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American Government
General Information:
Hour: 4th
Room: 105
Instructor: Mr. Jansonius
Required text: Magruder’s American Government
Course Description:
This course offers an overview of our system of government. We will begin with the failure of the Articles of Confederation and cover major governmental changes/events through the present day. We will look closely at how our government works so that students become life-long participants in the political process.
Course Objectives:
1. Students will know the four components that all governments possess.
2. Students will explain the differences between direct and representative governments.
3. Students will know the events and processes involved in the creation and adoption of the Constitution.
4. Students will be able to explain governmental processes as separation of powers, checks and balances, and judicial review.
5. Students will know how amendments are added to the Constitution.
6. Students will know why each political party holds a convention to decide nominations.
7. Students will know how political campaigning has changed over the years.
8. Students will describe different methods interest groups use to influence voters.
9. Students will know how Congress is organized and how it works.
10. Students will describe different powers of the President.
11. Students will know the main goal of American foreign policy today.
12. Students will know how capitalism brought about the collapse of the U.S.S.R.
13. Students will create their own poster that clearly shows the ten steps of how a bill becomes a law.
14. Students will know the difference between main parts of a political cartoon.
15. Students will explain through oral presentation a Constitutional amendment which they will be assigned.
16. Students will know how President Nixon’s Watergate scandal and scandals since have eroded public confidence in our government.
Method of Instruction:
This course will be taught through class discussion and with the use of the materials mentioned above. Students will be active participants in these teaching methods.