Course Syllabus
Syllabus AP United States Government & Politics, One Semester
Welcome
Welcome to AP United States Government & Politics! We’re so glad you’re here.
Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.
To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.
As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.
We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community!
AP Pacing & Work Flow
This 16-week semester course has been designed so that--on average--you will be completing about one lesson each week, with additional time allotted for exams and special projects.
Plan to devote about one hour each weekday to this class, just as you would for one class period in a physical school building, plus some extra “homework” time for bigger assignments as needed.
Unlike other asynchronous courses you may have taken online, AP semester courses have due dates and deadlines that you will need to follow. Pay close attention to the course calendar and establish a routine early that works best for you. Then, pace yourself by setting targeted, attainable, and manageable goals each day. Planning ahead, balance, and routine will be your best friends!
This course is to be completed within one semester. See the AP Course Calendar Dates on Mizzou Academy’s website for more information.
AP Participation
Participation in online discussions (e.g., discussion forums, chats, group projects, and/or instructor conferences) is expected and will factor into your overall course grade.
All online discussions described in course lesson pages are required unless your instructor notes otherwise. Your instructor may also arrange additional required chats or instructor conferences. Be sure to regularly check the course calendar and announcements from your instructor regarding upcoming discussions and requirements.
Your participation in required online discussions will be evaluated on criteria such as frequency, timeliness, thoughtfulness and effort, and overall contribution to the knowledge base and learning experience of your classmates. You are also expected to monitor and respond to posts on discussion threads that you have started or have previously contributed to; you should not simply make a post and consider the discussion “done,” because it should be an ongoing conversation with your peers and/or instructor.
Postings that begin new discussion forum threads will be reviewed based on their relevance, demonstrated understanding of course concepts, examples cited, and overall quality. Postings that respond to other students’ posts will be evaluated based on relevance, the degree to which they extend discussions, and tone. This may entail asking a question or comparing and/or contrasting your classmate’s post with your own.
In order to earn full credit for discussion forum participation, your posts and responses must be substantive. In other words, you will not earn credit for just replying "Good post" or "I agree" to a classmate.
AP - Late Work and Absences
Work must be turned in on time for full credit. If you are unable to complete an assignment on time, contact your instructor immediately. Prior permission from the online course instructor must be obtained for special circumstances to receive credit for late work. These decisions will be made on an individual basis.
You must notify your instructor if you expect to be offline for more than 1 week.
Course Description
AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behaviors. Underpinning the required content of the course are several big ideas that allow students to create meaningful connections among concepts throughout the course.
Students will also engage in skill development that requires them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they will complete a political science research or applied civics project.
College Course Equivalent
AP U.S. Government and Politics is equivalent to an introductory college course in U.S. Government. (2023 CED)
Course Essential Questions
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How do the U.S. Constitution’s core principles (separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, limited government, and popular sovereignty) shape the structure and behavior of U.S. political institutions?
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How do political beliefs, public opinion, parties, elections, interest groups, and the media influence political participation and the policy-making process in the United States?
- How have Supreme Court decisions and foundational documents defined, expanded, or limited civil liberties and civil rights, and what explains changes over time?
Course Overview
AP United States Government |
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Lesson (AP Unit) |
AP Learning Objectives |
Quiz |
Assignment |
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1: 0/1- Intro to AP US Government and Politics and Foundations of American Democracy (Unit 1: 1.1-1.5) |
1.1 Ideals of Democracy 1.2 Types of Democracy 1.3 Government Power and Individual Rights 1.4 Challenges of the Articles of Confederation 1.5 Ratification of the U.S. Constitution |
N/A |
L1 Discussion- Role of Government (10pts) |
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2: Federalism (Unit 1: 1.6-1.9) |
1.6 Principles of American Government 1.7 Relationship between the States and National Government 1.8 Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism 1.9 Federalism in Action |
20 MCQ (L1-L2) |
L2 Discussion- Federalism L2 Journal- Federalism L2 Assignment- Electoral College Writing |
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3: Legislative Branch (Unit 2: 2.1-2.3, 2.12-2.15) |
2.1 Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives 2.2 Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress 2.3 Congressional Behavior 2.12 The Bureaucracy 2.13 Discretionary and Rulemaking Authority 2.14 Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable 2.15 Policy and the Branches of Government |
N/A |
L3 Discussion- Gerrymandering |
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4: Executive Branch (Unit 2: 2.4-2.7, 2.12-2.15) |
2.4 Roles and Powers of the President 2.5 Checks on the Presidency 2.6 Expansion of Presidential Power 2.7 Presidential Communication 2.12 The Bureaucracy 2.13 Discretionary and Rulemaking Authority 2.14 Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable 2.15 Policy and the Branches of Government |
N/A |
L4 Discussion- Pledge of Allegiance Congress |
|
5:Judicial Branch (Unit 2: 2.8-2.11, 2.12-2.15) |
2.8 The Judicial Branch 2.9 The Role of the Judicial Branch 2.10 The Court in Action 2.11 Checks on the Judicial Branch 2.12 The Bureaucracy 2.13 Discretionary and Rulemaking Authority 2.14 Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable 2.15 Policy and the Branches of Government |
20 MCQ (L3-L5) |
L5 Discussion- Pledge of Allegiance Judicial L5 Journal- Judicial Review L5 Assignment- Judicial Branch Writing |
Midterm Exam- 55 MCQ, 2 Free Response Questions (FRQ) |
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6: Civil Rights and Liberties (Unit 3: 3.1-3.13) |
3.1 The Bill of Rights 3.2 First Amendment: Freedom of Religion 3.3 First Amendment: Freedom of Speech 3.4 First Amendment: Freedom of the Press 3.5 Second Amendment: Right to Bear Arms 3.6 Amendments: Balancing Individual Freedom with Public Order and Safety 3.7 Selective Incorporation 3.8 Amendments: Due Process and the Rights of the Accused 3.9 Amendments: Due Process and the Right to Privacy 3.10 Social Movements and Equal Protection 3.11 Government Responses to Social Movements 3.12 Balancing Minority and Majority Rights 3.13 Affirmative Action |
20 MCQ |
L6 Discussion- Civil Liberties L6 Journal- Supreme Court L6 Assignment- Liberties/ Rights |
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7: Political Opinions and Ideologies (Unit 4: 4.1-4.10; Unit 5: 5.12-5.13) |
4.1 American Attitudes About Government and Politics 4.2 Political Socialization 4.3 Changes in Ideology 4.4 Influence of Political Events on Ideology 4.5 Measuring Public Opinion 4.6 Evaluating Public Opinion Data 4.7 Ideologies of Political Parties 4.8 Ideology and Policy Making 4.9 Ideology and Economic Policy 4.10 Ideology and Social Policy 5.12 The Media 5.13 Changing Media |
20 MCQ |
L7 Discussion- Political Opinions/Ideologies L7 Journal- Fake News L7 Assignment- Political Opinions/Ideologies Writing |
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8: Political Participation (Unit 5: 5.1-5.11) |
5.1 Voting Rights and Models of Voting Behaviors 5.2 Voter Turnout 5.3 Political Parties 5.4 How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt 5.5 Third-Party Politics 5.6 Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making 5.7 Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes 5.8 Electing a President 5.9 Congressional Elections 5.10 Modern Campaigns 5.11 Campaign Finance 5.12 The Media 5.13 Changing Media |
20 MCQ |
L8 Discussion- Political Participation L8 Journal- Politics in the US L8 Assignment- Political Representation Writing |
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9: Output of Government (Unit 5: 5.6-5.7, 5.10-5.11) |
5.6 Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making 5.7 Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes 5.10 Modern Campaigns 5.11 Campaign Finance |
L9 Discussion - Output of Government |
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10: Missouri State Government (No AP Unit) |
Basics of Missouri State Government |
MO Gov’t Exam |
N/A |
Final Exam- 55 MCQ, 2 FRQ |
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Grades
Adjust chart to reflect the particular way a course is set up. No participation points for Global.
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:
| Source | Available Points |
|---|---|
| Lesson Assignments | 200 |
| Lesson Quizzes | 120 |
| Midterm Exam | 95 |
| Final Exam | 195 |
| Total | 610 |
AP Discussions
Participation in online discussions (e.g., discussion forums, chats, community projects, and/or instructor conferences) is expected and will factor into your overall course grade.
All online discussions described in course lesson pages are required unless your instructor notes otherwise. Your instructor may also arrange additional required chats or instructor conferences. Be sure to regularly check the course calendar and announcements from your instructor regarding upcoming discussions and requirements.
Your participation in required online discussions will be evaluated on criteria such as frequency, timeliness, thoughtfulness and effort, and overall contribution to the knowledge base and learning experience of your classmates. You are also expected to monitor and respond to posts on discussion threads which you have started or have previously contributed to; you should not simply make a post and consider the discussion “done,” because it should be an ongoing conversation with your peers and/or instructor.
Postings that begin new discussion forum threads will be reviewed based on their relevance, demonstrated understanding of course concepts, examples cited, and overall quality. Postings that respond to other students’ posts will be evaluated based on relevance, degree to which they extend discussions, and tone.
Accessibility
If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.Textbook & Technology Requirements
To fully participate, make sure you have:
- A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
- A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
- Any other required textbooks or materials for the course
Canvas Technical Support
Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.
- Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
- For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide: How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
- For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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