Recommended Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. This course is designed to give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. It involves the study of democratic ideas and the balance of power and tensions between the practical and ideal in national policy making. Students will become acquainted with the variety of theoretical perspectives and explanations for various behaviors and outcomes. Using current events, students will analyze and discuss the importance of various constitutional principles, rights and procedures, institutions, and political processes that impact us as citizens. This course satisfies the government requirement for graduation. This course has a summer reading requirement. Grade weighted upon successful completion of course. An Economics course must be taken in addition to this course.