Course Description
Prerequisite: 9th grade Civics
Credit: 1.0
Grades: 11 and 12
This course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. The course is an intensive study of the formal and informal structures of government and the processes of the American political system, with an emphasis on policy-making and implementation. The course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. A general knowledge of institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas about U.S. government and politics is required for this course. Students will learn about the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations of behaviors and outcomes. The material closely mirrors what would be covered in a college-level introductory course, and the purpose is to prepare students to successfully pass the AP College Board exam in May (optional).