United States
Government and
Politics Study Library.

Constitutional Convention and the Philadelphia debates · Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation · Separation of powers and checks and balances · Federalism: enumerated, implied, reserved, and concurrent powers · Supremacy Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause · Enlightenment influences on the Founders (Locke, Montesquieu) · Constitutional amendments: Article V amendment process · Key amendments (1st–10th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 26th) · Natural rights and popular sovereignty (Declaration of Independence) · Brutus No. 1 critique of centralized power · Federalist No. 10: factions and the extended republic · Federalist No. 51: ambition counteracting ambition · McCulloch v. Maryland: implied powers and federal supremacy · Required foundational documents: Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Federalist Nos. 10 and 51, Brutus No. 1

Congressional structure: bicameralism, committees, party leadership, House Rules Committee · Legislative process: how a bill becomes law, filibuster, cloture (60-vote threshold) · Congressional oversight mechanisms: hearings, investigations, budget power · Presidential formal powers: veto, pocket veto, pardon, treaty-making, appointment · Presidential informal powers: executive orders, executive agreements, signing statements, going public · Executive agencies and the federal bureaucracy: departments, independent agencies, regulatory bodies · Bureaucratic policymaking: rulemaking (notice-and-comment), iron triangles, issue networks · Federal court structure and jurisdiction: original vs. appellate; Article III courts · SCOTUS appointment and confirmation process · Judicial review and the role of precedent (stare decisis) · Inter-branch conflict: legislative veto, executive privilege, confirmation battles · Federalist No. 70: unitary executive and presidential energy · Federalist No. 76: Senate confirmation of presidential appointments · Federalist No. 78: judicial independence and lifetime tenure · Required SCOTUS cases: Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, United States v. Lopez

Selective incorporation doctrine: 14th Amendment Due Process Clause applying Bill of Rights to states · First Amendment: freedom of speech, press, religion (Establishment Clause, Free Exercise Clause), assembly, petition · Clear and present danger test (Schenck v. United States) · Symbolic speech and student rights (Tinker v. Des Moines) · Prior restraint of the press (New York Times Co. v. United States) · Establishment Clause and school prayer (Engel v. Vitale) · Free Exercise Clause and religious exemptions (Wisconsin v. Yoder) · Due process rights: right to counsel (Gideon v. Wainwright) · Second Amendment incorporation (McDonald v. City of Chicago) · Equal Protection Clause: 14th Amendment and civil rights · Racial segregation and school desegregation (Brown v. Board of Education) · Redistricting and racial gerrymandering (Shaw v. Reno) · Civil rights movements and landmark legislation: Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965) · Letter from Birmingham Jail: moral authority for civil disobedience · Civil liberties vs. civil rights distinction · Required SCOTUS cases: Schenck, Brown, Engel, Gideon, Tinker, NYT v. US, Wisconsin v. Yoder, Shaw v. Reno, McDonald, Roe v. Wade

Political socialization: family, school, media, peers, religion, geography as agents · Public opinion: formation, measurement, and influence on policymaking · Polling methodology: random sampling, sampling error, margin of error, question wording effects, response bias · Political ideology: liberal vs. conservative positions across policy domains · Political spectrum: left-right continuum; libertarian and authoritarian dimensions · Linkage institutions: political parties, interest groups, elections, and media as channels between citizens and government · Media influence: agenda-setting, framing, priming in political opinion formation · Government's role in economic policy: differing ideological perspectives · Social policy positions and ideological cleavages (abortion, gun control, immigration) · Generational and demographic differences in political opinion

Types of elections: primary, general, caucus, initiative, referendum, recall · Electoral College: mechanics, winner-take-all vs. proportional allocation, 270-vote threshold, faithless electors · Single-member plurality (first-past-the-post) vs. proportional representation systems · Political parties: functions, party realignment, dealignment, New Deal coalition, Southern strategy · Third parties: barriers to entry, spoiler effect, structural disadvantages · Interest groups: types (economic, public interest, ideological), tactics (lobbying, litigation, electioneering) · Campaign finance: Federal Election Commission, PACs, Super PACs, 527 organizations · Citizens United v. FEC: political spending as protected speech · Voter behavior: party identification, candidate characteristics, issues, retrospective voting · Voter turnout: factors increasing/decreasing participation; demographic patterns · Voter registration laws and their effect on turnout · Linkage institutions and democratic accountability · Baker v. Carr: one person, one vote and reapportionment · Shaw v. Reno: racial gerrymandering in redistricting