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US government and civics
Welcome to US Government and Civics!
An understanding of US government and civics gives you a baseline of knowledge that will enable and empower you to actively participate in our democracy. This course will introduce you to the foundations of American democracy and how the three branches of the US federal government work together to shape policies that preserve civil liberties and civil rights. You'll also examine the opportunities and responsibilities of citizenship, and the role of different political parties and political philosophies in the United States.
Start learningWelcome to US Government and Civics!
An understanding of US government and civics gives you a baseline of knowledge that will enable and empower you to actively participate in our democracy. This course will introduce you to the foundations of American democracy and how the three branches of the US federal government work together to shape policies that preserve civil liberties and civil rights. You'll also examine the opportunities and responsibilities of citizenship, and the role of different political parties and political philosophies in the United States.
Start learningWelcome to US government and civics!: Foundations of American democracyIdeals of democracy: Foundations of American democracyTypes of democracy: Foundations of American democracyChallenges of the Articles of Confederation: Foundations of American democracyGovernment power and individual rights: Foundations of American democracy
Ratification of the US Constitution: Foundations of American democracyPrinciples of American government: Foundations of American democracyThe relationship between the states and the federal government: Foundations of American democracyConstitutional interpretations of federalism : Foundations of American democracyFederalism in action: Foundations of American democracy
Congress: The Senate and the House of Representatives: Interactions among branches of governmentStructures, powers, and functions of Congress: Interactions among branches of governmentCongressional behavior: Interactions among branches of governmentRoles and powers of the president: Interactions among branches of governmentChecks on the presidency: Interactions among branches of governmentExpansion of presidential power: Interactions among branches of government
Presidential communication: Interactions among branches of governmentThe judicial branch: Interactions among branches of governmentLegitimacy of the judicial branch: Interactions among branches of governmentChecks on the judicial branch: Interactions among branches of governmentThe bureaucracy: functions and responsibilities: Interactions among branches of governmentThe bureaucracy: authority and accountability: Interactions among branches of government
The Bill of Rights: Civil liberties and civil rightsThe First Amendment: freedom of religion: Civil liberties and civil rightsThe First Amendment: freedom of speech: Civil liberties and civil rightsThe First Amendment: freedom of the press: Civil liberties and civil rightsThe Second Amendment: Civil liberties and civil rightsBalancing individual freedom with public order and safety: Civil liberties and civil rights
Selective incorporation: Civil liberties and civil rightsDue process and the rights of the accused: Civil liberties and civil rightsDue process and the right to privacy: Civil liberties and civil rightsSocial movements and equal protection: Civil liberties and civil rightsGovernment responses to social movements: Civil liberties and civil rightsBalancing minority and majority rights: Civil liberties and civil rightsAffirmative action: Civil liberties and civil rights
Voting rights and models of voter behavior: Political participationVoter turnout: Political participationPolitical parties: Political participationHow and why political parties change and adapt: Political participationThird-party politics: Political participationGroups influencing policymaking and policy outcomes: Political participation
Test your knowledge of the skills in this course. Have a test coming up? The Course challenge can help you understand what you need to review.