AP United States Government and Politics
Advanced Placement (AP) United States Government and Politics (often shortened to AP Gov and sometimes referred to as AP American Government or simply AP Government) is a college-level course and examination offered to high school students through the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. This course surveys the structure and function of American government and politics that begins with an analysis of the United States Constitution, the foundation of the American political system. Students study the three branches of government, administrative agencies that support each branch, the role of political behavior in the democratic process, rules governing elections, political culture, and the workings of political parties and interest groups. Topic outline The material in the course is composed of multiple subjects from the Constitutional roots of the United States to recent developments in civil rights and liberties. The AP United States Government examination covers roughly six subjects listed below in approximate percentage composition of the examination. Foundations of American Democracy (15-22%) Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution Separation of powers Federalism Theories of democratic government Interactions Among Branches of Government (25-36%) The major formal and informal institutional arrangements of power; the Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and