Exposure

Selective Perception

Sound Bite

Spin Control

Unit Rule

PART VI:

PUBLIC POLICY (2 - 3 weeks)

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Text Readings:

Policy making in a federal system.

Formation of policy agendas.
Role of institutions in policy enactment.
Role of bureaucracy and courts in policy implementation and interpretation.
Linkages between policy processes and:
1. Political institutions and federalism.
2. Political parties.
3. Interest groups.
4. Public opinion
5. Elections
6. Policy networks
Chapters 17-19

General Key Terms and Words:

Bipartisanship
Deregulation
Means Tested
Subsidy
PART VII:

Budget Deficit
Entitlements
Monetary Policy
Foreign Policy

Deficit Spending
Fiscal Policy
National Debt

STUDYING FOR THE EXAM (6 7 weeks)

PPTs over each section on the AP Exam

Grading Policy
Grades are figured on a cumulative basis. Each test, quiz, essay, homework assignment, etc. is
based on points depending on its significance to the subject. Your grade is determined by
dividing the total points possible by the points earned. The following shows the approximate
values of assignments and probable grading scale.
Assignment

Percent of Grade

Quizzes
Unit Vocabulary Quizzes
Unit Exams

Points only
Points only
Points only

Homework

Points only
Points only

Final Exam

Grading Scale
100% - 99% = A+
98% - 95% = A
94% - 93% = A92% - 91% = B+
90% - 87% = B
86% - 85% = B-

84% - 83% = C+
82% - 79% = C
78% - 77% = C76% - 75% = D+
74% - 71% = D
70% = D-

CLASS REQUIRMENTS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Attendance is mandatory! Students need to appear in class on a daily basis.

Students will come to class prepared to work (pen, pencil, paper, and textbook).
It is the students responsibility to get missed work when an absence is necessary.
Homework assignments will be given at the teachers discretion.
Students are responsible for all information given out.

CLASSWORK-HOMEWORK POLICY:
1. Assignments are due on the day specified by the teacher.
2. Assignments will NOT be accepted late, unless there is an excused pink slip note from a
parent or physician.
3. Students will be given extra time to finish assignments if an absence is necessary.
4. Make up Exams will be given one day per quarter, during the last week of the quarter.
5. All assignments MUST be written in black or blue ink or typed. (really just not red)
6. Essays, Research Papers, and News Articles MUST be typed. Computers will be available
for students who require one.

CLASS RULES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Students must be in their seats before the tardy bell rings.

Students must be prepared for class with the proper required materials.
Students are to be quiet during classroom instruction time.
Students must remove their sunglasses upon entering the classroom.
Profanity is not allowed in the classroom.
Students are not allowed to touch anything in the classroom that is not theirs.
Students will raise their hand and ask permission to leave their seat.
Students must show respect for other students.
Students must show respect for themselves.

CHEATING:
Cheating is NOT permitted! Students caught cheating will have their work thrown out
(receiving 0%) along with the work they were coping.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT:
1. Verbal praise will be given for good behavior.
2. Rewards will be given for 100% on exams

NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT:
Classroom:
1. Verbal warning.
2. 60-minute detention. At a time convenient to me. Usually before school.
3. Referral to Principal
Tardies:
1. Warning.
2. Call home.
3. Referral to Principal (Usually Saturday School)
Cell Phones:
1. Warning.
2. Warning phone is confiscated and returned to student. Parent is contacted.
3. Detention phone is confiscated and returned to parent. Parent conference is held. Phone
may no longer be brought to class.
4. Saturday School phone is confiscated and returned to parent. Parent conference is held.
5. Phone is confiscated and returned to parent. Student is suspended.
Dress Code:
1. Warning, student will be sent to office to change clothes.
2. 60-minute detention and the student will be sent to the office to change.
3. Student will be sent to office to change clothes; parent will be contacted, and Saturday
School, ILC, or suspension will be issued.

*Return to Mr. Raines

Dear Parents:
Please take a moment and review the class syllabus with your child. When you are
finished, I would appreciate you and your child signing this page and returning it to me
so I may file it in my records. When this signature sheet is returned to the classroom,
your child will receive ten points for a grade in my grade book.
Thank you,

Zach Raines
AP Government Instructor

I have read the following class syllabus and understand what is stated in it.
Parent signature: ______________________________________________
Parent E-mail: ________________________________________________
Student signature: _____________________________________________
Date: ________________________ Class Period: ___________________