Embedded Files
AP Government & Politics
Instructor: Mr. Stubbs, Room 406
Curriculum vitae: 13 years of experience teaching social studies, degree in
history from Mars Hill University magna cum laude
Course Description
AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors. They will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project.
Key Units of Content
Unit 1 – Foundations of American Democracy (Ch. 1 – 3)
Unit 2 – Interactions Among Branches of Government (Ch. 11 – 15 and 16 – 18)
Unit 3 – Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (Ch. 4 – 5)
Unit 4 – American Political Ideologies and Beliefs (Ch. 6 and 8)
Unit 5 – Political Participation (Ch. 7, 9, and 10)
Classroom Rule
NO STUDENT HAS A RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH THE LEARNING OF ANY OTHER STUDENT!
Procedures
If you wish to speak, raise your hand and wait to be recognized by the teacher.
Give the teacher, as well as your fellow students, the proper respect that you would expect to be given unto you.
If you have to use the bathroom (or leave class for any other reason), alert the teacher and use SmartPass.
Chromebook Policy
It is the student’s responsibility to arrive at class with his/her Chromebook fully charged. Accommodations will be made for anyone without a fully charged Chromebook with analog resources. It is also the responsibility of the student to use the Chromebook for its intended purpose, otherwise he/she will be restricted from using the Chromebook.
Wireless Communications Device and Electronics Policy
In accordance with the Transylvania County School Board policy, electronic devices such as cell phones, digital music players, personal digital assistants, etc. will be confiscated if they are being used during school hours.
Grading Policy
During each nine-week grading period, you will have had the opportunity to earn approximately 1000 points. The percentage breakdown of your final grade is as follows:
50% - chapter tests—usually one per week
15% - homework—chapter outlines and primary source analysis
20% - quizzes—usually one or two per week
15% - projects—one large/two small per grading period
Note: Your final grade for the course will be determined by the average of your two nine-week grades AND your final exam grade which will account for 25% of your final average. You can be exempt from your final exam if you have an overall average of 80% or higher and no more than five absences.
AP Final Exam
The AP final exam will be administered (location to be determined) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. Review sessions will be offered during I & E periods throughout the spring semester. While the AP exam is optional, you are highly encouraged to take it since it will have no impact on your overall course grade, and you can potentially receive 3 hours of college credit.
Late Assignments
Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Any assignment turned in later than that will be considered late. A student may turn in some work late but will be penalized one letter grade for each school day that it is late.
Office/lab Hours
Students are free to come by for assistance with any problems or questions during the I & E period. If a student has a grade below a 75%, then they are required to attend the I & E sessions until their grade is improved.
Teacher Contact Info
If for any reason a student’s parent or guardian would need to contact the teacher at school, please use the following information:
e-mail: rstubbs@tcsnc.org
phone: (828) 884-4103
planning period (best time to call): 4th block, 1:30 – 3:05
Course Topics/Timeline
Week 1 – Class Intro/Ch. 1: Introducing Government in America
Week 2 – Ch. 2: The Constitution
Week 3 – Ch. 3: Federalism
Week 4 – Ch. 4: Civil Liberties and Public Policy
Week 5 – Ch. 5: Civil Rights and Public Policy
Week 6 – Ch. 6: Public Opinion and Political Action
Week 7 – Ch. 7: The Mass Media and the Political Agenda
Week 8 – Ch. 8: Political Parties
Week 9 – Ch. 9: Campaigns and Voting Behavior
Week 10 – Ch. 10: Interest Groups
Week 11 – Ch. 11: Congress
Week 12 – Ch. 12: The Presidency
Week 13 – Ch. 13: The Budget and the Politics of Taxing and Spending
Week 14 – Ch. 14: The Federal Bureaucracy
Week 15 – Ch. 15: The Federal Courts
Week 16 – Ch. 16: Economic and Social Welfare Policymaking
Week 17 – Ch. 17: Policymaking for Health Care, the Environment, and Energy
Week 18 – Ch. 18: Foreign Policymaking/Final Exam (if you aren’t exempt)
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