AP Super Saturday Review

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)

Unit II – Political Beliefs/Behaviors

(10-20%)

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”

Political Ideology

LiberalTotalitarianConservativeLibertarian

Radical and Reactionary

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

Unit III – Linkage Groups (Political Parties, Interest Groups, PACS, Media) 10%-20%

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

So who does vote?

EducatedOlderMarriedReligiousThose active in the community

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 – Linkage Institutions(30-45%)

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.)

Unit V – Civil Rights and Civil Liberties(5-15%)

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

(5-15%)

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

Foreign and Defense Policy

State DepartmentDefense DepartmentConflict over powers – Legislative v.

Executive