Government

6479 Advanced Placement American Government and Politics

This course is one semester in length, offered to students of above average ability. Students taking G469 Advanced Placement Economics are recommended to take this course as well. Students would be expected, but not required, to take the College Board Advanced Placement test in American Government and Politics in May.  This course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. Students would become familiar with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that comprise the realities of American politics. It involves having the students learn basic political principles and develop essential democratic skills.

PREREQUISITE. G369 United States History (A,B) or department recommendation

LEVEL: 3,4  One half year,  One half unit  

6472 Introduction to Government

This course is one semester in length, and must be taken with G462 Economics to meet the senior social studies graduation requirement.  The goal of the course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and ideals needed to understand government at the local, state, national, and global levels. Emphasis is placed on political participation and individual responsibilities.  Political change has swept the world, with once totalitarian regimes struggling to embrace democracy .The promise of America's future and interdependence of our global community heighten the demand for students to become aware of and involved with the political process. What is the nature of American government? How has it succeeded, and how might it be improved? Can democracy confront the challenges of our third century? This course endeavors to answer these questions.

LEVEL: 4 One-half year One-half unit