Course Syllabus

AP United States Government and Politics

AP Macroeconomics

Syllabus 

Stacey McSkimin

Phone:  303.982.8179

E-mail: smcskimi@jeffco.k12.co.us (Preferred Contact)

Office Hours: Before and after school by appointment; 7th hour.

Personal Philosophy:

United States (U.S.) Government and Politics/Macroeconomics are essential courses in a quality high school education.  The content of these classes are critical to the development of each student, specifically for his or her ability to participate in American society.  All students will have the opportunity to learn a lot about key government principles, the American government system, key economic principles, the American economic system, and policy making.  It is my expectation and plan that each student will fully engage in this class.  “Full engagement” will require independent reading, learning, writing, and current event analysis.  Each assignment is created with intent that it will support all students in their effort to master the curriculum.  I will plan, organize, and teach these classes with that assumption.  At the conclusion of the year, it is my expectation that each student will have learned a lot of government, politics, and economics and will be prepared thoroughly for the AP US Government and Politics and the Macroeconomics exams, and will have developed a foundational understanding of matters that will allow for active, engaged participation in the American democratic republic. In sum, AP classes should be fun and interesting, because students have the opportunity to learn a great deal of material in depth.  There are three goals for this course: (1) encourage students to develop a genuine interest in government and politics to be active, engage citizens, (2) prepare students to succeed in college, and (3) prepare students to do well on the AP exam.

 Course Expectations:

The Class:  While Government and Economics are required courses for graduation from D'Evelyn, you have chosen to take a college-level course which will serve as introductions to United States government and politics and macroeconomics. Your choice to complete the AP American Government and Politics/Macroeconomics courses will not only offer you the opportunity to earn AP credit that may be applied towards your college education, but also will require a greater time commitment outside of class than the regular courses.

TEACHING METHODS:  Students will learn through lectures, class discussions, guided reading, debates, current events reports, and student-led seminars. This class will be taught to prepare students for college-level work. These strategies include writing, research, active inquiry and dialogue, ability to support argumentative points, and evaluation of data and resources to determine their validity, credibility and relevance. Obviously, this year will be exceptional with our hybrid model of learning. You student will be synchronous or in the classroom Monday - Thursday and a-synchronous on Friday's. I look forward to engaging students via lecture, discussion, activities and debates in this new model. 

AP Tests:  All students will take the AP American Government and Politics exam in May. Given the uncertain nature of Covid-19 pandemic, the timing, format, and location of the AP tests may be subject to change. At this time, I believe that it will be administered in as "normal" a setting as possible, as such what follows is what I expect the exams to look contain. The AP United States Government and Politics Exam includes a 80-minute multiple-choice section consisting of 55 questions and a 100-minute free-response section consisting of 4 questions. All students will take the AP Macroeconomics test in May as well. The exam will be a bit over two hours and will consist of a 70-minute multiple-choice section and a 60-minute free-response section. The multiple-choice section accounts for two-thirds of the student’s exam score and the free-response section for the remaining one-third. Some questions in the free-response section require graphical analysis. The free-response section begins with a mandatory 10-minute reading period. During this period, students are advised to read each of the questions, sketch graphs, make notes, and plan their answers. Students then have 50 minutes to write their answers. 

Textbooks:  This class will rely heavily on your textbook and, at times, require your use of the supplemental text.  The textbook will also be used during class time.  Bring a copy of the relevant texts to class each day. Texts are listed below by semester.

Class Participation:  Students are expected to actively participate in all classroom lectures, assignment, and activities.  Your involvement in the daily classroom experience will greatly enhance your comprehension of the material. This will be assessed by the instructor. ONLINE ENGAGEMENT IS REQUIRED AND WILL BE ROBUST.

Homework:  All assignments – reading & writing – must be completed on the day they are due.  Frequent open note quizzes on reading assignments will occur.  Late written assignments will only be accepted at 50% credit. I will offer my thoughts in class as to what quality reading notes look like at the collegiate level and these will be assessed the first few reading assignments of the year, they will then become your responsibility to manage.

Quizzes:  Quizzes will occur frequently throughout the course.  They will generally be   1 – 10 questions in length and periodically will be sample AP free-response questions OR practice AP objective questions. Quizzes may be open note based upon reading (especially focused on review of the end of module questions in the reading) or closed note from memory.  You are responsible for maintaining quality notes and learning material on a daily basis.

Vocabulary Quiz: For the Government course, there will be a semester "Monster" Vocabulary quiz. This will be a fill in the blank quiz that is designed to assess mastery over the course of the semester of key vocabulary necessary for success in the course and on the AP exam. There is absolutely no use of notes on this quiz, all must be from memory. I will distribute a study guide on the first day of the course and the students should be mindful in their preparation throughout the course of the semester.

Current Events:  Students will frequently be asked to read and consider the implications of current political news.  These materials will be used to augment your understanding of key course material.  I will distribute current event articles frequently for your consideration.  Additionally, your ability to develop a political perspective will be augmented by your ability to read and process pertinent current event articles. Students will also have a required current event presentation. They will sign up for their date and then MUST present on the date selected. 

Research Assignments: The US Government and politics term paper will require you to create a logical argument for a policy of government.  You will argue on behalf of a proposed policy at the national level of government.  You must consider the philosophical and practical nature of the argument.  Throughout the research and writing processes, identify your own political philosophy, and articulate a policy that reflects that philosophy with the implementation of its practical elements.  Over the course of the paper, you will use evidence, analysis, and argumentation to justify your policy choice. You should also demonstrate an ability to anticipate and refute varied opposition to your policy. You will receive specific instructions and deadlines in class.

 In the Economic Analysis Report students will write a 5-7 page analysis of a financial crisis from the past; they will be given five to choose from: the Great Depression in the United States, stagflation of the 1970s, early 1980s recession, or the 2008 Great Recession in the United States.  You may get an alternative approved by the instructor. The analysis must then contain a thorough description of the causes of the crisis, the actions of the government and/or central banks in response and their analysis of the extent to which these actions were successful in bringing an end to the financial crisis at hand. This must include a graph of the AD-AS model showing the actual changes that occurred due to policy, along with the desired changes in policy.  Finally, students must recommend a "better course" of action and justify their thinking using economic reasoning and terminology.

Exams: Each unit exam will cover the key vocabulary, content and conceptual knowledge of each unit. They will include both objective and free response questions in roughly the same proportion as you would expect on the AP exam; however, they will be given at different times during the unit. You should expect that the objective questions will include items that require analysis of charts, graphs, cartoons, etc. as relevant to the area being assessed. Each assessment must be completed during the time allowed in order to prepare for timed AP exams. FRQs will each go in the grade book for 20 points. A 20/20 will reflect full credit, 18/20 for one point missed, 16/20 for two points missed, or 14/20 for three points missed and so on, a zero will be recorded for no attempt or for a score lower then 14 until corrections are completed. Test corrections are a valuable learning tool and will be offered on all exams for ¼ point credit per point missed MC question and only if you follow the assigned format to be explained in class. FRQ credit will only be given once a score of 14/20  is achieved on the question. If a student scores lower then 16/20 they must come in for 7th hour to re-write the question until they acquire at least that score, they will have a zero until they complete this rewrite process. Upon completion of the rewrite, they will be given a 14/20 in the grade book, the rightest you can achieve with rewrites. Please see me with any questions regarding this policy. 

In preparation for the AP exams our Free Response questions (FRQs) will be in that style. Here is specific information regarding how to answer a FRQ in this class and you will be scored accordingly, the following is taken from the College Board exam preparation materials for students:

When responding to free response questions, it is suggested that you take a few minutes to plan and outline each answer. Read the question carefully and answer clearly and completely. You are expected to follow the question directions and to provide the same number of examples, explanations, or selections (i.e., tasks) that the question requests. In addition, pay close attention to the task verbs in the question, for each directs you to complete a specific type of response. Use substantive examples where appropriate. Use complete sentences. I will discuss writing strategies in class.

Specific Information for US Government and Politics:

Textbook:  Students are required to purchase a copy of the textbook for the course. Please bring your textbook to class daily. 

Wilson, James Q., John J. Dilulio, Jr., and Meena Bose. American Government: Institutions and Policies AP

                Edition. 14th ed. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning, 2015. Print.

Supplemental Texts:  Students must have a copy of The Federalist Papers and The Anti-Federalist Papers for the course OR access to electronic copies. These texts will not be used daily, please bring them (or copies of selections) when assigned.

The AP course consists of five units and includes required documents and skills. The units, documents and skills are below. For more detailed information please see the course calendar in my google classroom.

COURSE UNITS The AP U.S. Government and Politics course is organized around five units, which focus on major topics in U.S. government and politics. The units are

 ■ Foundations of American Democracy 

■ Interaction Among Branches of Government

 ■ Civil Liberties and Civil Rights 

■ American Political Ideologies and Beliefs

 ■ Political Participation 

Foundational documents and Supreme Court cases are an integral part of the course and necessary for students to understand the philosophical underpinnings, significant legal precedents, and political values of the U.S. political system and may serve as the focus of AP Exam questions. The course requires study of nine foundational documents, including the U.S. Constitution  and 15 landmark Supreme Court cases

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES

Practice 1: Apply political concepts and processes to scenarios in context 

Practice 2: Apply Supreme Court decisions 

Practice 3: Analyze and interpret quantitative data represented in tables, charts, graphs, maps, and infographics

Practice 4: Read, analyze, and interpret foundational documents and other text-based and visual sources 

Practice 5: Develop an argument in essay format

Specific Information for Macroeconomics: 

Textbook:  Students are required to purchase a copy of  the following textbooks for the course.  Please bring your textbook to class daily.

We have a new edition of our textbook this year, we are now using:

Krugman's Macroeconomics for AP, Ray, Margaret, and David Anderson, 3rd edition. New York: Worth Publishers/BFW, 2019, ISBN: 9781319113285

If you have a sibling who took the class and you still have a copy of the text below, reach out and we can discuss.

Online Resource - http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/krugman_ap_macro/#t_637071

Online resources should be used for supplemental study and review.  Please review the online resources prior to the end of the first week of class to identify elements that will be helpful in your learning.  The online resources may also be used for homework and class work assignments throughout the semester.  I recommend that you familiarize yourself with these resources early in the semester.

Topic Outline (based on the textbook, Krugman’s Macroeconomics for AP):

Unit #1 Basic Economic Concepts (8 – 12% of the AP test)

Section 1:  Basic Economic Concepts

Module 1 – The Study of Economics

Module 2 – Introduction to Macroeconomics

Module 3 – The Production Possibilities Curve

Module 4 – Comparative Advantage and Trade

Section 2:  Supply and Demand

Module 5 – Supply and Demand:  Introduction and Demand

Module 6 – Supply and Demand:  Supply and Equilibrium

Module 7 – Supply and Demand:  Changes in Equilibrium

Unit #2 Measurement of Economic Performance (12 – 16% of the AP Test)

Module 10 – The Circular Flow and Gross Domestic Product

Module 11 – Interpreting Real Gross Domestic Product

Module 12 – The Meaning and Calculation of Unemployment

Module 13 – The Causes and Categories of Unemployment

Module 15 – Inflation: An Overview

Module 15 – The Measurement and Calculation of Inflation

Unit #3 National Income and Price Determination (10 – 15% of the AP Test)

Module 16 – Income and Expenditure

Module 17 – Aggregate Demand:  Introduction and Determinants

Module 18 – Aggregate Supply:  Introduction and Determinants

Module 19 –Equilibrium in the Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model

Module 20 – Economic Policy and the Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model

Module 21 – Fiscal Policy and the Multiplier

Unit #4 Financial Sector (15 – 20% of the AP Test)

Module 22 – Saving, Investment, and the Financial System

Module 23 – Definition and Measurement of Money

Module 24 – The Time Value of Money

Module 25 – Banking and Money Creation

Module 26 – The Federal Reserve System – History and Structure

Module 27 – The Federal Reserve – Monetary Policy

Module 28 – The Money Market

Module 29 – The Market for Loanable Funds

Unit #5 Inflation, Unemployment, and Stabilization Policies (20 – 30% of the AP Test)

Module 30 – Long-run Implications of Fiscal Policy:  Deficits and the Public Debt

Module 31 – Monetary Policy and the Interest Rate

Module 32 – Money, Output, and Prices in the Long Run

Module 33 – Types of Inflation, Disinflation, and Deflation

Module 34 – Inflation and Unemployment: The Phillips Curve

Module 35 – History and Alternative Views of Macroeconomics

Module 36 – The Modern Macroeconomic Consensus

Unit #6 Economic Growth and Productivity (5 – 10% of the AP Test)

Module 37 – Economic Growth and Productivity

Module 38 – Productivity and Growth

Module 39 – Growth Policy: Why Economic Growth Rates Differ

Module 40 – Economic Growth in Macroeconomic Models

Unit #7 The Open Economy: International Trade and Finance (10 – 15% of the AP Test)

Module 41 – Capital Flows and the Balance of Payments

Module 42 – The Foreign Exchange Market

Module 43 – Exchange Rate Policy

Module 44 – Exchange Rates and Macroeconomic Policy

Module 45 – Putting it All Together 

The Course Plan

The class will follow the subsequent daily course plan throughout the semester.  As you read and take notes on each assignment in the textbook, you are expected to compile notes on:

At various times, the end-of-section questions will be assigned as formal homework.  When they are not, you should assume that you will be quizzed with similar questions on that content on the day the reading assignment is due.  Course Requirements and Grade Breakdown:

Your grade for this class will be computed by total number of points accumulated in the following weighted categories:

1. Homework Assignments/Text Discussion/Quizzes and Assignments/Formative Assessments/Participation (20% of Grade): – Previews material to be discussed in class, expands learning, demonstrates understanding. This is to be done independently. 

2. Essays/Tests /Summative Assessments(~35% of Grade) – Assessments that demonstrate mastery of essential learnings as expected by D’Evelyn’s Curriculum Directives and AP Course Objectives.

3. Final Exam (25% of Final Grade):

4. Term Paper Assignments (20% of Final Grade):

Grading Scale, Extra Credit, and Accessing Parent Portal:

Grades are earned, not given.  Points are earned as outlined above and I do not give individual extra credit. If an opportunity for extra credit is given it will be to the entire class. Grades are cumulative on a semester basis.  Letter grades are given according to the following grading scale:

Grades can be viewed via the Parent Portal. Instructions for accessing my grade book via Parent Portal can be found on the D’Evelyn web page. Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to obtain assignments when absent by checking with the teacher and submitting them within the district policy regarding absentee work, for more details see below.   

Make-up Work:

Excused Absences:

Absent students have two class days for every day absent to make up all work missed for full credit. Please be sure to label the work as late for excused absence when submitting the makeup assignment. An excused absence (such as an illness) only covers material missed while out. Work assigned when the student returns is due the same day as it is due for the other students.  Students are encouraged to use a pre-arranged absence form whenever possible, AND DO the work while absent. A student must be ready to take a test upon return unless s/he has missed material for it.  The teacher reserves the right to give an absent student a different test than the one their classmates took.  It is up to students to find out what they have missed: this is NOT the teacher’s responsibility. I encourage students (if they are able of course) to email me the day of an unexpected absence to stay current on our classroom work. All term paper assignments are considered long term assignments; therefore, they must be submitted the day they are due regardless of absence. Digital submission is acceptable in the event of an unforeseen absence. Failure to submit a term paper rough draft or final draft on the assigned date will result in late credit. THIS POLICY STILL APPLIES WHEN ENGAGED IN ONLINE LEARNING, PLEASE REACH OUT WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

Unexcused Absences:

No more than half credit will be granted on all completed work that is submitted within 24 hours upon return.  Additionally, no more than half credit will be given for any assessments missed during the unexcused absence.  (E.g. an assignment which normally would receive a score of 80% would have its score cut in half to 40%).  

Suspensions (out-of-school and in-house):

Students with their first suspension are limited to 24 hours to turn in their make-up work from the time that they return to receive full credit.  Students with their second and subsequent suspension(s) follow the unexcused absence policy above.

Late Work Policy is described above in the grading policy. Late work is given a 10% reduction for same day submission and a 50% reduction thereafter. All term paper assignments are due on the assigned due date with no exception for illness or absence. THIS POLICY STILL APPLIES WHEN ENGAGED IN ONLINE LEARNING, PLEASE REACH OUT WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

Class Expectations: You are expected to follow the D'Evelyn behavioral and academic codes at all times.

1.       Be Punctual. Arrive to class on time, both online and in person.  Be in your seat (or at your desk/table) and ready to learn! There will usually be a warm up exercise to do at the beginning of class.  Remember, the teacher NOT THE BELL will dismiss class. If you are not present when attendance is called, you will be counted as absent. Please use the attendance line to clarify attendance issues/tardies.

2.       Be Prepared.  Come to class with the required materials, including pens and homework/notes from the previous class.  Be sure to have your planner with you for both an assignment organizer and your hall pass.

3.       Be a Self-Starter.  Be prepared to learn when you come to class.  You should have your homework completed and have questions prepared for discussion.  

4.       Be Respectful.  Treat everyone with respect and consideration.  Help to create a classroom environment that enables all students to learn. ELECTRONICS MUST BE SWITCHED TO OFF OR SILENT AND STORED AT ALL TIMES IN THE CLASSROOM.

5.       Be Involved.  Actively participate in class and spend approximately three to five hours each week outside of class doing homework and/or studying. INVOLVEMENT IS CRITICAL IN THE ONLINE AND CLASS ENVIRONMENT.  

Required Materials:

1.     Dedicated notebook and 3-Ring Binder or folders with tabs for organization.

2.     Pens (Blue/Black and Alternate Color)

3.     Your Assigned Textbook

 

Cheating and Plagiarism:

Cheating and plagiarism are very serious violations of the academic program at D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School.  D’Evelyn holds high academic expectations for all students and academic integrity is an extremely important aspect of those expectations.  Any student caught cheating on a quiz, test, homework, or any classroom assignment; or found guilty of plagiarism (to pass off the ideas or works of another as one’s own without crediting the source, this includes artificial intelligence); or caught giving work to others will receive a grade of “zero” on that assignment or paper.  The use of AI to generate work as a replacement for work students are supposed to authentically create will be considered plagiarism. Consequences for cheating/plagiarism will range from a detention to suspension in addition to a zero on the assignment.

Extra Help/Tutoring:

In history, the best thing you can do for yourself is to pay attention in class, ask questions then for clarification, do your homework, do the readings, use the topic sheet, look for big-picture concepts and connections, and study REGULARLY, not just the night before a test!  However, when you do need additional help, options are available:

1 – Request a tutor.  See me or your counselor if you’re interested in this option.

2 – Come see me during Seventh Hour or before/after school, or in the virtual environment.

Schedule of Topics:

The schedule is on my website and the attached syllabus, please note that it may be adjusted during the semester and  any changes will be communicated to students as necessary. 

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Website

Students are encouraged to utilize the class website for important course materials and the course calendar.  

Tardies

Students are expected to be in the classroom and ready to learn before the bell rings. Ready to learn looks like picking up their handouts (if needed for the day), being seated, and getting notebooks and homework out and ready to go for the class period. Students will be marked tardy if they are not in the classroom and seated by the time the bell is done ringing.

Reading & Writing

Most independent student work will be assigned as reading and writing.  Students are encouraged to review the textbook reading sections aligned with daily lessons.  Frequently, class time will be dedicated to reading short sections of the textbook and additional sources to facilitate learning.  Students are expected to gather and process information, both factual and analytical, from assigned readings.  Reading that is assigned as homework must be completed away from class.  Students should plan to have a short open-note, reading quiz with homework reading assignments.  Students will also be asked to write frequently, both in paragraph and full essay form.  All written work must be typed.

News, Video, and Political Ad Use

We will from time to time view video clips and news sources that have direct relevancy to the content of coursework, they will be utilized strictly for educational purposes. We will view various clips from documentaries, websites and you tube that are deemed relevant to the curriculum by the instructor. They may include (but will not be limited to) news paper and magazine articles, news clips, campaign commercials, speeches or interest group films but are meant as relevant to the discussion at hand and not to persuade opinion. Multiple and varied perspectives will always be sought by the instructor.

Parent-Teacher and Student-Teacher Communication

          Communication between parents, students, and teachers is a key component of academic success.  Given the rigorous nature of the academic requirements at D’Evelyn, it is important for all three stakeholders to maintain involvement in the process.  Parents are welcome to communicate with me.  I prefer to communicate via e-mail, where I can be reached at smcskimi@jeffco.k12.co.us. 

         As high school seniors, I expect students to maintain open, honest, and consistent communication with me throughout the year. Students may contact me at any time via e-mail or voice mail, and I am available before and after school, as well as during passing periods, 7th hour, and second lunch to talk with students.  As young adults on the verge of attending college or entering the work force, communication skills must be developed.  As a result, I expect to discuss academic concerns primarily with the students.

         I look forward to sharing in your positive experience as D’Evelyn seniors this year! I hope that the American Government and Economics courses will offer you unique insights and perspective into American political science and economic activity.  The course should offer you a foundation for future active citizenship and perhaps even academic interests.  Please feel free to see me with questions, comments, and/or concerns throughout the academic year.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.