WATKINS
AP GOVERNMENT
“Democracy
is a political system for people who are not too sure that they are right.”-
E.E. Schattschneider
“If
a nation expects to be ignorant and free,... it expects what never was and never
will be."-Thomas
Jefferson
Links of Interest:
Supplemental Readings for AP Gov
For Case Briefs review these websites:
or search Google
Economic Links and More
Other Stuff
Election Results and Costs of Election 2004
Political Parties: American Independent; Democrats; Republicans, Natural Law, Green Party, Libertarian Party.
What the Nation Thinks - Take a Poll
Where do you fall on the Political Spectrum? Check out the Political Compass.
Other sites for political spectrum quizzes: Neoconservative? On the Issues Spectrum Quiz US Spectrum Quizilla style one more Spectrum Quiz
Quizzes for American Government and Politics
Register to Vote!! Rock The Vote
Cost of War in Iraq
18 year old males must sign up for the Selective Service.
A guide to the Patriot Act.
The White House Home of our President and the powerful hub of the executive branch.
House of Representatives 108th Congress in session.
Supreme Court Read recent briefs and research current cases before The Court.
Fed World Great place to start research on any federal government department or agency.
State of CA Links for our state government
Orange County Local government links.
Defense Link Catch up on what the military did today.
California Voter Links Page Great research resource.
Slate Check out political cartoons and stay to read the controversial editorials.
US Government Printing Office Keeping America informed.
First Gov Take an active role in your government
For Case Briefs review these websites:
or search Google
Text book Resources: Go to Longman.
Working links for the Internet assignment:
Pres campaign commercials :http://livingroomcandidate.movingimage.us/index.php.
Gallup Poll http://www.gallup.com
Rationale:
What is the study of American Government and why is it important?
American government is government of, by and for the people.
However, do we really understand the importance of that statement?
The people can participate in a meaningful way only if they understand
how the government operates and what their roles in that government are.
Government can be no better than the people are willing to make it! And, while the system can be a complex one, it performs many
functions that affect your life.
This Advanced Placement course is designed to be both quantitatively and
qualitatively different from regular US Government. This course provides the academically motivated student with
collegiate experience that focuses on the analytic skills and factual knowledge
to deal critically with the development of the American political system.
The primary goal of this course is not only to prepare you for the AP
Government exams, but also to help you understand how the political process
works. To accomplish this, it is
important to analyze the significance of political issues and events both
contemporary an historical. This course will challenge you to examine, analyze and
evaluate our complex system of government, in which many groups and individuals
interact.
Textbook: Government in America, 8th edition (2002) Edwards, Wattenberg and Lineberry
***Readings and Information above taken from http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/APGOV_Class_Page.htm. ***
Please refer to Social Studies Help for additional course resources
Course
Structure
Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics
Constitutional
Foundations
Public Opinion and the Media
Political
Parties, Nominations and Campaigns
Political
Participation
Policymakers:
Congress and the Presidency
State
and Local Government
Policymaking:
Budget and Bureaucracy
The
Courts: Liberties, Rights and Public Policy