This is part one of a three part series covering the History of the United States Government. This is a unique approach to studying US government and is not your typical Civics course! Though we will briefly discuss different aspects of government, such as what "democracy" means or how power is divided up, we will not spend much time focusing on the inner workings of US government. Instead, we will determine what democracy means by analyzing Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," Frederick Douglass's criticism of American Democracy, Susan B. Anthony's interpretation of the Constitution, JFK's beliefs on what the US should be doing for democracy, and Barack Obama's thoughts on how the US wasn't a perfect union just quite yet.

If all three parts are taken, this is a full year course. There are in-class assignments each week. If a student completes all in class assignments, reading, and any homework, this three part class could be used a credit on a high school transcript depending on your state's homeschool requirements. This may also qualify as either a Civics or a US History course, depending on what your state's homeschool accepts for each subject. 

**Want to try a one-time class before committing to this 10-week class? I offer two trial classes that are structured very similarly to this course and would be a great way to see if my teaching style fits your learner! These are located at the following links: https://outschool.com/classes/battle-of-little-bighorn-trial-class-for-united-states-2UAshzBt#us1N2EG6kM  and  https://outschool.com/classes/analyzing-civil-war-photographs-trial-class-for-united-states-Evrv5D1d#us1N2EG6kM 

All of my classes, especially my US History classes, are inclusive and anti-racist. We will be covering tough subjects and tackling tough topics from the point of view of the people involved, particularly the marginalized groups involved.

Each of the three parts of this course are structured the same but we will cover different topics. In each part, we will tackle two big aspects of US government, one for the first five weeks and the other for the last five weeks. Over those five weeks, we will work to analyze primary documents that span from the founding of the country to present day. Through reading documents, answering guiding questions, and class discussion, learners will gain an understanding of that aspect of US government over the five weeks. I have included a full breakdown of the topics we will cover below, along with probable assignments, but assignments are subject to change depending on time/pace once we start the class.

Each week, materials will be posted inside the classroom for students to print or upload to the Kami App to be able to use them online without printing. Students will be given time during class to read the documents and answer questions. I strive to keep all work contained to class time, however, every once in a while we will run out of time and students will be asked to finish work for homework.


Course Breakdown:

Democracy - Weeks 1-5

Week 1 
-We will begin this week by briefly covering Greek and Roman ideas of democracy, as well as how the Founders of the US may have viewed democracy
-Then we will discuss what democracy means to them and each student will write their own definition of democracy
-How Ordinary Americans Define Democracy in the 21st Century lesson

Week 2 
-Haudenosaunee Confederacy's Influence on American Democracy lesson
-Thomas Paine and Common Sense lesson

Week 3 
-James Madison and the Constitution lesson
-Thomas Jefferson and the Main Responsibilities of Government lesson
-Andrew Jackson and the "Common Man" lesson

Week 4
-Frederick Douglass's Thoughts on Democracy lesson
-Abraham Lincoln's Definition of Democracy lesson
-Susan B. Anthony and the Constitution lesson

Week 5
-John F. Kennedy and the US role in the World lesson
-Ronald Reagan and American "Greatness" lesson
-Barack Obama and Flaws in the Union lesson


Equality - weeks 6-10

Week 6
-We will begin this week by discussing what equality means and how ideas on equality have changed over time. 
-The Supreme Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage (2015) lesson
--Equality is a concept that has changed so many times over the course of US history. I think it helps learners to have a more contemporary example of legal changes in equality to relate to before jumping in to the earlier historical documents. 
-The Constitution and Slavery lesson
-Cherokee Nation and Equal Rights lesson

Week 7
-Sojourner Truth "Ain't I a Woman?" lesson
-Dred Scott lesson
-John Brown and Unjust Laws lesson

Week 8
-Is Separate But Equal Really Equal? lesson
-Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Equality for Women lesson

Week 9 
-Chinese Exclusion lesson
-Hiram Evans and the KKK's Idea of "Americanism" lesson

Week 10 
-Overturning Segregation lesson
-Malcolm X and Racial Equality lesson
-Closing thoughts on equality


**Note: It is imperative that students do the assigned work both inside and outside of class. Much of this work will be done in groups or pairs inside of class, so all students need to be willing to participate either through their microphone or by utilizing the chat in the classroom.**