US Government
US Government Online High School Course
COURSE LENGTH:
Semester (15 Sessions)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will familiarize students with the foundations of the American Government, politics and key aspects of the U.S. Constitution. Students will read primary and secondary sources to examine how the American Republic was designed and how it operates today. By studying the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Federalist Papers, political parties, and electoral processes, students will be equipped with the background knowledge necessary to analyze how American Government both shapes and is shaped by current developments in the U.S. and around the world. The second half of the course will focus on the modern political process, examining various influences on domestic policies. The course will culminate with students writing a policy memo where they analyze and recommend changes to a current policy or suggest a new policy.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Analyze the historical context and ideals that lead to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Examine and Analyze key founding documents: “Declaration of Independence”, “Constitution”, and “Federalist Papers”.
Explore how American political institutions have evolved during modern times.
Examine the modern political process and assess the influence of political parties, interest groups, and the media on domestic policy.
Practice expressing written arguments supported by textual evidence.
Investigate a policy area of your choice and experience the political process through hands-on civic action.
Enduring understandings:
Understand the historical context and compromises that lead to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Understand how the three branches of government create checks and balances in order to separate powers within the American Democratic Republic.
Understand how American citizens participate in the election process and how the Electoral College works.
Understand how the processes and structures of government differ between the federal, state, and local levels.
Be able to detect bias in political media.