AP: US Government
In this class, and all of our classes, our approach to teaching combines the Socratic method, traditional teaching methods, games, and hands-on projects, wherever possible, to create an engaging learning environment for our learners.
What's included
15 live meetings
11 hrs 15 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. 1-2 per weekLetter Grade
1 after class completionClass Experience
✨New to Outschool? Use code ChristineSa20 to save $20 on this class!✨ Teacher Highlight: Dr. Feig has over 20 years of experience tutoring students in the following subjects: AP English Literature, AP English Language, AP Seminar, AP US Government and Politics, AP US History, AP World History: Modern, SAT Digital Verbal and ELA for students from 6th to 12th grade. Under her guidance, students have received top scores on these tests. _______ Prerequisites: • A basic understanding of the principles and structure of the United States government • Proficiency in reading and analyzing primary source documents such as the U.S. Constitution, historical speeches, and Supreme Court decisions • Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate different perspectives on political issues • Familiarity with key concepts in American history, such as federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances • Strong writing skills, including the ability to construct and support a well-organized argument • Previous coursework in U.S. history or government is recommended but not required. _______ Objectives and Goals: • Develop a strong understanding of the structure, functions, and processes of the U.S. government. • Analyze key Supreme Court cases and their impact on U.S. law and society. • Understand the role of political institutions, political parties, interest groups, and the media. • Prepare for the AP U.S. Government and Politics exam through content review, practice questions, and exam strategies. • Enhance critical thinking and analytical writing skills related to U.S. government and politics. _______ CLASS ENVIRONMENT Our classrooms are guided by a Socratic teaching approach, fostering critical thinking and encouraging open dialogue among learners. By facilitating engaging discussions and posing thought-provoking questions, students are able to explore topics more deeply and gain a comprehensive understanding of the material. Our class size does not exceed 4 learners. This allows for more personalized attention from the educator, ensuring that each learner's individual needs and learning styles are met. With a smaller group size, there is also more opportunity for discussion and collaboration among classmates, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable and confident participating in discussions and activities in a smaller group setting. We incorporate a mix of traditional methods such as videos and limited PowerPoint presentations to accommodate various learning styles as well. In addition, we gamify our lessons, as much as possible, to make learning fun and interactive for students. By adding elements of games and competition, we are able to keep learners engaged and motivated to participate in their education. We also incorporate hands-on projects, wherever possible, to provide students with real-world application of their learning. Through these projects, students are able to apply their knowledge in practical ways and further enhance their understanding of the subject matter. By designing this type of diverse classroom environment, utilizing multiple teaching methods, we effectively address the diverse learning styles of our learners. _______ IMPORTANT DATES Please note we value mental health and want to prevent teacher burnout. With that said, we do take company wide breaks where there will not be any classes taught nor will we be answering emails. Please expect a delay in responses the following dates: 2024: August 19-August 25 (Summer Break) November 27-29 (Thanksgiving Break) December 23 - December 31 (Winter Break) 2025 January 1 - Jan 5 (Winter Break) March 17 - March 23 (Spring Break) April 19 - April 20 (Easter Break) August 25-31st (Summer Break) If you are enrolled, you will not be charged! We will be returning all emails the day or two after we return. In addition, teachers may need time off outside of these breaks as emergencies do happen. We always try our best to give ample notice when we can. You will never be charged for a day that we cancel classes. _______ CLASS POLICIES Refund Policy: We strictly adhere to Outschool's refund/reschedule policy for all of our classes. This means that once a class has been paid for, there will be no deviation from Outschool's guidelines. We do not offer refunds or rescheduling outside of what Outschool allows. Camera Policy: All students are required to keep their camera turned on during the entire class. The only exception is those that have been verified by Outschool and have the verification badge. Contact info: In compliance with Outschool's policies, we do not accept friend or contact requests from current or former families on any social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). We also do not provide or ask for any personal information such as email address or phone numbers. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these policies.
Learning Goals
This course is designed to build a comprehensive understanding of U.S. government and politics while progressively preparing the student for the AP exam.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows College Board Advanced Placement CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Advanced Placement (AP) Standards15 Lessons
over 15 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to U.S. Government and Politics
• Content: Overview of the AP course, the Constitution, and foundational principles (Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances).
• Goals: Understand the course structure, key themes, and the foundational principles of U.S. government.
• Activities: Review the U.S. Constitution; discuss Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist perspectives.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Constitution and Federalism
• Content: Detailed study of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Federalism.
• Goals: Analyze the Constitution’s structure, amendments, and the evolution of federalism.
• Activities: Case studies on Federalism (e.g., McCulloch v. Maryland); discuss contemporary federalism issues.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Political Beliefs and Behaviors
• Content: Political culture, public opinion, political ideologies, and socialization.
• Goals: Understand how political beliefs and behaviors are formed and their influence on policy.
• Activities: Analyze survey data; discuss political socialization factors.
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
• Content: Role of political parties, interest groups, and the media in U.S. politics.
• Goals: Examine the influence of parties, interest groups, and media on the political process.
• Activities: Debate on the role of interest groups; analyze media coverage of political events.
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
There will never be any personal information shared. All resources used will be relevant and age appropriate. By enrolling in this class, you are granting us permission to utilize any and all external resources listed.
Pre-Requisites
See class description
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 teachers have teaching certificates
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Kentucky Teaching Certificate in Science
3 teachers have a Graduate degree
Juris Doctor from New York Law School
Doctoral Degree in Health Professions and Related Programs from Appalachian College of Pharmacy
Master's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Master's Degree from National University
Master's Degree from Central Michigan University
Master's Degree in Education from University of the Cumberlands
7 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science from The Ohio State University
Bachelor's Degree in American Studies from Smith College
Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Long Island University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale
Bachelor's Degree in Foreign Language from Universidade de Brasília
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Centro Universitário UniCEUB
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from Union College
Bachelor's Degree in Education from SUNY Cortland
Ellen Rosner Feig, a distinguished scholar and educator, currently serves as a tenured professor of English at Bergen Community College. With a passion for literature and a commitment to fostering a love for language and critical thinking in her students, Professor Feig has dedicated her career to the field of education.
Armed with a wealth of knowledge in English literature, Professor Feig engages her students with thought-provoking discussions and innovative teaching methods. Her classes are known for being dynamic and intellectually stimulating, inspiring students to explore the depths of literature and develop their analytical skills. As recognition, Professor Feig was awarded the LaRouche Award for Community College Innovation for her work with the TED organization.
Dr. Feig has over 20 years of experience tutoring students in the following subjects: AP English Literature, AP English Language, AP Seminar, AP US Government and Politics, AP US History, AP World History: Modern, SAT Digital Verbal and ELA for students from 6th to 12th grade. Under her guidance, students have received top scores on these tests.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$600
for 15 classes1x per week, 15 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-4 learners per class