AP U.S. Government and Politics

Week of November 30

Monday, November 30

Introduce Political Parties
-Definition
-Functions

Film: Political Parties

Tuesday, December 1

Small Groups: Interest Group Readings
-Woll Readins #40, 41
-3 Readings on Website

Students report on articles/discuss questions on Lobbying Groups

Wednesday, December 2

Timed Essay on Interest Groups

History of Political Parties I
-Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
-Era of Personal Politics
-Democrats vs. Whigs
-1854 - Republican Party

Thursday, December 3

History of Political Parties II
-Post Civil War period
-1896-1928 - Republican Domination
-1932-1968 - Democratic Domination

Friday, December 4

Discuss Interest Group Reports

Era of Divided Government, 1968-2009
-Parties in Balance
-Red State, Blue State
-Elections in 2006 and 2008


Assignments

Read Chapter 8 - pp. 251-263  

Study Terms on Political Parties

Woll Readings #40 and 41 - Interest Groups - Read and answer questions

Articles on Interest Groups - Website Links

Report on Interest Group


Assessments

Timed Essay on Interest Groups - Wednesday, December 2

Report on Interest Group - Friday, December 4

Quiz on Political Parties - Thursday, December 10

Test on Political Parties - Tuesday, December 15

Report on Third Party - Friday, December 18

Quiz on Elections and Voting - Tuesday, December 22

Test on Elections and Voting - Friday, January 8


Week of November 23

Monday, November 23

Regulating Lobbyists
-1946 - Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act
-1995 - Lobbying Disclosure Act
-2006 - Recent Scandals

Interest Groups and Representative Democracy
-Middle and Upper Class Bias
-Elitist or Pluralist?
-Influence?

Tuesday, November 24

Test - Public Opinion and Polls - Chapter 11 (old text)and Interest Groups - 
Chapter 7 (new text)

Wednesday, November 25

Spirit Day - No Regular Classes

Thursday, November 26

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Friday, November 27

Enjoy your holiday!


Assignments

Study Chapter 11 and New Text - Chapter 7 - Interest Groups 

Study Terms on Public Opinion and Interest Groups

Woll Readings #40 and 41 - Interest Groups - Read and answer questions

Articles on Interest Groups - Website Links

Report on Interest Group


Assessments

Test on Public Opinion and Interest Groups - Tuesday, November 24

Timed Essay on Public Opinion and Interest Groups - Wednesday, December 2

Report on Interest Group - Friday, December 4


Week of November 16

Monday, November 16

Reports and Discussion on Afghanistan and Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights

Complete the Kinds of Interest Groups: Public Interest, Other, Foreign 
Governments

Tuesday, November 17

Quiz - Public Opinion and Polls - Chapter 11 (old text)

Discuss "What makes Interest Groups Powerful?"

Interest Group Strategies: Direct (Inside) and Indirect (Outside) - Create 
Chart

Wednesday, November 18

Poll Results due - discuss

Discuss Federalist #10 - Woll #28 - p. 171

Thursday, November 19

8th Grade Visitation - No Regular Classes

Friday, November 20

Regulating Lobbyists
-1946 - Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act
-1995 - Lobbying Disclosure Act
-2006 - Recent Scandals

Interest Groups and Representative Democracy
-Middle and Upper Class Bias
-Elitist or Pluralist?
-Influence?


Assignments

Study Terms - Chapter 11

New Text - Chapter 7 - Interest Groups - pp. 234-245

Study Terms on Interest Groups

Woll Reading #28 - Federalist #10 by James Madison

Complete Report on Poll - Group Project

Woll Readings #40 and 41 - Interest Groups - Read and answer questions

Report on Interest Group


Assessments

Quiz on Chapter 11 - Tuesday, November 17

Polling Data and Report due - Wednesday, November 18

Test on Public Opinion and Interest Groups - Tuesday, November 24

Timed Essay on Public Opinion and Interest Groups - Wednesday, December 2

Report on Interest Group - Friday, December 4


Week of November 9

Monday, November 9

Discuss Problems with Opinion Polls

Technology and Opinion Polls

Core Beliefs in a Political Culture

Tuesday, November 10

Public Opinion and Government

Public Opinion and Policymaking

Limits of Polling

Discuss articles on Polls - Report due

Wednesday, November 11

Small Groups: Organize Poll - Deadline for Results - November 18
-Universe
-Questions - firm up wording
-Sample size
-Poll takers
-Time Frame
-Data collection and organization

Thursday, November 12

Interest Groups
-Definition
-Purpose
-Incentives for Membership
-Free Rider Problem

Friday, November 13

Discuss the Types of Interest Groups
-Economic
-Environmental
-Public Interest
-Other Groups
-Foreign Governments


Assignments

Read Chapter 11 on Public Opinion and Polling

Identify Terms - Chapter 11

New Text - Chapter 7 - Interest Groups - pp. 221-234

Study Terms on Interest Groups

Read and report on articles on Opinion Polls

Woll Reading #28 - Federalist #10 by James Madison


Assessments

Quiz on Chapter 11 - Tuesday, November 17

Polling Data and Report due - Wednesday, November 18

Report on Interest Group - Monday, November 23

Test on Public Opinion and Interest Groups - Tuesday, November 24

Timed Essay on Public Opinion and Interest Groups - Wednesday, December 2