AP U.S. Government and Politics
Course Description:
This AP U.S. Government and Politics course is a single-semester course and follows the framework of the College Board Advanced Placement course and exam description. The framework focuses on key concepts and essential knowledge about the foundations of American democracy, civil liberties and civil rights, interactions among branches of government, American political participation, ideologies, and beliefs. By following the AP curriculum framework closely, this course will give an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States: students will study U.S. foundational documents and Supreme Court cases to examine core principles, theories, and processes. The learning activities challenge students to use reasoning and analytical skills to explore political concepts, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. This course also incorporates AP Classroom (an online platform hosted by the College Board) and requires students to access the site to review content and complete practice activities. Additionally, this course is designed to help students prepare for the AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam hosted by the College Board. Course does not include the AP Exam; students can contact their school’s AP Coordinator or the College Board to sign up to take the Exam. There are required due dates in AP courses. The pacing of due dates in AP courses aligns to the completion of all lessons and required assignments and assessments prior to the national AP exam date related to this course title. This course requires purchase of a textbook.
Course Details:
| Course Title (District): | AP U.S. Government and Politics | ||||||||||
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| Course Title (NCES SCED) : | AP U.S. Government and Politics | ||||||||||
| Course Provider : | Michigan Virtual | ||||||||||
| Content Provided By : | Michigan Virtual | ||||||||||
| Online Instructor Provided By : | Michigan Virtual | ||||||||||
| Standards Addressed : | Michigan Merit Curriculum, National Collegiate Athletic Association, CollegeBoard | ||||||||||
| Alignment Document : | https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WeZSiHtRi_8ah4jL_mZV4uPKO7H1Pi8kqfB_AgYJcMg/edit?usp=sharing | ||||||||||
| Academic Terms : | Semester | ||||||||||
| NCES SCED Code : 04157 |
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How To Enroll:
| Enrollment Website : | https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/ |
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| Email : | [email protected] |
| Phone : | (888) 889-2840 |
Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.
Additional Course Information:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (888) 889-2840
- Provide evidence-based explanations of political phenomena by applying critical reasoning, identifying causal relationships, and evaluating the implications of different political principles and institutions
- Construct factually valid, well-reasoned arguments or opinions on issues related to the American government and politics by using multiple disciplinary perspectives to analyze political information presented in various formats
- Engage thoughtfully and critically with contemporary constitutional interpretation, governance, and public policy debates by applying their understanding of the historical and intellectual foundations of American constitutionalism and democratic governance
Additional Cost Description:
Michigan Virtual prepares students for the AP exam but does not offer the AP exam. It is the responsibility of the school or parent to register for a local administration of the AP exam. AP courses often require students purchase a College Board approved textbook. See required textbook requirements below.
Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey Berry, Jerry Goldman, Paul Manna (2020). The Challenge of Democracy: American Government in Global Politics, 14th Edition, Cengage. For purchasing options, visit https://www.cengage.com/c/the-challenge-of-democracy-american-government-in-global-politics-enhanced-14e-janda/9781337799812PF/
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...
NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses: Third Edition (2019)
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course | Fully Met | |
| A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* | Fully Met | |
| A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. | Fully Met | |
| A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. | Fully Met | |
| A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* | Fully Met | |
| A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. | Fully Met | |
| A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* | Fully Met | |
| A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. | Fully Met |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* | Fully Met | |
| B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. | Fully Met | |
| B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* | Fully Met | |
| B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* | Fully Met | |
| B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* | Fully Met | |
| B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* | Fully Met | |
| B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. | Fully Met | |
| B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* | Fully Met | |
| B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. | Fully Met | |
| B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* | Fully Met |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. | Fully Met | |
| C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. | Fully Met | |
| C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. | Fully Met | |
| C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* | Fully Met | |
| C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. | Fully Met | |
| C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. | Fully Met | |
| C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. | Fully Met | |
| C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* | Fully Met | |
| C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* | Fully Met |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. | Fully Met | |
| D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. | Fully Met | |
| D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* | Fully Met | |
| D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* | Fully Met | |
| D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* | Fully Met |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* | Fully Met | |
| E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* | Fully Met | |
| E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* | Fully Met | |
| E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* | Fully Met | |
| E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* | Fully Met |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. | Fully Met | |
| F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* | Fully Met | |
| F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* | Fully Met | |
| F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* | Fully Met | |
| F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* | Fully Met |
| Rating | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. | Fully Met | |
| G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. | Fully Met | |
| G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. | Fully Met |
Review Conducted By: Quality Matters
Date of Review:
11/27/2023
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Unit 4: American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
Unit 5: Political Participation
Unit 6: AP Exam & Review
| Term Type | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Ends | Random Draw Date | Enrollment Drop Date | Course Starts | Course Ends | # of Seats | Course Fee | Potential Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester | 04/01/2025 | 09/19/2025 | 07/01/2025 | 09/12/2025 | 08/29/2025 | 01/16/2026 | 100 | $440 | |
| Semester | 04/01/2025 | 02/06/2026 | 07/01/2025 | 01/30/2026 | 01/16/2026 | 06/05/2026 | 100 | $440 |
| Drop Policy | Completion Policy | Term Type | Enrollment Opens | Enrollment Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. | Michigan Virtual has established that enrollments earning 60% or more of the total course points are considered a course completion. | Semester | 04/01/2025 | 09/19/2025 |
| Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. | Michigan Virtual has established that enrollments earning 60% or more of the total course points are considered a course completion. | Semester | 04/01/2025 | 02/06/2026 |
| School Year | Enrollment Count | Pass Count | Completion Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23-24 | 145 | 138 | 95.17% |
Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.
Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/