Note: Revised FEBRUARY 20, 2004
Text: American Government, James Q. Wilson and John J.
DiIulio, Eighth Edition, Houghton Mifflin, New York, 2001.
Supplemental reader: American Government: Readings and Cases
by Peter Woll. WEEK OF TOPICS & EXAMS TEXT READING SUPPLEMENTARY READING 8/25-9/15 Course Mechanics Origins of Government Intro to Political Philosophy Political Power, Types of Power, The
Nature of Democracy. Chapters 1, 22 and 23 Pluralism
- On line--due Monday
9/15/03 The Power
Elite - On
Line--due Monday
9/15/03 Woll- 1,2 (all Woll numbers refer to the
article number not chapter)--
due Monday
9/15/03--take notes 9/15-9/26 The Nature of the Revolution. The Constitution and Liberty. Chapter 2 --
notes due
Wed.9/17/03 Roche article in Woll, 2 Beard article in Woll, 3 9/15-9/26 Federalism and the Anti
Federalists. The Evolution of Federalism and its
Relationship of the States. Politics in Action Formulating Economic Policy Exam Chapters 3 and 16 Federalist Papers - #39,
- in Woll and online. 9/29 and 9/30 Unit I Exam Review of Exam Study None 10/01-10/10 Political Culture Chapter 4 Political
Culture - On Line 10/13 - 10/24 Public Opinion Political Attitudes and
Ideology Chapter 5 Woll as assigned in class; 10/27-11/14 Political Participation Exam Chapter 6 Woll as assigned in class 11/17 - 11/28 Interest Groups & Political
Conflict The Modern Lobby System Chapter 9 Woll -- 32 12/01 - 12/12 The American Political Party
System. Development and
Characteristics, Programs and Ideology Chapter 7 12/15 - 12/19 &
01/05-01/09 American Election System. Nominations and Campaigns. Campaign Financing Alignment, Realignment and
Dealignment Chapter 8 01/12 - 01/23 Exam The Role of the Media. Public Control and Mass Media. Chapter 10 01/26 - 02/20 Congress The Policy Structure &
Congress The Structure of Congressional
Action The Committee System. Exam Chapter 11 NO WOLL READINGS FOR THIS
CHAP. 02/23 - 03/05 The Presidency: Leading the Nation The Bureaucracy: Running The Nation Chapter 12 SENATE SIMULATION IN CLASS: CH.12
STILL DUE 03/05 "Imperial Presidency" handout 3/08 - 03/19 The Judicial Process Structure and Function of the Court
System The Supreme Court and Judicial
Activism Checking the Courts Chapter 14 Federalist Papers #78 in Woll (60) and
Online 03/22 - 03/29 Civil Liberties and Civil
Rights Chapters 18 and 19 3/29 - 04/02 Civil Rights Chapters 18 and 19 Various handouts 04/19 - 05/11 Review sessions EVERYTHING Both in class time and after school
TBA 5/12/04 AP Gov Exam - Wednesday, May 12th, 7:45
a.m.