AP Government

Essential Learner Outcomes

SO.APG.1 - The students will demonstrate the skills necessary to participate in the election process, including registering to vote, identifying and evaluating candidates and issues, and casting a ballot.

SO.APG..2 - The students will analyze how constitutionalism preserves fundamental societal values, protects individual freedoms and rights, promotes the general welfare, and responds to changing circumstances and beliefs by defining and limiting the powers of government

SO.APG.3 - The students will define and provide examples of foundational ideas of American government which are embedded in founding era documents: natural rights philosophy, social contract, civic virtue, popular sovereignty, constitutionalism, representative democracy, political factions, federalism and individual rights.

SO.APG.4 - Explain the responsibilities and duties for all individuals (citizens and non-citizens) in a republic.

SO.APG.5 - The students will explain the purposes, organization, functions and processes of the legislative branch, executive branch and judicial branch as enumerated in the United States Constitution.

SO.APG.6 - The students will evaluate the role of interest groups, corporations, think tanks, the media and public opinion on the political process and public policy formation.

SO.APG.7 - The students will analyze how the United States political system is shaped by elections and the election process, including the caucus system and procedures involved in voting

SO.APG.8 - The students will explain why governments interact in world affairs; describe how the United States government develops and carries out United States foreign policy, including treaty-making.

SO.APG.9 - Compare the philosophies structures and operations of different types of governments in other countries with those of the United States.