Dear AP U.S. Government and Politics student,
Happy (almost) summer and congratulations on your decision to take AP U.S. Government and Politics! In this college-level course, we will explore six major topics: The Constitution and Federalism; Political Beliefs, Public Opinion and Voting; Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media; The Three Branches of the Federal Government and the Bureaucracy; Public Policy and the Budget; and Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. We will pursue three goals: an understanding of the U.S. political system, a culture of active citizenship, and a 5 on the AP Exam in May.
AP summer reading assignments are developed on a county basis and none exists for this course. Therefore, I cannot command you to do anything. But I will make one strong suggestion: Follow the news, especially stories related to U.S. government and politics.
There are a lot of interesting things happening in this presidential election year. Catch some of the coverage, especially the major speeches, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland (July 18-21) and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia (July 25-28). Will Trump and the Republican establishment make peace? Will Sanders throw his whole support behind Clinton? Who will be the VP picks? Will there be a significant third party candidate? Meanwhile, there are also many Congressional races. The Supreme Court, still down one Justice since the death of Antonin Scalia and the Senate’s refusal to consider Obama’s appointment of Merrick Garland, will release their decision in the affirmative action case Fisher v. University of Texas within the month. Not sure what affirmative action means? Look it up! Following these and other news stories will help you form a passion for (and your own opinions on) government and politics.
In the twenty-first century, there are many ways for us to access the news. The following is by no means a comprehensive list. Even if you already follow the news, increase your efforts with some of the following suggestions.
Newspapers and Magazines (e.g., Cecil Whig,TIME) still exist and can be great sources for news! You might consider subscribing to receive a hard copy, or simply (and freely) reading articles on their websites.
Radio: See if any of the following stations come in clearly in your home or car. Or listen online by streaming or downloading podcasts. NPR’s “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” are great programs.
90.9 FM – WHYY (Philadelphia)
88.1 FM – WYPR (Baltimore)
89.5 FM – WITF (Harrisburg)
Apps: Many news outlets have their own apps. Explore. Here are a few…
The New York Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Washington Post
Baltimore Sun News Reader
Cecil Daily (for local perspective)
BBC News (for international perspective)
Gallup News (for polling data and articles)
Email Newsletters deliver articles right to your inbox…
The Washington Post
Go to and scroll down to the bottom. Under “Get Us,” look for “Newsletters & Alerts” and create an account.
TIME
Go to time.com and scroll down a little bit to “Sign Up for THE BRIEF” (in center of screen, under headlines)
Television: Obviously, there are a number of 24/7 news networks (Fox News, CNN, MSNBC). Some programs are better than others. Check some out. Additionally, consider…
-nightly news shows, such as NBC Nightly News (6:30).
-Sunday morning talk shows, such as NBC’s Meet the Press, CBS’s Face the Nation, ABC’s This Week, or Fox News Sunday.
Political Cartoons are fun and interesting. Find and read some.
The U.S. Constitution will be involved in many of the news stories you encounter. It will be central to our course. I will give you a copy in August, but you could also find it online.
AP U.S. Government and Politics Prep Books are made by a number of publishing companies. It could not hurt to get one and peruse it before the course. It would make an excellent birthday or Christmas present. This is a particularly useful resource in terms of preparing for the AP Exam.
As you follow the news, you will undoubtedly come across things you do not understand. We all do. Look things up! Look things up! And also, look things up! This is integral to intellectual growth. Also, be cognizant of media bias. Certain sources may be more left-wing or right-wing. Recognize this and consider multiple perspectives on issues.
By the way, this assignment never ends. Hopefully you will continue to follow the news until your dying day. But if this habit has not yet been formed, start it now.
Have an enjoyable and enlightening summer.
–Mr. Fox