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