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AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

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AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics. REMEMBER THIS!. You have 45 minutes to do 60 MC questions. You have 100 minutes to do 4 FRQ’s. You MUST attempt all 4. I will explain why when we dissect the practice exam. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

AP US Government ExamKey Review Topics

Page 2: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

REMEMBER THIS!• You have 45 minutes to do 60 MC questions.• You have 100 minutes to do 4 FRQ’s. You MUST

attempt all 4. I will explain why when we dissect the practice exam.

• The exam is scored out of 120 points. Last years cut score was a 66/120 for a 3. That cut score varies by a few points each year.

• So…the magic number you all need to focus on is at least a 70 out of 120!

• Any combination (MC + FRQ’s) of points can get you to the 70. You just need 70.

Page 3: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

I. Constitutional Underpinnings & FederalismA) Considerations that influenced the formulation

of the Constitution1) ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION2) Writings: John Locke / The Federalist Essays3) ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION

a) COMPONENTS OF MAJOR ARTICLESb) AMENDING PROCESSc) KEY AMENDMENTSd) ELECTORAL COLLEGE PROCESSe) IMPEACHMENT PROCESS

Page 4: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

I. Constitutional Underpinnings & Federalism

B) SEPARATION OF POWERS

1)War

2)Raising Revenue

3)Impeachment

4)legislation

a) major Checks and the nature of each

1. Veto

2. Supreme Court Rulings

Page 5: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

I. Constitutional Underpinnings & Federalism

C) Theories of Democratic government

1)Interest group pluralism / hyperpluralism

2)Elitism

3)Incrementalism

4)equality of opportunity NOT results

Page 6: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

I. Constitutional Underpinnings & Federalism

D) Federalism – Why federalism?1) Define federal, unitary, confederal gvts. 2) Describe state/national govt relationship

a) McCulloch v. Marylandb) Unfunded Mandates – give examplesc) Types of sanctions (cross over/cross cutting)d) Block grants & Categorical grants

3) Identify federal responsibilities / state responsibilities

Page 7: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

II. Political Beliefs & Behaviors

A) Beliefs that citizens hold about their government and their leaders1) Mistrust2) Trends in presidential approval3) Trends in approval of Congress

B) Process by which citizens learn about politics1) Political Socialization 2) Selective Perception

Page 8: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

II. Political Beliefs & Behaviors

- Demographic groups and voter behavior

- Identify major demographic groups and describe their political behavior.

- Describe voter turnout

Page 9: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors

C) The nature sources and consequences of public opinion1) public opinion polls2) dealignment

D) The ways in which citizens vote and otherwise participate in political life1) Voting / statistics / obstacles to turnout2) Other forms of political participation

E) Factors that make citizens differ from one another in beliefs/behaviors

Page 10: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

III. Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media

A) Political Parties and elections1) Functions

a. organize competitionb. get candidates electedc. provide loyal opposition

2) Organization a. National vs grass roots party membershipb. two party systems / multiparty systems

Page 11: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

III. Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media

3) Developmenta. Realignment

b. Identify obstacles to third parties.

c. Describe the decline of the political party

4) Effects on the Political process

Page 12: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

III. Political Parties, Interest Groups and Mass Media

5) Electoral laws and systemsa. plurality elections, winner-take all,

proportional representationb. primary, caucus, conventionc. How do Dems/Repubs nominate Presidential

Candidates?d. Electoral College Procedure

6) Describe contemporary political campaigns

Page 13: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

III. (B)Interest Groups1) The range of interests represented2) The activities of interest groups

a. techniques / resourcesb. examples of specific groups and their resources

3) Effects on the Political Processa. Federalist #10 James Madisonb. Incumbency advantage

4) Political Action Committees (PACs)a. Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 b. McCain-Feingold, Buckley v. Valeo, Citizens United

Page 14: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

III. C) Media

1) Functions and structure of Media

2) Impact of media on politics

a) campaigns (watchdog)

b) gatekeeper

c) horse race journalism

Page 15: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

IV. Institutions of Government(A) Congress

1) Describe demographics of Congress

2) Explain incumbency advantages

3) Define gerrymandering / ID Supreme Court Limits (One man, one vote)

Page 16: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

IV. Institutions of Government(A) Congress. . .

4) Factors that influence Congress

a. Divided Government

b. Party Discipline and Loyalty (Partisanism)

c. Influence of interest group pluralism

d. Constituent services (casework) in the home district (their opinions too!)

Page 17: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

IV. Institutions of Government(A) Congress. . .

5) Legislative Process a. Advantages of the majority partyb. The importance of committeesc. Speaker of the House d. Rules Committeee. Standing committeesf. committee assignmentsg. leadership positionsh. filibuster / cloturei. pork barrel politics

Page 18: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

IV. Institutions of Government(A) Congress. . .

6) Non-Legislative activities

a. oversight of bureaucracy

b. confirmation politics (Senate)

c. impeachment / removal (House+ Senate)

d. special investigations

Page 19: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

IV. Institutions of Government(A) Congress. . .

7) What do House/Senate do collectively? What are their similarities?

8) What different powers do House/Senate have?

a. Senate

i. More prestigious (Armed Services)

ii. Less formal, fewer rules

iii. Confirmations / Treaties

iv. Filibusters

Page 20: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

IV. Institutions of Government(A) Congress. . .

b. House of Representatives

i. power of the purse (Ways and Means)

ii. closest to the people

iii. more rules, fewer staff, less prestigious

Page 21: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

Institutions of Government(B) Presidency

1) What are the Constitutional Powers of the President? (From Article II)

2) What are the informal powers of the President? (evolving from tradition and custom)

Page 22: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

(B) Presidency

3) How has the President gained power over Congress?

a. Executive Orders

b. Executive Agreements

c. Impoundment of funds

d. War Powers

e. Veto / veto threats

f. Media access (“Bully pulpit”)

Page 23: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

IV. Institutions of Government( C ) Courts

1) Who creates federal courts?

2) How are federal judges selected?

3) How is the court system organized?

4)Describe basic jurisdictional issues.

a. What is habeas corpus?

b. How do most court cases end? (chances of having SCOTUS hear your case)

Page 24: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

5) Describe Supreme Court procedurea. What cases have original jurisdiction in the

Supreme Court? b. How do Justices decide to grant cert? c. How can outside groups influence the Supreme Court? d. Who is the solicitor General? e. What is a concurring / dissenting opinion f. What is Judicial Activism v. Restraint? Loose v. Strict construction?6) ID/describe major rulings of the Warren, Burger and Rehnquist and Roberts Courts.

Page 25: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

Institutions of Government (D) Bureaucracy

1) ID/Describe Cabinet, Independent Agencies, EOP, and Government Corporations.2) Describe quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial functions. (Legislative/Judicial-like duties) 3) What are iron triangles? Issue networks?4) ID/describe rules of bureaucracy.

a. Hatch Actb. Freedom of Information Actc. Pendleton Actd. Whistleblower Act

Page 26: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

V. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

A) The development of civil liberties and rights by judicial interpretation (see specific cases handout)

B) Knowledge of substantive rights and liberties1. Constitutional limitations on Free Speech

a. In what cases can speech be limited?b. What types of speech are most unlimited?

c. Types of speech: Pure, Symbolic Speech Plus2. Constitutional interpretations of Separation of Church and State

Page 27: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

VI. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

3. Constitutional development of right to privacy

4. Constitutional development of Due Process

C) The impact of the Fourteenth Amendment on the constitutional development of rights and liberties

1. Barron v. Balitmore

2. Gitlow v. New York

3. Gideon v. Wainright

Page 28: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

VI. Public PolicyA) Public policy making in a federal system

B) The formation of policy agendas

C) The role of institutions in the enactment of policy

D) The role of the bureaucracy and the courts in implementation/interpretation

E) Types: Foreign, Domestic, Fiscal, Monetary

Page 29: AP US Government Exam Key Review Topics

VI. Public PolicyF) Linkages between policy processes and the following

1. Institutions/federalism 2. Political parties 3. Interest groups 4. Public opinion5. Elections6. Policy issue networks7. Mass media

G) Process and politics of creating the Budget