POLSC232: American Government

Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

• distinguish between different forms of government and democracy, underscoring the American political system;
• analyze the exercise and use of power within a society;
• explain the fundamental principles in the Declaration of Independence;
• analyze the flaws in the Articles of Confederation;
• explain the need for a Constitutional Convention to address the flaws in the current governmental system;
• identify the various plans put forth by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in regards to representation and slavery;
• describe how the arguments put forth in The Federalist Papers advocated the need for a stronger government;
• compare and contrast the differences between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists during the Constitution's ratification process;
• explain the importance of minority rights in a democracy;
• describe the principles embedded in the Constitution, including separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism;
• discuss how the Constitution has served as a living document by having the ability to be interpreted over time;
• explain how federalism functions as a power-sharing arrangement between the national and state governments; and
• describe the various types of federalism that exist on the state and national levels.