American Government

Study the American political and legal systems in-depth, beginning with an examination of the U.S. Constitution and the intentions of our Founding Fathers. Analyze the pivotal roles of legislative bodies, executive officials and the courts in governmental decision-making and the influence of political parties, public opinion, interest groups and foreign governments.

This High School Course is also offered as part of the College Prep Online Diploma program.

Credits: 0.5 Unit

Course ID: SSV12

Course Area: Social Studies

Course Type: College Prep

Study Method: Online

Course Outline:

Module 1: The Foundation of American Government

Unit 1: Defining Politics and Government in the Modern World

Lesson 1: The need for politics and government

Lesson 2: What governments do

Lesson 3: The creation of governments

Lesson 4: Global interdependence

Unit 2: Creating the Constitution

Lesson 1: Constitutional ideas and the enlightenment

Lesson 2: Rebellion against the old order

Lesson 3: The Articles of Confederation

Lesson 4: The battle over the Constitution

Lesson 5: Ratification

Unit 3: The Federal Constitution and the Powers of States

Lesson 1: The constitutional framework

Lesson 2: The Principals of American constitutional government

Lesson 3: Formal and informal methods of changing the Constitution

Lesson 4: The division of powers in a federal government

Lesson 5: Relations between states and the supremacy clause

Lesson 6: Federalism in the modern era

Module 2: Citizens and the Political Institutions of Modern American Government

Unit 1: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

Lesson 1: The Bill of Rights and constitutionally guaranteed freedoms

Lesson 2: The first amendment: religion, expression and the press

Lesson 3: Due process and the rights of the accused

Lesson 4: The struggle for equality

Lesson 5: Equal protection

Lesson 6: Immigration and citizenship

Unit 2: The Effect of Politics in Government

Lesson 1: Public opinion and political attitudes

Lesson 2: Political parties

Lesson 3: Interest groups and lobbying

Lesson 4: Elections and campaigns

Lesson 5: The media and the Internet

Lesson 6: The right to vote

Module 3: The Institutions of Government

Unit 1: The Legislative Branch

Lesson 1: The organization of Congress

Lesson 2: Congressional authority

Lesson 3: How laws are made

Unit 2: The Executive Branch

Lesson 1: The President

Lesson 2: The development of the modern presidency

Lesson 3: The bureaucracy

Unit 3: The Federal Courts

Lesson 1: The organization of the federal courts

Lesson 2: The Supreme Court

Lesson 3: The court's effect on public policy

Items Provided by Students: none