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History and Social SciencesUnited States Government and Politics

AP United States Government and Politics

Study constitutional foundations, institutions, civil liberties, political beliefs, participation, elections, interest groups, and media through evidence and required foundational documents.

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Unit 1Foundations of American Democracy9 topics

Examine democratic ideals, constitutional compromises, federalism, and competing interpretations of how governmental power should be distributed and limited.

  1. 1.1Ideals of Democracy
  2. 1.2Types of Democracy
  3. 1.3Government Power and Individual Rights
  4. 1.4Challenges of the Articles of Confederation
  5. 1.5Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
  6. 1.6Principles of American Government
  7. 1.7Relationship Between the States and National Government
  8. 1.8Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism
  9. 1.9Federalism in Action

Unit 2Interactions Among Branches of Government15 topics

Analyze how Congress, the presidency, courts, and bureaucracy exercise, share, expand, and constrain power while making and implementing policy.

  1. 2.1Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives
  2. 2.2Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress
  3. 2.3Congressional Behavior
  4. 2.4Roles and Powers of the President
  5. 2.5Checks on the Presidency
  6. 2.6Expansion of Presidential Power
  7. 2.7Presidential Communication
  8. 2.8The Judicial Branch
  9. 2.9The Role of the Judicial Branch
  10. 2.10The Court in Action
  11. 2.11Checks on the Judicial Branch
  12. 2.12The Bureaucracy
  13. 2.13Discretionary and Rulemaking Authority
  14. 2.14Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable
  15. 2.15Policy and the Branches of Government

Unit 3Civil Liberties and Civil Rights13 topics

Use constitutional text, incorporation, court decisions, and social movements to explain how rights and liberties develop and how governments balance competing claims.

  1. 3.1The Bill of Rights
  2. 3.2First Amendment: Freedom of Religion
  3. 3.3First Amendment: Freedom of Speech
  4. 3.4First Amendment: Freedom of the Press
  5. 3.5Second Amendment: Right to Bear Arms
  6. 3.6Amendments: Balancing Individual Freedom with Public Order and Safety
  7. 3.7Selective Incorporation
  8. 3.8Amendments: Due Process and the Rights of the Accused
  9. 3.9Amendments: Due Process and the Right to Privacy
  10. 3.10Social Movements and Equal Protection
  11. 3.11Government Responses to Social Movements
  12. 3.12Balancing Minority and Majority Rights
  13. 3.13Affirmative Action

Unit 4American Political Ideologies and Beliefs10 topics

Explain how political beliefs form, how opinion is measured, and how ideology shapes party coalitions and economic and social policy preferences.

  1. 4.1American Attitudes About Government and Politics
  2. 4.2Political Socialization
  3. 4.3Changes in Ideology
  4. 4.4Influence of Political Events on Ideology
  5. 4.5Measuring Public Opinion
  6. 4.6Evaluating Public Opinion Data
  7. 4.7Ideologies of Political Parties
  8. 4.8Ideology and Policymaking
  9. 4.9Ideology and Economic Policy
  10. 4.10Ideology and Social Policy

Unit 5Political Participation13 topics

Connect voting, parties, interest groups, campaigns, elections, finance, and media to the ways people organize and compete to influence government.

  1. 5.1Voting Rights and Models of Voting Behavior
  2. 5.2Voter Turnout
  3. 5.3Political Parties
  4. 5.4How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt
  5. 5.5Third-Party Politics
  6. 5.6Interest Groups Influencing Policymaking
  7. 5.7Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes
  8. 5.8Electing a President
  9. 5.9Congressional Elections
  10. 5.10Modern Campaigns
  11. 5.11Campaign Finance
  12. 5.12The Media
  13. 5.13Changing Media