Syllabus

A basic outline of class and what we are going to do and what your grade will be based on.

Welcome!

Welcome to AP US Government and Politics: AP GoPo! In this class, I will be a facilitator who will ask you hard questions, prompt your own questions, and point you towards answers.

Goals

This year we will not just learn politics; we will also do politics. As Goethe said, “Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world.” I hope that by mixing theory, facts, relevant contemporary issues, and opportunities to act on your knowledge you will have the tools necessary to become political. It’s not just a class; it’s reality.

Big Questions and Critical Skills

A number of big questions animate this course. We won’t answer all of our questions, but our engagement of the questions will lead us to knowledge and insight.

Here are some examples of the big questions that will carry our inquiry:

• How democratic is the United States?

• What are the core American political values?

• How do we reconcile liberty and security in this age of global terror?

• Who does our political system represent?

You’re also going to learn many important critical skills.

After you’ve completed this course, you will be able to:

• Analyze political documents

• Carry on a cogent political conversation

• Understand important contemporary political trends

• Have a critical comprehension of the media

• Know how to effectively interact with your government

• Interpret political charts, graphs, maps, cartoons and data

• Understand your legal rights and responsibilities

• Act on your knowledge

• Kick it on the AP exam

Free Inquiry

This classroom is a place for critical inquiry into vital questions about our political beliefs and values. I hope that this class stimulates your thinking, respects and affirms your beliefs, and is a safe place for you to share your ideas. It’s my goal to listen thoughtfully, ask incisive questions, and consider all sides of an issue. I hope you’ll join me on this journey.

Assignment Types

Tests 30% of grade

Every unit will conclude with a unit test. This category will also contain quiz grades as needed

Essays 30% of grade

Argumentative essay writing is a large component of this class, the AP test, college, and different types of FRQ's will be the main focus of our writing this year.

Assignments 20% of grade

You will complete a number of assignments throughout the year. These assignments will include, but not be limited to, reading assignments/quizzes, preparation for discussion, presentations, and projects. All work is to be completed individually unless stated otherwise.

Final - 20%

In AP US Government and Politics course we will attempt to understand the American political system by focusing on five main units of study: Foundations of American Democracy, Interaction Among Branches of Government, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, American Political Ideologies and Beliefs, Political Participation