Integrating Classroom and Online Instruction in an Introductory American Government Course

Background

Introduction to American Government is a class that is often required of undergraduate students in the United States. It is usually part of what is known as the “core curriculum,” the set of classes that college students must take as part of their program of study, regardless of their major or areas of interest. As citizens in a democracy, one assumes, some training in the details of that democracy is a useful component of the education we give to those who will participate in -and perhaps even lead- democratic institutions. Therefore, along with introductory courses in written communication, basic mathematics, and physical education, American students often find that they must satisfactorily complete a course that outlines the institutions and processes of American government. Indeed, several states require as a matter of law that students who receive an undergraduate degree from a public institution in their state successfully complete a course in American Government.