About the Course
The course focuses on a "deeper learning" approach, where students engage in sustained investigations of the American political system to answer a central driving question: "What is the proper role of government in a democracy?". It provides a nonpartisan introduction to the key political concepts, institutions, and behaviors that characterize the U.S. constitutional system. The curriculum organizes standard course content into five major projects—often including immersive simulations—where students take on roles like legislative staffers, supreme court justices, or campaign managers. The primary purpose is to move students from being passive observers to active, informed citizens who can effectively participate in a representative democracy.
- Help students understand constitutional frameworks by "doing" government—acting as delegates to the Constitutional Convention, members of Congress drafting legislation, or Supreme Court justices deciding landmark cases.
- Gain systemic understanding by exploring the complex relationships between interest groups, political parties, and the media in influencing campaigns and public policy.
- Facilitate the building of foundational knowledge, through a rigorous understanding of the American Constitution, including principles like federalism, judicial review, and checks and balances.
- Help students to connect abstract political concepts to real-life situations and modern-day political issues.
- Enhance data and textual literacy by analyzing visual sources, polls, and data sets to identify patterns and draw conclusions about political behavior.