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Government and Politics: United States, Advanced Placement--2016-2017

Instructor: Coach B. Landry                         Email: [email protected]

 

The Subject: United States Government, AP is an introductory course to the nature of American politics and government. One of the most important goals of the course is to introduce students to the fundamental issues of governmental structures and political behavior as it appears in the American context. In spite of the fact that it is not required, a secondary goal of the course is to help prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examination administered every year in May. Both goals will be enhanced with a rigorous program of analytical reading, writing, and research. Although there will be occasional lectures, the bulk of the course will take the form of class discussions over assigned readings. It is imperative that these readings be done prior to class time. AP Government, thus, assumes a high degree of student motivation and skill.

 

Textbooks: The texts for AP Government are:

 

  • Edwards, George C., Martin Wattenberg, and Robert Lineberry, Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy, 15th ed.

  • Selected readings from The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity 5th ed. Edited by Ann G. Serow and Everett C. Ladd

  • AMSCO Publication, United States Government & Politics; Preparing for the AP Examination.

  • Selected readings from other political historical documents and well as current political writers.

 

AP Exam: The Advanced Placement exam is offered at the end of the course in May. In order to be in the AP class, the student must take the exam. The exam fee is $25 and must be paid by September 8. If a student elects not to take the exam, he/she will remain in the class, but the class will count as a regular Civics class. The student will be on the 7 point grading scale/4 quality points instead of the 10 point grading scale/5 quality points.

 

Class Fee: In addition to the $25 exam fee, a $20 fee covering the cost of the AMSCO publication will also be collected. This book will be their property. Students will be able to write in/highlight text. They may keep the book at the end of the year, or they may donate it back to the school.

 

READING: In order for students to be successful in a college level course, it is essential that students maximize their time through proper organization and time management strategies and complete all assigned reading prior to class. The required reading, along with lectures and class discussion, will figure prominently in your formal evaluation on quizzes, examinations, and essays. In addition to the survey text, students will be reading portions of a supplemental reader.

 

Tests/Quizzes/Unit Exams: Many curriculum units will include short quizzes comprised of free response and multiple choice questions. Each unit will end, however, with a free response test and/or a multiple choice test which will attempt to monitor student progress and mastery of both skills and content. While quizzes will cover only one chapter’s material, unit exams require a synthesis of several weeks’ material. A Comprehensive Final Exam will also be given and will count as a separate grading period. Students are expected to maintain a working knowledge of current events as a supplement to the required readings. They will need to incorporate relevant contemporary examples into their in-class graded assignments.

 

Seminar Discussions: Throughout the duration of the year, students will engage in graded class discussions.  These conversations will allow students to develop their public speaking skills, master thinking on their feet, and learn how to respect the opinions of their peers.  Each discussion will be student centered and student led. In order to be an active participant, students will need to come to class prepared having read all assigned materials.

 

Group Work and Presentations: For the purpose of presentations over certain assigned readings, students will be placed into groups.  Group work for the presentations is a course requirement and it is expected that all students will contribute to the group effort.  Establishing a positive attitude and rapport within the groups has been proven to be a key to success and will greatly assist in the management of the amount of reading and work that is required.

 

 HOMEWORK POLICY:  Homework is due at the beginning of the class period. Anytime within 24 hours from that point, you will be given half credit. After that time period, you will receive a zero.

 

MAKE-UP POLICY:  Depending on the amount of time missed, work will need to be made up within 5 days of returning to school. Missed test will not be made up during class time. An RPSB teacher will be available one morning before school and one day after school per week for make up tests. Students may also make up missed exams during lunch time.

 

Supplies:

Binder and loose leaf paper or notebook

Pen or pencil (no red ink)

highlighter

index cards

flash drive

 

Grading Scale:

AP 100 - 90 A                                                    Non AP: 100-93 A

89 – 80 B                                                                              92-85 B

79 – 70 C                                                                              84-75 C

69 – 60 D                                                                              74-67 D

59 – 0   F                                                                               66-0   F