AP United States Government and Politics

Description

Students investigate key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study the structure of the Constitution throughout the course, as well as its implications for the functioning of government today. Other foundational documents, landmark Supreme Court cases, and opportunities for research and civic action are key elements in this rich course that prepares students to be informed and active participants in U.S. society.

Module 1: Constitutional Democracy
Types of government
Principles of U.S. government
The Declaration of Independence
The Articles of Confederation
The U.S. Constitution
The Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates
Federalist No. 10 and Brutus No. 1
Separation of powers and Federalist No. 51
Checks and balances
Federalism in the United States over time
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
United States v. Lopez (1995)

Module 2: Civil Liberties, Civil Rights
The Bill of Rights and subsequent Amendments
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Balancing liberty with security and safety
Schenck v. United States (1919)
New York Times v. United States (1971)
McDonald v. Chicago (2010)
The rights of those accused of crimes
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
The Fourteenth Amendment and selective incorporation
The Civil Rights Movement
“Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Other social movements in civil rights
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Roe v. Wade (1973)

Module 3: Interaction Among Branches
Structure and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Federalist No. 70
Comparison of the House of Representatives and the Senate
The lawmaking process
Factors influencing congressional behavior
Baker v. Carr (1961)
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
The impact of the president’s agenda
The impact of changes in communications technology
Life tenure and the Supreme Court
Federalist No. 78
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
The bureaucracy
Accountability between the branches of government and to citizens

Module 4: Political Culture and Participation
Political socialization and ideology
Public opinion and polling
The media
Political parties
Interest groups
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
Voting rights
Models of voting behavior
Voter turnout
Elections
Campaigns

Additional Course Notes:

AP courses may require that students purchase a textbook to complete the course. eLearning Academy does not offer the AP exams or issue a teacher code for exam registration.  You do not have to take the course to register for the exam.  The course is to help  you prepare for the exam.  When you register for the exam, you can register as a homeschooler without a teacher code. If you have questions about this process, please call us before paying for the course.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of American History is strongly recommended

Suggested Grade Level: 9

Credits: 1