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Semester Civics Exploration: US Government, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and More!

Completed by 11 learners
Ages 13-17
Live Group Class
In this 8 week semester class, we will explore the structure of the United States government, learn about the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and compare the American system of government to the United Kingdom.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(29 reviews)

Live video meetings
1x per week, 8 weeks
2-4 learners per class
45 min

What's included

8 live meetings
6 in-class hours
Homework
Nothing

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11
In this civics / social studies class, we will explore the three branches of United States government (legislative, executive, judicial); we will discuss the checks and balances between the Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court; we will explore both hidden gems and problematic elements of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights; we will explore the First Amendment; and we will compare the American government to another country, the United Kingdom (UK).

This is the agenda for this 8 week semester civics course:
(1) Legislative Branch – US Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)
(2) Executive Branch – President, Vice President, and Cabinet (Departments/Agencies of the US Government)
(3) Judicial Branch – Supreme Court and lower Courts; separation of powers; checks and balances between the 3 branches of government
(4) A deep dive into the First Amendment of the US Constitution (free speech, religious freedom, protest)
(5) Hidden Gems in the US Constitution (Presidential veto override, interstate travel, voting rights)
(6) Problematic Elements of the US Constitution (slavery, the 13th Amendment, the Electoral College)
(7) Hidden Gems in the Bill of Rights (rights of property owners, right of the accused, personal privacy)
(8) A Comparison of the US and UK government structure

No supplies needed. There will be no printouts, no homework, and no assessment. This is an interactive class which utilizes the question and answer format, collaborative discussions, and student observations. Each learner should be prepared to participate in order to get the most from the class – students can participate verbally or in a chat with the teacher. No prior knowledge or experience is needed, but we will draw on any knowledge or experience that students bring to class.

In order to facilitate learning and maintain a classroom free of distraction, no filters will be permitted, no backgrounds may be used (except for blur), and no emojis may be used other than a raised hand. After learner verification, video can be on or off. Chat will be closed except for student/teacher messaging.

*Please check the section you're interested in to confirm whether the class is 8 daily sessions over a two-week period or once per week for 8 weeks.

Learning Goals

Learn about the structure of the United States government, learn about the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and learn about the similarities and differences between the American system of government and the United Kingdom.

Other Details

Parental Guidance
We will not discuss current politics or political opinions in this class, only the history and institutions of the US government. My own opinions will not be discussed at all in this class. Any questions from learners that raise political issues or discussions will be gently redirected as the discussion will only focus on history and facts regarding the US government, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, and how the US system of government compares to the UK. Any questions from learners regarding the subject matter can be asked orally, or can be asked in the chat, but I will answer questions orally for the benefit of the entire class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
We will refer to the US and UK Constitutions, and to US federal law, in an age-appropriate manner.

Meet the teacher

Joined November, 2022
4.9
29reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Doctoral Degree from Florida State University College of Law
Master's Degree in Science from London School of Economics and Political Science
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Florida State University
I have a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in economics/government/politics. I also have a law degree and I am a licensed attorney. I have additionally been working as a licensed attorney for 14 years.

Reviews



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