American Government Course Outline
Instructor: Jeff Belford
Text and materials: Prentice Hall, Magruder’s American
Government, and American Government video collection
Overview of Course:
Hailed as a stellar educational resource for nearly a century,
Magruder's American Government is updated annually to meet the
changing needs of today's high school students and teachers. The
program's engaging narrative is enhanced with numerous primary
sources, political cartoons, charts, graphs, and photos, making
the structure and principles of government accessible and
motivating to students of all abilities.
High-interest, chapter-by-chapter segments on government issues
are highlighted in the 4-tape video series. Commentary from
well-known authorities in history and government education, the
judiciary, and the media offer different perspectives on key
issues. Critical-thinking questions stimulate lively discussion.
Topics Covered:
Unit 1: Foundations of American Government
Unit 2: Political Behavior: Government by the People
Unit 3: Legislative Branch
Unit 4: The Executive Branch
Unit 5: The Judicial Branch
Unit 6: Comparative Political and Economic Systems
Unit 7: Participating in State and Local Government