You want your student to understand how American government really works—not just memorize facts. This course helps students cut through political noise, understand democratic principles, and see how the Constitution still shapes the world they live in today.
Civics for Democracy is a high school course designed specifically for homeschoolers who want a meaningful, engaging, and rigorous civics education. This course doesn’t just teach the branches of government or the steps of an election. Students learn that government isn’t just a set of institutions—it’s a system built on ideas. The class gives students a guiding structure based on the six fundamental concepts that make American democracy work:
Limited Government
Popular Sovereignty
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Equal Justice and Individual Rights
Civic Participation and Civil Engagement
Throughout the semester, we will explore:
The global history of democracy
The debates and compromises behind the writing of the Constitution
The structure and purpose of the three branches of government
Federalism and the distribution of local, state, and national power
How campaigns, elections, and political parties shape civic life
How rights, responsibilities, and participation define citizenship
We will finish the semester with a Harvard-created case study that brings together history, government, voting behavior, and democratic decision-making.
Is There Homework?
Yes! Students are expected to complete work before each class that will be used to inform our discussions and to cement what we are learning. Students can expect to spend 2-3 hours out of class on work during weeks 1-12. Our case student in weeks 12-15 will require more intense preparation for class.
Can Students Get A Grade For The Class?
Yes! Students may opt to take the class for a grade. Grades will be based on class participation (20%), weekly written reflections (35%) and homework (15%), and a final project or paper based on the case study (30%).
Sequence:
Week 1: Introduction and the six big concepts in the Constitution
Week 2: Where did these ideas come from – welcome to the Enlightenment
Week 3: Orientation to the Constitution – what does the structure tell us?
Week 4: What are rights? Natural rights, constitutional rights, civil rights and civil liberties
Week 5: The Legislative Branch – structure and leadership; implied versus enumerated powers
Week 6: The Legislative Branch – how laws are made
Week 7: Congressional Elections and Barriers to Representation
Week 8: Presidential Elections and the Electoral College
Week 9: The Executive Branch: Power and the Bureaucracy
Week 10: The Judicial Branch: Structure and Power
Week 11: The Judicial Branch: Landmark Cases
Week 12: Federalism Yesterday and Today
Week 13: Civil Discourse and Civic Participation / Case Study: The Australian Ballot
Week 14: Case Study: The Australian Ballot
Week 15: Study: The Australian Ballot / Final Projects Due
There is no strict prerequisite for the class. However, a student will be more successful in the class if they have taken a U.S. history class previously.
There are no required texts for this course. All information will be provided in the classroom. Students must be able to access the Google classroom and be able to read or watch assigned information. Homework assignments will come from reputable academic or news sources including The National Constitution Center, The National Archives, The Smithsonian Institution, The Brookings Institute, iCivics.com, the Council on Foreign Relations, PBS Learning Media, The Crash Course, The Bill of Rights Institute, and the Harvard Business School Case Method Project.
Yes! Students are expected to complete work before each class that will be used to inform our discussions and to cement what we are learning. Students can expect to spend 2-3 hours out of class on work during weeks 1-12. Our case student in weeks 12-15 will require more intense preparation for class.
There are no bookable times for this class listing yet.
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