A-G Government
About This Course
A-G Government is a 16-week semester course introducing students to the essential concepts, issues, and dynamics of the United States governmental system. Rather than treating American government as a static set of facts to memorize, this course roots the US system in its historical development: students trace the Greek and Roman origins of democratic ideas, follow them through the Enlightenment and the founding era, and then examine how the structures and tensions built into the Constitution have played out across American history.
The course covers the formation and structure of the Constitution, the three branches of government, civil rights and civil liberties, political parties and special interest groups, government expansion and taxation, local government, and the role of media in politics. Students finish the course with a foundation not just for understanding what the US government is, but why it is this way and how it has developed over time.
The course meets weekly for a live online class. Required readings are assembled from articles, primary sources, and texts available free online, with links provided in the weekly Canvas assignments. Students should expect to spend approximately 3.5 to 6 hours per week, depending on assignment and reading speed.
- Weekly live class, Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. Pacific
- Recorded sessions available for students who cannot attend live
- Two graded assignments per week (terminology quiz and discussion question)
- One paper on a politically significant concept, event, or political figure
- Semester course, offered Fall and Spring; one semester of credit on transcript
- Analyze the historical foundations of American government, from Greek and Roman democracy through the Enlightenment and the founding era
- Understand the structure and reasoning of the US Constitution, including the debates at the Constitutional Convention and the Federalist Papers
- Explain federalism and the roles, powers, and relationships of the three branches of government
- Distinguish between civil liberties and civil rights, and analyze landmark Supreme Court cases involving both
- Trace the history and role of political parties, special interest groups, and lobbying in American politics
- Analyze government expansion, taxation, domestic and foreign policy, local government, and the influence of media on the political process
- Read and engage with primary source texts including the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, the Bill of Rights, and major addresses by Washington, Eisenhower, and others
This course meets California A-G requirements. For complete standards documentation, visit the California A-G Standards Alignment page.
Schedule
A-G Government is a 16-week semester course offered in both Fall and Spring. Classes meet live on Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. Pacific; recorded sessions are available for students who cannot attend live. Pricing and purchase order details are available through your school's purchasing department.
| Session | Format | Meeting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fall or Spring Semester | Live, online | Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. Pacific |
Course Units
| # | Unit Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Historical Context of the US Government | 2 weeks |
| 2 | The US Constitution | 2 weeks |
| 3 | The Branches and Their Powers: Federalism and the Structure of the US Government | 5 weeks |
| 4 | Civil Rights and Civil Liberties | 2 weeks |
| 5 | Political Parties and Special Interest Groups | 2 weeks |
| 6 | Government Expansion, Taxes, Policy, Local Government, and Media | 3 weeks |
Required Reading
There is no textbook to purchase for this course. All required readings are assembled from articles, primary source excerpts, and texts available free online. Links are provided in the weekly reading assignments in Canvas. Readings include selections from the Magna Carta, Rousseau, Thomas Paine, the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the Federalist Papers, Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, the Bill of Rights, George Washington's Farewell Address, Eisenhower's Farewell Speech, and others.
Assignments and Assessment
WriteAtHome's Mr. Napier grades all weekly assignments and the semester paper. Optional A-G assignments (oral presentations, collaborative projects, visual projects) are overseen and graded by the student's charter school teacher or educational coordinator.
| Assignment Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Terminology Quiz | A brief quiz covering key political terms and concepts from the week's lecture. Graded by Mr. Napier. | Weekly |
| Discussion Question | A short written response to a discussion prompt designed to develop critical thinking about political events, concepts, and ideas. Graded by Mr. Napier. | Weekly |
| Semester Political Issue Paper | A research paper examining a politically significant concept, historical event, or political figure. Students choose their own topic and develop a focused thesis. Graded by Mr. Napier. | Once |
| Optional A-G Assignments | Oral presentations, collaborative projects, and visual projects are available as optional A-G assignments. Rubrics and assignment details are provided by WriteAtHome; grading is completed by the student's charter school teacher or educational coordinator. | Optional |
Instructor
How to Enroll
Enrollment is handled through your charter school. Check with your school's purchasing department for enrollment details, purchase order procedures, and course approval specific to your school.
Questions? Contact WriteAtHome at info@writeathome.com.
Supplementary Education Center/Program:
WriteAtHome (4-12) is Fully Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200
Burlingame, CA 94010
Website: www.acswasc.org