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U.S. Government and Politics

Basic & On Demand

Enrollment for Basic and On Demand courses is open on a rolling basis.

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Plus

Teachers can use the complete Plus course curriculum for flexible instruction.

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Course Summary

Learn how the U.S. government works, and examine the political behavior and history that formed its institutions. Investigate the history and principles behind the Constitution, gain an understanding of the three branches of government, and explore civil rights and civil liberties. Students develop knowledge of the institutions, policies, political groups, and theories central to the politics of the United States. 

In this course, engage in critical and evaluative thinking, data analysis, collaborative discussion, free-response essay writing, and interpretation of original documents.

Curriculum

This is a 1-semester course.

Unit 1: Foundations of American Government
  • What is Government?
  • American Democracy
  • English and Enlightenment Traditions
  • American Independence
  • Building the Constitution
  • The U.S. Constitution
  • Basic Principles of the U.S. Constitution
  • Inside the Constitution
  • The Bill of Rights 
  • Powers Divided
  • Evolution of Federalism
Unit 2: Political Behavior
  • Political Parties and Voting Behavior
  • Political Parties    
  • Party Function and Structure
  • Party Identification
  • Voting Behavior and Intensity    
  • Elections
  • Financial Participation in Elections    
  • Congressional Elections
  • The Electoral College
  • Presidential Elections
Unit 3: The Legislative Branch
  • Structure of the House of Representatives
  • Structure of the Senate
  • Passage of a Bill
Unit 4: The Executive Branch
  • The Nature of a President
  • Presidential Roles
  • The White House
  • Presidential Politics, Polls, and the Press
  • The Budget
  • The Nature of the Bureaucracy
  • The Cabinet
  • Other Bureaucratic Bodies
  • Checks on the Bureaucracy
Unit 5: The Judicial Branch
  • The Federal Court System
  • Historical Supreme Courts
  • The Nature of the Supreme Court
  • The Modern Supreme Court
Unit 6: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
  • Incorporation
  • Freedom of Religion
  • Freedom of Speech
  • Freedom of the Press
  • The Fourth Amendment
  • Due Process and Criminal Rights
  • The Civil Rights Movement
  • Equality Before the Law