Course title

AP U.S. Gov't Politics

Pre-requisite

World History (10th grade) and AZ/U.S. History (11th grade) with a 70% or higher in both courses

Course description

The course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States; including the historical situation at the time the Constitution was written and an awareness of the theories and philosophies relied on by the framers. Students will become familiar with the various institutions; group; beliefs; and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Political beliefs and behaviors will be analyzed and the influences on those beliefs and behaviors; including political parties; interest groups; and mass media. Students will analyze how public policy is developed and how it results from a variety of sources. Finally; students will develop an understanding of civil rights and civil liberties; how they were developed; and the impact on citizens.
Course Outline and Standard Alignment:
AP Government and Politics contains six major content areas covered by the AP Exam; including:
I. Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
II. Political Beliefs and Behaviors
III. Political Parties; Interest Groups; and Mass Media
IV. Institutions of National Government: The Congress; The Presidency; the Bureaucracy; and the Federal Courts
V. Public Policy
VI. Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Assessments
Unit quizzes; tests; short cycle formative assessments and other written assessments; District final course assessment.
Textbooks/Resources
AP Government and Politics textbook; primary sources including the U.S. Constitution; the Second Treatise of Government by John Locke; The Federalist Papers; excerpts of U.S. Supreme Court cases; supplemental materials including but not limited to newspaper articles; magazine articles; websites pertaining to government and politics; etc.

School Country

United States

School state

Arizona

School city

Glendale

School Address

6330 West Thunderbird Road

School zip code

85306

Requested competency code

US History

Date submitted

09/28/2015

Approved

Yes

Approved competency code

• AMHS
• 1 year of US History

• SSCI
• 1 year of other Social Science

Approved date

11/12/2015

Online / Virtual

No