Prepare: Prior to writing your initial post, read Chapters 1 and 2 of American Government and review the Week One Instructor Guidance.

[img width=”100″ height=”51″ alt=”Reflect Icon” src=”https://bridgepoint.equella.ecollege.com/curriculum/file/e0f926c5-852c-4a25-81d2-b9f5a46f1cbe/1/sized.zip/sized/Reflect.png”>Reflect: The U.S. Constitution is the cornerstone of our federal government. The Constitution establishes a basic operational framework that enables the three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial – to interact and function as a unit. Embedded in this operational framework are two key principles: separation of powers and a system of checks and balances. Think about how these branches interact and the importance of these checks and balances and separation of powers.[img width=”100″ height=”51″ alt=”Write Icon” src=”https://bridgepoint.equella.ecollege.com/curriculum/file/e0f926c5-852c-4a25-81d2-b9f5a46f1cbe/1/sized.zip/sized/Write.png”>Write: In your initial post, explain why the separation of powers and the system of checks and balances are important for our democracy. Provide recent, real-world examples of the separation of powers and checks/balances in action (one example each). Also, discuss how the Constitution protects individual and group rights. Again, provide a recent real-world example of these Constitutional protections being applied here in the U.S.

Fully respond to all parts of the prompt and write your response in your own words. Your initial post must be at least 300 words. Support your position with at least two of the assigned resources required for this discussion, and/or peer reviewed scholarly sources obtained through the AU Library databases. Include APA in-text citations in the body of your post and references at the end. Support your position with APA citationsfrom two or more of the assigned resources required for this discussion. Please be sure that you demonstrate understanding of these resources, integrate them into your argument, and cite them properly.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT: THE CONSTITUTION

“The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself.” – Benjamin Franklin

Overview of POL 201

Welcome to POL 201! Over the course of the next 5 weeks, we hope that you will learn a great deal about American Government. Each week will focus on a specific theme regarding certain aspects of the United States Government. To learn more about your instructor for POL 201, click on the “Meet Your Instructor” tab on the left side of the navigation panel.

(Dreamstime, 2015)

Week One provides you with insights into own personal political philosophy using the Pew Center’s Political Typology Quiz. The results of the Quiz will expand our understanding of the varied political philosophies that guide the thought processes of most Americans. In addition, this week essential constitutional concepts related to separation of powers and checks and balances that constitute the national government will be analyzed. The focus is on applying these political philosophies and concepts to issues being debated in contemporary policy arenas at the national level and at the personal level involving individual jobs and careers. Additionally, the week begins the investigation and evaluation of the main features of the U.S.’s national government with an in-depth examination of the U.S. Constitution.

Week One Instructor Guidance

You’ve probably heard at some point in your life that the easiest way to upset another person is to discuss politics. Everyone’s political thoughts, theories, and individual ideologies are very personal and can spark very deep and emotional responses. It is very important this week, as we begin discussing these issues, that you are respectful of your fellow classmates. While you may not agree with their opinions, you do need to respectful of them. Everyone has a right to discuss openly in our classroom.

Below, is one of the thousands of political cartoons published each day. Your opinion and thoughts regarding this or any other cartoon are based on your personal ideology and beliefs. Your ideology is based on numerous factors and ultimately helps you to associate (or disassociate) with a specific party.

 [img src=”http://vizedhtmlcontent.next.ecollege.com/pub/content/086b1616-7079-4dd2-82e7-080917baad4e/Political_Cartoon_Week_1.jpg” alt=”Political Cartoon” title=”Political Cartoon”> 

(Granlund, 2015)

As we study the Constitution and focus on the separation of powers and checks and balances this week, it is important to make connections within your posts to current political topics and relate these ideas to the modern political climate. Currently, the United States is facing political upheaval that is more combative and controversial than at any other time in recent history. As you read through the first two chapters of the textbook, be sure to pay attention to the similarities and differences between current and historical issues regarding the structure of the U.S. Government. Why were the Framers hesitant to give the government too much power? Does this sentiment still exist today?

Built to Last? Constitution USA with Peter Sagal

Supplemental Links

More information regarding separation of powers – http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/legislatures/separation-of-powers-an-overview.aspx

Link to the text of the US Constitution – http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html

More about the founding fathers of the Constitution – http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_founding_fathers.html

More about typologies, current popular political and social issues, candidates etc.-

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