AP US Government and PoliticsAP
Foundations, institutions, policymaking.
Overview
AP United States Government and Politics analyzes constitutional foundations, institutions, civil liberties, and political behavior.
Why it matters
Builds civic literacy and data/argumentation skills using Supreme Court cases, foundational documents, and data.
Skills you’ll build
- Text/source analysis
- Data interpretation
- Argument essay
- SCOTUS application
Topic Breakdown (Units)
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
- Constitutional principles
- Federalism
Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
- Congress
- Presidency
- Judiciary
- Bureaucracy
Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- Bill of Rights
- Selective incorporation
- Equal protection
Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
- Political socialization
- Public opinion
Unit 5: Political Participation
- Elections & voting
- Parties & interest groups
- Media
Lessons & Notes
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
Origins and structure of the U.S. government.
- separation of powers
- checks and balances
Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
Institutional powers and constraints.
- delegated vs implied powers
- judicial review
Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Rights protections and social movements.
- due process
- strict scrutiny
Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
Ideology formation and measurement.
- sampling
- ideological spectrum
Unit 5: Political Participation
Mechanisms of participation and influence.
- campaign finance
- realignment