Online Class: American Government

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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18Lessons
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39Exams &
Assignments -
2,687Students
have taken this course -
16Hours
average time -
1.6CEUs
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.
Created 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.
The foundations of the American government are radical and unlike any of its predecessors. Seeking freedom in every sense of the word, political, economic, and religious (in particular), the American colonists had embarked from their homelands in northern Europe and on the continent of Europe to secure their liberties. Incredibly well read and versatile, the imagination and longings of these first settlers were fueled by the passionate writings of seventeenth century authors such as Milton, Neville, Locke, and the Social Contract (1762) by French Revolutionary writer Jean Jacques Rousseau, through whom they gained a greater understanding of the rights and lack of rights of citizens under monarchial rule. As the philosopher John Locke warned, a country without government would result in lawlessness and anarchy where the absolute liberty of an individual could infringe upon and destroy the freedom of another. Cognizant of the importance of having a government that would protect the civil liberties of the individual through power if necessary, the colonists were also well aware of the restrictions upon their own freedom imposed by the British crown. This balance between liberty and order has long been the focus of governments all over the world, regardless of their makeup, being a monarchy, dictatorship, democracy, republic, or other. Hence, the colonists were fully aware of the need for a government that would protect and secure their rights as individual citizens while maintaining law and order and preventing lawlessness among the colonists themselves. Yet, the government in effect under the British crown did not secure their rights but instead imposed upon them its own idiosyncrasies and treated the colonists as inferior citizens. This was more than the colonists could bear.
The government of the United States of America is defined as a federal republic of individual states, as established by the U.S. Constitution. The federal government of the United States of America consists of three branches, the executive, legislative, and the judiciary, which act individually as checks and balances upon each other, in order to secure both liberty and order for individual citizens within the Republic. Each branch has its own specific role, which is in turn, regulated by the other two branches, thus ensuring that none of the branches wields absolute power. With the Constitution as their backbone, the laws of the United States of America are specified by Acts of Congress, administrative regulations, and judicial cases, which have in turn, led to amendments and changes to the Constitution.
In this course, we will discuss in further detail the Constitution, the roles of the individual citizen, the President, Congress, and the judiciary, the elective process, public interest groups and media, as well as public and economic policies.
More than ever, it’s important for people to have an understanding of how the American political system operates. We live in a world where knowledge is power and studies have shown that those individuals who have an in-depth understanding of such diverse fields as American government to economics to literature tend to fall into the higher income brackets.
In addition to applications in business, those who know American government can find themselves filling important roles in their local communities. We live in a world where it’s important to understand the American government and see where it came from and how it has changed throughout the years.
Many of us have forgotten the details of how the American government works. We learned it in high school and then promptly forgot about it. However, this course is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of the government – learning about such things as the impact of mass media upon government, as well as how special interest groups can actually cause a policy change.
As yet another election cycle comes around, it’s perfect for you to brush up on your knowledge of the American government and apply that to your life. While others might be reluctant to enter a conversation dealing with politics because of their lack of understanding of the subject, you’ll be able to voice your opinions in an intelligent, thoughtful, and historically correct manner – all of which will affect the way that you are viewed by those around you.
This course has been designed for those who wish to understand
Gone are the days when learning about government was dull and boring. In this course, you will learn aspects of the American government that were never covered in your learning. It is specifically designed to give you a broad understanding of how government works and to assist you in understanding the importance of each individual within the scope of the American government.
In this course, you’ll be exposed to the following:
· The origins of the American government: You’ll find out how this present government evolved from the original English colonies.
· The structure of the Constitution: In which you’ll see the care and understanding that the founding fathers put into this document, which has provided such an incredible foundation for today’s society.
· How the Constitution applies to the individual: You will understand what the Constitution means to the average citizen and learn how each of the various amendments works in our everyday lives.
· The structure of the House of Representatives and the Senate: Students will learn the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, and see how both are composed.
· The three branches of government: You will learn the structures of the Legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch, and the Executive Branch – gaining an understanding of the three branches and how they interact with each other, working with a series of “checks and balances.”
· The role in the political process of public opinion: Students will understand how public opinion can be used within the political process. You will see how mass media can be used to sway public opinion and how that can then influence the various branches of the government.
· The role of special interest groups: You will understand what special interest groups are, what functions they serve, and how they are a part of the governmental process.
· Understanding political parties: Students will understand just what it is that makes up a political party and what the role of the individual is in the workings of the entire governmental process.
· The voting process: Students will examine the voting process and discover how it applies to their lives. In addition, you will see the importance of each individual having and using their vote.
· An introduction to American economic, foreign, and public policies: Students will see how the role of American government affects things on a global level.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. Introduction to American Government
Lesson 1 Video : Introduction Discussion
Review Video: Continental Congress
Take Survey: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Complete: Lesson 1 Exam
Lesson 2. The Constitution
Lesson 2 Video A
Lesson 2 Video B : Lesson 2 Discussion
Review Video: The Making of the Constitution
Complete Assignment: What were they thinking about?
Complete: Lesson 2 Exam
Lesson 3. The Legislative Branch
Lesson 3 Video A
Lesson 3 Video B : Lesson 3 Discussion
Review Video: Legislative Branch
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
Lesson 4 Video A
Lesson 4 Video B : Lesson 4 Discussion
Review Video: What it's like being a Supreme Court Justice
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment: Judiciary Branch
Lesson 5. The Executive Branch
Lesson 5 Video A
Lesson 5 Video B : Lesson 5 Discussion
Review 2 Articles: Presidents; Is the President an Elected King?
Review Video: The Executive Branch
Complete Assignment: Is the President an Elected King?
Complete: Lesson 5 Exam
Lesson 6. American Political Culture
Lesson 6 Video A
Lesson 6 Video B : Lesson 6 Discussion
Review Article: Separation of Church and State
Review Video: Losing Liberty in America
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 6 Exam
Lesson 7. Public Opinion
Lesson 7 Video A
Lesson 7 Video B : Lesson 7 Discussion
Review Video: Public Opinion in America
Complete Assignment: Public Opinion and the Presidency
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 7 Exam
Lesson 8. Elections and Campaigns
Lesson 8 Video A
Lesson 8 Video B : Lesson 8 Discussion
Review Article: Election Process
Review Video: Electoral College v. Popular Vote
Take Poll: Elections
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 8 Exam
Lesson 9. Interest Groups
Lesson 9 Video A
Lesson 9 Video B : Lesson 9 Discussion
Review Video: Special Interest Groups
Take Poll: Interest Groups
Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 9 Exam
Lesson 10. Civil Liberties
Lesson 10 Video A
Lesson 10 Video B : Lesson 10 Discussion
Review Article: Security vs. Civil Liberties
Review Video: Civil Liberties in America
Complete Assignment: Are Civil Liberties all inclusive?
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 10 Exam
Lesson 11. Political Participation
Lesson 11 Video A
Lesson 11 Video B : Lesson 11 Discussion
Review Video: Voter Turnout In America
Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 11 Exam
Lesson 12. Political Parties
Lesson 12 Video A
Lesson 12 Video B : Lesson 12 Discussion
Review Video: Conservative v. Liberal in America
Take Poll: Political Party
Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 12 Exam
Lesson 13. The Media
Lesson 13 Video A
Lesson 13 Video B : Lesson 13 Discussion
Review Video: Social Media and American Politics
Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 13 Exam
Lesson 14. Social Welfare
Lesson 14 Video A
Lesson 14 Video B : Lesson 14 Discussion
Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 14 Exam
Lesson 15. The Policy Making Process
Lesson 15 Video A
Lesson 15 Video B : Lesson 15 Discussion
Review Video: Policy Making Process
Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 15 Exam
Lesson 16. U.S. Economic Policy
Lesson 16 Video A
Lesson 16 Video B : Lesson 16 Discussion
Review Article: US Budget
Review Video: Mandatory v. Discretionary Spending
Complete: Lesson 16 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 16 Exam
Lesson 17. U.S. Foreign Policy
Lesson 17 Video A
Lesson 17 Video B : Lesson 17 Discussion
Review Video: History of American Foreign Policy
Complete: Lesson 17 Assignment
Complete: Lesson 17 Exam
Lesson 18. U.S. Environmental Policy
Lesson 18 Video A
Lesson 18 Video B : Lesson 18 Discussion
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
Learning Outcomes
- Summarize 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.
- Summarize 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

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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 500+ |
Student Testimonials
- "Clearly written text." -- Christine Y.
- "This was fantastic! Very user friendly and informative. Just fantastic thanks! Terrific job, I look forward to taking more classes!" -- Madison T.
- "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.
- "Course is great!" -- Marcus M.