American Exceptionalism and Orientalism In U.S. Civics Education: A Comparative Word Frequency Analysis of Advanced Placement Curricula

This word frequency analysis of AP US Government and AP Comparative Government critiques double-standards in word-choice patterns that produce idealized representations of the USA alongside deficit-based representations of foreign governments and discusses how American exceptionalist and Orientalist tropes in U.S. civics education undermine critical civic literacy while legitimizing American imperialism.