The study of the U.S. government is vital for young people preparing to participate more fully in the civic process. After all, as the CEO of College Board notes, "AP U.S. Government and Politics offers students the opportunity to see how individuals and their ideas can shape the world in which they live; it invites them to explore central questions of liberty and justice in practice. The Supreme Court opinions explored in this course are not museum pieces but deeply felt expressions. They all represent real choices and decisions with enormous consequences. We aim for students to read them and discuss them with
openness and insight."

>>This class is inspired, in part, by College Board's American Government and Politics class, but is more expansive and inclusive than the AP class. In addition to the U.S. Federal Government, we will also study government at the State and Local levels with a focus on the home state of the learners, when applicable. Because we cover more than the traditional AP class, our class meets over two semesters, not just one, to allow time for more analysis and special projects. The longer class may make this class a good option for learners would be overwhelmed with a faster moving/shorter class. This class may also be a good choice for fresh/soph level students who are well organized. This class has no prerequisite.  

The goal is to develop critical thinking skills as listed in the "Learning Goals" section and to support learners who are self-studying for the AP American Government and Politics exam offered by College Board on May 6, 2024.. As is the case with all Advanced Placement exams, learners may self-study and then sit for exams as permitted by the schools providing the test; if taking an AP exam is a part of your plan, please reach out to the schools in your area to learn how self-studying learners can sit for official exams.<<

However, we do utilize the Big Ideas themes throughout the course, which are assessed in the AP AmGov exam. Learners can expect to revisit the following during our course: 

BIG IDEA 1: CONSTITUTIONALISM (CON)
The U.S. Constitution establishes a system of checks and balances among
branches of government and allocates power between federal and state
governments. This system is based on the rule of law and the balance
between majority rule and minority rights.

BIG IDEA 2: LIBERTY AND ORDER (LOR)
Governmental laws and policies balancing order and liberty are based on the
U.S. Constitution and have been interpreted differently over time.

BIG IDEA 3: CIVIC PARTICIPATION IN A REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRACY (PRD)
Popular sovereignty, individualism, and republicanism are important
considerations of U.S. laws and policy making and assume citizens will engage and participate.

BIG IDEA 4: COMPETING POLICY-MAKING INTERESTS (PMI)
Multiple actors and institutions interact to produce and implement
possible policies.

BIG IDEA 5: METHODS OF POLITICAL ANALYSIS (MPA)
Using various types of analyses, political scientists measure how U.S. political
behavior, attitudes, ideologies, and institutions are shaped by a number of
factors over time.

Course Outline- Weekly Schedule.
We meet once per week, so learners will need to stay on top of assignments and readings outside of class meetings. Specific assignments are posted in the class, so learners must check this space regularly.

(Pre-Week)- Setting the Agenda: We begin by understanding our classroom community. 

Unit One- Foundations of American Democracy
Week 1- Ideals of Democracy
W 2- Types of Democracy
W 2- Government Power and Individual Rights
W 3- Challenges of the Articles of Confederation
W 3- Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
W 4- Principles of American Government
W 4- Relationship Between the States and Federal Government
W 5- Constitutional Interpretations of Federalism
W 5- Federalism in Action

**Unit Class Project**
**Unit Assessment**

Unit Two- Interactions Among Branches of Government
Week 7- Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives
W 7- Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress
W 8- Congressional Behavior
W 8- Roles and Powers of the President
W 9- Checks on the Presidency
W 9- Expansion of Presidential Power
W 10- Presidential Communication
W 10- The Judicial Branch
W 11- Legitimacy of the Judicial Branch
W 11- The Court in Action
W 12- Checks on the Judicial Branch
W 12- The Bureaucracy
W 13- Discretionary and Rule-Making Authority
W 13- Holding the Bureaucracy Accountable
W 14- Policy and the Branches of Government

**Class Project**
**Unit Assessment**

Unit Three- Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Week 29- The Bill of Rights
W 16- First Amendment: Freedom of Religion
W 16- First Amendment: Freedom of Speech 
W 17- First Amendment: Freedom of the Press
W 17- Second Amendment: Right to Bear Arms
W 18- Amendments: Balancing Individual Freedom with Public Order and Safety
W 18- Selective Incorporation
W 19- Amendments: Due Process and the Rights of the Accused
W 19- Amendments: Due Process and the Right to Privacy
W 20- Social Movements and Equal Protection
W 20- Government Responses to Social Movements
W 21- Balancing Minority and Majority Rights 
W 21- Affirmative Action

**Class Project**
**Unit Assessment**

Unit Four- American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
Week 23- American Attitudes About Government and Politics 
W 23- Political Socialization
W 24- Changes in Ideology
W 24- Influence of Political Events on Ideology
W 25- Measuring Public Opinion
W 25- Evaluating Public Opinion Data
W 26- Ideologies of Political Parties
W 26- Ideology and Policy Making
W 27- Ideology and Economic Policy
W 27- Ideology and Social Policy
**Class Project**
**Unit Assessment**

Unit Five - Political Participation
Week 29- Voting Rights and Models of Voting Behavior
W 29- Voter Turnout
W 30- Political Parties
W 30- How and Why Political Parties Change and Adapt
W 31- Third-Party Politics
W 31- Interest Groups Influencing Policy Making
W 32- Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes
W 32- Electing a President
W 33- Congressional Elections
W 33- Modern Campaigns
W 34- Campaign Finance
W 34- The Media
W 35- Changing Media
**Class Project**
**Unit Assessment**

Final Assessment- The AP Exam- May 6, 2024 - (NOT SCHEDULED BY TEACHER)

Our classroom space is a knowledge community in which everyone's participation is key. We engage the material together, ask questions and seek answers, and figure out how to apply what we know to what we learn. Open cameras are a must as humans communicate verbally and non-verbally. 

In most classes, learners can expect a 75/25 ratio of teacher/learner talking. Learners will be invited to speak in class via questions- our class is a place to practice speaking and listening, so we generally do not use chat.

Learners will be given weekly reading assignment from the REQUIRED class text.

Weekly lectures are supported by slides, short videos, and excerpts from primary source documents. When available, resources are provided to learners via the Outschool classroom, so every learner must have ready and easy access to the Outschool site. Class Projects and Unit Assessments will also be posted and submitted via the Outschool classroom.

Class Projects are developed and completed by the class, based on learner interest, and completed in class.
Unit Assessments allow learners a choice of assignments to complete independently. Choices will generally include an essay, a presentation (with slides), an artistic expression, etc. Learners seeking a grade must complete all assessments.