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U.S. American Government | High School Course 1/2 Credit | FLEX

In this 12 week course, we will explore the Constitution and learn about features of the United States government such as Federalism, branches of government, the Electoral College and political parties.
Fiona
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4.8
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What's included

12 pre-recorded lessons
12 weeks
of teacher support
1 year access
to the content
Homework
4+ hours per week. Three (3) Non-Cumulative Exams: Fill in, identifiers, definitions, matching etc. These exams will require you to not only memorize the information from the lectures, readings, etc., but also apply the ideas and concepts to other situations to ensure you truly have a handle of the information. There will be one paper. Students will choose their own topics, each requiring written approval from the instructor. Other miscellaneous assignments including, but not limited to: pop-quizzes, reading comprehension worksheets, and a letter-writing assignment.
Assessment
Submitted work will be assessed and graded Missed Exams and Late Papers: Outside of sudden illness and unforeseen circumstances, missed exams will receive a zero. If for some reason you will be absent on the day of the exam, arrangements to take the exam during a different class period must be made prior to the day of the exam. Papers will lose 10 (ten) points for every day they are late. Papers will only be accepted up to five (5) days past the due date. If you face circumstances that will prevent you from turning the paper in on time, please notify me in advance. I will determine what accommodations should be made on a case-by-case basis.
Grading
included

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
⭐️This FLEX course is worth 1/2 a High School Credit — take part 2/2 for a full year, 1 credit course. ⭐️

AP, Honors Option: 
This class is taught at a standard level, however, I am able to offer additional work for AP and Honors placement. If you would like your student to take this class at an AP or honors level - please contact me.

Welcome students! This US Government course for high school students, helps students understand the founding principles of American government.

This semester-long course is 100% online, taken asynchronously with no specific “live” sessions, or meeting time requirements. It will prepare students for university, and help them become independent learners! Asynchronous courses are great for students who prefer a flexible schedule!

⭐️ Weekly ⭐️
Each Monday a video and/or PowerPoint will be posted to review concepts of the week’s topics, as well as a related assignment 
- Students will take a picture of their assignment to upload to the classroom after completing 
- Students will be asked to respond to the discussion questions that will be posted in the classroom 

The American experiment has protected our freedoms in ways that we take for granted and make us the envy of the world. It is our duty, as Americans to be engaged and informed citizens – and this class will help each student become just that!  

We will discuss Leadership in Congress, who the current leaders of each party are and what their roles are. This is a great opportunity for students to put a name to the faces they see on TV and better understand how their government should work (for them!). 

⭐️ Learning Goals and Topics ⭐️
- Understand the structure and procedures of local, state, and federal governments 
- Read complex texts and understand them 
- Learn and utilise research skills to interpret and apply information 
- The Constitution, Civil Rights & Liberties, Government Institutions, Participation in Government, Public Policy


⭐️ Prior to First Class ⭐️
Please come prepared to the first class, having read the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution: Preamble, Articles I-VII and the Bill of Rights. Next year is the year of the Presidential election; students are expected to keep up to date with election coverage of not only the Presidential election but also House and Senate seats.

⭐️ Assignments and Grades ⭐️
Three (3) Non-Cumulative Exams:
Fill in, identifiers, definitions, matching etc.
These exams will require you to not only memorize the information from the lectures, readings, etc., but also apply the ideas and concepts to other situations to ensure you truly have a handle of the information.
 
There will be one paper. Students will choose their own topic, each requiring written approval from the instructor.  
 
Other miscellaneous assignments including, but not limited to: pop-quizzes, reading comprehension worksheets, and a letter-writing assignment.  
 

———

Part two for 1 full high-school credit 

The 2nd unit of the course will introduce students to the topic of Economics and the Free Market. We will cover introductory themes of Micro and Macro Economics, supply and demand and the role of the Free Market in the American Founding.

By the end of the two-part course, students will understand features of the United States political system, such as Federalism, the branches of government, the Electoral College and political parties. As a class we will explore the United States Constitution and its importance to the survival of our Republic. Students will not only understand the concepts and ideas presented to them, but also be able to apply them to a vast number of situations in the future.
Learning Goals
We will
- study the political processes to gain an understanding of the role of individuals in the decision-making process of the American government
- learn about the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of the United States. 
- investigate American government though a variety of methods, including examining primary source documents, conducting research projects, class discussion, and a written essay
learning goal

Syllabus

3 Units
12 Lessons
over 12 Weeks
Unit 1: Exam 1
Lesson 1:
Week 1:Introduction, The Constitution and History, Foundations of Our Democracy
 • All About Me
• Magna Carta
• History, Foundation, and Lead up to the Revolution, Colonial America 
• Influential Figures in the Founding of America 
• 2nd Treatise of Government 
• De Legibus (On the Law) 
Lesson 2:
Week 2 – Type of Government
 • Article I, U.S. Constitution
• What kind of Government? 
• Checks & Balances 
Lesson 3:
Week 3 – Intro to Congress
 • Branches of Government: Legislative, Executive, Judicial 
• Article II, U.S. Constitution
• The Federalist Paper No. 70 
Lesson 4:
Week 4 – The Presidency & Exam 1
 • Article III, the U.S. Constitution 
• Why Our Constitution: 
• Articles I, II, III expanded 
• 22nd Amendment 
• Presidential Terms 
• The Federalist Papers 

Other Details

External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Resources: Federalist Papers http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/fed.asp Articles of Confederation http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/artconf.asp The Virginia Plan http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/vatexta.asp The U.S. Constitution http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp Declaration of Independence http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp Freedom House – Freedom of Expression rankings http://www.freedomhouse.org Larry J. Sabato, Director, UVA Center for Politics http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/ Readings and Books: For this course we will not use a traditional textbook. Instead, we will rely heavily on primary sources as well as select secondary readings to aid in further analysis. Students should have a library card, or have access to one, and create a Hoopla account by visiting https://www.hoopladigital.com/home or downloading the Hoopla app on a mobile device. Democracy in America by Alexis De Tocqueville http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/tocqueville-democracy-in-america-historical-critical-edition-vol-1 https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-America-Signet-Classics-Tocqueville/dp/0451531604/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1471379316&sr=8-5&keywords=Democracy+in+america http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/papers_pdf/117717.pdf https://www.hoopladigital.com/home For checking out digital books
Joined June, 2021
4.8
410reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
I have a degree in political science and have spent over 15 years working in all aspects of politics including, but not limited to: campaigns, policy, research, and instruction. I have also taught a similar course to this, in person, for over five years.

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$10

weekly or $120 for all content
12 pre-recorded lessons
12 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content

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