American Government-DE440-201802

Abstract

The air we breathe the water we drink and the protection of our lives and property all are affected by the actions of local regional and national levels of government. This course introduces students to the workings of the American government and the roles rights and responsibilities of citizens. Students explore the constitutional foundations and major institutions of American government demonstrated through the executive legislative and judicial branches. They engage in a range of assignments such as an analysis on Supreme Court decisions to gain an understanding of how the American government functions including the roles of political parties elections voting and interest groups as well as how the United States formulates and implements public policy.Course IntroductionDemocracy in the United States is only sustained by the participation of its citizens. The participation in political culture and process requires Americans to take an interest in government as well as issues in society that require action and help to find ways to respond to those issues. The United States Constitution represents an exciting experiment in Democracy that has stood the test of time. A little over 200 years ago the Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to develop a constitution that created the foundation for a representative democracy or republic that endures to this day. The genius is that the Framers were able to create a living Constitution that is a document that could be adaptable and amendable to meet the needs and demands of an evolving country and its government. The Constitution that emerged was the result of major compromises which included the way to balance the representation of large and small states the regulation and taxation of foreign commerce and policies relating to taxation and representation.In this course you will explore processes concepts and ideologies of the required foundations and essential details that are necessa