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American Government
POLS101 | 3 Credits
American Government covers how the U.S. government is structured and how it operates. You’ll learn about the three branches of government that make up a system of checks and balances, explore what the framers of the U.S. Constitution meant by "a more perfect union" and get into the result of their vision: the creation of democracy.
Professor: Tara Cantore
About This Course
What You’ll Learn
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.
- 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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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
This course examines the structure of the United States government by analyzing its domestic and foreign duties about its democratic foundations and values. In addition, this course discusses how the American people influence and interact with both federal and state institutions.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0063
Flexible Schedule
25-day Average Course Completion
Transferred 4,200 times
$4,700,000 Saved on Tuition
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take American Government.
Course Text
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.
Course Checkpoints
Critical 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
Assignments & Grading
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
What You’ll Need
- A reliable computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Any required course materials
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Course Professor
Tara Cantore
MA
Tara Cantore has taught history, political science, and communications courses on the college level for the past 13 years in both online and in-person classrooms. Additionally, she has experience as a Subject Matter Expert creating educational content. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Coastal Carolina University in history and political science, as well as Master's Degrees in history from Central Connecticut State University and journalism from Quinnipiac University.
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Students who enrolled also took:
Introduction to Criminal Justice
1st attempt pass rate: 98%
Avg Days to Complete: 24
3 credits
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Fast Track Your Degree by Earning GenEd Credits
Understanding government is the first step to being an informed and engaged citizen. It can also be the first step towards your degree! With the American Government, you’ll knock out an essential general education course, while deepening your understanding of how the U.S. political system works.
Why it matters:
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- More than 350,000 have used StraighterLine to complete their GenEd and Prerequisite courses, saving time and money on their college degree.
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Fast-track your degree and reduce costs by completing your general education courses online. Get going today with American Government.
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