AP Government (Period 2 & 6) Assignments

Recent Elections

Interesting article on the Obama Coalition and good review for AP exam.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/can-democrats-repeat-obamas-winning-formula/2013/05/12/ef43856c-bb09-11e2-9b09-1638acc3942e_story.html?hpid=z1

bureaucracy video

Campaign Finance Reform Article

White House Intern applications for fall 2013 due May 12th

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships/apply

Civil Rights Notes

study guide for test on Wednesday

Civil Liberties and Bill of Rights Notes

1) Supreme Court Presentations will be this week
2) One current event on the Supreme Court will be do on Friday

Paper due for Supreme Court Project

Judiciary Power Point

Extra Credit: See attachment

Supreme Cout Web Homework
See Attachment

Chapter 16 Questions
See attachment

Exam # 1 study guide

Congress Presentation

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/04/business/media/walking-dead-helps-solidify-amcs-ratings-success.html?ref=business&_r=0

An article from David Carr (reporter from the page one documentary) you might enjoy.

Prepare for confirmation hearings.

Secretary nominees must be prepared to ask questions about the agreed upon topics.

Senators must have 4 questions to ask their assigned nominee and be prepared to ask follow up questions.

Research your assigned executive department, be prepared to discuss your department including contemporary issues regarding your department.

Read the Sarah Binder essay on stalemate and summarize her argument in 1-2 paragraphs

Reading Response # 1

The original article for this assignment is no longer available instead use one of the opinion pieces on the following page.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/02/do-filibusters-stall-the-senate-or-give-it-purpose/abolish-the-filibuster-to-restore-democracy

Congress Web Assignment. (See attachment for instructions)

CH. 12 Discussion Questions

Study Guide

Great resource to review for the final exam. Check out this youtube account: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyCitizenU?feature=watch. Scroll through their videos and watch any video related to topics we discussed.

Interest Groups Notes

Period Two Review Outline

Period 6 Review Outline

Current Events: Elections,political parties and interest groups

Write a one page typed outline of your assigned pages and email it to me at [email protected]
Period 2

CH 1
1-8 Elana
9-16 Hayley
17-24 Martin

Ch 2
27-35 Tristen
36-44 James
45-53 Sarah Eldin
54-63 Miriam

CH 3
65-74 Jack
75-84 Masresha
85-93 Marlee

CH 6
173-182 Sarah H
183-192 Carina
193-202 Alexa

CH7
206-215 Eric
216-224 Brijae
225-234 Sohaib

CH 8
236-245 Jazmine
246-255 Benaisha
256-265 Heather

CH 9
266-275 Laura
276-285 Robert
286-295 Hayat

CH 10
296-304 Tyren
305-314 Jackie
315-371 Larryn

CH 1
1-8 Arman
9-16 Michael
17-24 Sibyl

Ch 2
27-35 Julia
36-44 Madeline H.
45-53 Anum
54-63 Jaimal

CH 3
65-74 Ellis
75-84 Hamza
85-93 Leah

CH 6
173-182 Jenna
183-192 Cameron
193-202 Madeline L

CH7
206-215 Antonio
216-224 Kyle
225-234 Chelsea

CH 8
236-245 Kevin
246-255 Razina
256-265 Magnolia

CH 9
266-275 Aariel
276-285 Allie
286-295 Hayat

"More than money" graphic organizer

Chapter 11 (Interest Groups) Discussion Questions

“Although turnout in elections has declined since 1960, participation in interest groups has mushroomed” (324).


1) Which part of the Constitution protects the right to create an interest group? The textbook argues, “interest groups are often policy specialists, whereas parties are policy generalists.” What impact do you think this has on the legislative process?






2) Define potential group and actual group. What is the free-rider program? What is Olson’s law of groups? How can large groups overcome Olson’s law and the free-rider problem?






3) How do intensity and financial resources impact how successful interest groups are in achieving their goals? Do you believe that intensity or financial resources are more important?





4) Describe the four ways lobbyists can help a member of congress. Many people complain about the close relationship between lobbyists and congress members. What type of problems can arise from this? What might be some solutions to this problem?




5) What is electioneering? The textbook was published in 2004? How is it outdated regarding PACS?

Please watch the first part of the Colbert Report regarding super PACs.

Test #3 Study Guide

Elections and Political Party Notes

Candidates may want to check out this short article on tax reform.

Chapter 10 Discussion Questions. Answer all four questions


1) The right to vote (suffrage) has been expanded throughout American history. Explain how state laws vary when it comes to crime and voting. Should convicted felons be allowed to vote?



2) What explanations does the book offer to explain why people don’t vote? What is political efficacy? What was the 1993 Motor Voter Act? What should the government do, if anything to encourage people to vote?


3) The book list several variables that political scientist use to determine how
likely people are to vote. Which groups are most likely to vote? Which groups are least likely to vote? Which of these relationships seemed obvious? Did any surprise you?


4) How does party identification play a role in how people vote? How has modern technology changed the relationship between party identification and voting?

How to be a White house intern

Read the assigned essays and answer the discussion questions for each essay.

Chapter 8 Discussion Questions: See attachment for your assigned discussion question and be prepared to discuss your question on Tuesday.

Please review the attached powerpoint on Chapter 7 (Media and Politics)

Also check out the website from The Museum of Broadcast Communications, they have some great resources on the topics we have been discussing.

See instructions and example attached.

Potential Scholarship opportunity. the essay is very closely related to issued we have discussed in class.

Optional Reading

New Marijuana laws and how it relates to federalism

An interesting article in the Christian Science Monitor: Is the death of newspapers the end of good citizenship?

Check your grade, if you are using a free late for any assignment it will be a zero on the 10-week report card if you have not turned it in yet.

Chapter 6 Discussion Questions

1) Describe political socialization. What role does your family; the media and your school play in the socialization process? Which agents do you think play the biggest role in socialization?


2) What is the role of polls in American Democracy? What do critics of polls say? Should politicians use polls?


3) What is a political ideology? Describe the difference between liberal and conservative ideology. What is the gender gap? What examples of the gender gap did you see in the 2012 election?


4) What were the results of the American Voter study? Do you agree or disagree with the findings of this study? Why?


5) Describe the relationship between, class, inequality and political participation.

Reading Response # 4
Use the attached articles, along with chapter 7 of your textbook to provide a critique of the media’s coverage of politics and elections.

Things to think about:
The relationship between newsmakers and journalist
Media ownership
Criteria for newsworthiness

You must paper must show comprehension of both articles and draw on ideas in the textbook. (You must cite all 3 sources)

Paper should be 1.5-2.5 pages on length.

Everything you need to know about the election: a video by PBS

Below you will find a link to the article we discussed in class on Tuesday, feel free to make reference to it in your reading response for this week.

Read Chapter seven and be prepared to discuss you assigned discussion question. You should also be familiar with discussion questions assigned to other people.

After reading the paper check out some of the major news cites to see examples of what you read.

www.nytimes.com
www.washingtonpost.com
www.foxnews.com
www.msnbc.com
www.c-span.org
www.cnn.com
www.cbsnews.com

Chapter 3 Study Guide: See attachment

Please review the notes for Ch. 3 (Federalism)

http://www.education.com/study-help/article/constitutional-basis-federalism/

A helpful website for the test on Friday

Chapter Three Current Events due.

Complete Fiscal federalism Graphic Organizer

Review the attached powerpoint on the three branches of government.

Optional Reading
Do presidential debates usually matter?
EzraKlen

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/10/03/what-political-scientists-know-about-debates/

Current events for unit one.

See attachment for directions on Reading Response #3.

Moder Translation of Federalist # 10
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/the-federalist/summary-analysis/section-ii-advantages-of-union/no-10-james-madison.html

Federalist 10 Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Db2oxalDvM

Federalist 51 Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6_TadoVoho

Prepare for the Unconstitutional Power Grab Game. You will receive points for the study aid you bring to class. (See attachment)

Review the attached graphic organizer on amending the constitution.

Chapter Two Study Guide should be completed by October 25th

Review the attached Powerpoint on the origins of the Constitution.

Wach the following videos discussing Federalist 10 & 51.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6_TadoVoho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Db2oxalDvM

The following is the tentative exam schedule for first semester. Please place these dates in to your calendar or organizer.


Unit Date Chapter(s)
Intro/Constitution 10/5 1-2
Federalism 10/26 3
Political Culture/Media 11/16 6-7
Parties/Elections 12/7 8-10
Interest Groups 12/21 11
Congress 1/17 12
Final Exam All above

Use the copy of the constitution in the back of your textbook to answer the following questions.

1. Identify the Significant elements of the Constitution (including amendments) that embody the republican principle of limited government. Explain and support your answers.

Read pages 30-31 in your textbook if you need a review of limited government.

2. Identify three amendments to the Constitution that expanded democratic representation, and explain what each amendment has accomplished.

Optional reading.

Here is an article related to our class discussions on how Romney can still win the election.

Enjoy!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/09/18/5-ways-mitt-romney-can-turn-the-2012-race-around/

Bring Books to class on Thursday and Friday this week

Review the attached powerpoint on Chapter One.

Attached is the study guide for chapter one. I will not collect this for points but I highly recommend that you complete it by Tuesday 9/18. You will be held responsible for knowing the definitions of all terms and questions.

Read A Children's Story by James Clavell and complete the assignment

AP Government: Reading Response # 2

Read the first chapter of your textbook. Pay special attention to the three contemporary theories of American democracy on pages 16-17.

Read the supplemental readings posted on the homework website.

Choose the theory that you believe best describes American democracy.

Write a 1 to 1.5 page essay that creates an argument supporting one of these theories. Use at least one of the supplemental articles to back up your argument and provide examples.

The following format is suggested.

Introduction- Introduce the theory you will be supporting and preview the arguments you will be making as to why it is applicable to American democracy. Be sure to include a thesis statement.

Body-Start each paragraph with a topic sentence. Then use evidence provided in the articles to back up your argument. You must cite at least one of the articles in your essay. For this assignment you can just put the authors last name and page number or refer to the article number. Example: Example: (Brooks, 1) or (Article1, 2)

No conclusion is necessary but feel free to write one.

Reading Response Question # 1 (opportunity cost of going to college)

Use your textbook and any of the following links to complete the assignment (see attachment).

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/sunday-review/26leonhardt.html?_r=1&ref=davidleonhardt
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/weekinreview/16steinberg.html?pagewanted=2
http://classroom.wsj.com/cre/2012/08/24/are-too-many-people-going-to-college/?KEYWORDS=go+to+college
http://money.msn.com/college-savings/ignore-the-talk-college-is-vital-weston.aspx
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/03/whats-more-expensive-than-college-not-going-to-college/255073/

Please download the course syllabus, print out the last page and bring it back to class signed by a parent or guardian.