American Government

Students will gain an understanding of what is happening now in the political landscape, what is making today’s headlines to impact our civil liberties and their effect on you, to set you on the path to active democratic citizenship. Using a historical lens we’ll engage in active discussion to explore and analyze major political, social, and military events that have shaped American society over the years. We will also examine significant themes in economics, religion, foreign policy, technology, media, and social concerns, which have had a profound impact on the country. We will review and discuss a range of topics, some of which may be controversial. Through open discussion and debate in a safe, respectful environment students will contemplate and share their thoughts and opinions on complex issues. 

Course Outcomes

1. Explore and analyze major political, social, and military events that have shaped American society since the House of Burgesses in the Virginia General Assembly at Jamestown in July 1619 to the headlines that impact our civil liberties today.
2. Become familiar with how Civil Discourse and deliberation in an open discussion and debate in a safe, respectful environment can lead an individual to become a dynamic and involved citizen as an active democratic member of society.
3. Shape and discuss their individual political convictions and, by listening to diverse opinions, adapt their perspectives to demonstrate new understandings of themes in economics, religion, foreign policy, technology, media, and social concerns.
4. Channel their convictions into a historically based examination of a topic of interest using a creative civics plan of action to promote social unity through the responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship.

Capstone Project

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their passion, learning, and growth in the course by choosing a contemporary issue from the headlines that impacts their civil liberties and trace the issue back to its historical roots to determine how they as citizens can best address the subject.  They will then create a civics plan of action to best unite all residents that could positively affect the political landscape as a demonstration of their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens. Students will be given time during class to work and develop their Capstones so they can produce sophisticated, authentic outcomes with the support of the instructor that they will share with the class in a multimedia presentation at the end of the course.

Information is subject to change as instructors finalize course content and syllabi.