This course is designed to provide a broad overview of the government of the United States, including the politics and functions of American governmental institutions, public policy and policy-making processes, and the role of citizens in the political process. A principal objective of the course is to teach students what role ordinary people like you and me play in the political process and to explore how we might make a difference through informed participation. Secondary goals include enlightening you about the most important questions facing the United States during these extremely trying times; teaching you about how the Constitution and American national institutions shape our government's response to the questions of the day; and why American national institutions operate as they do.