- Class Policies
- Class Blog December 2012 - February 2013
- Summer 2012 Assignments
- Class Blog April 22 - June 2013
- Class Blog February 5, 2013 - April
- Summer 2012 Blog Posts
- Class Blog Fall 2012
- Current Issues 2012 Blog
- Assignments 1st Marking Period
- Assignments Second Marking Period
- Assignments Third Marking Period 2013
- Assignments 4th Marking Period 2013
- Elections 2012
- AP US Government Blog
- Political Cartoons
- Political Typologies
- Philadelphia Government
- Pennsylvania Government
- U.S. Government - 3 Branches and Constitution
- U.S. Government - HIstory of and current Issues
- Media
- International Organizations / Comparative government
- Student Video Production
- AP US Government Theme Videos
- Furness Falcon
- AP US Gov't Theme Videos 2012
Teacher - Ms. Sharer EMAIL
On-line Grade book: Jupiter Grades
On-line Textbook: This Nation
Class Blog: SharerAPUSGovt
This year long course is meant to prepare students for taking the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam by helping them develop their own framework for understanding U.S. government. As a college level course, students are expected to read OUTSIDE OF CLASS an average of one - two chapters of the textbook per week, read assigned articles and complete written assignments on a regular basis. Students will also have exams and projects aligned with the AP syllabus. In addition, students are expected to participate in small and large group class discussions and debates.
Students will become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics and the theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Students should have a clear understanding of majority rule democracy, federalism, constitutionalism, and civil liberties as well as the relationship and distinctions in and among the institutions and the public policies of those who govern. When possible, students will compare U.S. political and social institutions with other nation’s institutions.
Students will become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics and the theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Students should have a clear understanding of majority rule democracy, federalism, constitutionalism, and civil liberties as well as the relationship and distinctions in and among the institutions and the public policies of those who govern. When possible, students will compare U.S. political and social institutions with other nation’s institutions.
Six Major Areas of Study
Constitutional Underpinnings:
· Considerations influencing formulation and adoption of the Constitution
· Federalism
· Separation of Powers
· Theories of Democratic government
Political Beliefs and Behaviors:
· Beliefs citizens have about government and its leaders
· Processes by which citizens learn about politics
· The nature, sources and consequences of public opinion
· Citizen voting, political participation and protest
· Factors that lead to differing political beliefs and behaviors
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media:
· Political parties and elections
· Interest groups, lobbies, and PACs
· Functions, structures, and impacts of media
Institutions of National Government: Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, Courts:
· Formal and informal institutional arrangements of powers
· Relationships among the four institutions
· Relationships with parties, interest groups, media, sub-national governments, and public opinion
Public Policy:
· Formation of policy agendas
· Policy processes, linkages, and outputs in a federal system
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties:
· Development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
· Substantive rights and liberties
· Impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties
· Considerations influencing formulation and adoption of the Constitution
· Federalism
· Separation of Powers
· Theories of Democratic government
Political Beliefs and Behaviors:
· Beliefs citizens have about government and its leaders
· Processes by which citizens learn about politics
· The nature, sources and consequences of public opinion
· Citizen voting, political participation and protest
· Factors that lead to differing political beliefs and behaviors
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media:
· Political parties and elections
· Interest groups, lobbies, and PACs
· Functions, structures, and impacts of media
Institutions of National Government: Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, Courts:
· Formal and informal institutional arrangements of powers
· Relationships among the four institutions
· Relationships with parties, interest groups, media, sub-national governments, and public opinion
Public Policy:
· Formation of policy agendas
· Policy processes, linkages, and outputs in a federal system
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties:
· Development of civil liberties and civil rights by judicial interpretation
· Substantive rights and liberties
· Impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties