Designed by the College Board, the AP US Government and Politics course “provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States.” Through comprehensive study and analysis of foundational political doctrines, fundamental Supreme Court cases, and modern interpretations of the two, the course provides students with a holistic overview of the theoretical principles of American Government and practical applications throughout history and in the modern day. For more information, visit the course's website and Course and Exam Description: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-united-states-government-and-politics
ABOUT THIS SERIES:
This three-week SHW series is designed to introduce prospective learners to some of the course's core concepts with an emphasis on the foundational documents and required US Supreme Court cases through short lectures, Q&A sessions, and analyses of primary sources. This course will NOT cover all content tested on the exam.
PRE-REQUISITES:
No formal pre-requisite knowledge is necessary, but learners should have a basic knowledge of foundational US history and the workings of the US Government through lower-level humanities courses and current events. Learners should also be open to rote memorization and quickly writing full and syntactically correct sentences.
SYLLABUS:
1. Dawn of a New Constitution (2 Sessions)
2. The US Constitution: Seven Foundational Articles and Three Branches of Government (2 Sessions)
3. The US Constitution: The Bill of Rights (2 Sessions)
4. From Civil Rights for Some to Civil Liberties for All (2 Sessions)
NOTE: Additional sessions for office hours and/or FRQ practices will be added as seen fit as we go on.
REMINDER: The CB explicitly declares holding no political conflicts of interest or partisan bias in the creation of the course. As such, I will also deliver content without personal biases. While healthy discussion and debate may be relevant to some topics, learners must remain respectful of each other's backgrounds and beliefs at all times.
