Course

Course Summary

Credit Type:

Course

ACE ID:

OOSL-0063

Organization's ID:

POLS101

Organization:

StraighterLine

Location:

Online

Length:

14 weeks (75 hours)

Dates Offered:

Credit Recommendation & Competencies

Level	Credits (SH)	Subject
Lower-Division Baccalaureate	3	Introduction to American Government

Description

Objective:

The course objective is to provide students context, history and insight into the American Government. Students will understand how the founders created a democracy based upon the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government. They will explore how the government is structured and how it operates; examine the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial, that make up the system of checks and balances; and 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:

describe the ideals that the United States was founded upon and, discuss 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
explain how citizens participate in public affairs during elections and through intermediaries such as political parties, interest groups, and the media
discuss the ways Americans think politically, and describe the effect their opinions have on government
describe the division of political power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government
debate the proper relationship between the people and the government
explain 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
compare and contrast the structures of the federal, state, and local governments.