US Government and Politics(AP) / Macroeconomics (AP)

Recommended: C or better in US History (AP), B or better in US History (Honors), or A in US History and teacher recommendation

AP United States Government and Politics

Introduces students to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning, assess causes and consequences of political events and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments.

The content areas of the course include:

• Constitutional Underpinnings;

• Political Beliefs and Behaviors;

• Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media;

• Institutions of National Government;

• Public Policy; and

• Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

This is a college level course designed to provide a realistic understanding of the workings of the American political system. Students will be well prepared to pass the Advanced Placement exam in May which may qualify them for college credit.

The class will include frequent discussion of controversial topics and issues. Many opportunities will be offered for students to become meaningful participants in off-campus government organizations and events.

AP Macroeconomics

This course provides challenging instruction to students in grade 12 to enable them to meet the mandated one-semester requirement in economics. The course enables students to develop essential decision-making skills necessary for dealing with critical issues in their local communities, California, the United States, and in global society.

The course increases students’ understanding of how individuals and groups use their available resources to satisfy basic needs and wants. AP Macroeconomics gives students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to an economic system as a whole.

The course follows the standard syllabus of Advanced Placement Macroeconomics as specified by the College Board; it prepares students to satisfactorily complete the Advanced Placement Examination in Macroeconomics and thus the opportunity to earn college credit.

Note: The first semester of the course carries the AP designation, offers weighted credit and satisfies EITHER the “a” or “g” UC/CSU requirement; the second semester, which will be designated as AP Macroeconomics on student transcripts, is weighted as well and offers weighted credit but it satisfies the “g” requirement.