American Government

Explore what the framers of the U.S. Constitution meant by "a more perfect union" and the result of their vision: the creation of democracy. Learn how the U.S. government is structured and operates, and examine its three branches that make up a system of checks and balances.

What you’ll learn

  • Students can complete in as little as 25 days.
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American Government

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

All courses include:

eTextbooks

2 to 3-day turnaround for grading

Multiple chances to improve your grade

On-demand tutoring & writing center

Student support 7 days a week

American Government

$79

Plus membership

3 Credits

About This Course

|
ACE Approved 2024

American Government begins with the evolution of the social contract, U.S. political ideals, and the four theories of power in America. Explore Federalism and the connections between federal and state governments.

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What You'll Learn

Identify the essential components of the American branches of government.

Analyze primary sources to compare and contrast historical perspectives.

Explain the importance of and evolution of civil rights throughout United States' history.

Delineate between the policies of different political parties.

Identify and recall the basic foundations of American foreign policy.

Distinguish voting patterns throughout United States history.

Create a civic engagement communication and defend a current community issue of personal importance.

Think and critically write about policy and presidential documents essential to understanding the political trajectory of the United States of America.

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Course Details

POLS101

|

American Government

This course examines the structure of United States government by analyzing its domestic and foreign duties in relation to its democratic foundations and values. In addition, this course discusses how the American people influence and interact with both federal and state institutions.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take American Government.

Topic Subtopics
Critial Thinking and Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen
  • America’s Core Political Ideals
  • The Rules of American Politics
  • Theories of Power
Constitutional Democracy: Promoting Liberty and Self-Government
  • Negotiating Toward a Constitution
  • Checks and Balances
  • The Bill of Rights
  • Democracy and Republic
  • The Social Contract
Federalism: Forging a Nation
  • National and State Sovereignty
  • National and State Powers
  • The History of Federalism
  • Federalism and the Modern State
Civil Liberties: Protecting Individual Rights
  • Free Speech and Freedom of the Press
  • Libel and Obscenity
  • The Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses
  • Abortion and Privacy Rights
  • Defendants’ Rights and Habeas Corpus
  • Terrorism and Civil Liberties
Equal Rights: Struggling Toward Fairness
  • Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act
  • Women’s Right to Vote
  • Equal Protection: The Fourteenth Amendment
  • Social Movements
Public Opinion and Political Socialization: Shaping the People's Voice
  • Does Public Opinion Matter?
  • Where Did You Get Your Political Beliefs?
  • How Has the Internet Changed Mass Media?
  • The Press and Democracy: Friends or Foes?
Political Participation: Activating the Popular Will
  • The Vanishing Voter
  • Why Your Vote Counts
  • Are Parties Obsolete?
Political Parties, Candidates, and Campaigns: Defining the Voter's Choice
  • Party Competition and Majority Rule
  • Electoral and Party Systems
  • Parties and Candidates in the Campaign
  • Parties, Candidates, and the Public's Influence
Interest Groups: Organizing for Influence
  • Are Interest Groups Engines or Corrupters of Democracy?
  • The Free Rider Problem
  • Inside and Outside Lobbying
  • Pros and Cons of Pluralism
The News Media and the Internet: Communicating Politics
  • Creating the Information Commons
  • The Politics of Media Functions
  • The Assault on Reason
Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests
  • Why We Reelect Incumbents
  • Why Incumbents Sometimes Lose
  • Redistricting
  • Party Leaders
  • Committees
  • How a Bill Becomes a Law
  • What Does Congress Do?
The Presidency: Leading the Nation
  • What Does the President Do?
  • The Electoral College
  • What Does the Cabinet Do?
  • How Are Cabinet Members Held Accountable?
The Federal Bureaucracy: Administering the Government
  • Origin and Structure of the Federal Bureaucracy
  • The Budgetary Process
  • Policy and Power in Bureaucracy
  • Democracy and Bureaucratic Accountability
The Federal Judicial System: Interpreting the Law
  • The Judiciary System
  • Landmark Cases
  • Federal Court Appointees
  • Judicial Restraint and Activism
Economic and Environmental Policy: Contributing to Prosperity
  • Fiscal Policy
  • Monetary Policy
  • Social Welfare Policy
  • Foreign and Defense Policy
Foreign Policy: Protecting the National Interest
  • Foreign Policy
  • Defense Policy

Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

Assignments for this course include:

  • 5 Reflective Responses
  • 2 Writing Assignments
  • 4 Graded Exams


The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.


Patterson, Thomas. We the People: An Introduction to American Government. 15th ed., McGraw Hill, 2024.


American Government students also take:

English Composition I

College Algebra

Introduction to Criminal Justice


Helpful resources:

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