AP Government
“The good historian… must be fearless, uncorrupted, free, the friend of truth and of liberty. One who calls a fig a fig, and a skiff a skiff, neither giving nor withholding from any, from favour or from enmity, not influenced by pity, by shame, or by remorse. A just judge… a stranger to all, of no country, bound only by his own laws, acknowledging no sovereign, never considering what this or that man may say of him, but relating faithfully everything as it happened.”
Lucian, ancient Greek writer and satirist (c.125-185)
Units
1
Foundations of American Democracy
This first unit sets the foundation for the course by examining how the framers of the Constitution set up a structure of government intended to stand the test of time. Compromise were made during the Constitutional Convention and ratificaiton debates, and these compromises focued on the proper balance between individual freedom, social order, and equality of opportunity.
2
Interactions Among Branches of Government
In this unit, students continue to explore policymaking, focusing on its complexity & the idea that is it is a process involving multiple governmental institutions & actors. The Constitution grants specific powers to Congress, the presidency, & the courts, each of which exercises informal powers. Because power is widely distributed, & checks prevent one branch from overreaching or usurping powers from he others, institutional actors are in the position where they both compete & cooperate in order to govern.
3
Civil Liberties and
Civil Right
Students will connect the founding principles of our government to the debates over the appropriate balance of liberty and order, noting how citizens and other groups have pursued policy solution to protect civil liberties and civil rights of all Americans. The U.S. Constitution through the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment, protects the civil liberties and civil rights of citizens. Through social movements, legal challenges, and acts of Congress, citizens have attempted to restrict the government from unduly infringing on individual rights and from denying equal protection under the law.
4
American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
Connection the application of political science methods to the development of social and economic policies that Americans support, advocate for, and adopt is foundational to understanding the ideologies of political parties and patterns of political participation. American political beliefs are shaped by founding ideals, core values, lindage insitutions, and the changing demographics of citizens. These beliefs about government, politics, and the individuals's role in the political system influence the creation of public policies.
5
Political Participation
The principles of rule by the people is the bedrock of the American political system and requires that citizens engage and participate in the development of policy. Under our Constitution, governing is achieved directly through citizen participation, although there are institutions that inform, organize, and mobilize support to influence government and politics, resulting in many venues for citizen influence on policymaking.
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