Upload
fay-palmer
View
218
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A.P. Government Exam Information
2 hours and 25 minutes60 MC questions – 45 minutes4 FRQ’s – 100 minutes
- One FRQ will almost be stimulus based (cartoon, chart, graph, etc.)
Scoring
MC – 1 point for every correct responseADVICE – be certain to answer the questions
you know first! If you come across a question and you are “stuck” move on and come back when time remains.
Use test taking strategies – try and eliminate at LEAST one answer, take educated guesses, etc.
There is no deduction for incorrect responses, therefore answer every question, it can not HURT you!
Scoring
4 Frq’s – 50% of total gradeWhile each FRQ may have a different point
value (4, 5, 6, etc.) each are weighted equally.Under no circumstances should you SKIP any
FRQ.If you do not know the full answer, answer
what you know and try to convince the reader to give you at least partial credit.
Each FRQ should take approximately 25 minutes – that is plenty of time, use it!
Test Day
Tuesday, 5-15 from 8-12 in the school auditorium
While you should know this, please bring- multiple pencils and erasers- a black pen for writing (black is easier
to read)- a watch (no alarms or beeps allowed
though)
PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING
No cell phones, ipods, or other electronic devices allowed. A violation will result in your test not being scored and could result in invalidation of other exams
If you bring water or a snack please put your name on the items you bring – they will be collected at the start and returned to you during the break!
The night before the test…..
Get a good nights sleepStudy/skim your key notes and worksheets – this
would be a great time to review your “Gotta Knows” worksheets, double check some vocabulary, etc.
Focus in on the things you really struggle with – if you know Unit 1, spend a few minutes refreshing then MOVE ON
Try and watch the news or do something government related to keep your mind sharp
The day of
PLEASE eat a good breakfast – you do not want to be distracted during the test because your stomach is growling or you feel weak, light headed, dizzy, etc.
Content
Unit 1 – Constitutional Underpinnings 5-15%
Unit 2 – Beliefs and Behaviors 5-15%
Unit 3 – Linkage Groups 10-20%Unit 4 – Government Institutions 30-
45% Unit 5 – Civil Rights/Civil Liberties 5-15%Unit 6 – Public Policy 5-
15%
This PowerPoint….
A guide, not fully developed contentA good review the night before/morning ofVague and generalShould NOT be the only thing you studyYou CAN and SHOULD add notes in the notes
sectionDisclaimer – may contain multiple typo’s, less
than desired format, and fragmented information – focus on the concepts and terms, not structure!
Unit 1 – Constitutional Underpinnings
Democratic- Government depends on the consent of
the people- Indirect Democracy instead of Direct –
why?
Additional Theories
Elitist Theory – a small select group rules, usually in their own self interest
Bureaucratic Theory – the many bureaucratic agencies carry out the workings of the government
Pluralist Theory – many groups compete for power with no one dominant group existing
Influences
John Locke – social contractEnglish heritage
- Magna Carta – limited government
- English Bill of Rights- Petition of Rights
Establishing our Govenrment
Mayflower CompactFrench-Indian War (creates conflict with British
over taxes)Continental CongressRevolutionArticles of ConfederationConstitutional Convention
- slavery, representation, Great Compromise, Federalists, Anti-Federalists.
Federalists Anti-Federalists
A.O.C. was to weakNeeded a stronger
central governmentChecks and
balances would prevent tyranny
Reserved powers for states
No Bill of Rights need
Fearful of tyranny and oppression that strong government could bring
Need the Bill of Rights
More power to the states
The Constitution
The Constitution - Priniciples
Limited GovernmentPopular SovereigntySeparation of PowersChecks and BalancesFederalismRule of Law
Amending the Constitution
Congress and state legislatures ratify new ammendment
State legislatures call for a national convention and then state legislatures ratify
Informal- Judicial Review- Social and culture changes
Federalism
Expressed powers v. implied powersElastic ClauseExpressed powers v. reserved powers (10th
amendment)C0ncurrent powersDenied powersImportance of McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons
v. Ogden
Federalism
Dual – Layer cakeCooperative – marble cakeDevolutionFiscal Federalism – grants (categorical v.
block) mandates (funded v. unfunded)
Political Culture
American Political Culture- Majority rule/minority rights- Equality/equity- Private property- individual freedom- economic freedom/competition- Limited government
Political Socialization
SchoolFamilyFriendsMedia
Family is probably the most important, but “to each their own”
Public Opinion
PollsIf done right…
- random sample- unbiased language- small margin of error- multiple answer choices
Problems- intensity- lack of knowledge- not enough answer choices
Political Parties
Two Party Tradition (British roots, Federalists v. Anti-Federalist)
Electoral system (single member districts)
Party Tradition
Party development (1789-1800)Democratic Domination (1800-1860)Republican Domination (1860-1932)Democratic returns (1932-1968)Divided/Split (1968-present)
Dealignment – voters split from partyRealignment - new coalition of parties form
Third Parties
Ideological (Communist, Socialist, Libertarian)
Splinter/personality/factional (Bull Moose, Progressive)
Single Issue (Free soil, Prohibition, Populist)
Voting and Elections
Voting – first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
CaucusPrimaries (open and closed)General electionOther types (recall, referendum, initiative)Disenfranchisement – how and why did it
change?
Why don’t people vote?
Multiple elections (federal, state, local)ApathyMistrust of officialsLack of knowledgeLittle political efficacy
Electing the President
LONG (really LONG) processExploration, announce intent to run,
campaign, primaries and caucus, national convention, general election, electoral college
Electing the President
270 electoral votes needed to win# determined by state populationIf no winner gets 270 electoral votes, the
H.O.R. decides
Interest Groups
Functions – represent people with similar interest, provide information to those people, also try to “lobby” politicians
Offer people benefits for joining, especially those that provide a “collective” good
Different types- Economic (Labor, NEA)- Specific goals (NAACP, Sierra Club,
NRA, MADD)
Strategies of Interest Groups
Lobbying, grassroots lobbying, , litagition, using the media, fundraising (PACS)
The Mass Media
Development – has been around throughout American history but has become much more influential since the age of TV
Roles – informs, shapes, watchdog, agenda setting, gate keepers
Regulations – FCC (structure, content, technical)
President/Congress – use to reach out to the public. President and Speaker of House use the media most to get their messages out
Unit IV - Institutions
This is the most tested area of the exam. Fortunately the information from this unit is looked at throughout most of the other units. PLEASE do not just assume that if you know the basic information about the 3 branches of government that you are good to go, this unit goes much deepers
The Legislative Branch
Article IBicameralHouse – population,
Senate - equalityQualificationsPowers (implied v.
expressed)
Serve as- policy makers- representatives
of citizens- representatives
of political parties
Should they serve us or do what they think is best for the country?
The Legislative Branch
Most work occurs in committees (standing, select, joint, conference)
Speaker of House is most powerful member, followed by majoirty and minority leaders
The law making process is very long and drawn out (be sure to review the steps)
Tactics used include filibusters (ended by cloture) log rolling, pork barrel legislation, riders.
Influences on the Legislative Branch
ConstituentsFellow lawmakersPolitical party The PresidentThe mediaThe almighty dollarLobbyist/Interest Groups
The Executive Branch
Article IIQualifications (formal v. informal)Powers (formal v. informal)2 term limit (22nd amendment)Succession established in 23rd amendmentImpeachment process (house brings, senate
tries)NOT directly elected by the people (electoral
college)
The Bureaucracy
Red TapeIndependent executive agencies (NASA)Independent regulatory agencies ( the FED)Government corporations (AMTRAK, Post
office)Characterized by
- hierarchical authority- job specialization- formal rules
Checks on the Bureaucracy
AppointmentsFundingJudicial reviewCongressional oversight (hearings,
investigations)
The Judicial Branch
Judicial review SCOTUS – life term (good behavior) Selection process (party affiliation, philosophy, race, gender,
prior rulings, etc) Judicial activism v. Judicial restraint Least accountable to the citizens Writ of Cert. Precedent (stare decisis) Rule of Four Different types of opinions (majority, dissenting, concurring)
The Judicial Branch
Civil v. Criminal casesJurisdiction (original v. appellate)Levels of courts (District, Court of Appeals,
State)Key vocabulary
-writ of habeas corpus ex post facto laws Bill of attainder Incorporation Selective incorporation Due process
The Judicial Branch
Bill of Rights - fundamental freedoms (speech, religion, press, etc) -Protection for those accused of crime (due process,
legal counsel, trial by jury, no cruel and unusual punishment, etc.)
Civil Liberties
Freedoms found in the Bill of RightsRights of the accused and due process14th amendment and incorporationCourt case graphic organizer
Civil Rights
History of Discrimination (Slavery, Reconstruction amendments, Jim Crow Laws, Civil Rights Movement)
Important court cases (Plessy, Brown, Bakke)Key vocabulary – affirmative action
Unit VI – Public Policy
Policy Making process – agenda setting, political agenda, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, policy evaluation
Related Issues: Economics, health care, welfare, environmental policy
Fiscal Policy v. Monetary policyBudget Steps and process