Course Learning Outcomes

This course fulfills the General Education American Institutions requirement (Utah State Code R470). This course covers the essential facts of the national government in the United States, this course satisfies state law, requiring examination of the United States Constitution. This course surveys the founding of the government of the United States; the United States Constitution; and the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of government. This course also covers aspects such as, politics, elections, lobbying, foreign policy, and national security. This course will aid students in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the federal system and federalism. Students will be instructed through a variety of methods such as, lectures, student debate papers, discussions, and audio-visual means. Successful students will demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States.

1. Understand and apply basic concepts of politics, government, power, authority, and legitimacy.

2. Understand the Bill of Rights and how its provisions affect the powers of the national and state governments.

3. Understand how the Constitution defines and limits the powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the national government.

4. Understand and apply basic political theories

5. Understand why and how you formulate your particular political views, beliefs, attitudes, and opinions.

6. Prepare you for the Utah State Civics test. Passing this test is a graduation requirement.