AP Government and Politics
Fall 2023 Course and Exam Description
Advanced Placement U. S. Government and Politics
For Class Today
For Class This Week
(For previous weeks check in the Archives)
Overall Class Outline with Links
The United States Constitution
US Constitution Amendments with footnotes
Announcements:
Follow Class Announcements on Twitter: @rhs_soc_studies
What you should be doing to prepare for college during your senior year!
The AP Government and Politics Exam will be given on Monday May 2, 2022. If you are a College Credit Plus student, you must make the arrangements to be available for testing at Rossford High School from 7:45 until 11:30 that day.
AP Government and Politics
Introduction
This is essentially a college course that is rather demanding, and is one that requires you to put forth your best effort on a DAILY basis. Due to the challenging nature of the course, an extra grade point will be added to your course G.P.A. You have ample opportunity to demonstrate that you are academically competent learners, effective communicators, productive individuals, culturally aware individuals, and involved citizens.
Textbook
American Government: Institutions and Policies, 13th Edition by James Q. Wilson, John J. DiIulio, Jr., Meena Bose. Cover it and bring it to class every day. This link will provide you with some additional resources. Text Book Link
2019-20 United States Government & Politics: Preparing for the AP Examination by David Wolfford
2018-19 United States Government & Politics: Preparing for the AP Examination by David Wolfford.
Student Study Guide to accompany the text.
Course of Study
Constitutional Underpinnings
Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Interest Groups, Political Parties, Media
Institutions
Public Policy
Civil Liberties/Civil Rights
(In your notebook, separate your notes for these units by tab dividers so that you will be organized to prepare for the AP test in May.)
Attendance
Regular attendance is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL in this class.
I will strictly enforce the school attendance policy. Students with persistent attendance problems will be transferred to another government class.
When a student has been absent for excused reasons, the student is responsible for securing his/her assignments for make up work. Generally students will be allowed as many days to make up work as he/she was absent with a maximum of five days.
Classroom Management
I CAN NOT OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING EXCELLENT CLASS NOTES. THEY WILL BE OF GREAT HELP NOT ONLY FOR THE TEST PREPARATION THIS YEAR, BUT ALSO FOR REVIEWING FOR THE AP TEST IN MAY.
Each one of you is expected to take an active part in class on a daily basis. When you enter this room, be prepared to think, ask questions, and make comments.
If you have difficulties in this class, feel free to drop by for extra help.
If special problems arise, see me as soon as possible, so that we can work things out.
If you are having �one of those days�, let me know before class begins so that I can accordingly make allowances.
Homework
Expect nightly reading assignments. TAKE THESE SERIOUSLY! You will also bomb the quizzes that are based upon the readings.
Late work is usually not accepted. If you are going to be absent, you are responsible to see me as soon as possible to find out what you missed and if there are any assignments that do not appear on the syllabus.
Grades
I use the following grading scale
A = 96-100
A- = 92-95
B+ = 89-91
B = 85-88
B- = 82-84
C+ = 78-81
C = 77-74
C- = 70-73
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = Below 60
Your nine weeks grade will be based on the following factors:
Test scores 40%
Quiz scores 30%
Daily Work Scores 30%
Your semester and final grade will be determined by the following factors:
Semester:
quarter grade 40%
quarter grade 40%
semester exam 20%
Final Grade
First Semester grade 50%
Second Semester grade 50%
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mr. Cox at apush@aol.com
Questions about your college choice's AP credit policy?
Why Take an AP Course?
(borrowed from http://home.apu.edu/~jmcgarv/apworld/#)
The purpose of the course, however, extends beyond the possibility of earning college credit by providing students with the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that will form a useful foundation for college studies. A recent study of this �AP Effect� reported the following results:
Better prepared academically for college.
More likely to specialize in majors with tougher grading standards.
More likely to complete more college course work.
More likely to take subjects in their AP subject area.
Likely to perform significantly better over four years of college course work.
More likely to be superior in terms of leadership.
More likely to make significant accomplishments in college
Twice as likely to do graduate level studies.
1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
A - B - C - D - E - F - G
College Board Course Description for AP U.S. Government and Politics
AP Government & Politics Course and Exam Description
College Board Course Website - AP Government and Politics Content Review Template
An Exam Study Session - Fundamental questions with answers.
Annenberg Foundation Gov't Videos
A Conversation with Chief Justice John Roberts