Download AP United States Government and Politics Syllabus

AP United States Government and Politics
Syllabus/Course expectations and guidelines
AP® United States Government and Politics is an intensive study of the formal and informal structures of
government and the processes of the American political system, with an emphasis on policy-making and
implementation. This is a one semester, 18-week course, designed to prepare students for the AP Exam.
COURSE DESCRIPTION/OVERVIEW
This course aims to: 1) examine the characteristics of government and law in the United States; 2) develop a
framework for understanding democratic processes, the rule of law, and their origins and influence in society; and,
3) further develop critical thinking skills while examining different perspectives of government, law, and
democracy and their meaning.
Specifically, the course will provide an intensive study of how various elements of government and politics in the
United States work together to produce public policy. It examines the crucial relationship among the various
institutions, government, groups, and ideas that makes up the American political system. The course aims to
familiarize students with the ideas and theories used to analyze and predict political behavior. (For specific areas
see Course Plan/Outline below)
Course Materials include:
· Wilson, James Q. and John J. DiLulio, Jr. American Government, 10th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Company, 2006
· Wilson, James Q. and John DiLulio. Student Study Guide to American Government, 10th ed. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006
· Selected articles from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and other periodicals.
· Other selected media including news items relevant to the course topics.
· Instructor handouts including data in a variety of forms and sources for analysis and interpretation.
Student performance will be evaluated in the following areas: chapter quizzes, homework, participation, final
exam. Weekly chapter quizzes will include both multiple choice and free-response questions. All students in this
course are expected to register and take the AP® Exam.
COURSE PLAN/OUTLINE
The course consists of six basic units. Primary readings and objectives are included below. Relevant news items will
also be discussed on a weekly basis.
UNIT I: CONSTITUTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS OF THE UNITED STATES (weeks 1-3)
The Study of American Government (Wilson, Chapter 1, pages 2-14)
What is meant by power, and by political power in particular? Relate the latter to authority, legitimacy, and
democracy. Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter. Explain the three
senses in which the textbook refers to the United States government as democratic. Differentiate between
majoritarian politics and elitist politics. Explain the four major theories. Why are political scientists cautious in
stating how politics works or what values dominate it when confronted by political change?
The Constitution. (Wilson, Chapter 2, pages 17-46, The Federalist Nos. 10 & 51, A21-A29)
Explain the notion of “higher law” by which the colonists felt they were entitled to certain “natural rights.”
Compare the basis on which the colonists felt a government could be legitimate. List and discuss the shortcomings
of government under the Articles of Confederation. Compare and contrast the Virginia and New Jersey plans. How
did they lead to the “Great Compromise?” Why did the separation of powers and federalism become key parts of
the Constitution? Why was a bill of rights not initially included in the Constitution? Why was it added? Explain. List
the two major types of constitutional reform advocated today.
Federalism. (Wilson, Chapter 3, pages 49-72)
Explain the difference between federal and centralized systems of government. Show how competing political
interests at the Constitutional Convention led to the adoption of a federal system that was not clearly defined.
Outline the ways in which the courts have interpreted national and state powers. Why have federal grants-in-aid
been popular? Cite their pitfalls. Distinguish between categorical grants and block grants. Distinguish between
mandates and conditions of aid with respect to federal grant programs to states and localities. Discuss the extent
to which federal grants to states have created uniform national policies as compared with those of centralized
governments.
UNIT 2: CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES (weeks 4-5)
Civil Liberties. (Wilson, Chapter 5, pages 98-122)
Discuss the relationship of the Bill of Rights to the concept of majority rule. Give examples of the tension between
majority rule and minority rights. How are civil rights at times a matter of majoritarian politics? How does the
structure of the federal system affect the application of the Bill of Rights? How has the Supreme Court used the
Fourteenth Amendment to expand coverage in the federal system? List the categories under which the Supreme
Court may classify “speech.” Explain the distinction between “protected” and “unprotected” speech and name the
various forms of expression that are not protected under the First Amendment. Describe the test used by the court
to decide the circumstances under which freedom of expression may be qualified. Explain the Supreme Court’s
decision in Miranda v. Arizona.
Civil Rights. (Wilson, Chapter 6, pages 125-151)
Contrast the experience of economic interest groups with that of black groups in obtaining satisfaction for their
interests from government. Summarize the legal struggles of blacks to secure rights under the Fourteenth
Amendment. Compare the rulings in the Brown case with those in Plessy. Trace the campaign launches by blacks
for civil rights laws. Discuss the conflict between agenda setting and coalition building aspects of the movement.
Describe the differences between the black movement and the women’s movement. Indicate the various stands
used by the courts in interpreting the Fourteenth Amendment, and explain how these standards differ depending
on whether blacks or women are involved. Why did ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment prove impossible,
despite strong congressional and popular support?
UNIT 3: POLITICAL BELIEFS AND POLITICAL BEHAVIORS (weeks 6-7)
American Political Culture (Wilson, Chapter 4, pages 76-95)
What do scholars mean by political culture? List the dominant aspects of political culture. How do American
citizens compare with citizens of other countries in their political attitudes? Explain the sources of this American
political culture.
Public Opinion (Wilson, Chapter 7, pages 155-174)
Which sources of the political attitudes of Americans are most important? Explain. Explain why there are
crosscutting cleavages between liberals and conservatives in the United States. Assess the significance of race,
ethnicity, and gender in explaining political attitudes. Define ideology. Why, according to Wilson, do most
Americans not think ideologically? Summarize liberal and conservative positions on the economy, civil rights, and
political conduct. Discuss the new class theory as an explanation for changes in attitudes. Analyze why this change
is causing strain in the political party system.
Political Participation (Wilson, Chapter 8, pages 178-193)
Why does the text claim that the description, analysis, and many of the proposed remedies for low voter turnout
rates in the U.S. are generally off base? Compare the way turnout statistics are tabulated for the U.S. and for other
countries. How has control of elections shifted from the states to the federal government? Explain the effect of
this shift on blacks, women, and youth. Examine the debate over whether voter turnout has declined through the
last century. Describe the factors that tend to hold down voter turnout in the U.S. What factors appear to be
associated with high or low political participation?
UNIT 4: POLITICAL PARTIES, INTEREST GROUPS, AND MASS MEDIA (weeks 8-10)
Political Parties (Wilson, Chapter 9, pages 198-226)
Define the term political party. Compare the structures of parties in the U.S. with those of Europe. Pay particular
attention to the federal structure of the United States and the concept of party identification. Trace the
development of the United States party system through its four periods. Why have parties been in decline since
the New Deal? Describe the structure of a major party. Distinguish powerful from powerless party units. Are there
major differences between the parties?
Elections and campaigns (Wilson, Chapter 10, pages 231-262)
Examine the differences between the party-oriented campaigns of the nineteenth century and the candidatesoriented campaigns of today, contrasting the major elements of successful campaigns. Discuss the importance of
campaign funding to election outcomes. What are the major sources of this funding under current law? How
successful has reform legislation been in removing improper monetary influences elections in the U.S.? Define the
term realigning election and discuss the major examples of such elections in the past. Describe what Democrats
and Republicans each must do to put together a successful coalition to win an election. Outline the major
arguments on the question of whether elections do or do not result in major changes in public policy in the United
States.
Interest Groups (Wilson, Chapter 11, pages 265-287)
Why do the characteristics of society and government in the United States encourage a multiplicity of interest
groups? Under what historical conditions are interest groups likely to form? What kinds of organizations are
Americans likely to join? Describe the relations between leaders and rank-and-file members of groups. Describe
the methods interest groups use to formulate and carry out their political objectives. What lobbying techniques
are used to gain public support? Why have courts become an important forum for public interest groups? List the
laws regulating conflict of interest. Describe the balance between the First Amendment’s freedom of expression
and the need to prevent corruption in the political system.
The Media (Wilson, Chapter 12 pages 292-313)
How has journalism evolved through the course of American political history? Explain the differences between the
party press and the mass media today. Describe the impact of the pattern of ownership and control of the media
on the dissemination of news. How have wire services and TV network affected national new coverage? What is
the impact of the “national press?” What rules govern the media? How does regulation of electronic media differ
from that of press media? Explain the impact of libel laws on freedom of the press and of government rules on
broadcasters. Assess the impact of the media on politics. Why is it so difficult to find evidence that can be used to
make a meaningful and accurate assessment? Explain why the executive branch probably benefits at the expense
of Congress.
UNIT 5: INSTITUTIONS OF NATIONAL GOVERNMENT (weeks 11-15)
Congress (Wilson, Chapter 13, pages 317-364)
Explain the differences between a congress and a parliament. What role did the Framers expect the U.S. Congress
to play? The organization of the House has varied over the years. Examine the six phases of the House through
history. How does this evolution in history contrast with that of the Senate? Who is in the Congress? Describe the
characteristics of members of Congress. Outline the process of getting elected to Congress. Identify the functions
that party affiliation plays in the organization of Congress. Describe the formal process by which a bill becomes a
law. What factors help to explain why a member of Congress votes as he or she does?
Presidency (Wilson, Chapter 14, pages 368-406)
Explain the differences between the positions of the President and Prime Minister. Discuss the approach taken by
the Framers in regard to executive power. Sketch the evolution of the presidency from 1789 to the present. List
and describe the various offices that make up the office of the President. Review discussions of Presidential
character. Relate these discussions to the achievements in office of various presidents. List and discuss the various
facets – formal and informal – of presidential power.
The Bureaucracy (Wilson, Chapter 15, pages 410-433)
Compare and contrast the U.S. and British models of government bureaucracy. Sketch the history of the executive
branch bureaucracy. How has it uses differed in history? Discuss the recruitment, retention, and demographic
profiles of federal bureaucrats. Show how the roles and missions of the agencies are affected by internal and
external factors. Review the congressional measures to control the bureaucracy, and evaluate their effectiveness.
List the “pathologies” that may affect bureaucracies. Discuss why it is so difficult to reform the bureaucracy.
The Judiciary (Wilson, Chapter 16, pages 438-465)
What is judicial review? Trace the notion from the Founders to Marbury v. Madison. Explain the three areas of
varying Supreme Court influences on national policy from slavery to the present. What is meant by a dual court
system? Describe its effects on how cases are handled and appealed. List the various steps that cases go through
to be appealed to the Supreme Court. Explain the considerations involved at each level. Discuss the dimensions of
powers exercised today by the Supreme Court. What are the opposing viewpoints on the desirability of activism by
the court?
UNIT 6: PUBLIC POLICY (Weeks 16-18)
The Policy Making Process (Wilson, Chapter 15, pages 469-489)
How are certain issues (at certain times) placed on the public agenda for action? Define the following terms as
used in this chapter: a) costs; b) benefits; c) perceived. Use the above terms to explain the four types of politics
presented in the text: majoritarian, client, interest group, and entrepreneurial. Discuss the roles played in the
process of public policy formation by people’s perceptions, beliefs, interests, and values.
Economic Policy (Wilson, Chapter 18, pages 492-509)
What contradictory attitudes do voters have regarding their own economic circumstances as well as those of
others? Explain the four completing economic theories. Assess the nature and impact of Reaganomics. Explain the
role of each of the four major executive branch agencies involved in setting economic policy. Analyze federal fiscal
policy in terms of the text’s four categories of policymaking politics. Trace the history of federal government
budgeting practices up to the present day. How has the recent budget surplus changed the economic policy
debates?
Social Welfare (Wilson, Chapter 19, pages 512-526)
Describe the goals of the welfare system. Contrast its programs with those of the British in terms of centralization.
Describe the major elements of the system, including the Social Security Act of 1935, the Medicare Act of 1965,
and the abolition of the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Why are some welfare policies
considered majoritarian politics and other client politics? Give examples and indicate the political consequences of
each. Discuss the politics of welfare reform.
Foreign and Military Policy (Wilson, Chapter 20, pages 530-557)
List the constitutional powers of the president and compare them with the authority of Congress in foreign affairs.
Why is it naïve to read the Constitution literally with regards to foreign affairs? Explain the changing role of public
opinion in shaping foreign policy. Why are checks on the powers of the national government in foreign affairs
primarily political rather than constitutional? Analyze the key allocative decisions about the defense budget.
Environmental Policy (Wilson, Chapter 21, pages 560-572)
Why is environmental policy frequently controversial? Outline the major provisions of the Clean Air Act (1970), the
Water Quality Improvement Act (1970), the revised Clean Air Act (1990), and the National Environmental Policy
Act (1969).