This course provides an overview of how the government of the United States was founded and how it operates today. Students explore the principles and structures of American government, as well as how public policy is created, implemented, and evaluated. Major topics include, but are not limited to: the origins and principles of American government, the U.S. Constitution and federalism, the roles and powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the development and impact of public policy, civil liberties and civil rights, and the role of citizens in a democratic society. Students also examine elections, political parties, media, and public opinion, and analyze how individuals and groups influence government.
The course emphasizes critical thinking, evaluation of evidence, and civic participation, encouraging students to understand not only how government works but how they can engage with it. It addresses federal and state standards for high school government and is recommended for 12th graders. American Government is approved by the University of California A-G as a history/social science (category A).
Upon completion of this course, the student is awarded 5 credits. Each credit corresponds to 15 hours of study. Of course, some students work more quickly than others, and some can devote more hours to study, so some students are able to complete the course at an accelerated rate.
In this module, students gain a comprehension of the following:
• The origins and foundational principles of American government, including Enlightenment ideas, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and the development of federalism.
• The structure, powers, and limitations of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, including how laws are made, enforced, and interpreted, and how checks and balances operate in practice.
• The role of the presidency and the bureaucracy in shaping policy, including foreign policy, national defense, and the implementation of government programs.
• The role of the federal courts and the Supreme Court in constitutional interpretation, including landmark cases and their impact on American society.
• How public policy is developed, evaluated, and shaped by federal, state, and local governments, including the tradeoffs and consequences of policy decisions.
• Civil liberties and civil rights, including the protections of the Bill of Rights, due process, equal protection, and the ongoing struggle for equality.
• The role of citizens in government, including voting, elections, political parties, interest groups, media, public opinion, and civic participation at the state and local levels.
