U.S. Government
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Course Description
U.S. Government is a course covering the creation of our government and its branches.
You will learn about the responsibilities of each of these branches and your
responsibilities as a citizen of the United States.
Course Objectives
When you finish this course, you will be able to:
 Explain various forms of government found around the world
 Understand important terms relating to the study of government and politics
 Understand the five basic concepts that all democracies share
 Understand the philosophy behind American democracy
 Explain the American system of federalism and how it works
 Understand the structure and contents of the Constitution
 Understand the structure of Congress and how Congressional elections work
 Explain how a bill becomes a law and the ways that a bill can fail to pass in
Congress
 Analyze the structure and functions of the executive branch of government
 Understand the various powers held by the president and their importance
Course Assignment Values
Assignment Type
Points
Possible
Weight
34 Assignments
310 pts
27%
4 Papers
100 pts
8%
20 Discussions
1 Project
100 pts
25 pts
8%
2%
8 Unit Tests
400 pts
35%
95 pts
8%
140 pts
12%
1,180 pts
100%
1 Midterm Exam
1 Final Exam
COURSE TOTALS
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Suggested Course Schedule
The suggested time frame shown below is based on learning sessions. A learning
session is a 45-minute period of time. This course should take approximately 90
learning sessions to complete, but this schedule is just a suggestion. You may work on
each unit at your own pace, completing as many learning sessions as you’d like in one
sitting. However, keep in mind that you must finish the entire course within the time
specified by your school district.
Learning
Session
1-9
10-22
23-35
36-46
Content Covered
Unit 1: U.S. Government
If you were stranded on an island with a group of people, would you
establish rules? What kind of government would you set up? In this unit,
you will study different types of governments and how they make rules.
In this unit, there will be:
2 Assignments
20 pts
1 Paper
25 pts
1 Discussion
5 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
Unit 2: Constitutional Origins
Did you know it took the founding fathers over ten years to write the
Constitution? You will study this process in this unit.
In this unit, there will be:
5 Assignments
50 pts
2 Discussions
10 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
Unit 3: Constitutional Principles
What if you wanted to change the Constitution? Is that even possible? In
this unit, you will be looking at the principles of the Constitution and how
changes are made to it.
In this unit, there will be:
4 Assignments
50 pts
3 Discussions
15 pts
1 Paper
25 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
Unit 4: The Legislative Branch
What is the purpose of the legislative branch? You will answer this by
©2011 Advanced Academics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
looking at the structure of Congress in this unit.
47-58
59-70
71-84
85-90
In this unit, there will be:
6 Assignments
60 pts
1 Paper
25 pts
3 Discussions
15 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
U.S. Government Midterm Exam 90 pts
Unit 5: The Executive Branch
What role does the president play in the lawmaking process? You will
learn this and much more about the executive branch.
In this unit, there will be:
4 Assignments
40 pts
1 Paper
25 pts
3 Discussions
15 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
Unit 6: The Judicial Branch and Civil Rights and Liberties
Are you a citizen or national of the United States? In this unit, you’ll learn
about your constitutional rights and those who fought for you to get them.
In this unit, there will be:
6 Assignments
60 pts
2 Discussions
10 pts
1 Project
25 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
Unit 7: Political Participation
Did you know that less than 40% of Americans vote? Do you think people
who do not vote should be allowed to complain about the government?
We’ll talk about the responsibilities of citizens in this unit.
In this unit, there will be:
3 Assignments
40 pts
3 Discussions
15 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
Unit 8: Economics and the American Government
How do you decide to spend your money? Should the government be
able to borrow so much money? This unit will look at the budget-making
process.
©2011 Advanced Academics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
In this unit, there will be:
4 Assignments
40 pts
3 Discussions
15 pts
1 Unit Test
50 pts
U.S. Government Final Exam 140 pts
Privacy Policy
No member of the Advanced Academics staff may release student information without
the written permission of the student’s parent or legal guardian. Advanced Academics
will not publish students’ names, images and/or class work in print, video/film, or on our
public website without written student and guardian consent.
Disability Statement
If you have a disability or condition that may affect your ability to succeed in this course,
it is important that you contact your teacher to make accommodations so that you will
have every opportunity to perform well. Your teacher and virtual school program
coordinators are committed to helping students with disabilities succeed, and every
request will be treated with respect and confidentiality.
©2011 Advanced Academics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.