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WeekTopicReadings 15th EditionReadings (online text edition)Readings (yellow class copies)ObjectivesObjectivesObjectivesVideosChapter Menu
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Sep 6-9Introduction to Course
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Sep 12-16Public Opinion/Political Socialization176-183, 186-190191-199, 203-207202-209, 214-219a & ba) describe how public opinion is measured.b) describe how Americans participate in politics.Polling & Political ActionPublic Opinion & Political Action Chapter Menu
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Sep 19-23Public Opinion/Political Socialization174-176, 183-186189-191, 199-203200-201, 210-214c & dc) identify and explain factors of political socialization.d) assess the influence of political ideology on Americans’ political thinking and behavior.
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Sep 28-30Political Parties225-230246-250259-264aa) explain the functions of political parties.Political Parties Systems & FunctionsPolitical Parties Chapter Menu
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https://goo.gl/31Yc5u
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Oct 3-6Political Parties231-236, 243-244252-255,
263-264		265-269, 277-278b & cb) describe how political parties are organized in the United States.c) Explain structural and cultural barriers to third party and independent candidate success.Third Parties
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Oct 11-14
Test on Political Parties & introduce Campaign finance PBL
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Oct 17-21Nominations, Campaigns, Elections, & Voting Behavior254-263, 267-274275-283, 286-291290-298, 301-306a & ba) explain the nominating process, including the caucus and primary systems.b) explain how fund-raising for federal offices is regulated by campaign finance laws.Campaign FinanceNominations, Campaigns, Elecitons & Voting Chapter Menu
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Oct 24-28Nominations, Campaigns, Elections, & Voting Behavior287-292, 297-298298-303, 303-305307-318, 318-321c & dc) Identify the factors that influence whether people vote or not, and for whom they vote.d) Evaluate the fairness of the Electoral College system for choosing the president.Elections & Voting
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Oct 31-Nov 4
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Nov 9-11Constitution35-37, 37-4740-43, 44-50a & ba) determine the reasons for the failure of the Articles of Confederation.b) assess how compromises at the Constitutional Convention shaped the US political system.Constitution videoConstitution Chapter Menu
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Nov 14-18Constitution37-48, 47-5450-54, 54-63c & dc) identify the core principles of the Constitution.d) explain the difficulties of ratifying the Constitution and explaining how the Constitution can be formally and informally amended.
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Nov 21-23Federalism69-7477-84aa) Describe how the Constitution allocates power between the national and state governments.Federalism VideoFederalism Chapter Menu
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Nov 28-Dec 8Federalism71-72, 74-8379-80, 82,
84-95		bI & bIIbI) Explain how the appropriate balance of power between national and state governments has been interpreted differently over time. Court decisions.bII) Explain how the appropriate balance of power between national and state governments has been interpreted differently over time. Amendments, clauses & powers.
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Dec 9Congress352-358, Const. Article 1 652-654aa) Describe the powers and functions of Congress.Congress in Action videoCongess Chapter Menu
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Jan 3-6Congress342-352370-381bb) Compare the Senate and House of Representatives in terms of how constituencies, lawmaking authority, and chamber rules and roles affect the policy-making process.Bill Becomes a Law
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Jan 9-18Congressc: 355, 340, 245-246, 614, 142

d: 347-348		279-281, 368-369, 384-385c & dc) Explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government.d) Explain how Congress uses its oversight power in its relationship with the executive branch.a & b
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Jan 19Interest Groups11.a1
Pages 305- 310, 313, 315- 328

11.a2
Pages 459- 461		a1 & a2Describe the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making. EK 4.C.4.a: Interest groups may represent very specific or more general interests, and can educate voters and office holders, draft legislation, and mobilize membership to apply pressure on and work with legislators and government agencies.Describe the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making. EK 4.C.4.b: In addition to working within party coalitions, interest groups exert influence through long-standing relationships with bureaucratic agencies, Congressional committees, and other interest groups; such relationships are described as “iron triangles” and issue networks and they help interest groups exert influence across political party coalitions.Interest GroupsInterest Groups Chapter Menu
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Jan 23-27Interest Groupsa3 & a4Describe the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making. EK 4.C.4.c: Interest group influence may be impacted by:
▶Inequality of resources
▶Unequal access to decision makers
▶“Free rider” problem		Describe the benefits and potential problems of interest-group influence on elections and policy making. EK 4.C.4.d: Different types of political action committees (PACs) influence elections and policy making through fundraising and spending.c & d
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Feb 7-10Presidencya) 372-375, 381-382, 388-389, 457
b) 376-380, 457		a & ba) Explain how presidential powers or functions can promote a policy agenda.b) Explain how the president’s agenda can create tension and frequent confrontations with Congress.Presidential Powers VideoPresidency Chapter Menu
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Federaist 70
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Feb 13-17
Feb 21-24		Presidencyc) 381-395 & Federalist 70
d) 385-386, 394-396		c & dc) Explain how presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers.d) Explain how communication technology has changed the president’s relationship with the national constituency and the other branches.Presidential War Powers
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Feb 27- Mar 3Bureaucracya) Pages:
437- 443,
452-456,
459-461
b) Pages:
443-452		a & ba) Explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal governmentb) Explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rulemaking and implementation.Bureaucracy Video #1Bureaucracy Chapter Menu
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Mar 6-10Bureaucracyc)
Pages:
456-458		cc) Explain the extent to which governmental branches can hold the bureaucracy accountable given the competing interests of Congress, the president, and the federal courts.Bureaucracy Video #2
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Mar 13-17Judicial BranchSee readings under each objectivea, b, & ca. Explain the principle of judicial review and how it checks the power of other institutions and state governments.

Pages: 482-490, Marbury v. Madison: https://goo.gl/IuIh9O,
Article III of the Constitution: https://goo.gl/dEvCfB, Federalist 78: https://goo.gl/BvDw3F 		b. Explain how the exercise of judicial review in conjunction with life tenure can lead to controversy about the legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s power.

Pages:
475-482
494-496

c. Describe ways other branches of government can limit the Supreme Court’s power.

Pages:
138-139
490-493
476-479
486-488		Judiciary VideoJudicial Branch Chapter Menu
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Mar 27-31Civil Liberties93-113, 113-123a & ba) Explain the extent to which the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First and Second Amendments reflects a commitment to individual liberty.b) Explain how the Supreme Court has attempted to balance claims of individual freedom with laws and enforcement procedures that promote public order and safety.Civil LibertiesCivil Liberties Menu
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April 1-April 4Civil Liberties118, 123-126,
96		c & dc) Explain the extent to which states are limited by the due process clause from infringing upon individual rights.d) Explain the implications of the doctrine of selective incorporation.
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Apr 4-7, 18-20Civil Rightsa, b, c, & da) Explain how constitutional provisions have supported and motivated social movements and policy responses.b) Explain how the Court has at times allowed the restriction of the civil rights of minority groups and at other times has protected those rights.Civil RIghtsCivil Rights Menu
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Dates below are approximations
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Apr 18-21Interaction of Branches of Gov
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Public policy10-13, 509-513, 526-540a, b, & ca) describe the stages of the policy process and how each stage can be influenced by different political players.b) distinguish between monetary and fiscal economic policies and describe the debate over their use.c) describe the different social welfare programs in the US, how those programs have changed over time, and explain the debate over the federal government’s role in each program.
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Public policy548-567, 574-599d & ed) explain the role of government in health care, the environment, and energy policy, and describe the major policies the US government has implemented in these three areas.e) explain the powers of the president to direct foreign policy and the executive agencies that support the president.
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Apr 24-28AP Exam Review
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May 1-5AP Exam May 4
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May 18-12State & Local Govt/FLE
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May 15-19State & Local Govt/FLE
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May 22-26State & Local Govt/FLE
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May 30-Jun 2State & Local Govt/FLE
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