Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government 2008-2009 Syllabus Course Description This course is about the American political system. We will discuss political ideology, the development of the political system and our democratic institutions. Students will be able to evaluate the role of the national government and its relationship to the concept of liberty in a pluralistic society. The discussions will emphasize the changing political culture of American society and its effect on voting patterns, trends and the processes of government. We will examine certain critical elections in American history as well as recent political movements. The main thrust of the course, however, is to be able to apply an understanding of our political system to contemporary events. The following five major topics will be covered: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
The constitutional underpinnings of American government Political beliefs and behaviors Political parties and interest groups Institutions and policy development and Public policy Civil liberties
At the conclusion of the course students will have a sophisticated understanding of majority rule democracy, constitutionalism and civil liberties. Students will also be able to see the relationships and distinctions between formal and informal institutions and the public policies that are developed as a result of these relationships. General Expectations This is a college level class in Political Science. As such I expect students to behave as college students. I will instruct this class in a method that best exemplifies a college course and I expect students to act accordingly. I will not accept or tolerate late or missing work and absence from class is unacceptable. Due to the short nature of the course and the vast amount of materiel involved students are expected to become learners both IN and OUT of the classroom. This means doing reading when it is required and becoming aware of current events and political happenings. It is expected that students skim the LA Times every day as well as a weekly magazines such as Newsweek. Only in this fashion can students begin to truly understand and apply knowledge. Learning, true learning, does not occur in the vacuum of the classroom. Teaching and Study Methods Classes will be conducted in a lecture and discussion format. Board notes will be minimal so student note taking is essential. Students might also consider outlining their texts as a study tool. This is optional but highly recommended. Typically, college students will highlight but since you do not own your books, outlining might be a suitable alternative. Should you wish to mark in your books they can be purchased used online at www.half.com or other retailers for minimal prices. In addition to assigned class readings students are expected to stay abreast of current events in national politics. In order to do this, students should skim the LA Times every day. Students should also consider reading Newsweek or another similar weekly news magazine. Newsweek has excellent political coverage. National Review (conservative) and The Nation (liberal) are also excellent sources of political information. This reading will further your knowledge of the subject matter and the articles you read can be included in the clipping file project you will be asked to complete. Texts and Readings The class text is American Government, Wilson and Dilulio, Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 978-0-618-95540-4 should you wish to purchase your own. Copies have been provided to you. It is expected that you will read all assigned chapters prior to class discussion.
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Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government The supplemental text is American Government: Readings and Cases. 15th ed., Woll, Peter, ed. 15th ed. ISBN: 0321129776 it must be purchased separately by the student. If the student cannot acquire the text please contact me and something can be arranged. The text must be purchased by the second week of class. There are a limited number on reserve in the library. There will also be other readings assigned throughout the year. I will make them available in advance. In some cases required readings will only be available online. Again, it is expected that you will read all assigned readings prior to class discussion. Grading Policy 1. Exams (40%): Exams will consist of 40-60 multiple choice questions within one class period and either one or two essays in the same or another period. Exams will be given after certain topical breaks in the curriculum as I have attempted to link certain chapters together. The class schedule explains when each test will be given. The exams will be announced in advance. Class presentations and activities assigned after the AP exam may be given grades in this category. 2. Quizzes (10%): There might be, on occasion, class quizzes of varying length and format. There may or may not be advance notice given. 3. Homework (10%): The homework in this class is to complete assigned readings prior to class discussion dates. The course schedule contains dates and chapter reading assignments. Supplementary readings as assigned as well as papers and projects are also, in a fashion, considered homework. I expect you to complete readings in a timely fashion so that you may contribute to class discussion. Students not completing the readings will be obviously lacking in knowledge and thus their class participation grade will suffer. 4. Class Participation (10%): Participation in class discussions is an essential element of this class. I expect every student to come to class and to participate. Participation may be in the form of questions, responses to questions or commentary on a particular subject. I will closely monitor student participation and grade students accordingly. These grades will be assigned in letter grade format. Class presentations and activities assigned after the AP exam may be given grades in this category as well. 5. Papers (10%): Students will be expected to complete two 3 to 5 page papers this semester. Each paper must use proper citation form and works cited forms. Details of the paper and due dates will be attached below. Each paper will receive a letter grade. 6. Clippings File (10%): Each student must compile a "clippings file" as described below. The purpose of this assignment is to ensure that students stay up to date with the current political trends and occurrences and so that students start to see the relevance of what they are studying in class. 7. Final Exam (10%): Each student is required to take the AP test. It will count as the final for the semester. There are fee waivers available for those who qualify. If paying for the exam is an issue please talk to me privately and we can work something out, help is available. Not wanting to take the exam, or not wanting to pay for it, are not acceptable reasons for dropping the class. 8. Final Grade: Each marking period (quarter) will be worth 50% of the students’ final grade. Grading Scale and Breakdown Grade Percentage A 90–100 B 80–89 C 70–79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Syllabus
Grade Break Down Participation Tests Quizzes Home Work Class Work
20% 30% 20% 20% 10%
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Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government Attendance 1. Cutting: Cutting class is not allowed and will not be tolerated. Anyone cutting class should expect a phone call home and a lowering of their grade. I will follow the school's cutting policy to the letter and a Saturday school will be issued. No excuses! There is no make up work allowed for cutting. 2. Lateness: You are expected to be in class on time, all the time. Do not enter the class late without a pass. Lateness takes away class time and learning time and is an indicator of how much your care. Chronic lateness will result in a phone call home and a reduction in your class work grade. Remember six tardies equals a Saturday school, this will be enforced. 3. The Pass: Raise your hand to ask permission to take the pass. Use your head when asking for the pass. Do not interrupt important discussions to ask for the pass. 4. Absence: You are required to complete any work assigned while you are absent. There is no such thing as an "excused" absence, only an explained one. Please show me a note to document your absences accordingly so that I know you were not cutting. Other Requirements 1. Notebooks: It is up to each individual student to determine what system works best for them. I expect students to print out readings made available on line and to place them with notes that relate to that topic. Handouts and readings made available in class should be treated the same way. Personally, I believe that a loose-leaf style notebook allows the greatest organizational flexibility. 2. Behavior: Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. The reading of outside material from other subjects or newspapers is considered to be disruptive behavior. Any actions not befitting the nature of this class will be met with disciplinary action and grade deduction. 3. Getting Help: It is your responsibility to ask for help if you feel it is needed. Help is available before and after school but please ask me for an appointment. During AP season and before tests there will be regularly scheduled tutoring days. 4. Make up Work: Make up Work is only allowed for excused absences and students are allotted 1 day to make up work for every day they are absent. Anything beyond this will be considered late. 6. Late Work: Late work is accepted for any assignment as long as there is not cut or unexcused absence on the day the assignment was due. Late work is worth ½ credit. No exceptions.
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Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government Projects and Papers: Clippings File (10%) Each student must keep a loose-leaf notebook in addition to their regular notebook in which they will keep a file of press clippings from news articles they have read. Students must collect articles from each on the topics listed below and write a brief explanation of the article. • •
Collect news articles that discuss US policy, political events, policy formulation, political action or any subject we discuss in regard to the issue topics listed below. Purchase a loose-leaf notebook and divide it into the following sections:
a) Taxes b) Health Care c) Economy d) Gun Control e) Campaign Financing f) Federal Budget / Government Spending g) Social Security h) Military Spending i) Interest Groups and PACS j) Foreign Policy k) Environment l) Elections l) Political Party Support and Actions • • •
• •
•
Collect 40 articles, with at least two articles from each topic, from the LA Times, Newsweek or other qualified publication. Only 50% of the articles may be from the Internet. You may not photocopy articles. You must have an article from each week of class. Collecting 40 articles the night before the assignment will result in no credit given. The assignment is to keep up with the news, not catch up on the news. Neatly paste, tape or insert into a clear plastic insert each article. On the back, include a summary sheet with the following information: o Publication o Date o Author o Page Number o Topic o Brief Summary - Make sure you discuss the relevance to American politics. Categorize your clippings into each section. Articles within each section should be in chronological order. I will collect the clippings file twice and I expect to see 20 clippings for the first grade and 20 clippings for the second. I will collect the clippings file on January 12th &_March 23rd. You will need to have at least one article for each section each time you turn in your notebook. You will label the article with a “1” or a “2” so that it is clear which session/due date it was submitted for. I will provide a cover sheet for you to complete as you place items in the clippings file. You must fill out the cover sheet and it must be the first page in the book.
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Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government Papers (1%) You must complete two papers this term, one for each quarter. Assignment One - Due Friday, January 5th (2nd quarter, 1st day back from winter break) Read the following statement and respond to it as indicated in the directions below Resolved: American politics was inegalitarian and antidemocratic from the time of the writing of the Constitution, and in the last 200 years the American polity and economy have become even more antidemocratic and inegalitarian. You are to write a 3 to 5 page paper either agreeing or disagreeing with this statement. You should support your argument with references and citations to the readings in this class as well as others from outside the class. You are being given this assignment the first day of class so that you will start thinking immediately about how you will write it. You should read the materials in this class in light of this statement. This assignment is not so much a research project as an attempt to get you to make a reasoned judgment and argument about the character of U.S. politics. This means that the quality and persuasiveness of your argument is the most important factor in the evaluation of your answer. There is no correct answer. Finally, you are strongly encouraged to work on this assignment and discuss the above statement with others. However, you must turn in your own original work and not copy someone else's paper. Assignment Two - Due Friday, March 16th (3rd quarter) Interest groups and Political Action Committees have become an increasingly forceful influence on the American polity. Write a 3 to 5 page persuasive paper arguing either in favor of or against the power gained by such interest groups. In your paper you must: • • •
Explain what interest groups are and how they have developed over time. Select two interest groups on the opposing sides of a particular issue. Compare and contrast their motives and positions. More importantly, discuss the methods used by each group and evaluate those methods both ethically and from the viewpoint of effectiveness. Evaluate to what extent the existence of these interest groups either furthers or detracts the American democracy.
Course of Study AP U.S. Government, Mr. Robinson
Syllabus
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Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government Note: Revised June, 2008 Text: American Government, Wilson & DiIulio, Houghton Mifflin. Week
Dates
1.3
Text Supplementary Topics and Exams Reading Reading Unit I The American System Course Mechanics Pluralism The study of American Chapter 1 The Power Elite Government Federalist Papers The Constitution Chapter 2 - #10, #51 Types of Federalism Article, Federalism News Federalism Chapter 3 Article Handout
1.4
American Political Culture
Unit
12/1/08 12/2/08 1
12/3/200812/4/2008
1.1 1.2
12/5/200812/8/2008
12/9/08 2
Chapter 4
12/10/200812/12/2008 1.5
Civil Liberties
Chapter 5
12/15/200812/16/2008 12/17/2008 12/18/2008
1/5/20081/7/2008 4
5
6
7
1/8/08 1/9/2008 1/12-2008 1/13/2008 1/16/2008 1/21/2008 1/22/2008 1/22/2008 1/23-2008 1/26/08 1/27/08 1/28/08
2.3
Political Parties
2.4
Elections & Campaigns
2.5
Interest Groups
2.6
The Media Review Practice Test, H/W DUE!
1/29/08 Review Test Results
Syllabus
Godfather (Rated R, First 10 minutes only)
Arguments Chart: Federalism, Video: McCulloh v. Maryland
Political Culture
Civil Liberties News Article Handout
Clips of The People v. Larry Flint (Rated R); Gideon's Trumpet; 1987 Regan Assisination Attempt; Clips of Religious Practices.
Civil Rights News Article Handout
Mighty Time: Rosa Parks; American History: Racial Inequality, Reminants of a troubled time
Civil Rights Chapter 6 Review Wednesday Practice Wednesday Chapters All Unit Test Thursday, H/W Hand back all 1-6 1 news articles. DUE! Unit II Political Opinions Interests and Organizations Liberal/ Conservative Public Opinion Chapter 7 Test 2.1 Political Participation Chapter 8 2.2 1.6
3
Clip/ Movie/ Other Supplement
Clip from The Persuaders First Vote Video
Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12
Campaign History Article Handout
The War Room or All The Presidents Men
Chapters 7-12
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Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government Unit III Institutions of Government 7 to 8
9 to 10
1/29/2008 - 2/6/2008
3.1
Congress
Executive Branch Video, U.S. Government In Action: The Cabinet,Clips From Nixon (Rated R)
Chapter 14
2/19/2008 2/20/2008
3.3
The Bureaucracy
Chapter 15
2/23/2008 2/24/2008
3.4
The Judiciary
3/2/2008 3/4/2008 3/5/2008 3/6/2008 3/9/08 3/11/2008
4/30/2008 5/1/2008
Judiciary Reading Packet
4.2
4.3
Foreign & Military Policy
4.4
Environmental Policy
4.1
3/16/08 3/17/08 3/18/08 3/19/2008 3/27/2008
Chapter 16 Chapters 13-16
U.S. Government In Action: Regulatory Agencies.
Review Practice Test, H/W DUE! Unit IV The Politics of Public Policy The Policy Making Chapter Process 17 Chapter Social Welfare 19
14
16 - 20
"The President" Article, Reading Packet
The Presidency
3/12/2008 3/13/2008
14 to 15
Legislative Branch Video, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
3.2
2/25/2008 2/26/2008 2/27/2008
13
Congress Reading Packet
2/10/2008 2/18/2008
11
12
Chapter 13
Flex Days Study for AP Test
Review Practice Test, H/W DUE! Unit 5 Chapter 22
Chapter 20 Chapter 21
Judiciary Branch Video, Marbury v. Madisson Video
Frank Dorrell: What I've Learned about U.S. Foreign Policy
Chapters 17-21
Mr. Robinson may be contacted at 760.955.3300 x31306 or in Room 106 from approx. 6:30 am to 2:00 pm.
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Mr. Robinson AP U.S. Government Parent/Student Signature Page We have read and agree to the terms and conditions in this syllabus. Including: • • •
Grading Policy o Including AP test taking policy. Attendance Policy Movie List (any movies parents would like to have there child exempted from may be filled out below)
Parent/Guardian Contact Information: Mom
Dad Home Phone:________________________
Home Phone:________________________
Cell Phone:__________________________
Cell Phone:__________________________
Work Phone:_________________________
Work Phone:_________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (Please Print)
Parent/Guardian Signature (Please Sign)
Student Name (Please Print)
Student Signature (Please Sign)
I ask that my child be exempted from the following movie(s) (if more room is needed please use back): 1
6
2
7
3
8
4
9
5
10
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