U.S. Government
Issues and Policies in American Government
3 College Credits | UT Course Code: GOV 312L | TCCN: GOVT 2302
High School Course Prerequisite: U.S. History (or concurrent enrollment)
Gain historical context and deeper knowledge about American citizenship and the role of individuals in shaping government.
This course introduces the American principles for self-government established by the founders with the goal of preparing students to take an active role in civic life. Students learn about their rights and responsibilities as individual citizens and their ability to participate in government, including the right to vote and run for office.
The course also explores how American government was shaped during its founding and how it has evolved, as well as core texts and key events that influenced the development of American citizenship.
Course Structure
This course uses Flipped Learning. Outside of the classroom, students engage with primary sources and videos for each unit that introduce them to important aspects of American government and citizenship. During class time, students deeply explore the topics and themes through group discussions that include historical analysis and structured academic deliberation.
Big Ideas
- Natural rights: philosophical foundations that shape the government’s role in guaranteeing rights, including “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
- Civil rights: efforts to ensure individuals receive equal treatment as defined and protected by law; as stated in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”
- Representation: “government of the people, by the people, for the people;” U.S. citizens have the right to participate directly in policymaking or choose leaders who uphold their interests through policy and law
- Constitutional government: The U.S. Constitution is the framework for American government to operate and sustain a free society
- Free speech: guaranteed by the First Amendment, its exercise remains vital to a thriving democracy
What Students Gain
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Understanding of their own rights and responsibilities as American citizens
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Experience with evidence-based structured deliberation in an academic setting
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Practice analyzing documents and evaluating arguments from multiple viewpoints