Online Class: American Government

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18

Lessons
38

Exams &
Assignments
16

Hours
average time
1.6

CEUs
1,570

Students
have taken this course

Course Description

Do you need to brush-up your knowledge of the American political system? Have you forgotten or feel slightly 'hazy' about the structure of the American government, the details of the Constitution or the exact division of the three branches of government? Are you interested in discovering how our current political parties were formed or the impact of public opinion, mass media and special interests groups on today's American policies? If you answered "yes" to these questions, this online course can be your ideal learning resource.

Rather than focusing on the history of the American federal government, this course is a comprehensive evaluation of how the government is set up and how it works. We will start with a look at how the American government is organized, and then we will focus on American culture and how it forms the environment in which the government functions, and the influences that the citizenry exerts on the policy-making process. Public opinion plays an important role in any republic so we will examine how public opinion is measured and how it contributes to the democratic process.

The citizens of United States enjoy many freedoms and liberties, but, as in all republics, they also live according to a Constitution and an established set of laws. We will examine the balance between freedom and law, and discuss the development of civil liberties. The political participation of Americans, both as individuals and as a part of interest groups influences nearly all functions of the government. We will also take a look at the media's increasingly important role in politics, and how the political parties of the United States work together to create legislation.

The social welfare and safety of Americans is a significant part of the priorities of the federal government. This course will outline the development of important programs that have served as model to other governments throughout the world. In the process, we will also evaluate how public policy is made from several important perspectives: economic, foreign relations, and environmental.

Written with the belief that understanding the foundations of the America system of government is necessary to fully comprehend America's current political system, this self-paced course is appropriate for learners of any age (homeschoolers, high schoolers, college students or just inquisitive people). Our easy-to-understand online format is perfect for those seeking review, extra tutoring, test prep or general educational enhancement.

Learn How the American Government Works"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson

"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent." -- Abraham Lincoln

"The government is us, we are the government, you and I." --Theodore Roosevelt

"It's time we asked ourselves if we still know the freedoms intended for us by the Founding Fathers. James Madison said, 'We base all our experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.' This idea that government was beholden to the people, that it had no other source of power, is still the newest, most unique idea in all the long history of man's relation to man. This is the issue of this election: Whether we believe in our capacity for self-government, or whether we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves." -- Ronald Reagan (October 27, 1964).

"Today we can declare: Government is not the problem, and government is not the solution. We, the American people, we are the solution." -- Bill Clinton

Completely Online
Self-Paced
6 Months to Complete
24/7 Availability
Start Anytime
PC & Mac Compatible
Android & iOS Friendly
Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

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Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:

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Lesson 1. Introduction to American Government

The lesson will include why, when, and how the American Government came about. 55 Total Points

Lesson 1 Video A
Lesson 1 Video B : Introduction Discussion
Review Article: Declaration of Independence
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Complete: Lesson 1 Exam

Lesson 2. The Constitution

This lesson will cover the framework of the Constitution, the structure, and what the Constitution does for the individual. 115 Total Points

Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Exam

Lesson 3. The Legislative Branch

This lesson will cover the structure of the legislative branch. Topics will focus on the organization of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 75 Total Points

Lesson 3 Video
Review Article: The Legislative Branches Power
Complete Assignment: Is the Legislative Branch the Most Powerful Agent of Government?
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment: Senate
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment: House of Representatives

Lesson 4. The Judiciary Branch

The organization of the federal courts and the state courts 25 Total Points

Lesson 4 Video
Review Article: Federal Courts
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment: Judiciary Branch

Lesson 5. The Executive Branch

This lesson will focus on the Executive Branch of the Government highlighting the powers and duties of the president and of the extensive executive departments. 135 Total Points

Lesson 5 Video
Review 5 Articles: Executive Branch; Presidential Clips; The President's Cabinet; The White House; Presidents
Complete Assignment: Is the President an Elected King?
Complete: Lesson 5 Exam

Lesson 6. American Political Culture

The November 2008, presidential elections in the United States offered the clearest demonstration of the current American political culture. 34 Total Points

Lesson 6 Video
Review 2 Articles: Political Culture of the US; Separation of Church and State
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 6 Exam

Lesson 7. Public Opinion

There are several types of democracies and while the U.S. certainly incorporates many democratic ideas into its government, our nation is best described as a republic. 60 Total Points

Lesson 7 Video
Review 3 Articles: Different Systems of Democracy; Types of Government; Example of Public Opinion and the Presidency
Complete Assignment: Public Opinion and the Presidency
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 7 Exam

Lesson 8. Elections and Campaigns

Public opinion polls may influence policy and steer our elected officials on a desired path of results, but the single most important element of the democratic process is the campaign and election process. 34 Total Points

Lesson 8 Video
Review 3 Articles: Campaigns and Social Media; Election Process; Political Campaigns
Take Poll: Elections
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 8 Exam

Lesson 9. Interest Groups

An interest group is a collection of people who share similar beliefs and endeavor to educate the general public about an issue. 35 Total Points

Lesson 9 Video
Review 2 Articles: Interest Groups; Types of Interest Groups
Take Poll: Interest Groups
Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 9 Exam

Lesson 10. Civil Liberties

The freedoms extended to individuals, which are commonly referred to as civil liberties or civil rights, have changed and evolved throughout our history, and they continue to change on an almost daily basis. 60 Total Points

Lesson 10 Video
Review 3 Articles: Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties; Security vs. Civil Liberties; The ACLU
Complete Assignment: Are Civil Liberties all inclusive?
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 10 Exam

Lesson 11. Political Participation

Throughout its entire history, the United States has been home to some of the most politically active peoples of the world 35 Total Points

Lesson 11 Video
Review 2 Articles: PACs; Youth and Political Participation
Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 11 Exam

Lesson 12. Political Parties

A political party is an organization dedicated to the advancement of a specific political platform, or a set of beliefs on a wide range of issues. 35 Total Points

Lesson 12 Video
Review 3 Articles: Conservative vs. Liberal; The Democratic Party; The Republican Party
Take Poll: Political Party
Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 12 Exam

Lesson 13. The Media

The media, which is today comprised of television, radio, newspapers, the Internet, and countless other sources of information, has played a vital role in American government since the country's founding. 35 Total Points

Lesson 13 Video
Review Article: 5 Ways Media are Changing Politics
Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 13 Exam

Lesson 14. Social Welfare

There are a variety of social welfare programs in the United States today, economic programs, health-related services, housing development programs, and many others. 35 Total Points

Lesson 14 Video
Review 3 Articles: Medicare; Social Security; Social Welfare
Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 14 Exam

Lesson 15. The Policy Making Process

In this lesson, we will examine the full process of policy making, from a law's origination to the required presidential signature. 35 Total Points

Lesson 15 Video
Review 3 Articles: Bills and Congress; Current Legislation; How a Bill Becomes Law
Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 15 Exam

Lesson 16. U.S. Economic Policy

The economic policies of the United States are driven and influenced by a wide variety of factors: laws, the Constitution, lobbyists, the global economic climate, and, ultimately, the will of the people. 33 Total Points

Lesson 16 Video
Review 3 Articles: Discretionary Spending; Federal Budget; US Budget
Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 16 Exam

Lesson 17. U.S. Foreign Policy

The all-encompassing goal of U.S. Foreign Policy is to ensure the safety of American citizens and the international community. 35 Total Points

Lesson 17 Video
Review 2 Articles: Foreign Policy; US Non-Interventionism
Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 17 Exam

Lesson 18. U.S. Environmental Policy

In addition to enacting laws that protect Americans' safety, environmental policy must be future-focused to assure that future generations will benefit from today's decisions. 95 Total Points

Lesson 18 Video
Review 2 Articles: Global Warming Policies; NEPA
Take Poll: What is your opinion of this course?
Take Survey: Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
Complete: Lesson 18 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 18 Exam
Complete: The Final Exam

966

Total Course Points

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Know the major points of the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution.
Identify and describe the role and responsibilities of the Legislative Branch, the Judiciary Branch, and the Executive Branch.
Know the power of public opinion and the affects of mass media on politics.
Identify and describe the major political parties and interest groups, and
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online

View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Course Title: American Government

Course Number: 7550446

Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries

Category:

UniversalClass.com > History > Historical Studies

Course Type: General Education (Self-Paced, Online Class)

CEU Value: 1.6 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)

CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.

Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams

Instructor: C. Michael McKenna

Syllabus: View Syllabus

Course Review: Read Editorial Review

Course Fee: $70.00 (no CEU Certification) || with Online CEU Certification: $95.00

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Student Testimonials

"Clearly written text." -- Christine Y.
"Course is great!" -- Marcus M.
"There was a good mixture of historical background and how things work in the present day. This gave me an understanding of the basis of government without being confused as to how it translated into modern-day. " -- Rebekah H.
"This was fantastic! Very user friendly and informative. Just fantastic thanks! Terrific job, I look forward to taking more classes!" -- Madison T.