Don't limit yourself to just these topics, but these deserve special attention:
the articles of the Constitution
what are the delegated, implied, reserved and denied powers?
the Bill of Rights
Substantive and procedural liberties
civil liberties
civil rights
the equal protection clause
the powers of the president
differences between the House and the Senate
judicial review
apportionment
political parties
the two party system
party coalitions
Oliver Wendell Holmes
freedom of speech
republics
direct democracies
iron triangles
the due process of the law
agency capture
components of democracy
separated powers
checks and balances
strict scrutiny
intermediate review
autocracy
the grievances in the Declaration of Independence
Federalist 10, 45, 51, 78
voter turnout
constitutional interpretation
the public policy process
parties in Congress
purpose of foreign policy
wall of separation
purpose of social welfare policy
minority rights
suffrage
state sovereign immunity
sub-governments
the Missouri Compromise
federalism
national v. state v. local government
elections to national office
the role of states in elections
executive departments
suspect classifications
rational basis review
the right to petition
nominating conventions
liberalism
conservatism
tyranny
free exercise of religion
the establishment clause
the freedom of speech
searches and seizures
grand juries
winner take all elections
constitutions
the judiciary
service during good behavior
John Locke
the consent of the governed
the Supreme Court
procedure in the courts
how bills become law
military power
unified and divided government
committees in Congress
the Security Clause
the right to privacy
Baker v Carr
Brown v Board of Education
Marbury v Madison
inherent powers
the New Deal
party eras
critical elections
the origins of political parties
the free rider problem
the rights of criminal defendants
the presidency
There's no guarantee, but if you have a firm grasp of these concepts you just might be able to pass this class.
