This course has no course prerequisites and may be taken as a standalone.

It is a rigorous class designed for high school juniors and seniors. It is recommended that students have a basic knowledge of American history; study skills involving reading, outlining, and memorizing; and the ability to compose well-structured essays on a high school level.

BJU Press American Government Student Textbook Third Edition. Third Edition. Greenville, South Carolina: BJU Press, 2014. ISBN 978-1-60682-194-7.

May be provided by the Academy upon enrollment.

Students are expected to have a computer with a functioning microphone and camera, as well as a stable Internet connection. A functioning email address, preferably a Gmail account, is also required to access this course’s Google Classroom space and the attached materials.

Furthermore, students should have access to either Google Docs or Microsoft Word, with the ability to produce and turn in written essays and assignments.

At the end of this course, students will be expected to:

1. Have an accurate and comprehensive knowledge of the three branches of government and their various jurisdictions and sub-levels.

2. Analyse and critique the actions of their government from a Scriptural and Constitutional standpoint.

3. Be well-versed in and have a firm grasp on current  and recent events, movements, and debates in American politics.

4. Understand the purpose, function, and role of the American government domestically and internationally.

5. Understand and describe the key strengths and weaknesses of the American federal system, with a respect for the unique success of the system.

6. Understand their duty first as citizens of the Kingdom of God and second as citizens of the United States of America, and the civic duties and responsibilities that come with those mutual roles.

Homework Questions: Every week, students will submit answers to assigned questions regarding the content of each week’s lesson. These answers will vary in length and quantity. Submissions will be made via email and must be formatted according to the specifications given by the instructor.

Essays: There will be two assigned essays every quarter. Students will be able to select an essay topic from a list supplied by the instructor. Each essay must be properly formatted, meet grammatical expectations, and exceed 300 words. A rubric will be provided supplying specific grading expectations.

Tests and Exams: At the end of every lesson, students must complete a proctored test. The questions for the test will be sent by the instructor to the student on the day of the test shortly before the test begins.  Use of the textbook or a web browser (with the exception of Google Docs) is forbidden. At the end of class, the test must be submitted to the instructor via email. Parental supervision is recommended.

Once per quarter, students will take a cumulative exam.

Participation: Participation for the class will be determined on the student’s involvement in class discussions, activities, and peer-group assignments.

Conduct:  Students are expected to exhibit Christ-like behavior in their discussions and interactions.  While disagreements are permitted, disparaging comments or ad hominem attacks are not. Furthermore, as this course is designed for high school students, a certain level of godly maturity is expected in behavior and conversation. Education from the Academy is a privilege and ought to be treated as such.

Attendance:  Students are required to attend this class in person or view and participate in a live meeting of the class with an active camera.  Class sessions will take place from 8:00-9:00 A.M. EST Tuesday and Thursday. If a student misses a class session, it is the student’s responsibility to identify and complete assigned work by either contacting a classmate or the instructor. Refer to the school calendar for days off due to holidays or other circumstances.

Cheating: Plagiarism and other forms of academic chicanery may be punished according to the discretion of the instructor. All decisions made on academic integrity may be appealed to the headmaster of the Academy. Discipline for academic violations is proportional to the severity of the violation, and may be as severe as removal from the course. Rules and guidelines specific to the course will be included in the course syllabus, distributed to the students on the first day of the course.

Contact Information: The instructor will establish reliable and consistent means of contact with students on the first day of the course.

Grades for Individual Assignments:

Course Grades

Grading Weights for this Course