AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Price: $125 | Credits: One semester | Dept: Social Studies | Course ID# 242
This course is an overview of how the government of the United States of America was founded and operates today. As well, a comparison is offered against the other governments of the world. Major topics include, but are not limited to: the origins of American government, the U.S. Constitution, federalism, the powers of Congress, formal powers of the president, constitutional interpretation and the Supreme Court, the electoral process, mass media and public opinion, state vs. federal government and the political systems of Great Britain, France, Japan and Russia. The class addresses the 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 in an accelerated rate.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this module, students gain a comprehension of the following:
- The origins of American government including the articles of confederation and the constitution.
- The powers and limitations to the legislative branch, including the powers of congress and how government is financed.
- The powers and limitations to the executive branch, the formal powers of the president, foreign policy, and national defense.
- The powers and limitations to the judicial branch, the federal court system, landmark supreme court cases, and constitutional interpretation.
- The origin and evolution of America’s political parties, voter behavior, the electoral process, interest groups, mass media, and public opinion.
- State and local government, including their structure and function, the role of the state governor, state courts, and citizen participation.
- Other political systems aroud the world for comparison, including Great Britain, France, Japan, and Russia.
TOPICS COVERED
This course covers the following topics:
- Foundations of American Government
- The Legislative Branch
- The Executive Branch
- The Judical Branch
- Political Behavior: Government By The People
- Participating in State and Local Government
- Comparative Political Systems
- Foundations of American Government
- The Legislative Branch
- The Executive Branch
- The Judical Branch
- Political Behavior: Government By The People
- Participating in State and Local Government
- Comparative Political Systems
