AP Government and Politics Summer Assignment
To the AP Government student:
For AP Government, you are required to complete the summer assignment prior to August 14,
2015 of the school year. The purpose of the assignment is to prepare you for the rigor of the AP
Government course. You should also be prepared for a Summer Assignment Assessment on the same day
which will assess your knowledge of the vocabulary/information from the Summer Assignment.
This class will utilize technology frequently, and communication will be vital. Please be sure you
have a professional email account that is easily recognizable (such as your name and a couple of
numbers). I will also expect you to utilize the website I have created that has an AP Government page,
where you will find links to assignments, packets to print off, and rubrics for scoring of assignments.
Summer Assignment Grading
Total Points Possible = 200 points
Part 1: Philosophical Readings = 100 Points
1.
2.
Part 2: Constitution Assignment = 100 Points
1.
You will read each of the 5 readings provided
You will respond to the guided reading
questions
Answers to each question (worth 2 points each)
Additional Information:



Please visit the following Google Site for the reading excerpts and links you may need:
o
You should get in the following habits:
o Follow the news!!!
o Review, review, review
o Read the supplemental materials given
o Read the notes in advance of the class
Email us with questions/concerns: [email protected]
o In the email, please let me know your name, the date, teacher you are scheduled for next
semester, and the problem
 (example “CStewart – 7/4/15 – Stewart – can’t find reading”)
I hope you enjoy the summer, the readings, and look forward to seeing you in the fall and working with
you.
Part One: Philosophical Readings
Assignment Information: You will need to download copies of the readings from my website. The
assignments are in pdf format, so you will need to have Adobe to access them.
You will have 5 readings, of which each excerpt can be found on my website and is available for
download:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
John Locke: Second Treatise of Government
Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws
Jean Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract
Thomas Paine: Common Sense
Virginia Declaration of Rights & The Declaration of Independence
For each reading, a series of guided questions will be given. Each of the questions may be answered in
complete sentences OR bullet-point. The grading rubric is attached to this document.
John Locke: Second Treatise of Government
1. Before reading the excerpt by John Locke, research his background and the historical context of
the reading “Second Treatise of Government”. When did he write this and why? What was his
purpose? What events were taking place that gives the reader insight into his motivations and
perspectives?
2. How does Locke continuously refer to the laws of nature? How does Locke differentiate between
the laws of nature and the laws of man?
3. When, according to Locke, is it necessary for a man to give up certain liberties under the laws of
nature?
4. According to Locke, what is the role of the legislative power and how does it get that power?
Explain your response.
5. Under what circumstances, to Locke, might it be necessary for people to “dissolve” their
government and start new? Explain your response.
Baron de Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws
1. Before reading the excerpt by Montesquieu, research and discuss the historical context of The
Spirit of the Laws. When did he write this and why? What was his purpose? What was happening
at the time that can provide insight into the motivations and perspective of the author?
2. Immediately in the first 5 paragraphs, Montesquieu lays out an idea that directly influenced the
shaping of American government. What is it and why does he state it is so important?
3. According to Montesquieu, who should exercise executive power? Who should exercise
legislative power? Why?
4. What does Montesquieu say about the idea of the executive limiting the legislative power? How
about the legislative limiting the executive power.
5. Who, according to Montesquieu, should comprise the army, and what role does he say the army
should play?
6. To Montesquieu, what will ultimately cause the state to perish?
Jean Jacques Rousseau: The Social Contract
1. Before reading Rousseau, do some research and discuss the historical context of The Social
Contract. When did he write this and why? What was his purpose? What was happening at the
time that can provide insight into the motivations and perspective of the author?
2. To Rousseau, what is the fundamental question that he seeks to address in The Social Contract?
3. According to Rousseau, what is the social contract and what are the social contract’s benefits to
society? Explain.
4. What does Rousseau think of the concept of individualism, and how does the social contract
affect the individual will?
5. What is Rousseau’s overall thinking on the concept of representative democracy vs. direct
democracy? Explain
6. In what ways are Rousseau’s theories and Locke’s theories of the role of government similar?
Explain.
Thomas Paine: Common Sense
1. Before reading Pain, read the introduction to the book and discuss the historical context of
Common Sense. When did he write this and why? What was his purpose? What was happening at
the time that can provide insight into the motivations and perspective of the author?
2. How does Paine view the role and importance of government in general? Be specific.
3. What are Paine’s views on the monarchy, both in general and that of England? Use supporting
details from Common Sense.
4. What arguments does Paine use to support the notion that the American colonies would be better
off as an independent nation?
5. A number of Paine’s appeals and ideas exhibit the influence of people like Locke, Montesquieu,
and Rousseau. Discuss some areas where you see these influences.
Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Declaration of Independence
1. What specific things do the Virginia Declaration of Rights and Declaration of Independence have
in common?
2. What specific ideas expressed in both documents can be traced back to those of Locke,
Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Paine? Make direct connections.
Part One: Philosophical Readings
Guided Questions: Scoring Rubric
Name: ______________________________
Period: ____________
*A note to the student: The readings and the guided questions are designed to aid you in a more
thorough understanding of the underpinnings of the American government system. Your answers are
being assessed on completeness, support of your statements, and examples from the readings. The
main purpose here is to assess whether you truly understand the philosophical foundation on which
our governmental system is based. We will be discussing these readings in class where you will have
the opportunity to revise your answers.
A. Answers to the questions concerning historical context:
30
Excellent Work
15
Good work, needs some
improvement
10
Needs Significant improvement
B. Responses to the guided questions show that the texts were read and analyzed in full, through the
connections and evidence used to support statements.
40
Excellent Work
20
Good work, needs some
improvement
15
Needs Significant improvement
C. Responses to guided questions illustrate a strong effort to provide complete and supported
answers
30
Excellent Work
15
Good work, needs some
improvement
10
Needs Significant improvement
Part Two: Constitution Assignment
Assignment Information: The United States Constitution has been a framework for American
government since 1789. It has been changed numerous times (27 to be exact!), debated over, fought over,
and created a great deal of conflict among groups throughout American history! You will be held
responsible for, not just being familiar with, but knowing specific aspects of the US Constitution. This
work will provide an easy reference for you throughout the year. You may use it to refer to on
assignments, add to during the year, and study from for tests.
Directions: Read (yes, the entire document!!) the US Constitution and complete the questions.
www.constitutioncenter.org
correct answers
Click on “Interactive Constitution” and sort through to find the
#1) Read each article of the Constitution and summarize the general purpose in 15 words or less.
Article I
Article II
Article III
Article IV
Article V
Article VI
Article VII
#2) Eligibility Requirements
Constitutional Office
Member of the House
of Representatives
Senator
List the Constitutional Qualifications to hold this office
President (& VP)
Supreme Court Justice
#3) Expressed (Enumerated) Powers are those powers that are specifically granted to the Federal
government by the Constitution.
a. List 2 expressed powers of the President. ____________________________________
b. List 2 expressed powers of the Vice President. _______________________________
c. List 2 expressed powers of Congress. _______________________________________
#4) Checks and balances are those concepts placed into the Constitution that give each branch specific
control over the other two branches. This is stated in the first 3 articles of the Constitution and prevents
abuses of powers and one branch becoming more powerful than the other two branches!
a. List a power the executive branch has over the legislative branch. _________________
b. List a power the executive branch has over the judicial branch. ___________________
c. List a power the legislative branch has over the executive branch. _________________
d. List a power the legislative branch has over the judicial branch. ___________________
e. List a power the judicial branch has over both branches. _________________________
#5) Answer the following:
a. Who has the power to declare war?
b. What power does the Constitution give the President in
regards to war?
c. What bodies have the power to override a presidential
veto?
d. What margin is required to override a presidential veto?
e. Where in the Constitution is the veto power described?
f. What body has the power to ratify treaties?
g. Where in the Constitution is the ratification power
described?
h. What body has the power to impeach the president?
i. Where in the Constitution is the impeachment power
described?
j. What body has the power to convict the president of
charges brought against him in the impeachment process?
k. What margin is required to convict and remove a president
from office?
l. What body has the power to accept or reject the
president’s nomination to the Supreme Court?
m. Where in the Constitution are judicial nominations
described?
n. If no candidate for president wins a simple majority of
electoral votes, what body has the power to choose the
president?
o. What margin is required to choose president?
p. Where in the Constitution is the Electoral College?
#5) Processes listed in the Constitution:
a. The Constitution specifies a three-fourths majority for just ONE process. What is it?
b. Read Article VI. Explain the “Supremacy Clause” in your own words.
c. What are two ways that amendments to the Constitution can be proposed?
d. What are two ways that amendments to the Constitution can be ratified?
#6) Summarize each of the first 10 Amendments (Bill of Rights) in your own words.
Amendment 1
Amendment 2
Amendment 3
Amendment 4
Amendment 5
Amendment 6
Amendment 7
Amendment 8
Amendment 9
Amendment 10
#7) More Amendment questions:
a. Which amendment(s) protect the rights of women?
b. Which amendment(s) of the Constitution provides for the people to receive “equal protection
under the law”?
c. How were US Senators chosen before the 17th Amendment?
d. The Twenty-fifth Amendment describes the sequence of events that would install the vice
president as acting president against the will of the president. Outline this process.