This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
This course will present students with an in-depth look at the foundations, institution, organization, operation, and policies of the United States’ government.
Total classes: 12
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
Suggested credit: 1 full semester Government
Description
This course will present students with an in-depth look at the foundations, institution, organization, operation, and policies of the United States’ government. In Part Two, students will survey the civil rights and civil liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and explore how the judiciary has interpreted the First, Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. The structure, rules, and influence of the media, including an examination into media bias, will also be investigated. At the end of the year, students will be challenged to undertake a comparative study of political systems. By comparing and contrasting political institutions and processes of other countries, students will be able to derive important generalizations.
This course will closely follow the AP curriculum and students are encouraged to take the AP or CLEP test after the completion of this course.
Outline
Class One – Rights of the Accused
Class Two – Roe v. Wade and Its Progeny
Class Three – Civil Rights
Class Four – Civil Rights (cont’d.)
Class Five – Public Opinion and Polling
Class Six – Political Ideologies and Voting
Class Seven – Political Parties
Class Eight – Elections
Class Nine – The Media
Class Ten – Interest Groups
Class Eleven – AP Exam Hints and Tips
Class Twelve – Review
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: All materials provided free. Students will be reading the United States Constitution and other foundational documents, portions of the Federalist Papers, landmark Supreme Court cases, and other relevant materials provided by the instructor.
Homework: Expect to spend roughly two hours a week outside of class reading the assigned weekly course materials, completing automated quizzes (for immediate feedback), and writing an occasional essay. There will be a final exam at the end of the semester.
