AP U.S. Government & Politics Study Notes

AP U.S. Government & Politics

UNIT ONE: CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATIONS & FEDERALISM

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
  • Question 1: Why did the Framers create a representative republic and what are the key characteristics of that system?
  • Question 2: How did philosophical influences and political debates shape the formation of the Constitution?
  • Question 3: What does the Constitution actually say about the U.S. system of government? What key principles of representative democracy are outlined in this document?
  • Question 4: Why is American-style federalism unique? What trends, benefits, and challenges does it create?
DAILY PLAN
DATE

  • Wednesday, 8/13

    • In Class: Welcome & Orientation
    • Homework Due: Summer Reading Paragraphs
    • Topics Covered: Class Syllabus & Policies
    • Discussion: Importance of civics education
    • Activities: 1. Review syllabus, Google Classroom, AP Classroom, etc.
    1. Sign the syllabus (parent signature required)
    2. Prepare for summer reading test & seminar

  • Friday, 8/15

    • In Class: Summer Reading Test & Seminar
    • Homework Due: Syllabus Signatures (Minor Grade)
    • Discussion Topics: Q&A session, Class Architecture
    • Activities: 1. Read Hofstadter excerpt (#1)
    1. Listen to Coady/Ellis podcast, first 23 minutes (#2)
    2. [Encouraged] Review American Founding in LOGIC textbook (first 1/3 of Chapter 2)

  • Tuesday, 8/19

    • In Class: Ideals of Democracy
    • Discussion Topic: Declaration of Independence
    • Activities: Seminar discussion involving Hofstadter and Coady/Ellis articles
    • Homework: 1. Read all three articles about the Preamble from the National Constitution Center (#3)
    1. Watch Sharon McMahon’s TEDx Talk (#4)

  • Thursday, 8/21

    • In Class: The Constitutional Convention
    • Activities: Seminar Discussion on Preamble and McMahon talk
    • Homework: 1. Read about Federalists & Anti-Federalists in LOGIC textbook (pgs. 65-74 for 12th ed., 69-78 for 11th ed., 70-78 for 10th ed.)
    1. Complete the Federalist Papers Handout (Google Classroom)

  • Monday, 8/25

    • In Class: The Ratification Debate
    • Homework Due: Federalist Papers Handout (Minor Grade)
    • Activities: Thoughtfully read the full U.S. Constitution + Amendments (Appendix 3 in LOGIC textbook)

  • Wednesday, 8/27

    • In Class: The U.S. Constitution Quiz (Minor Grade)
    • Activities: Diagrams on the Constitution
    • Homework: 1. Read about the path to nationalization in LOGIC textbook (pgs. 99-112 for 12th ed., 106-120 for 11th ed., 103-116 for 10th ed.)
    1. Take notes on the three reasons for the nationalization of public policy since the 1930s (with examples)

  • Friday, 8/29

    • In Class: Federalism in the Constitution
    • Homework Due: Textbook Notes (Minor Grade)
    • Cases Discussed: McCulloch v. Maryland & U.S. v. Lopez
    • Activities: 1. Read the Levin article (#5)
    1. Read the Allen article (#6)

  • Monday, 9/1

    • Holiday: Labor Day

  • Wednesday, 9/3

    • In Class: Federalism in Practice
    • Activities: Seminar discussion involving Levin & Allen articles, Federal Mandate case studies
    • Homework: 1. Study for Unit 1 Test
    1. Finish Unit 1 Study Guide, Tutorial, & Supplemental Unit 1 Test
    2. Homework Due: Unit 1 Study Guide (Major Grade), Tutorial & Supplemental

  • Monday, 9/8 - 9/12

    • Interim Week
UNIT 1 SOURCES

  1. Reading: The American Political Tradition (Richard Hofstadter, pgs. 79-84 in Lanahan Reader)

    • Note: Contains a more challenging excerpt; utilize the introductory statement for guidance.

  2. Podcast: What Would the Founding Fathers Say About America Today? (Joseph Ellis, interviewed by Roxanne Coady; listen to min. 0-23:00)

  3. Interpretation: The Preamble (National Constitution Center; read all three articles under “Common Interpretation/Matters of Debate”)

  4. Video: How to Have Hope for American Democracy (Sharon McMahon for TEDx Talks)

  5. Article: What Is Our Constitution? (Yuval Levin for National Review)

  6. Article: The Flawed Genius of the Constitution (Danielle Allen for The Atlantic)

AP TUTORIAL
  • Asynchronous tasks (complete at any time prior to Unit 1 Test):
    • Required: Complete the Unit 1 Progress Check in AP Classroom (multiple-choice practice)
    • Optional: Draft the Unit 1 Practice FRQ (Question #1 only)
UNIT 1 FLASHCARDS
  • Flashcard Content: Successful flashcards discussed beyond base definitions, including details, examples, context, and significance. No generative AI content allowed.
    • Key Terms:
    • Popular Sovereignty
    • Limited Government
    • Natural Rights & the Social Contract
    • Direct vs. Representative Democracy
    • Elite Theory vs. Pluralist Theory vs. Participatory Democracy
    • Shays’ Rebellion
    • Great (Connecticut) Compromise
    • Three-Fifths Compromise
    • Brutus 1
    • Federalist 10
    • Federalist 51
    • Tyranny of the Majority
    • Checks & Balances
    • Enumerated vs. Reserved vs. Concurrent Powers
    • Federalism (including dual vs. cooperative)
    • Interstate Commerce Clause
    • Necessary & Proper Clause
    • Supremacy Clause
    • 10th Amendment
    • McCulloch v. Maryland
    • U.S. v. Lopez
    • Nationalization
    • Block vs. Categorical Grants
    • Devolution
    • Mandates (including unfunded mandates)
UNIT 1 SHORT ANSWERS
  • Note: Three questions will randomly appear on the unit test, with a choice of two; these must be handwritten.
  • Suggested Topics for Development:
    1. Using Federalist 51 arguments: Explain how checks and balances and federalism contribute to "limited government."
    2. Framers' Preference: Discuss why the Framers favored a representative republic over direct democracy.
    3. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation: Identify three key weaknesses and how the Constitution addressed these.
    4. Compromises of 1787 Convention: Explain how legislative structure and slavery institution reflect political compromises.
    5. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Analyze arguments in Federalist 10 and Brutus 1, highlighting differing approaches to representative democracy.
    6. Amendment Process: Describe the most common method for adding amendments (including both steps) and the rarity of occurrence, as well as informal evolutions of the Constitution.
    7. Nationalization Clauses: Explain how the Interstate Commerce Clause and Necessary and Proper Clause contribute to nationalization trends.
    8. Key Precedents: Describe constitutional interpretation and key precedents established by McCulloch v. Maryland and U.S. v. Lopez.
    9. Federal Influence on State Policy: Discuss specific examples of federal grants and mandates influencing state policymaking.
    10. Collective Action Problems: Explain why states often turn to the federal government for solutions based on LOGIC textbook evidence.