Reading: In order for students to be successful in a college level course, it is essential that they maximize their time and complete all assigned readings prior to class discussions. The readings, lectures and discussions will figure prominently in the content of the quizzes and examinations. The students are expected to learn the basic material in their assigned readings. In class they are expected to apply their knowledge in analyzing and evaluating political issues based on their readings. All assigned reading must be completed before attending class
Textbooks, Materials and other Resources:
- Required Text :
Wilson J.Q. & Dilulio, J. J. (2008) American Government Institutions
and Policies. (11th edition) Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
-
Supplementary materials:
- Source Materials: Books
Woll, Peter (2011) American Government: Readings and Cases(19th edition) Pearson Longman. (text can be purchased online at various sites)
- Source Materials: News and Internet
Articles from news sources will be referenced weekly. Other internet sites will be referenced as we approach that particular topic.
Note: Students are expected to utilize news and internet resources to fully grasp current events and other concepts covered throughout the course. Computers with internet access are available in the school’s information center, as well as the AP Government classroom.
Timeframe |
Topic/Subtopics |
Readings -Textbook and Supplemental Sources |
Weeks 1 – 4 8/23-9/16
Ch. 1- 8/25
Ch. 2- 8/31
Ch. 3- 9/7 |
1. Constitutional Underpinnings of the US Government
|
Wilson & Dilulio: chapters 1-3
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 1. John Locke, Second Treatise, Of Civil Government Reading 4. James Madison, Federalist 47, 48, 51. Reading 5. Laurence H. Tribe and Michael C. Dorf, How Not to Read the Constitution. Reading 6. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 16, 17 Reading 7. The Anti-Federalist Papers No. 17 Reading 12. McCulloch v. Maryland, (1819) Reading 13. Gibbons v. Ogden, (1824) Reading 14. United States v. Morrison, (2000) Reading 15. Gonzales v. Raich, U.S. Supreme Court (2005) Reading 16. Wickard v. Filburn, (1942)*
Other: Related Current Events Internet Articles & Sources Historical Documents and Court Cases |
Weeks 5 – 9 9/19-10/20
Ch. 4- 9/19
Ch. 7- 9/28
Ch. 8- 10/10
|
2. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
|
Wilson & Dilulio: chapters 4, 7-8
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 31. James Madison, Federalist 10 Reading 32. E. E. Schattschneider, Party Government Reading 33. Sir Ernest Barker, Government by Discussion Reading 34. Report of the Committee of Political Parties, American Political Science Association, Toward More Responsible Two Party System Reading 35. David R. Mayhew, Divided We Govern Reading 36. V.O. Key, Jr., A Theory of Critical Elections Reading 37. Bernard R. Berelson, Paul F. Lazarsfeld, and William N. McPhee, Democratic Practice and Democratic Theory Reading 38. V.O. Key, Jr., The Responsible Electorate Reading 43. David B. Truman, The Governmental Process Other: Related Current Events Internet Articles & Sources |
Weeks 10-14 10/24-11/22
Ch. 9- 10/24
Ch. 10-10/31
Ch. 11- 11/7
Ch. 12-11/14 |
3. Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media
|
Wilson & Dilulio: chapters 9-12
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 39. Jeffrey M. Berry, Madison's Dilemma Reading 40. Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1 (1976) Reading 41. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, United States Supreme Court, 2010 Reading 42. Daniel R. Ortiz, The Democratic Paradox of Campaign Finance Reform Reading 44. Pendleton Herring, The Role of Interest Groups in Government Reading 45. Larry J. Sabato, The Misplaced Obsession with PACs
Other: Related Current Events Internet Articles & Sources |
Weeks 15-27 11/28-3/2
Ch. 13- 11/28
Ch. 14- 1/3
Ch. 15- 1/26
Ch. 16- 2/13 |
4. Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy and the Federal Courts
|
Congress
Wilson & Dilulio: chapter 13
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 55. James Madison, Federalist 53, 56, 57, 58, 62, 63 Reading 56. Woodrow Wilson, Congressional Government Reading 57. Morris P. Fiorina, The Rise of the Washington Establishment Reading 58. Lawrence C. Dodd, Congress and the Quest for Power Reading 59. Edmund Burke, Speech to the Electors of Bristol Reading 60. David R. Mayhew, Congress: The Electoral Connection Reading 61. Richard F. Fenno, Jr., Home Style and Washington Career Reading 62. Senator Evan Bayh, Why I’m Leaving the Senate*
The Presidency
Wilson & Dilulio: chapter 14
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 46. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 70 Reading 47. Mark J. Rozell, George Washington and the Origins of the American Presidency* Reading 48. Clinton Rossiter, The Presidency -- Focus of Leadership Reading 49. Richard E. Neustadt, Presidential Power Reading 50. James David Barber, The Presidential Character Reading 51. Ex Parte Milligan 71 U.S. 2 (1866) Reading 52. Boumediene v. Bush, President of the United States, United States Supreme Court, 2008
The Bureaucracy
Wilson & Dilulio: chapter 15
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 53. Peter Woll, Constitutional Democracy and Bureaucratic Power. Reading 54. James Q. Wilson, The Rise of the Bureaucratic State
The Judiciary
Wilson & Dilulio: chapter 16
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 63. William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England 1765 Reading 64. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 78 Reading 65. Marbury v. Madison, 1 Cranch 137 (1803) Reading 66. John P. Roche, Judicial Self-Restraint Reading 67. Daniel Webster - Counsel for Defendant Borden in Luther v. Borden (1849), Why Courts Cannot Fairly Decide Political Questions Reading 68. Luther v. Borden, 48 U.S. 1 (1849) Reading 69. William J. Brennan, Jr., How the Supreme Court Arrives at Decisions Reading 70.Sandra Day O’Connor, The Obligation to Follow Precedent* Reading 71. In Re Slaughter-House Cases, 83 U.S. 36 (1873)* Reading 72. Oral Argument Before the Supreme Court: McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Reading 73. McDonald v. Chicago, United States Supreme Court (2010
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date) Reading 43. David B. Truman, The Governmental Process
Other: Related Current Events Internet Articles & Sources Supreme Court Opinions |
Weeks 28-32 3/5-4/4
Ch. 17- 3/5
Ch. 18- 3/9
Ch. 19- 3/14
Ch. 20- 3/19
Ch. 21- 3/27
Ch. 22- 3/29
|
5. Public Policy
|
Wilson & Dilulio: chapters 17-22
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date)
Other: Related Current Events Internet Articles & Sources |
Weeks 34-37 4/10-5/4
Ch. 5- 4/10
Ch. 6- 4/23 |
6. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
|
Wilson & Dilulio: chapters 5-6
Woll Reader: (to be assigned at a later date)
Other: Related Current Events Internet Articles & Sources |
Week 38 will be review for the AP Examination. 5/7-5/11
Week 39 – AP Test 5/15
Weeks 40 – 41 will be dedicated to students preparing for and conducting an end of the year project.