The following content is from the College Board’s course description:
The AP® course in United States Government and Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. government and politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. government and politics. Students successfully completing this course will know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to U.S. government and politics, understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures) be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. government and politics (including data presented in charts, tables, and other formats), be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across the curriculum. Topics covered include: the Constitutional underpinnings of the US government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups and mass media, institutions of national government, public policy, and civil rights and liberties.