WGU C963: AMERICAN POLITICS
AND THE US CONSTITUTION –
2026/2027 OA MASTERY GUIDE &
PRACTICE EXAM
PART 1: COURSE DOMAINS SUMMARY
Domain A: The Founding & The Constitution
This domain explores the intellectual and political foundations of American government. Key
philosophical influences include Thomas Hobbes (social contract, need for strong
authority), John Locke (natural rights, consent of the governed, right to revolution), and
Montesquieu (separation of powers). The Articles of Confederation failed due to a weak
central government lacking taxation, regulation of commerce, and enforcement powers. At
the Constitutional Convention (1787), critical compromises emerged: the Great
Compromise (bicameral legislature with equal state representation in Senate,
population-based in House); the Three-Fifths Compromise (counting enslaved persons
as 3/5 for representation and taxation); and the Slave Trade Compromise (allowing
importation until 1808). Ratification pitted Federalists (pro-Constitution, strong national
govt; e.g., Federalist No. 10) against Anti-Federalists (feared tyranny, demanded Bill of
Rights). Core constitutional principles include: separation of powers (Art. I, II, III),
checks and balances (e.g., presidential veto, Senate confirmation), federalism (division
of power between national and state), and republicanism (representative democracy). The
Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) was added in 1791 to protect individual liberties.
Domain B: The Institutions of National Government
This domain examines the structure and operations of the three branches. Congress (Art. I)
is bicameral: House (proportional representation, revenue bills originate here) and Senate
(equal state representation, advice/consent on treaties/appointments). Key powers include
declaring war, regulating commerce, taxing, and impeachment. The committee system
(e.g., Appropriations, Judiciary) drives legislation. The Presidency (Art. II) holds formal
powers (veto, commander-in-chief, treaty-making with Senate consent) and informal powers
(executive orders, executive agreements, media influence). The President’s roles include
chief executive, chief diplomat, and party leader. The Judiciary (Art. III) is headed by the
Supreme Court. Judicial review (established in Marbury v. Madison, 1803) allows courts
to declare laws unconstitutional. The Court has original jurisdiction (Art. III, Sec. 2) in cases
involving ambassadors/states and appellate jurisdiction otherwise. The bureaucracy (e.g.,
EPA, DHS) implements laws through rule-making (quasi-legislative), adjudication
(quasi-judicial), and administration, held accountable via congressional oversight, OMB, and
GAO.
, Domain C: Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
Civil liberties (freedoms from government interference) are protected by the Bill of Rights,
applied to states via selective incorporation through the 14th Amendment’s Due
Process Clause (e.g., Gitlow v. New York, 1925). Key cases: Brandenburg v. Ohio (speech
inciting imminent lawless action unprotected); Engel v. Vitale (school prayer violates
Establishment Clause); New York Times v. Sullivan (actual malice standard for libel of
public figures); Miranda v. Arizona (5th/6th Amendment rights during custodial
interrogation). Civil rights (equal treatment) expanded through constitutional amendments:
13th (abolished slavery), 14th (equal protection, due process), 15th (voting rights
regardless of race), 19th (women’s suffrage). Landmark legislation: Civil Rights Act of
1964 (outlawed segregation, employment discrimination); Voting Rights Act of 1965
(banned literacy tests, federal oversight). Key cases: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896; “separate but
equal” upheld); Brown v. Board of Education (1954; overturned Plessy, segregation violates
14th Amendment).
Domain D: Political Behavior & Linkage Institutions
Linkage institutions connect citizens to government. Political socialization (family,
school, media) shapes political values. Public opinion is measured via polls (must be
random-sampled). Ideology ranges from liberal (favor govt action for equality, social
progress) to conservative (favor limited govt, tradition, free markets). Political parties
(e.g., Democrats, Republicans) nominate candidates, organize govt, and educate.
Realignment occurs when party coalitions shift (e.g., 1930s New Deal, 1960s Civil Rights).
Elections use the Electoral College (Art. II, Sec. 1; 270 needed to win); each state gets
electors = House + Senate seats. Campaign finance is regulated by FECA and Buckley v.
Valeo (1976; spending = speech). Interest groups (e.g., NRA, AARP) lobby, litigate, and
mobilize (pluralist vs. elitist theories). Media performs agenda-setting, watchdog, and
gatekeeping roles; biases include partisan (Fox vs. MSNBC) and structural (soundbite
journalism).
Domain E: Public Policy & Federalism
The policy-making process involves: agenda setting (problems recognized), formulation
(solutions drafted), adoption (laws passed), implementation (bureaucracy executes), and
evaluation (effectiveness assessed). Economic policy (fiscal/monetary) aims for
growth/stability; social policy (e.g., Social Security, ACA) addresses welfare; foreign
policy (executive-dominated) handles defense/diplomacy. Federalism evolves: dual
federalism (“layer cake”; 1789–1930s; states/national separate spheres); cooperative
federalism (“marble cake”; post-New Deal; shared responsibilities via grants/mandates).
Key cases: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819; “necessary and proper” clause upholds national
bank, federal law supreme); Gibbons v. Ogden (1824; commerce clause gives Congress broad
regulatory power). Modern tools: categorical grants (specific purposes), block grants
(flexible), and unfunded mandates (federal requirements without funding).
PART 2: COMPREHENSIVE OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT
AND THE US CONSTITUTION –
2026/2027 OA MASTERY GUIDE &
PRACTICE EXAM
PART 1: COURSE DOMAINS SUMMARY
Domain A: The Founding & The Constitution
This domain explores the intellectual and political foundations of American government. Key
philosophical influences include Thomas Hobbes (social contract, need for strong
authority), John Locke (natural rights, consent of the governed, right to revolution), and
Montesquieu (separation of powers). The Articles of Confederation failed due to a weak
central government lacking taxation, regulation of commerce, and enforcement powers. At
the Constitutional Convention (1787), critical compromises emerged: the Great
Compromise (bicameral legislature with equal state representation in Senate,
population-based in House); the Three-Fifths Compromise (counting enslaved persons
as 3/5 for representation and taxation); and the Slave Trade Compromise (allowing
importation until 1808). Ratification pitted Federalists (pro-Constitution, strong national
govt; e.g., Federalist No. 10) against Anti-Federalists (feared tyranny, demanded Bill of
Rights). Core constitutional principles include: separation of powers (Art. I, II, III),
checks and balances (e.g., presidential veto, Senate confirmation), federalism (division
of power between national and state), and republicanism (representative democracy). The
Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) was added in 1791 to protect individual liberties.
Domain B: The Institutions of National Government
This domain examines the structure and operations of the three branches. Congress (Art. I)
is bicameral: House (proportional representation, revenue bills originate here) and Senate
(equal state representation, advice/consent on treaties/appointments). Key powers include
declaring war, regulating commerce, taxing, and impeachment. The committee system
(e.g., Appropriations, Judiciary) drives legislation. The Presidency (Art. II) holds formal
powers (veto, commander-in-chief, treaty-making with Senate consent) and informal powers
(executive orders, executive agreements, media influence). The President’s roles include
chief executive, chief diplomat, and party leader. The Judiciary (Art. III) is headed by the
Supreme Court. Judicial review (established in Marbury v. Madison, 1803) allows courts
to declare laws unconstitutional. The Court has original jurisdiction (Art. III, Sec. 2) in cases
involving ambassadors/states and appellate jurisdiction otherwise. The bureaucracy (e.g.,
EPA, DHS) implements laws through rule-making (quasi-legislative), adjudication
(quasi-judicial), and administration, held accountable via congressional oversight, OMB, and
GAO.
, Domain C: Civil Liberties & Civil Rights
Civil liberties (freedoms from government interference) are protected by the Bill of Rights,
applied to states via selective incorporation through the 14th Amendment’s Due
Process Clause (e.g., Gitlow v. New York, 1925). Key cases: Brandenburg v. Ohio (speech
inciting imminent lawless action unprotected); Engel v. Vitale (school prayer violates
Establishment Clause); New York Times v. Sullivan (actual malice standard for libel of
public figures); Miranda v. Arizona (5th/6th Amendment rights during custodial
interrogation). Civil rights (equal treatment) expanded through constitutional amendments:
13th (abolished slavery), 14th (equal protection, due process), 15th (voting rights
regardless of race), 19th (women’s suffrage). Landmark legislation: Civil Rights Act of
1964 (outlawed segregation, employment discrimination); Voting Rights Act of 1965
(banned literacy tests, federal oversight). Key cases: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896; “separate but
equal” upheld); Brown v. Board of Education (1954; overturned Plessy, segregation violates
14th Amendment).
Domain D: Political Behavior & Linkage Institutions
Linkage institutions connect citizens to government. Political socialization (family,
school, media) shapes political values. Public opinion is measured via polls (must be
random-sampled). Ideology ranges from liberal (favor govt action for equality, social
progress) to conservative (favor limited govt, tradition, free markets). Political parties
(e.g., Democrats, Republicans) nominate candidates, organize govt, and educate.
Realignment occurs when party coalitions shift (e.g., 1930s New Deal, 1960s Civil Rights).
Elections use the Electoral College (Art. II, Sec. 1; 270 needed to win); each state gets
electors = House + Senate seats. Campaign finance is regulated by FECA and Buckley v.
Valeo (1976; spending = speech). Interest groups (e.g., NRA, AARP) lobby, litigate, and
mobilize (pluralist vs. elitist theories). Media performs agenda-setting, watchdog, and
gatekeeping roles; biases include partisan (Fox vs. MSNBC) and structural (soundbite
journalism).
Domain E: Public Policy & Federalism
The policy-making process involves: agenda setting (problems recognized), formulation
(solutions drafted), adoption (laws passed), implementation (bureaucracy executes), and
evaluation (effectiveness assessed). Economic policy (fiscal/monetary) aims for
growth/stability; social policy (e.g., Social Security, ACA) addresses welfare; foreign
policy (executive-dominated) handles defense/diplomacy. Federalism evolves: dual
federalism (“layer cake”; 1789–1930s; states/national separate spheres); cooperative
federalism (“marble cake”; post-New Deal; shared responsibilities via grants/mandates).
Key cases: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819; “necessary and proper” clause upholds national
bank, federal law supreme); Gibbons v. Ogden (1824; commerce clause gives Congress broad
regulatory power). Modern tools: categorical grants (specific purposes), block grants
(flexible), and unfunded mandates (federal requirements without funding).
PART 2: COMPREHENSIVE OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT
