Welcome to College Prepatory American Government!!
This course is designed to instill in our newest enfranchised citizens,you, the knowledge, skills, and values of American Democracy. It is essential in any democracy that education be a corner stone of the people so that they are able to fufill their "office" of citizen. Perhaps no greater advocate of education of the voter was Thomas Jefferson. He once said that ". . . whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that, whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them right." Taking this a step further Jefferson also beleived: "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
As citizens, most young people, such as yourself, do not become involved, particpate or even pay attention to public policy and public discourse. This is dangerous for a democracy. Like anything worthwhile we must exercise and practice the skills necessary to question, particpate and effectively use the political power that we hold or democracy is lost. Listen to the thoughts of actor Richard Dreyfus below on the skills that he notes as critical for American democracy.
So as we begin your senior year and close this chapter of your life, remember that you are indeed beginning a new and exciting part of your life, one that comes with much greater responsibility and freedom. The knowledge, skills and values that you take from your American Government class should provide you with the ability to participate, argue, and express your thoughts, ideas and opinions in a meaningful and respectful manner so that you can take full advantage of the promise of democracy.
Class Information & Resources
Class Participation Rubric Curriculum Map Course Calendar Notes for Learning
