AP Government Assignments
- Instructor
- David Irie
- Term
- Spring 2020
- Department
- Social Science
Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
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Assignment
Borderline grade appeal. Deadline is Wednesday, May 27 at 8:00 am.
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Assignment
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Public Service Announcement Video
This is your final project. It is due on Wednesday, May 20. See attached handout and rubric. It is worth 25 points, and you may have a partner to help you, or you can work alone.
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Meme Assignment
This assignment is due by Wednesday, March 13 at 8 am. You must create an original meme on a current government event. You can use the link below to help you. Remember to make a copy of it.
It is a 10 point assignment.
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Cram for the Exam 2020
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Open notes
Advice on what notes to have available on the test day:
And, this years cram for the exam on cspan
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1. Government Current Event Schedule.
2. AP Government Announcement - May 11 at 1 pm. Two parts: Argumentative Essay - 30 minutes (60%) and Concept Application - 15 minutes (40%).
3. Calendar for AP Preparation:
(Wed) April 29 - 8:00 am. Current Events. Discuss Analytical Essay and review sample FRQ Response Grading.
(Mon) May 4 - 8:00 am. Current Events. Analytical Essay FRQ - 40 points - 25 minutes.
(Wed) May 6 - 8:00 am. Current Events. Review Analytical Essay FRQ response and scores
(Mon) May 11 - AP Exam
4. Loose ends. Attendance and Grading. Any concerns...
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FRQ - Open Notes / Book
Download AP testing guide. Page 27 says the FRQ are open notes / book.
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Assignment
1. The 2020 rubric has been slightly adjusted: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-us-government-politics-rubric-2020-exam-4-3.pdf
2. Foundational documents quizlets:
or
Good flashcard reviews:
3. Watch video on the fourth essay question: Argumentative writing.
4. 2020 COVID19 version:
https://youtu.be/4kjnxL72BU0
Also the document (Analytical Essay) will help you as well.
We will look at the 2019 FRQ #4 Argumentative Essay as a sample. I have attached the rubric as well.
5. Sample Analytical essay (10 points for completion)
a. Find a partner or group of three Titans.
b. Complete Essay # 4 on AP19-FRQ-US-Government (attachment) and email your answer to your partner(s). There is no advantage to using resources / rubric to ace this question. You are strictly graded on completion. Due to your classmate by Wednesday (April 29), 8 am.
c. Grade your partners essay using attached rubric (2019 FRQ #4 Rubric & https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-us-government-politics-rubric-2020-exam-4-3.pdf & https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap19-apc-us-go-po-q4.pdf) and video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDUOv5oQT0s) and send your grading and response to you classmate (and cc [email protected])by Thursday, (April 30) 8 am.
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Assignment
Some review tools to assist you.
Match game...
Revisit Appendix B: Required Supreme Court Cases.
Visit: http://citizenu.org/
Click on Cases: the Essentials and read the synopsis.
Also visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMuYGefem88&list=PLEctuuGc-ir1ITUMKGpT4HO8I5J6gTd2P&index=7
for a video explanation.
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Assignment
The unit 3 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties essay exam will take place on Wednesday, April 22. You may wish to download the content outline and unit description. The essay question will be 40 points, and you will 15 minutes to complete it.
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Assignment
The college board has released AP Government exam information:
Highlights:
1. The test date is Monday, May 11 at 1 pm.
2. There will be two FRQ's. 1. Argumentative Essay (60% of your grade) - 25 minutes, 2. FRQ on Concept Application (40% of your grade) - 15 minutes.
We will practice these formats leading up to the exam in plans of maximizing your skills set in these areas.
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Assignment
We will meet on google meets today. I will send out feedback on the Unit 1 Review essay, and I will do a short presentation. In addition, I will take roll at that time. If you miss, feel free to complete the google doc attendance form instead.
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Assignment
The next chapter test will be April 15. I would encourage you to download the curriculum description and content for Interactions Among Branches. Always review the documents and SCOTUS cases. The focus of this test will be concept application. You will also only have 15 minutes to complete the question.
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Assignment
Daily attendance. On Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 am - 9:30 pm, please complete the information on this google doc form.
Thanks.
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Assignment
You are now required to complete the google doc form for attendance:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_qmm9L5o1TTjzANezC4BTD7RkCuxf9lwZ6L9IaCYWDiQi8A/viewform?usp=sf_link
Please complete it on Monday and Wednesdays from 8 am - 9:30 am.
If you have a question, please email me. The assignment due dates are posted on the web site. I would encourage you to read the posted articles, watch the videos, and look at the power point / charts / diagrams. Most of them are self explanatory. There will be opportunities on these assignments to improve your semester grade. Unless you choose not to complete these assignments, there is no way to lower your third quarter grade.
On Monday (3/30), there will be a review test on Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy. At 8:00 am, I will post the google link test link. You will have twenty minutes to complete it. After 20 minutes, I will no longer accept your essay. Again, you must be signed into your email to submit your test. You will only be able to submit one entry via your email. If you run into any problems, please let me know via email asap.
Shortly after, I will assess the tests and give you an idea of how you did on the test. If you score higher than your current grade, it will be entered as such. For example if you have a 90% and you score 100%, I will enter a 40/40 in the grade book.
If you score lower than your current grade, I will input your current grade. This will prevent your grade from dropping if you do not do well. (For example, if you score 20/40 and have a 75% in the class, I will input 30/40. This will prevent me from penalizing you for a poor performance.
Obviously, you are on the honor system. There are many ways (screen shot, texting, google share, google search, etc) to cheat on this test. Using the on line format, there is an expectation that you are not cheating on the test. Since there is no penalty for poor performance on the test, it does not seem to make a lot of sense to cheat.
We will do this two more times for the final two units. Then, we will work on the argumentative essay. On April 3, we should get further notification on the format of the test. At this point, it says 45 minute on line free response exam. That would imply either two frq's or one long essay.
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Assignment
Unit 1 Review. Read again the unit description and content outline.
Also, take a look again at the four essays formats that you will see on the test. We will be practicing them over the next few weeks starting with the Foundations of American Democracy unit.
If you click on this link, you can read about the four essay formats. Then, scroll down and see four sample essay questions. These are four excellent examples provided by the college board.
I would encourage you to read the required SCOTUS Cases and the required Documents for Unit 1.
To help you review, I have uploaded a link to some video explanations of unit 1, the cases and the documents.
Some of the videos are good, some of them are bad, and most are somewhere in between.
Cheers.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation on Fiscal v Monetary policy.
Video on Keynes v Hayek.
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Assignment
Submit assignment to [email protected] by 8 am.
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Political Cartoons".
Go on line and find two political cartoons. One should deal with fiscal policy, and the other should have to do with monetary policy (the Fed). Cut and paste each cartoon and put it on a word document. Under each cartoon, write an analysis of the cartoon. Each analysis should describe the symbols in the cartoon and explain the perspective of the cartoonist. Upon completion, send me an attachment to the word document or you can share it with me if you use google docs.
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Political Cartoons".
Go on line and find two political cartoons. One should deal with fiscal policy, and the other should have to do with monetary policy (the Fed). Cut and paste each cartoon and put it on a word document. Under each cartoon, write an analysis of the cartoon. Each analysis should describe the symbols in the cartoon and explain the perspective of the cartoonist. Upon completion, send me an attachment to the word document or you can share it with me if you use google docs.
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Assignment
Submit assignment to [email protected] by 8 am.
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Conservative v Liberal quiz."
1. What was your identification? Do you agree with the identification? Why or why not?
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Conservative v Liberal quiz."
Take the following quiz.
1. What was your identification? Do you agree with the identification? Why or why not?
2. Fill in all the personal issues with agree. Fill in all the economics issues with disagree. What was the classification that it came up with. Pick one of the litmus test issues from the test and discuss how liberals and conservatives differ in their ideologies in regard to that issue.
3. Fill in the personal issues with disagree. Fill in all the economics issues with agree. What was the classification that it came up with. Pick a different litmus test issues than question 2. and discuss how liberals and conservatives would differ in their ideologies in regard to that issue.
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Also good review video on political socialization (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm5P0LFpZGo)
A link to some good litmus tests issues.
and liberals v conservatives.
How about the libertarians?
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Assignment
Read the Lorax by Dr. Seuss. If you are not able to do not have a copy or cannot get one at your library, you can read it on line at https://ecworlddynamics.wikispaces.com/Lorax+Text or watch a cartoon version of it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V06ZOQuo0k.
Video on Fracking:
a ted ed video on fracking:
Conservative Lorax video:
Download the slides on Liberal v Conservative Environmental Policy
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Assignment
Test Retake Dates: Lunch on Tuesday, March 15 and Thursday, March 17.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the article on polling.
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Assignment
Submit assignment to [email protected] by 8 am.
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Electoral Generalizations."
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Electoral Generalizations."
Visit the 2016 president exit poll:
and 2012 presidential exit poll:
You can also visit the 2008: http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/
What are five generalizations you might draw on demographic voting behavior from both elections? Validate each of your generalizations.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the unit description and content outline.
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In class assignment, I will divide you into groups. Each group will submit one of these form.
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Assignment
You may wish to download presentation on Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
Letter from a Birmingham Jail: http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/documents/Letter_Birmingham_Jail.pdf
Video on Birmingham Jail speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIpfCVt2eb4
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Assignment
You may wish to download the slides.
Title IX article and Video: https://coe.hawaii.edu/about/title-ix-education-amendments-gender-equity
Voting Rights Act of 1965 article and video: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/voting-rights-act
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Assignment
You may wish to download the slides on selective incorporation.
Bill of Rights Article: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/bill-of-rights/
Video on due process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmbpyerUxe4
Video on McDonalds case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwQn1ecxaRE
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Assignment
You may wish to download the powerpoint presentation.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the unit description and unit content outline.
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Assignment
Powerpoint slide assignments.
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Assignment
Test retake (or first time for Yosemite) dates are Tuesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 27 in Room 407.
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Assignment
Submit assignment to [email protected] by 8 am.
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Iron Triangle".
This assignment title is "Iron Triangle".
Visit the following website: https://www.einvestigator.com/federal-regulatory-agencies/ and pick one of the independent regulatory agencies. Answer the following questions:
1. What agency did you pick?
2. What does this agency do?
3. What Congressional committees do they work with? Explain how they work with these committees. (you may need to visit the house web site (http://www.house.gov/committees/) / senate web site (http://www.senate.gov/committees/committees_home.htm)for a list of committees)
4. What industries does this agency work with? Explain how they work with these industries.
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Assignment
You may wish to download slides on Bureaucracy and chart.
Article on FCC and net neutrality:https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/27/democrats-fcc-reverse-net-neutrality-426641
Embarrassing Cabinet decisions: https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/09/politics/cabinet-secretaries-ethical-behavior/index.html
Pendleton Act: https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=48
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Assignment
You may wish download the powerpoint presentation.
Quiz on the Supreme Court: https://www.constitutionfacts.com/?page=supremeCourtQuiz.cfm
Federalist Paper 78: http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/federalist-no-78/
Video explanation of Fed Papers 78: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5gAVO6op8A
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Assignment
Submit assignment to [email protected] by 8 am.
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Supreme Court Justices".
Visit the web site (http://www.ontheissues.org/court/court.htm) . Gorsuch is missing, but you can search for him in the search box. In addition, there is an attached article that might help you.
For each judge, identify them as either liberal or conservative and give a reason of justification of your assessment.
Samuel Alito
Stephen Breyer
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Elena Kagan
John Roberts
Sonia Sotomayor
Clarence Thomas
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Supreme Court Justices".
Visit the web site (http://www.ontheissues.org/court/court.htm) . Gorsuch is missing, but you can search for him in the search box. In addition, there is an attached article that might help you.
For each judge, identify them as either liberal or conservative and give a reason of justification of your assessment.
Samuel Alito
Stephen Breyer
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Elena Kagan
John Roberts
Sonia Sotomayor
Clarence Thomas
Neil Gorsuch
Brettt Kavanaugh
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Assignment
You may wish to download slides on the federal court system.
Video on writ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEjgAXxrkXY
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation on government budgets.
Article on Gramm Rudman Act
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation on the President.
Fed Papers 70:
Article on revolving cabinet:
Article on previous departing chief of staff:
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation on the President.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the powerpoint presentation on the role of legislators.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the handout on the difference between the House and Senate:
Filibuster article:http://articles.latimes.com/2003/nov/12/nation/na-senate12
Filibuster video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3fSV8Ky77c
Unanimous consent v hold: https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/01/27/democrats-in-congress-can-block-trumps-agenda-if-they-want-to-heres-how/?utm_term=.5688e57cd8c4
Discharge Petition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrlekUyd7vU
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Assignment
Submit assignment to [email protected] by 8 am.
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Congressional Committees."
Visit one of the websites listed below and answer the following questions:
On the subject line, please write, "Period, Last Name, First Name, Assignment Title"
This assignment title is "Congressional Committees."
Visit one of the websites listed below and answer the following questions:
a. Pick a Senate or House standing committee.
b. Who is the chairperson?
c. What is the membership breakdown? (Democrats v. Republicans)
d. Click on one of the articles on the website and summarize it.
e. Find a bill that the committee is discussing and summarize it.
f. Visit the following link and find the bill mentioned in e.
b. Who is the chairperson?
c. What is the membership breakdown? (Democrats v. Republicans)
d. Click on one of the articles on the website and summarize it.
e. Find a bill that the committee is discussing and summarize it.
f. Visit the following link and find the bill mentioned in e.
https://www.govtrack.us/, click on browse, click bills and resolution,
What is their assessment on the likelihood of the bill passing? Do you agree with their assessment? Explain your answer.
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Assignment
Look at website (http://bensguide.gpo.gov/how-laws-are-made) which summarizes how laws are made. Also video on how bills become laws (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyeJ55o3El0). You may wish to download the slides as well.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation.
Article on Jim Jeffords: http://articles.latimes.com/2001/may/24/news/mn-2050
Tracking Congress in the Age of Trump: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation:
Gerrymandering video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mky11UJb9AY
Congressional District 27:https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2011/08/map_20110815_ap_cd_27_certified.pdf
Gerrymander article and video: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/05/15/americas-most-gerrymandered-congressional-districts/?utm_term=.90db54cabbef
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Assignment
You may wish to download the content description and course outline
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Assignment
Test retake days will be Wednesday, January 22 and Wednesday, January 29.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation.
Bill of Rights video:
Why is it so hard to amend the Constitution?
Patriot Act
Public School Funding:
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Assignment
You may wish to download the presentation.
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Assignment
Email assignment to [email protected] by 8 am. On the subject line, please list: Federalist scripts.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the slide and the handout.
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Assignment
You may wish to download the information on the Triangle Theory.
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Assignment
You may wish to complete the chart on the Articles of Confederation.
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Assignment
You may wish download the presentation on democracy. Article on California state of insanity
Article on New Congress:
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Assignment
You may wish to download the following documents to assist you in the class. Also, you may wish to use this link for sample test questions:
You may also wish to log into your ap account and complete the Unit1 Progress Check: MCQ before the exam date.
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Assignment
Unit 1 Overview Documents. Also articles on Locke.
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Assignment
Probably the two files you will need the most for your essays: