David
La Shomb
Government
& Politics - U.S.
dlashomb@cox.net
Dave La Shomb has been involved
with Advanced Placement since 1987, originally instructing AP* Comparative Government and Politics; adding AP* Psychology
in 1994; and finally AP* American Government in 2000. He has been a reader, table leader and question leader at the AP* Government
and Politics reading. During this time he also became a member of the AP* Test Development Committee in 2000, fulfilling a
four year tenure finishing in 2004. After teaching for 29 years in Minnesota, he and his wife Marilyn moved to warmer
climates in Las Vegas Nevada where he currently teaches at Advanced Technologies Academy. During the summer months Dave provides
instruction at institutes for American and Comparative Government and Politics for the College Board’s west and midwest
regions.
SYLLABUS
Course: AP American Government
+ Politics
Stanford AP Summer InstituteInstructor:
David La Shomb
Course Description:
This course is designed to give inexperienced and experienced
teachers the tools necessary to develop an Advanced Placement American Government and Politics course in the public
or private school setting. Instructors will be provided the scope and sequence of this course as designed by the College
Board committee; analyze proper textbook and supplementary materials; evaluate course examination requirements; and
develop curriculum enrichments in facilitating a college level program. Students will also provide insight into their
own educational experiences and speculate on advanced placement has affected their teacher development.
Required Text: The AP Government and Politics Acorn Book, May
2011-2012. This text will be provided.
Course
Objectives:
• The student will understand the mission statement of the College Board and how it affects the
development of an AP Government and Politics class.
•
Develop an AP Government and Politics scope and sequence that will match one's respective school calendar and state social
studies academic requirements.
• Devise or
improve a curriculum that will include the following topics:
1. Constitutional
Underpinnings of United State Government
2. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
3. Political Parties, Interest Groups, and
Mass Media
4. Institutions of National Government
6. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
• Develop a knowledge base
that will emphasize the important facts, concepts and theories by understanding typical patterns of the political process,
behavior and institutions that are relevant to U.S. government and politics.
• Research the various textbooks and supplementary materials available in an attempt to develop
a resource library.
• Evaluate measurement
strategies used by the College Board in developing multiple choice and essay test banks in an attempt to design applicable
tools.
• Analyze effective writing strategies
that students will need to employ for successful AP examinations and college-level rigor.
• Extract enrichment activities, demonstrations, and best practice devices
from classroom interaction and networking.
AP* consultant will employ the use of facilitator presentation, student presentation, classroom
discussion, classroom readings, and small group discussions. Classroom enrichment exercises will focus on government
and politics demonstrations and simulations that emphasize conceptual development. A few video sequences will be
used as resource tools.
• Scope and sequence that is respective of your school requirements.
• Textbook selection and resource development
• "Best practices" demonstration that can be used in a government and politics classroom
Methods of Evaluation: Class participation in government and politics activities, demonstrations
and simulations.
Course Schedule:
Monday
8:00 - noon:
Introduction to the College Board and Advanced Placement American Government + Politics. Curriculum development
and recruitment, course structure and textbook selection. Afternoon
. Student curriculum presentations, Constitutional underpinnings -- Supplemental reading development; Federalism
star power.
8:00
- noon:
Student curriculum presentations, Importance of writing as an effective communication
tool. American Government Cloze reading evaluation. Establishment of the Political CultureAfternoon
Student curriculum presentations, Political
Parties and the Electoral system. Fishbowl on Campaign Finance Reform - Resource and curriculum development
8:00 - noon:
Student curriculum presentations, College Board Multiple Choice and Essay development. Analysis of the 2009 Multiple
Choice CB Exam. Web Site developmentAfternoon:
Student curriculum presentations, Institutional Approach to American Politics: Congress and the Executive Branch.
Student Curriculum presentations.
8:00
- noon:
Student curriculum presentations Judicial Branch-maintaining the legacy of Constitutional
government. Textbook selection. 2012 College Board Essay Exam analysis. Afternoon
Student curriculum presentations, Civil Rights and
Civil Liberties: The intricacies of an open society and maintaining sovereignty. Student curriculum presentations
8:00-noon:
Student curriculum presentations; Student final assessments; Offering Comparative Gov't; Final textbook selection;
Evaluations + Final Questions.
*College Board, AP, Advanced Placement Program, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used
with permission.
