Course Description

US Government offers students a comprehensive examination of this country’s government. Students explore the evolution of American democracy, from its birth in the eighteenth century to the expansive role of federal, state, and local governments today. The course covers topics such as changes to the Constitution, the function of the Supreme Court, the structure of Congress, and the importance of the media. The course explores the relationship between the political parties and lobbyists, and the process of monitoring and funding federal elections. Students investigate the roles of state and local governments and their impact on citizens’ daily lives. At the end of this course, students have a knowledge of and appreciation for the workings and history of the US government and understand its impact on American society.

Course Breakdown

1. Types of elections
2. Campaign process
3. Role of the media in government
4. Unity Poster Project
5. The Bill of Rights Court Ruling Project
6. United States court system
7. Taxes and national debt
8. State governments and their authority
9. Local governments and their authority

Course Goals

• Describe the election process.
• Assess the role of the media in American politics.
• Explain how the Bill of Rights protects the important freedoms of individuals.
• Create a poster to persuade an audience to take action to resolve a local, state, or national issue. Describe the role of the court system at the local and national levels.
• Contrast common law, statutory law, criminal law, and administrative law.
• Explain the relationship between the American economic system and the federal budget.
• Describe how state and local governments develop their budgets.
• Analyze a Supreme Court ruling and present an evaluation of the ruling’s adherence to constitutional principles.