(Recorded Course) College Level United States Government and Politics, Part One with Paul Hyatt

In this advanced course, students will go deep into US government and the American political system. Students will be challenged to think critically throughout the course. Sign up today to receive solid preparation for future rigorous college courses. This course is also an excellent preparation for students who plan to take the AP US Government and Politics test or American Government CLEP test.

How to get the most out of United States Government and Politics, Part One with Paul Hyatt:

  • First, read the course details below.

  • Prepare a notebook for note taking and homework.

  • Students begin the course by clicking on the "Recording" and watching the instructor's lecture for Class One.

  • Complete the Week One Activities.

  • If you need review, go back and watch the recording again and/or go over the Powerpoint.

  • Repeat until all classes are complete.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records. Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping.

Special Notes: All course materials provided FREE. This course includes a writing component.

This is Part One of a two-part course. 

Total Classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 11th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Government

Instructors: Paul Hyatt

Instructor email:  phyatt.hsc@gmail.com

Course Description: This course will present students with an in-depth look at the foundations, institution, organization, operation, and policies of the United States’ government. Part One will focus exclusively on the American political system. In particular, students will study the language of the U.S. Constitution and the theories upon which it was founded, including federalism and the separation of powers, the organization, functions, and interdependency of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the evolution and function of the American Party System, voting, and elections in the United States, including the campaign process and various social and economic policies. 

This course closely follows the AP United States and Politics curriculum. Students are encouraged to take the AP or CLEP test after the completion of this two-part course. 

Course Outline:

Unit One

  • The purposes of government

  • Theories of democratic government

  • The first attempt at government: The Articles of Incorporation

  • Key constitutional underpinnings including separation of powers, checks and balances and federalism

  • The Anti-Federalists’ fears

Unit Two

  • The Executive Branch

  • The Legislative Branch

  • The Judicial Branch and Marbury v. Madison

Unit Three

  • Political parties and platforms

  • The evolution of the American Party System

  • The nature of modern political campaigns

  • What does it mean to be a citizen

  • The electoral process and electoral college

  • Different types of elections

  • Roles that party organizations, PACs and money play in campaigns

Unit Four

  • The Policy-Making Process

  • Social Welfare Policy

Course Materials: All materials provided free. Students will be reading the United States Constitution and other foundational documents, portions of the Federalist Papers, landmark Supreme Court cases, and other relevant materials provided by the instructor. 

Homework: Expect to spend roughly two hours a week outside of class reading the assigned weekly course materials, completing automated quizzes (for immediate feedback), and writing an occasional essay. There will be a final exam at the end of the semester.