Description: In this informative video, you'll be exposed to enough American Government concepts to fill, if not sink, the Mayflower. We'll look at the basics of government, types of government, the Constitution and where it came from, Federalism, civil liberties, and everything else you'll need to build your very own democracy out of a few common household items. Includes such topics as: monarchy, oligarchy, aristocracy, democracy, popular consent, popular sovereignty, majority rule, individualism, equality, personal liberty, American Colonies, The Stamp Act of Congress Running Time: 1 hr 57 min
Amazon.com: An unorthodox lesson in civics is presented by the Standard Deviants, a cast of energetic young performers, in this video, which is designed as an extensive review guide for a course in American civics. Starting with the ethics of Aristotle and quickly jumping forward to philosophical concepts espoused by Locke and Hobbes, the performers present the basic background of American democracy in skits and recitations that are often oddball mnemonic devices. Topics covered include the theories behind democracy, the grievances the American colonists had against the British, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, and the eventual drafting and ratification of the Constitution. The landmark legal cases and the principles of civil rights are also covered. The approach to the subject matter may not be to everyone's liking, and at times the performers do seem to trivialize matters that are generally approached with some solemnity. However, this video has academic advisors including professor Larry Sabato (a familiar name to viewers of public affairs programs), and if the presentation is sometimes off-the-wall, the actual material is very solid, and even then it comes with a disclaimer that it is intended as a review guide and is not a substitute for attending class. --Robert J. McNamara
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - So Boring---- WAKE ME WHEN ITS OVER
As a teacher, I purchased this video. It is a real dud and does not present concepts from an interesting enough platform. Needs to be longer and go slower, presenting each concept in a more practical ... Read More
