Introduction to Government Youtube Playlist

Description

In this unit, you will be introduced to the concept of government and how politics works. A functioning republic (democracy if you prefer) relies on the educated participation of its citizens. Before you are old enough to participate in the political process, you will investigate the purposes and functions of government and analyze different forms of government that exist in the world.

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Important Files

Introduction to Government Study Guide
File Size:	282 kb
File Type:	pdf

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AP Government Overview
File Size:	2253 kb
File Type:	pdf

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John Locke and the Social Contract
File Size:	65 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Class Links

iCivics: Immigration Nation
​iCivics: Responsibility Launcher

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Interesting Articles

• Do you know enough to pass the U.S. citizenship test?​
• Study: US is an oligarchy, not a democracy
• Rulers of Time
• 3 Things to Know about Birthright Citizenship
• Nobel Prize Winning Economist: We're Headed for Oligarchy

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Homework Assignments

Assignment 1: Government and Politics

• ​MindTap: What Do You Know about the Democratic Republic? (video and quiz)
• Read Introduction, pages 2-6
• Study guide questions 1-2
• Key terms 1-3

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Assignment 2: Social Contract Theory

• Read Politics and Government, page 6
• Read Why Is Government Necessary?, pages 6-7
• Study guide questions 3-4
• Key terms 4-5
• How do Americans stand out from the rest of the world?

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Assignment 3: Political Culture

• Read Fundamental Values, pages 7-13
• Study guide questions 5-6
• Key terms 6-13
• MindTap activity: The Rule of Law

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Assignment 4: Democracy and Other Options

• Read Why Choose Democracy?, pages 13-18
• Study guide questions 7-12
• Key terms 14-31
• MindTap activity: Direct Versus Indirect Democracy

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​Assignment 5: Theories of American Democracy

• Read Who Really Rules in America?, pages 18-21
• Study guide question 13
• Key terms 31-34
• MindTap activity: Pluralism, Elitism, and Majoritarianism

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Assignment 6: Political Ideologies

• Political Ideologies, page 21
• The Traditional Political Spectrum, pages 21-22
• In the Middle: Liberalism and Conservatism, page 22
• The Difficulty of Defining Liberalism and Conservatism, pages 22-24
• Study guide questions 14-15
• Key terms 35-39
• MindTap activity: Obligations of U.S. Citizenship

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Assignment 7: Challenges to American Democracy

• The Challenge of Change, pages 24-31
• Study guide questions 16-17
• Key terms 40-41
• MindTap polling: Defining Marriage in California
• MindTap discussion: Rule of Law and the Constitution

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Assignment 8: Prepare for Test

• Review notes, study guide, and key terms
• MindTap: Chapter 1 Quiz

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Videos to Get You Thinking