Instructor Manual
Table of Contents
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter.......................................................................................................2
Cengage Supplements.................................................................................................................................2
List of Student Downloads.......................................................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives......................................................................................................................................3
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments................................................................................3
Key Terms...................................................................................................................................................5
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................................................8
Chapter Outline...........................................................................................................................................8
Discussion Questions...................................................................................................................................9
Additional Resources.................................................................................................................................13
Cengage Video Resources......................................................................................................................13
Media Resources...................................................................................................................................13
Online Resources...................................................................................................................................14
Print Resources......................................................................................................................................14
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................16
Generic Rubrics......................................................................................................................................16
Standard Wri琀椀ng Rubric........................................................................................................................16
Standard Discussion Rubric...................................................................................................................17
,Purpose and Perspec琀椀ve of the Chapter
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the essential functions of government, and outline
key concepts related to democratic governance within the American political system. Students will learn
why governments are necessary, what the fundamental values of the Constitution are, and how to
distinguish between popular political ideologies. This chapter also covers theories of American
democracy, and provides a detailed analysis of demographic changes in the United States.
Cengage Supplements
The following product-level supplements provide additional information that may help you in preparing
your course. They are available in the Instructor Resource Center.
Political Science Guide to Teaching Online
o A guide with technology and pedagogy tips for teaching your course online
The Cengage Political Science Blog: https://blog.cengage.com/tag/political-science/
o A source of discovery and connection to a community of instructors sharing teaching tips,
class activities, timely discussion ideas, and more
American Government YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcFM0VUmi-
f8BvRMaiWae4g
o A selection of videos for customizing your learning path
MindTap Educator Guide:
o A detailed list of the assets in your MindTap course
Transition Guide
o Highlights content changes and updates in the new edition of the textbook and
courseware design
Standard Writing Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ written work, for use as both a grading
tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations
Standard Discussion Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ discussion contributions, for use as both a
grading tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations
MindTap Performance Reports Instructor Guide for American Government
o A guide for making the most of the new performance reports functionality within
MindTap
List of Student Downloads
Students should download the following items from the Student Companion Center to complete the
activities and assignments related to this course:
The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
The Federalist Papers No. 10
The Federalist Papers No. 51
The Federalist Papers No. 78
Chapter Objec琀椀ves
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
LO 1-1: Define the institution of government and the process of politics.
,LO 1-2: Identify the political philosophers associated with the “social contract” and explain how this
theory shapes our understanding of the purpose and essential functions of government and the
role for individuals and communities in the United States.
LO 1-3: Describe the U.S. political culture and identify the set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking
about government and politics shared by all.
LO 1-4: Compare and contrast types of government systems and identify the source of power in each.
LO 1-5: Define political ideology and locate socialism, liberalism, conservatism, and libertarianism
along the ideological spectrum.
LO 1-6: Apply understanding of the purpose of government, the essential functions of government,
and the U.S. political culture to evaluate government’s ability to meet new challenges over
time.
Complete List of Chapter Ac琀椀vi琀椀es and Assessments
For additional guidance refer to the Guide to Teaching Online.
Chapter PPT slide Activity/Assessment Duration Texas State Standards
Objective for GOVT 2305
LO 1-1, 1-2 8-9 MindTap Learn It: The 15 min 1. Explain the origin
Purpose of Poli琀椀cs and and development of
Government constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
LO 1-1 MindTap Learn It: Rule of Law 10 min 1. Explain the origin
and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
MindTap Learn It: Pluralism, 10 min 1. Explain the origin
Eli琀椀sm, and Majoritarianism and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
LO 1-1, 1-2 12-14 MindTap Case Study: What is 20 min 1. Explain the origin
Government For? and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
LO 1-1, 1-2 15-16 MindTap: Why Does 10 min 1. Explain the origin
Government Ma琀琀er to Me? and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
4. Demonstrate
knowledge of the
legislative, executive,
, and judicial branches
of the federal
government.
LO 1-3 19-20 Discussion Ac琀椀vity from PPT 10 min 8. Analyze issues and
policies in U.S.
politics.
LO 1-4 22 Knowledge Check Ac琀椀vity 2 min 2. Demonstrate
from PPT knowledge of the
federal system.
LO 1-6 28 Self-Assessment (1) from PPT 5 min 7. Analyze the nature
and role of
government and
politics.
LO 1-5 31 Wri琀琀en Re昀氀ec琀椀on from PPT 5-7 min 8. Analyze issues and
policies in U.S.
politics.
7. Describe the rights
and responsibilities of
citizens.
LO 1-6 36 Self-Assessment (2) from PPT 5-7 min 8. Analyze issues and
policies in U.S.
politics.
LO 1-6 37 Discussion Ac琀椀vity from PPT 10 min 7. Describe the rights
and responsibilities of
citizens.
[return to top]
Key Terms
Anarchy: The absence of any form of government or political authority.
Aristocracy: Rule by “the best”; in reality, rule by an upper class.
Authoritarianism: A type of regime in which only the government is fully controlled by the rule. Social
and economic institutions exist that are not under the government’s control.
Capitalism: An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free
markets, and freedom of contract.
Conservatism: A set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping support
individuals for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.
Democracy: A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people. Derived from
the Greek words demos (“the people”) and kratos (“authority”).
Democratic Republic: A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws
and policies.
Table of Contents
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter.......................................................................................................2
Cengage Supplements.................................................................................................................................2
List of Student Downloads.......................................................................................................................2
Chapter Objectives......................................................................................................................................3
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments................................................................................3
Key Terms...................................................................................................................................................5
What's New in This Chapter........................................................................................................................8
Chapter Outline...........................................................................................................................................8
Discussion Questions...................................................................................................................................9
Additional Resources.................................................................................................................................13
Cengage Video Resources......................................................................................................................13
Media Resources...................................................................................................................................13
Online Resources...................................................................................................................................14
Print Resources......................................................................................................................................14
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................16
Generic Rubrics......................................................................................................................................16
Standard Wri琀椀ng Rubric........................................................................................................................16
Standard Discussion Rubric...................................................................................................................17
,Purpose and Perspec琀椀ve of the Chapter
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce students to the essential functions of government, and outline
key concepts related to democratic governance within the American political system. Students will learn
why governments are necessary, what the fundamental values of the Constitution are, and how to
distinguish between popular political ideologies. This chapter also covers theories of American
democracy, and provides a detailed analysis of demographic changes in the United States.
Cengage Supplements
The following product-level supplements provide additional information that may help you in preparing
your course. They are available in the Instructor Resource Center.
Political Science Guide to Teaching Online
o A guide with technology and pedagogy tips for teaching your course online
The Cengage Political Science Blog: https://blog.cengage.com/tag/political-science/
o A source of discovery and connection to a community of instructors sharing teaching tips,
class activities, timely discussion ideas, and more
American Government YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcFM0VUmi-
f8BvRMaiWae4g
o A selection of videos for customizing your learning path
MindTap Educator Guide:
o A detailed list of the assets in your MindTap course
Transition Guide
o Highlights content changes and updates in the new edition of the textbook and
courseware design
Standard Writing Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ written work, for use as both a grading
tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations
Standard Discussion Rubric
o A customizable rubric for evaluating students’ discussion contributions, for use as both a
grading tool and a student-facing document for setting expectations
MindTap Performance Reports Instructor Guide for American Government
o A guide for making the most of the new performance reports functionality within
MindTap
List of Student Downloads
Students should download the following items from the Student Companion Center to complete the
activities and assignments related to this course:
The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
The Federalist Papers No. 10
The Federalist Papers No. 51
The Federalist Papers No. 78
Chapter Objec琀椀ves
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
LO 1-1: Define the institution of government and the process of politics.
,LO 1-2: Identify the political philosophers associated with the “social contract” and explain how this
theory shapes our understanding of the purpose and essential functions of government and the
role for individuals and communities in the United States.
LO 1-3: Describe the U.S. political culture and identify the set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking
about government and politics shared by all.
LO 1-4: Compare and contrast types of government systems and identify the source of power in each.
LO 1-5: Define political ideology and locate socialism, liberalism, conservatism, and libertarianism
along the ideological spectrum.
LO 1-6: Apply understanding of the purpose of government, the essential functions of government,
and the U.S. political culture to evaluate government’s ability to meet new challenges over
time.
Complete List of Chapter Ac琀椀vi琀椀es and Assessments
For additional guidance refer to the Guide to Teaching Online.
Chapter PPT slide Activity/Assessment Duration Texas State Standards
Objective for GOVT 2305
LO 1-1, 1-2 8-9 MindTap Learn It: The 15 min 1. Explain the origin
Purpose of Poli琀椀cs and and development of
Government constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
LO 1-1 MindTap Learn It: Rule of Law 10 min 1. Explain the origin
and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
MindTap Learn It: Pluralism, 10 min 1. Explain the origin
Eli琀椀sm, and Majoritarianism and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
LO 1-1, 1-2 12-14 MindTap Case Study: What is 20 min 1. Explain the origin
Government For? and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
LO 1-1, 1-2 15-16 MindTap: Why Does 10 min 1. Explain the origin
Government Ma琀琀er to Me? and development of
constitutional
democracy in the
United States.
4. Demonstrate
knowledge of the
legislative, executive,
, and judicial branches
of the federal
government.
LO 1-3 19-20 Discussion Ac琀椀vity from PPT 10 min 8. Analyze issues and
policies in U.S.
politics.
LO 1-4 22 Knowledge Check Ac琀椀vity 2 min 2. Demonstrate
from PPT knowledge of the
federal system.
LO 1-6 28 Self-Assessment (1) from PPT 5 min 7. Analyze the nature
and role of
government and
politics.
LO 1-5 31 Wri琀琀en Re昀氀ec琀椀on from PPT 5-7 min 8. Analyze issues and
policies in U.S.
politics.
7. Describe the rights
and responsibilities of
citizens.
LO 1-6 36 Self-Assessment (2) from PPT 5-7 min 8. Analyze issues and
policies in U.S.
politics.
LO 1-6 37 Discussion Ac琀椀vity from PPT 10 min 7. Describe the rights
and responsibilities of
citizens.
[return to top]
Key Terms
Anarchy: The absence of any form of government or political authority.
Aristocracy: Rule by “the best”; in reality, rule by an upper class.
Authoritarianism: A type of regime in which only the government is fully controlled by the rule. Social
and economic institutions exist that are not under the government’s control.
Capitalism: An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free
markets, and freedom of contract.
Conservatism: A set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping support
individuals for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.
Democracy: A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people. Derived from
the Greek words demos (“the people”) and kratos (“authority”).
Democratic Republic: A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws
and policies.
