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Academic

American Government

The United States government offers a case study in revolution, emerging democracy, global politics, civil rights, capitalism and civics. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of American government and politics focusing on the historical evolution of government and policies, the major institutions, and the major processes. This courses offers students a chance to study the origins, development, structure and function of American government, its predecessors and unique characteristics, projected potential and possible limits. Throughout the course, students will evaluate the various characteristics unique to American government through the critical lens of history and current international developments with a constant eye toward future limitations or promises still to be met. The great experiment that is American democracy and government covers fundamental lessons in constitutionalism, federalism, checks and balances, bureaucracy, civil rights and civil liberties as well as the importance and effects of political participation and behavior as it impacts policy formation. All of these concepts combine to produce one of the most unique government institutions in the world and a comprehensive understanding of its inner workings, strengths and limitations ensures students will gain a educated and informed view of American government as a whole and as compared with other governments around the world.

Course goals include developing an interest in and understanding of today’s government, policy development, and politics as well as developing critical thinking and information-literacy skills in the areas of government and politics. Topics include the Constitution, federalism, civil rights and civil liberties, the structure and processes of the three branches of government, political socialization, interest groups and public opinion, political parties and the election process, as well as basic U.S social, economic, and foreign policy.

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Outline the institutional structures and how these structures interact with each other to explain the processes of government
  • Apply an understanding of government processes to analyze contemporary politics
  • Explain how the historical development of the United States affects the contemporary political environment
  • Analyze the formal and informal processes by which public policy is made
  • Explain how individual actors impact the contemporary political environment
  • Apply informational literacy skills in the study of politics

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