Ap Government and Politics

This course is the culmination of the civic literacy strand of history-social studies that prepares students to vote, and to be informed, skilled, and engaged participants in civic life. As this course progresses, students will learn about the responsibilities they have or will soon have as voting members of an informed electorate. They’ll learn about the benefits to democracy of an electorate willing to compromise, practice genuine tolerance and respect of others, and actively engage in an ethical and civil society. They’ll discover that all citizens have the power to elect and change their representatives —a power protected by free speech, thought, and assembly guarantees. They’ll learn that all citizens deserve equal treatment under the law, safe-guarded from arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by the government. Students will review how these elements developed over our history, such as the broadening of the franchise from white males with property, to all white males, then men and women of color, and finally, 18-21 year olds. Students will learn how our government works and how it is different from other systems of governance. Students will examine both the constitutional basis for and current examples of the fact that members of the government are themselves subject to the law and they’ll learn about the vital importance of an independent judiciary. They will compare our democratic system with authoritarian regimes of the past and today to understand the unique nature of our Constitutional democracy. Finally, students will conclude their study of American government with a study of both historical and modern problems of American democracy