American Government begins with the evolution of the social contract, U.S. political ideals and the 4 theories of power in America. Next comes the Constitution: how it was created, what it says, checks and balances and the importance of the Bill of Rights. You’ll explore Federalism and the balance between federal and state governments. Once you understand where our government comes from, you’ll move on to how it interacts with citizens: civil liberties, civil rights, public opinion and mass media, special interest groups, and the electoral process. You’ll examine the 3 branches of the federal government in depth: Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary, before ending with public policy and State and Local governments.