Mr.

Lynch
A.P. Government 2014-15

Advanced Placement America Government

Overview and Guidelines

Introduction
This course deals with the workings of the United States Government. The course is
designed to increase awareness and comprehension of the policies that our government
produces and enacts. This is essentially a college course that is demanding and requires
that you put forth your best effort on a DAILY basis. The course will be both demanding
and exciting, but most of all will prepare you for the Advanced Placement Test on
Tuesday May 12th

Course Objectives

To develop an appreciation for the complexity of American Government

To heighten the ability to see the relationships and distinctions in the modern
American political system
To develop an awareness of the American political system within the context of world
politics

Student Objectives

To develop knowledge of the general structure of the American political system as set
out in most college textbooks
To develop the ability to see the facts of politics in context, distinguish courses of
movements or trends, establish causes, results, and significance
To read political materials in a discriminating way and to write and express ideas
effectively
To develop the ability to weigh evidence and reach conclusions on the basis of facts,
not prejudice

Text
Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and
Policy. New York: Person Longman 2006

Course of Study By Unit

1.
6.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Constitutional Underpinnings
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Political Beliefs and Political Behaviors
Interest Groups and Political Parties
Institutions: Congress, the Presidency, the Courts, and the Bureaucracy
Public Policy

In your notebook, separate your notes for these units by tab dividers so that you will be
organized to prepare for the A. P. Test.

General Guidelines
1. Expect nightly reading assignments. TAKE THESE SERIOUSLY! You will be in
the dark during the lectures and discussions if you do a poor job reading the night
before, or if you do not do the reading at all! You will also bomb the quizzes
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based on the readings.

2. Cheating is defined as gaining an unfair advantage, or trying to gain an unfair
advantage, on an assignment, quiz or test. If you are found to be cheating, you
will receive a zero, and I will recommend that you be removed from the class.
3. If you have difficulties with this class, feel free to drop by for extra help.
4. If you do not take the AP Test on May 12th you will be required to take a final
exam(2nd sem only)
Your semester grade will be determined by your performance on the following:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

There will be a test for each unit covered in class and the text: this test will
consist of a one day 60 multiple choice section and a one day free-response
section. Each Test will total 120 points for a grand total of 540 test points
There will be various reading quizzes and vocabulary tests. These will be
anywhere between 10 to 50 points and will occur about one to two times a
week
Periodically you will be assigned study guide questions and essays with
varying point values
100 point Court Case Brief
100 point Holiday Song Project (Sem 1 Only)
240 point final exam
The final point total will be around 1600

Make-Ups
All make-up tests and quizzes must be done at lunch, 1st or 6th period within 3 days
of the assignment. Also, you must arrange the make-up with me; I will not
bug you or tell you to make-up a missed test. After 3 days the missed work
becomes a zero. PLEASE NOTE THIS POLICY!
I look forward to a fun and challenging year and I hope that it will be as meaningful for
you to take, as it will for me to teach.
Tear Hear and return to Mr. Lynch by Friday August 29, 2014

Student sign:
I have read and understand all of the guidelines and will do my best to prepare for the AP
Government test on May 12th.
Parent/Guardian sign:
I have read and understand all of the guidelines for my child and will do my best to help
them be successful this school year.

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