Dr. Harutunian

Syllabus

Advanced Placement United States

Government
and Politics

Course Syllabus

SY 2011/2012

Mr. Spiliakos

Dr. Harutunian

The Course is taught for one
full academic year. There are thirty one
weeks of instruction from the beginning of the school year to the
administration of the AP Government and Politics Exam.

Textbook: James Q. Wilson and
John J. Dilulio, American Government
12^th Edition

Readingsfrom a wide variety of sources

Week 1: Introduction (9/7 – 9/16/11)

Weeks 2 – 4: Unit I

Constitutional Underpinnings of Our Government (9/19 – 10/7/11)

Readings:

Wilson Chapters 1-3
Federalist # 10
, Federalist Papers (p A21,Wilson)
Federalist #51,
Federalist Papers (p A26,Wilson)
“Dinner with
Democracy”, Cynthia Farrar, Lanahan
Readings in the

American Polity, Readings
3 (p 11)

The Power Elite”,
C. Wright Mills, Lanahan Readings in the

American Polity, Readings
12 (p 70)

“Diversity in the
Power Elite”, Richard Zweigenhaft /G. William, Lanahan
Readings in American Polity, Readings
13 (p 78)
“American
Federalism”, Daniel Elazar, Lanahan
Readings in the

American Polity, Readings
19 (p 124)

Topic: The Study of American Government

What is Political
Power?
What Is
Democracy?
Is Representative
Democracy Best?
How Is Political
Power Distributed?
Is Democracy
Driven by Self-Interest?
What Explains
Political Change?
The Nature of
Politics

Exam One: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: The Constitution

The Problem ofLiberty
The
Constitutional Convention
The Challenge
The Constitution
and Democracy
The Constitution
andLiberty
The Motives of
the Framers
Constitutional
Reform: Modern Views

Exam Two: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Federalism

Why Federalism
Matters
The Founding
The Debate on the
Meaning of Federalism
Governmental
Structure
Federal-State Relations
Federal Aid and
Federal Control
A Devolution
Revolution?
Congress and
Federalism

Exam Three: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Weeks 5 – 8: Unit II

Political Beliefs and
Behaviors (10/11 – 11/4/11)

Reading:

Wilson Chapters 4, 7 and 8
“Democracy in America”, Alexis De Tocqueville, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 1 (p 3)
“Habits of the
Heart”, Robert Bellah/Others, Lanahan Readings
in the American Polity, Readings
7 (p 38)
“Democracy in America”, Alexis De Tocqueville, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 9 (p 51)
“Direct
Democracy”, Thomas Cronin, Lanahan
Readings in the American Polity,Readings 58 (p 425)
“The Opinion
Makers”, David Moore, Lanahan Readings in
the American Polity,Readings 60 (p 440)
“The Problems with Polls” by Mark Hemingway in
National Review Online on January 13,
2007
“Heavy Black Turnout Threatens Georgia
Senator” New York Times October 29,
2008

Topic: American Political
Culture

Political Culture
Comparing America with
Other Nations
The Sources of
Political Culture
Mistrust of
Government
Political
Tolerance

Research assignment: How do supporters and opponents of abortion
rights each appeal to predominant American political values?

Topic: Public Opinion

Public Opinion and Democracy
What Is Public Opinion?
Political Socialization
Cleavages in Public Opinion
Political Ideology
Political Elites, Public Opinion, and Public
Policy
Public Policy

Exam Four: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Political Participation

A Closer Look at Nonvoting
The Rise of the American Electorate
Who Participates in Politics?

Exam Five: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Weeks 9-12: Unit III

Political Parties, Interest
Groups and Mass Media (11/7 – 12/2/11)

Reading:

Wilson Chapters 9-12
“Who Governs? And
A Preface to Democratic Theory”, Robert Dahl,

Lanahan Readings in the American
Polity, Readings
14 (p 88)

“More Than
Money”, Richard Skinner, Lanahan Readings
in the American Polity,Readings 63 (p 459)
“La Gean
Oportunidad/Up for Grabs/Hispanic Opportunity”,
Joe

Garcia,
Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 65 (p 480)

“Feeding Frenzy”,
Larry Sabato, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, Readings 77 (p 581)
“Strange
Bedfellows”, Russell Peterson, Lanahan
Readings in the American Polity, Readings 81 (p 610)

“Democrats Blaze
Trails in February Fundraising” Washington Post February 29, 2008
“5-4 Supreme
Court Weakens Curbs on Pre-Election TV Ads”
Washington Post June 26, 2007
“Rove’s Political
Strategies Will Endure” August 13, 2007 Politico.com

Topic: Political Parties

Parties – Here and Abroad
The Rise and Decline of the Political Party
The National Party Structure Today
State and Local Parties
The Two Party System
Minor Parties
Nominating a President

Exam Six: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Elections and Campaigns

Campaigns, Then and Now
Presidential versus Congressional Campaigns
Primary versus General Campaigns
Money
What Decides the Election?
The effects of Elections on Policy

Exam Seven: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Interest Groups

The Birth of Interest Groups
Kinds of Organizations
Interest Groups and Social Movements
Funds for Interest Groups
The Problems of Bias
The Activities of Interest Groups
Regulating Interest Groups

Assignment – Handouts of
multiple Planned Parenthood press releases.
Students must identify which interest group strategy is being used

Topic: The Media

The Media and Politics
Journalism in American Political History
The Structure of the Media
Rules Governing the Media
Are the National Media Biased?
Government and the News

Exam Eight: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Weeks 12-21: Unit IV

Institutions of
National Government: The Congress, the
Presidency, the

Bureaucracy, and the
Federal Courts (12/5/11 – 2/17/2012)

Reading:

Wilson Chapters 13-16
“Congress: The
Electoral Connection”, by David Mayhew, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,
Readings 22 (p
147)
“The Difference
Women Make”, Michele Swers, Lanahan
Readings in the American Polity,Readings 26 (p 171)
“The Rise of the
Plebiscitary Presidency”, Craig Rimmerrman, Lanahan
Readings in the American Polity,Readings 36 (p 247)
“The White House
Staff”, Bradley Patterson, Lanahan
Readings in the American Polity,Readings 38 (p 264)
“Bureaucracy”,
James Q. Wilson, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 42 (p 302)
“Storm Center”, Davis O’Brien, Lanahan
Readings in the American Polity,Readings 45 (p 321)
“A Vice-President
with Unprecedented Power” by Tim Rutten in the Los Angeles Times September 24, 2008

Topic: Congress

Congress versus Parliament
The Evolution of Congress
Who is in Congress?
Do Members Represent Their Voters?
A Polarized Congress
The Organization of Congress: Parties and
Caucuses
The Organization of Congress: Staffs and
Specialized Offices
How a Bill Becomes Law
Reducing Power and Perks

Exam Nine: Multiple Choice and Open Response

Topic: The Presidency

Presidents and Prime Ministers
Divided Government
The Evolution of the Presidency
The Powers of the President
The Office of the President
Who gets Appointed
Presidential Character
The Power to Persuade
The Power to Say No
The President’s Program
Presidential Transition
How Powerful is the President?

Exam Ten: Multiple Choice and Open Response

Topic: Bureaucracy

Distinctiveness of the American Bureaucracy
Proxy Government
The Growth of the Bureaucracy
The Federal Bureaucracy Today
Congressional Oversight
Bureaucratic “Pathologies”
Reforming the Bureaucracy

Exam Eleven: multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: The Judiciary

The Development of the Federal Courts
The Structure of the Federal Courts
The Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts
Getting to Courts
The Supreme court in Action
The Power of the Federal Courts
Checks on Judicial Power

Exam Twelve: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Weeks 22-25:
Units V

Public
Policy (2/27 – 3/16/2012)

Readings:

Wilson Chapters 17-21
“The Other America”, Michael Harrington, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity, Readings
83 (p 631)
“Free to Choose”,
Milton Friedman, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 84 (p 636)
“Lockout”,
Michele Wucker, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 86 (p 652)
“Understanding
Environmental Policy”, Steven Cohen, Lanahan
Readings in the American Polity,Readings 87 (p 660)
“Soft Power”,
Joseph Nye, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 92 (p 706)
“The Federal
Reserve Board: Frequently Asked Questions”

www.federalreserve.gov./genralinfo/faq/faqmpo.htm

Topic: The Policy-Making Process

Setting the Agenda
Making a Decision
Majoritarian Politics: Distributed Benefits,
Distributed Costs
Interest Group Politics: Concentrated Benefits,
Concentrated Costs
Client Politics: Concentrated Benefits,
Distributed Costs
Entrepreneurial Politics: Distributed Benefits,
Concentrated Costs
The Case of Business Regulation
Perceptions, Beliefs, Interest, and Values

Exam Thirteen: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Economic Policy

The Politics of Economic Prosperity
The Politics of Taxing and Spending
Economic Theories and Political Needs
The Machinery of Economic Policy Making
Spending Money
The Budget
Reducing Spending
Levying Taxes

Exam Fourteen: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Social Welfare

Two Kinds of Welfare Programs
Social Welfare in theUnited States
Majoritarian versus Client Politics

Exam Fifteen: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Foreign and Military Policy

Kinds of Foreign Policy
The Constitutional and Legal Context
The Machinery of Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy and Public Elites
The Use of Military Force
The Defense Budget
The Structure of Defense Decision Making
The New Problem of Terrorism

Exam Sixteen: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Environmental Policy

The American Context
Entrepreneurial Politics: Global Warming
Majoritarian Politics: Pollution from Automobiles
Interest Group Politic: Acid Rain
Client Politics: Agricultural Pesticides
The Environmental Uncertainties
The Results

Exam Seventeen: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Weeks 25-28:
Unit VI

Civil
Liberties and Civil Rights (3/19 – 4/13/2012

Readings:

Wilson Chapters 5 and 6
“Gideon’s
Trumpet”, Anthony Lewis, Lanahan Readings
in the American Polity, Readings
48 (p 345)
“System under
Stress”, Donald Kettl, Lanahan Readings
in the American Polity, Readings
50 (p 360)
“Simple Justice”,
Richard Kluger, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 51 (p 371)
“The Lesbian and Gay Movements”, Craig
Rimmerman, Lanahan Readings in the American Polity,Readings 53 (p 388)
“You Can’t Say
That!”, Mary Ann Glendon, Lanahan Readings
in the American Polity,Readings 56 (p 409)
“Justices Rule
for Individual Gun Rights” by Linda Greenhouse in New York Times June 27, 2008
“Justices Back
Ban on Partial Birth Abortion” by Linda Greehouse New York Times April 19, 2007
“Supreme Court
Rejects Death Penalty for Child Rape”
Linda Greenhouse New York Times June
26, 2008

Topic: Civil Liberties

Culture and Civil Liberties
Interpreting and Applying the First Amendment
What is Speech?
Commercial and Youthful Speech
Church and State
Crime and Due Process

Exam Eighteen: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Topic: Civil Rights

The Black Predicament
The Campaign in the Courts
Women and Equal Rights
Affirmative Action
Gays and the Constitution

Exam Nineteen: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Weeks 29 -31:

Review for
Advance Placement Exam (4/23 – 5/9/2012)

Topic: Test Logistics

Topic: Preparing for the Exam

Topic: The Night Before the Exam

Topic: Exam Day

Topic: The Multiple-Choice Section

Strategies for the Multiple-Choice Questions
Types of Multiple-Choice Questions

Topic: The Free-Response
Section

Strategies for the Free-Response Questions
The Scoring Rubric for Free-Response Questions
Standard Free-Response Questions
Free-Response Question with a chart

Exam Twenty: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Weeks 32-35:

Who
Governs? To What Ends?

Readings:

Wilson Chapter 22

Topic: Who Governs? To What
Ends?

Restraints on the
Growth of Government
Relaxing the
Restraints
The Old System
The New System
Consequences of
Activist Government
The Influence of
Structure
The Influence of
Ideas

Exam Twenty-One: Multiple Choice and Free Response

Teaching Strategies

Lecture and class discussion are the most common in class
teaching strategies. Students are
expected to be able to explain the assigned materials and to be able to
articulate and defend opinions based on logical conclusions from assigned or other
materials. Charts, graphs and political
cartoons are also used to spur discussion and sharpen analytical skills.

Student Evaluations

Multiple
choice and free response tests. The
multiple choice and free response tests are used from past AP exams and from Multiple
Choice and Free Response Questions in Preparation for the United States
Government and Politics Examination.
The instructor will occasionally use original free response questions
that relate to particular assigned material.
Homework
assignments.

Teacher Resources

Wilson, James Q. and John Dilulio, American Government 12^th Edition Boston:
Houghton Mifflin 2008

Cannon, David and John J.
Coleman and Kenneth R. Mayer, The
Enduring Debate: Classic and Contemporary
Readings in American Politics Sixth Edition New York: W.W. Norton
and Company 2011

Serow, Ann G. and EverettC. Ladd The
Lanahan Readings in the American Polity Fifth Edition Baltimore:
Lanahan Publishers Inc. 2011

Stinebricker, Bruce, Annual
Editions: American Government 06/07
Thirty-sixth Edition Dubuque
Iowa: McGraw-Hill 2007

“The Political Compass” www.politicalcompass.org

Wood, Ethel Multiple Choice Questions in Preparation for the United States Government AP Examination Fifth
EditionNew York: D % S Marketing Systems Inc. 2005