Course

Course Summary

Credit Type:

Course

ACE ID:

OOSL-0064

Organization's ID:

POLS101_NROC

Organization:

StraighterLine

Location:

Online

Length:

Self-paced, 14 weeks (48 hours)

Dates Offered:

Credit Recommendation & Competencies

Level	Credits (SH)	Subject
Lower-Division Baccalaureate	3	Political Science

Description

Objective:

To provide context, history and insight into the American Government; understand how the founders created a democracy based upon the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government; explore how the government is structured and how it operates; examine the three branches of government, legislative, executive, and judicial which make up the system of checks and balances; explore the Constitution as a foundation for the government of today and as a changing, living document meeting the needs of contemporary America.

Learning Outcomes:

Explore how citizens participate in public affairs during elections and through intermediaries such as political parties, interest groups, and the media
The ways Americans think politically, and describe the effect their opinions have on government
Understand the division of political power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government
Compare and contrast the structures of the federal, state, and local governments
Examine the ideals that the United States was founded upon
Understand their lasting influence on the nation's politics
Distinguish between civil rights and civil liberties and explain how these rights and liberties are achieved through politics
Recognize the relationships between the people and the government
Evaluate how the policies of the United States reflect the nature of its political system and its people, and why they tend to be piecemeal and reactive