Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics

Instructor: Mr. Jon Rommel

I. Overview of Curriculum

A. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government : 5-15% of Multiple Choice

B. Political Beliefs and Behaviors: 10-20% of Multiple Choice

C. Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media: 10-20% of Multiple Choice

D. Institutions of the National Government: 35-45% of Multiple Choice

E. Public Policy: 5-15% of Multiple Choice

F. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties: 5-15% of Multiple Choice

II. Elements of the Test

A. 45 minute Multiple Choice Section with 60 questions. 50% of score

B. 100 minutes Free-Response Section consisting of four mandatory questions, with each Free Response roughly taking 25 minutes. Each question will account for ¼ of your overall score on this section of the exam. 50% of score

III.Skills and Abilities Needed to be Successful on Test

A. Knowledge of facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics.

B. Understanding of typical patterns of political processes and behaviors and their consequences (including components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of those structures and procedures).

C. Analysis and interpretation of data and relations in U.S. government and politics.

D. Written analysis and interpretation of the subject matter of U.S. government and politics.

E. Careful attention to specific free response questions posed and ability to stay on task.

You are not required to take the test, however it is strongly encouraged. The course curriculum is designed to help all students be successful on the AP Test and earn college credit.

IV. Class Expectations: Students will…

A. Complete all assignments on time working to your full potential on each. Late work will NOT be accepted.

B. Actively participate in class discussion on a daily basis while being mindful and respectful of differing opinions. This is especially important in a government course where different ideologies and beliefs are discussed frequently. If you cannot be respectful of your classmates differing opinions you will be asked to leave the classroom and your grade will be affected.

C. Work well in groups and be a dependable team player. You will have multiple opportunities to work in groups, and your grade will suffer if you are not a contributing, team player.

D. Take notes over class lectures and keep them organized in a notebook. This is not a graded assignment, but you should keep EVERYTHING in this class for the purposes of studying for the AP Test.

E. Improve critical thinking, test taking and writing skills. This is done not only to prepare you for the AP Test, but for college in general.

F. Stay abreast of current events by watching the news or reading newspapers and magazines. Often times I use current events in my lectures to give examples of our government's framework, so staying informed on current events is very important.

V. Policy for Dropping the Class

A. If you choose to drop the course, you have two weeks from the beginning of the course.

B. After two weeks, you must have parental and administrative approval to drop the class.

VI. Methods of Evaluation

A. Multiple Choice Tests (designed to model the AP Test)

B. Timed Free Response Tests (designed to model the AP Test)

C. Group and Individual Projects

D. Announced and Unannounced Quizzes

E. Writing Assignments

F. Homework

VI. Materials Needed for Class EVERYDAY

A. BLACK Pens, Pencils and Highlighters on a daily basis.

B. Two, 2” three-hole binders, 1 for each semester to hold your materials.

C. College Ruled Loose Leaf Paper.

D. Textbook:

*You are responsible for purchasing your own textbook. The text is available for purchase online directly through the publisher. Below is the link to the publisher's website and our specific textbook. By purchasing the book directly through the publisher, you will also receive a password that will give you access to a variety of online supplemental materials for your textbooks. You will need your textbook to complete your summer assignments, so the sooner you purchase your book the better.

I used this version of the book for the 2009-2010 school year, so you may be able to get a used copy.

Link to Book: http://www.peoplescollegeprep.com/public/browsebooks.php?bookid=578

Sharing of textbooks will not be permitted!

VIII. Summer Reading/Assignments

The Summer Reading/Summer Assignments will help us to get a jump start on curriculum prescribed by the College Board for this course. It is required that the assignments given below be completed ON TIME and be ready to turn-in on their assigned due date. In addition, it is YOUR responsibility to be prepared for any quizzes and/or tests associated with this material.

Assignment # 1:

Over the summer all students need to memorize in order the 27 Amendments to the US Constitution.

You will be tested over this information the first week of school. This test will be your first grade of the first quarter.

You will have aTEST over this information on Thursday August 23rd.

Assignment # 2:

Read Chapter 1 Introduction: Making Sense of Government and Politics pages 3-16.

Create a typed outline over this material that can be collected on the first day of school,

Wednesday August 22nd.This assignment will be counted as a QUIZ grade, and should not be longer than 3 pages typed.

Define all the vocabulary words (bold faced words) for Chapter 1 within your chapter outline.

You will have a TEST over the vocabulary and content of Chapter 1 onMonday August 27^th.

Assignment # 3:

Read Chapter 2 The Founding and the Constitution pages 17-44.

Create a typed outline over this material that can be collect onTuesday August 28^th.  This assignment will be counted as a QUIZ grade, and should not be longer than 6 pages typed.

Define all the vocabulary words (bold faced words) for Chapter 2 within your chapter outline.

You will have a QUIZ over the vocabulary in Chapter 2 onFriday August 31st .

Assignment #4: 

For this assignment, you have options. You may pick one of the two options.

Option #1: Select a book of your choice that is politically related. After reading the book, provide a Summary of the book and explain why chose it. Critique the book as well. What did you like about it and what did you think could be done to improve the book?

Option #2: This is a Current Event Assignment. During the months of June, July, and August find 2 current event articles from each month. Summarize the article and offer your opinion on each article. A copy of the article must be presented. 

Either option is due on the first day back to school, August 22, 2012.

IX. Instructor Information

I am looking forward to seeing you all this fall for an exciting year of Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics. This will be a course that is challenging, but at the same time very interesting and worthwhile as you prepare for college. Please feel free to stop by my room, 104, if you have any questions, comments or concerns about the course.