The election of Barack Obama in 2008 seemed to mark the beginning of a new era of a more inclusive, more civil democratic society. The first African American President! Young people active in politics! Yet has American politics changed since his election? In this class, we will learn about how our government works by analyzing Obama’s first term in office. How effective is the President in responding to economic problems, foreign affairs or other domestic crises? Who has more power in making change: the President, Congress or the Supreme Court? What role does political party play in our government? Should we consider the media the “fourth branch” of government in effecting change? With the first primaries beginning in January, we will study how candidates prepare for primaries, respond to public opinion and try to predict voter behavior.
Be ready to engage in daily discussions of current events, a rigorous schedule of reading and a variety of assessments. Through hard work, students will explore how they as U.S. citizens can improve democracy in America.
We will cover most topics contained on the American Government and Politics Advanced Placement exam, which is given in May. Those who wish to take the exam will be provided with additional materials and review sessions to help them prepare
The course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. All students are encouraged to keep up with current events—we will have lots of interesting discussions, debates, and disagreements about the nature of modern U.S. politics. There will be a special project that is connected to the election. \ Homework assignments will always be posted on this following class website: amergovtap.blogspot.com
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
All homework assignments will be posted online. Occasionally, I will email pdf files to you, so you must check your email daily. Expect frequent reading quizzes; it's important to keep up with the reading.
Late work:
Any assignments turned in late will be docked 1/3 grade credit for each DAY that it is late. For example, if we meet on Day 2 (Wednesday) and you turn in an assignment that would merit a "B" on Thurs., the grade is lowered to a B-. If you wait until the next class day, then the grade goes down 2/3, i.e., B to a C+.
ATTENDANCE:
You all understand that you need to be in class in order to do well in school. While there are absences that cannot be controlled (athletic departures, illness) please avoid scheduling appointments, vacations, etc. during class time. You risk not receiving credit for this course if you miss more than 5 classes in a semester.
Below is an outline of the topics that we cover in this course:
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government
A. Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
B. Separation of Powers
C. Federalism
D. Theories of democratic government
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
A. Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and its leaders
B. Processes by which citizens learn about politics
C. The nature, sources, and consequences of public opinion
D. The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life
E. Factors that influence citizens to differ from one another in terms of political beliefs and behaviors
III. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
A. Political parties and elections
1. Functions
2. Organization
3. Development
4. Effects on the political process
5. Electoral laws and systems
B. Interest groups, including political action committees (PACS)
1. The range of interests represented
2. The activities of interest groups
3. The effects of interest groups on the political process
4. The unique characteristics and roles of PACS in the political process
C. The mass media
1. The functions and structures of the media
2. The impacts of media on politics
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts
A. The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power
B. Relationships among these four institutions, and varying balances of power
C. Linkages between institutions and the following
1. Public opinion and voters
2. Interest groups
3. Political parties
4. The media
V. Public Policy
A. Policy making in a federal system
B. The formation of policy agenda
C. The role of institutions in the enactment of policy
D. The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in policy implementation and interpretation
E. Linkages between policy processes and the following:
1. Political institutions and federalism
2. Political parties
3. Interest groups
4. Public opinion
5. Elections
6. Policy networks
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
A. The development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
B. Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties
C. The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties
