American Government
POL 123YC Academy’s American Government course provides a comprehensive introduction to the concepts of the United States government. Using the US Constitution and the philosophical origins of government systems as a foundation, the course explores all branches of the United States government and provides students with an understanding of the basic organizations, policies of the political system, public policy, civil liberties, and American political culture.
Course Outline
Click the + icon in each module to see its contents.
Outcomes/Objectives
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Module #1
What is Government?
- Theories, States, and Characteristics of Governments
- Purpose and Process of Government
- Foundational Democratic Principle
- U.S. Democratic Values
Module #3
Federalism and Constitutional Interpretation
- The Founders and Federalism
- Creating Federalism
- Constitution Interpretation
Module #5
American Politics
- Political Ideologies and Political Culture
- Political Socialization and the Creation of Political Beliefs
- Measuring Public Opinion
- Involvement in Government
- Voting
Module #5
American Politics
- Political Ideologies and Political Culture
- Political Socialization and the Creation of Political Beliefs
- Measuring Public Opinion
- Involvement in Government
- Voting
Module #7
Congress
- Changes in Congressional Power
- Congressional Leadership
- Congressional Representation
- Congressional Committees
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
Module #9
The Bureaucracy
- The Evolution and Expansion of the Bureaucracy
- The Organization of the Bureaucracy
- The Models of Bureaucracy and Bureaucrats
- Reforming the Bureaucracy
Module #11
Policy: National and International
- U.S. Foreign Policy
- U.S. Foreign and Defense Policies
- Economic Policy
- Public Policy
Module #13
Comparative Political and Economic Systems
- Comparative Government
- Comparing Economic Systems
- Globalization
Module #2
The Constitution
- Limiting Government
- Independence and the Articles of Confederation
- The Constitutional Convention
- Ratification of the Constitution
- The Constitutional Amendments
Module #4
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- The Civil Rights Movement
- The 14th Amendment and the Expansion of Civil Rights
- Traditional Civil Rights
- Civil Rights in the New World
Module #6
Public Policy
- Political Parties
- Campaigns and Elections
- Special Interest Groups
- The Media and Politics
- The Internet and Politics
Module #6
Public Policy
- Political Parties
- Campaigns and Elections
- Special Interest Groups
- The Media and Politics
- The Internet and Politics
Module #8
The Expansion of Power
- Becoming President
- The Job of a U.S. President
- The Evolution of the Presidency
- Presidential Character
- All the President’s Men and Women
Module #10
The Judiciary
- Creation of the Federal Courts
- Structure of the Federal Courts
- The Supreme Court
- Judges and Justices
- Power of the Federal Courts
Module #12
Governments, Taxation, and Education
- State and Local Governments
- State and Local Taxation
- Funding Education
Evaluate and apply the foundations of the American government to everyday life and scenarios, including interpretations of the Constitution and civil liberties/rights.
Bloom’s level 5
Evaluate and explain the structure of American politics, including public policy and the role of state and local governments.
Bloom’s level 5
Explain and compare the three branches of the American government and how they interact in the development, enforcement, and interpretation of legislation.
Bloom’s level 4
Analyze and compare international and national policy as well as the different types of government and economic systems around the globe.
Bloom’s level 5
Course Outline
Click the + icon in each module to see its contents.
Module #1
What is Government?
- Theories, States, and Characteristics of Governments
- Purpose and Process of Government
- Foundational Democratic Principle
- U.S. Democratic Values
Module #3
Federalism and Constitutional Interpretation
- The Founders and Federalism
- Creating Federalism
- Constitution Interpretation
Module #5
American Politics
- Political Ideologies and Political Culture
- Political Socialization and the Creation of Political Beliefs
- Measuring Public Opinion
- Involvement in Government
- Voting
Module #7
Congress
- Changes in Congressional Power
- Congressional Leadership
- Congressional Representation
- Congressional Committees
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
Module #9
The Bureaucracy
- The Evolution and Expansion of the Bureaucracy
- The Organization of the Bureaucracy
- The Models of Bureaucracy and Bureaucrats
- Reforming the Bureaucracy
Module #11
Policy: National and International
- U.S. Foreign Policy
- U.S. Foreign and Defense Policies
- Economic Policy
- Public Policy
Module #13
Comparative Political and Economic Systems
- Comparative Government
- Comparing Economic Systems
- Globalization
Module #2
The Constitution
- Limiting Government
- Independence and the Articles of Confederation
- The Constitutional Convention
- Ratification of the Constitution
- The Constitutional Amendments
Module #4
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- The Civil Rights Movement
- The 14th Amendment and the Expansion of Civil Rights
- Traditional Civil Rights
- Civil Rights in the New World
Module #6
Public Policy
- Political Parties
- Campaigns and Elections
- Special Interest Groups
- The Media and Politics
- The Internet and Politics
Module #8
The Expansion of Power
- Becoming President
- The Job of a U.S. President
- The Evolution of the Presidency
- Presidential Character
- All the President’s Men and Women
Module #10
The Judiciary
- Creation of the Federal Courts
- Structure of the Federal Courts
- The Supreme Court
- Judges and Justices
- Power of the Federal Courts
Module #12
Governments, Taxation, and Education
- State and Local Governments
- State and Local Taxation
- Funding Education
Outcomes/Objectives
Click on each tab to view its contents.
Evaluate and apply the foundations of the American government to everyday life and scenarios, including interpretations of the Constitution and civil liberties/rights.
Bloom’s level 5
Evaluate and explain the structure of American politics, including public policy and the role of state and local governments.
Bloom’s level 5
Explain and compare the three branches of the American government and how they interact in the development, enforcement, and interpretation of legislation.
Bloom’s level 4
Analyze and compare international and national policy as well as the different types of government and economic systems around the globe.
Bloom’s level 5
Outcomes/Objectives
Click on each tab to view its contents.
Evaluate and apply the foundations of the American government to everyday life and scenarios, including interpretations of the Constitution and civil liberties/rights.
Bloom’s level 5
Evaluate and explain the structure of American politics, including public policy and the role of state and local governments.
Bloom’s level 5
Explain and compare the three branches of the American government and how they interact in the development, enforcement, and interpretation of legislation.
Bloom’s level 4
Analyze and compare international and national policy as well as the different types of government and economic systems around the globe.
Bloom’s level 5
Course Outline
Click the + icon in each module to see its contents.
Module #1
What is Government?
- Theories, States, and Characteristics of Governments
- Purpose and Process of Government
- Foundational Democratic Principle
- U.S. Democratic Values
Module #2
The Constitution
- Limiting Government
- Independence and the Articles of Confederation
- The Constitutional Convention
- Ratification of the Constitution
- The Constitutional Amendments
Module #3
Federalism and Constitutional Interpretation
- The Founders and Federalism
- Creating Federalism
- Constitution Interpretation
Module #4
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
- The Civil Rights Movement
- The 14th Amendment and the Expansion of Civil Rights
- Traditional Civil Rights
- Civil Rights in the New World
Module #5
American Politics
- Political Ideologies and Political Culture
- Political Socialization and the Creation of Political Beliefs
- Measuring Public Opinion
- Involvement in Government
- Voting
Module #6
Public Policy
- Political Parties
- Campaigns and Elections
- Special Interest Groups
- The Media and Politics
- The Internet and Politics
Module #7
Congress
- Changes in Congressional Power
- Congressional Leadership
- Congressional Representation
- Congressional Committees
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
Module #8
The Expansion of Power
- Becoming President
- The Job of a U.S. President
- The Evolution of the Presidency
- Presidential Character
- All the President’s Men and Women
Module #9
The Bureaucracy
- The Evolution and Expansion of the Bureaucracy
- The Organization of the Bureaucracy
- The Models of Bureaucracy and Bureaucrats
- Reforming the Bureaucracy
Module #10
The Judiciary
- Creation of the Federal Courts
- Structure of the Federal Courts
- The Supreme Court
- Judges and Justices
- Power of the Federal Courts
Module #11
Policy: National and International
- U.S. Foreign Policy
- U.S. Foreign and Defense Policies
- Economic Policy
- Public Policy
Module #12
Governments, Taxation, and Education
- State and Local Governments
- State and Local Taxation
- Funding Education
Module #13
Comparative Political and Economic Systems
- Comparative Government
- Comparing Economic Systems
- Globalization
Lesson Features
Each of our lessons is designed as self-contained learning environment that provides all the context, explanation, and resources you need to learn about a specific topic. We give you the information you need in a format that helps you apply it in your daily life.
Context
Knowing why a topic matters and how it applies to your experience is an important part of learning anything. That’s why we make sure you have the proper context for the information we give you.
Video Overview
Every TEL Library lesson features a video overview of the information being presented. Our videos provide helpful text callouts and a downloadable transcript.
Readings
We provide two different readings that elaborate information related to the lesson topic. The first gives you essential, objective information while the second offers a deeper look at a specific sub-topic or a view of different perspectives.
Check Your Knowledge
Developing a clear understanding of a topic generally requires that you spend time reflecting on the meaning or impact of its concepts and information. We facilitate this reflection with polls designed to help you create connections to the topic.
Glossary
It’s easy to get tripped up on unfamiliar terms when you’re trying to learn something new. We’ve developed in-line glossary definitions of key terms to help make lessons easier to read and understand.
Toolbox Resources
We know that our lessons are simply a starting point for many learners. That’s why we provide a toolbox with related web resources for each lesson so that you can continue your learning journey on a specific topic.