GOVT 220 American Government: Home

Course Description:  The issues, interest and institutions of American politics, emphasizing the struggle between liberalism and conservatism.

Course Rationale:

The primary purpose of this course is to train the student for effective citizenship. No one can be an effective citizen without an understanding of how his/her government operates. This is especially true today because the growth in size of government at all levels has increased its impact on our daily lives. No one can avoid involvement with government. As both Christians and citizens, the student needs to understand his/her duties to the government and how he/she can defend the heritage of liberty.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Identify the main provisions of the U.S. Constitution.
2. Analyze the meaning of important constitutional provisions.
3. Identify characteristics of liberalism and conservatism.
4. Identify the constitutional powers granted to each branch of government.
5. Differentiate between formal and informal changes made to the Constitution.
6. Identify ways in which citizens can effectively participate in the political process.
7. Identify the extent of Christian influence on the underlying principles of the U.S. Constitution and the way recent Supreme Court rulings have limited this influence.
8. Identify the main features of a worldview, assessing cultural, political, economic, and industrial implications.
1. Relate government and/or culture to various aspects of life.
10. Apply the Christian principles and general practices for effectively engaging people from different social and/or cultural backgrounds.
11. Relate the human experience within various civic and global structures to participation in the redemptive work of God.

Foundational Skills Learning Outcomes (FSLO): Civic and Global Engagement (CGE)

 Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: 

 1. CGE1: Identify the main features of a worldview, assessing the cultural, political, economic, and industrial implications. 

2. CGE2: Relate government and/or culture to various aspects of life. 

3. CGE3: Apply the Christian principles and general practices for effectively engaging people from different social and/or cultural backgrounds. 

4. CGE4: Describe the impact of a person’s global perspective on evangelism and cross-cultural engagement.

5. CGE5: Relate the human experience within various civic and global structures to participation in the redemptive work of God.

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