How this course works
The chapters and lessons below are the fixed course structure. When you start, LearnLive teaches each lesson interactively and adapts examples, pacing, and questions to you.
Complete syllabus
Every chapter and lesson
- 01
Chapter 1 · 3 lessons
Constitutional Foundations
- 1.1
The founding & the Declaration
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the significance of the Declaration of Independence in American history.
- Define the Declaration of Independence and its purpose.
- Identify the key principles outlined in the Declaration.
- Discuss the impact of the Declaration on American society and governance.
- 1.2
The Constitution & ratification
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can describe the process of drafting and ratifying the Constitution.
- Define the Constitution and its role in American government.
- Outline the major compromises made during the Constitutional Convention.
- Explain the ratification process and the significance of the Federalist Papers.
- 1.3
Federalism
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the concept of federalism in the United States.
- Define federalism and its importance in the American political system.
- Identify the powers granted to the federal government versus state governments.
- Discuss examples of federalism in practice and its implications for governance.
- 1.1
- 02
Chapter 2 · 3 lessons
Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
- 2.1
The Bill of Rights & civil liberties
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the significance of the Bill of Rights in protecting civil liberties.
- Define the Bill of Rights and its historical context.
- Identify the first ten amendments to the Constitution.
- Discuss the role of the Bill of Rights in safeguarding individual freedoms.
- 2.2
The struggle for civil rights
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the key events and movements in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.
- Define civil rights and their importance in a democratic society.
- Examine major civil rights movements and their leaders.
- Discuss landmark legislation and court cases that advanced civil rights.
- 2.3
Equal protection today
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can evaluate the current state of equal protection under the law in the United States.
- Define equal protection and its constitutional basis in the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Analyze contemporary issues related to equal protection, such as discrimination and affirmative action.
- Discuss the role of the judiciary in interpreting equal protection cases.
- 2.1
- 03
Chapter 3 · 3 lessons
The Legislative & Executive Branches
- 3.1
Congress
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the structure and functions of Congress.
- Define Congress and its bicameral structure.
- Identify the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Explain the legislative process and how a bill becomes law.
- Discuss the powers and limitations of Congress as outlined in the Constitution.
- 3.2
The presidency
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can describe the powers and responsibilities of the presidency.
- Define the role of the President in the executive branch.
- Identify the formal and informal powers of the President.
- Explain the process of presidential elections and the Electoral College.
- Discuss the President's role in foreign policy and national security.
- 3.3
The federal bureaucracy
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the role of the federal bureaucracy in government.
- Define federal bureaucracy and its significance in the implementation of laws.
- Identify the major departments and agencies within the federal bureaucracy.
- Explain the relationship between the bureaucracy and elected officials.
- Discuss the challenges and criticisms of the federal bureaucracy.
- 3.1
- 04
Chapter 4 · 3 lessons
The Judiciary
- 4.1
The federal court system
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the structure and function of the federal court system.
- Define the federal court system and its hierarchy.
- Identify the different types of federal courts, including district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court.
- Explain the roles of judges and juries within the federal court system.
- Discuss the jurisdiction of federal courts and the types of cases they hear.
- 4.2
Judicial review
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can describe the process and significance of judicial review.
- Define judicial review and its origins in the United States.
- Explain the role of the Supreme Court in exercising judicial review.
- Discuss landmark cases that established and expanded the concept of judicial review.
- Analyze the implications of judicial review on the balance of power among branches of government.
- 4.3
Landmark decisions
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze key landmark decisions and their impact on American law and society.
- Define landmark decisions and their significance in the judicial system.
- Identify major Supreme Court cases and their rulings.
- Discuss the social and political implications of landmark decisions.
- Evaluate how landmark decisions have shaped contemporary legal precedents.
- 4.1
- 05
Chapter 5 · 3 lessons
Political Behavior
- 5.1
Public opinion & ideology
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the concepts of public opinion and political ideology.
- Define public opinion and its significance in a democracy.
- Identify the factors that shape public opinion, including socialization and media influence.
- Explain the concept of political ideology and its role in shaping individual beliefs and behaviors.
- 5.2
Elections & campaigns
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the electoral process and the impact of campaigns on voter behavior.
- Define elections and their purpose in a democratic system.
- Describe the different types of elections and their characteristics.
- Explain the role of campaigns in influencing voter decisions and the importance of campaign strategies.
- 5.3
Political parties
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can evaluate the role of political parties in the American political system.
- Define political parties and their functions within the political system.
- Identify the major political parties in the United States and their platforms.
- Explain the impact of political parties on elections and governance.
- 5.1
- 06
Chapter 6 · 3 lessons
Participation & Influence
- 6.1
Interest groups & lobbying
9 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can explain the role of interest groups and lobbying in American politics.
- Define interest groups and their purpose in the political system.
- Explain the process of lobbying and its significance in influencing legislation.
- Identify different types of interest groups and their strategies for advocacy.
- 6.2
The media
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can analyze the impact of media on public opinion and political behavior.
- Define the role of media in a democratic society.
- Discuss how media shapes public perception of political issues.
- Examine the influence of social media on political engagement.
- 6.3
Voting & participation
8 min · Quick check
Lesson goal: By the end you can evaluate the factors that affect voting and participation in elections.
- Define voter participation and its importance in democracy.
- Identify barriers to voting and ways to increase participation.
- Discuss the impact of demographic factors on voting behavior.
- 6.1