Found something "classical" for American Government.

[Linda in NE]

I've been trying to find an American Government course that is two semesters in length, covers politics and media as well as government, and incorporates the reading of original writings (i.e., the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers, speeches and writings of the founders and others, philosophical writings that contributed to the founders' understanding of natural law and the rights of man, etc.). Well, last night I ran across "Democracy in America." It is a course provided for FREE by the Annenburg Foundation. Here's the link:

http://www.learner.org/resources/series173.html

It is a course designed to train high school civics teachers, but I've looked through the material and watched a few of the videos, and I think it could easily be used in the classroom.

I'm thinking of using BJU's American Government text and interspersing these readings and the videos throughout the course. However, I'm concerned that it may prove too challenging. What do you think? I'm going to be teaching a class at a homeschool high school cooperative next year and would be using these materials with the students.

[HollyinNNV]

Just preview, preview, preview. I watched some Annenberg Lit stuff that I would have felt pretty uncomfortable showing to students. One episode was pretty politically biased. Another episode was inappropriate in theme/content.
HTH
Holly

[MIch elle]

http://www.hippocampus.org/?course=15

[Linda in NE]

I am aware of some of what I would call political bias or leanings to the left in the materials I've seen so far, but that spin will not be unwelcome. I intend to use it to "balance" some of the more conservative content in the text I've tentatively chosen, and I think it will fuel discussion. I really like the class I'm envisioning. I hope the course can live up to my plans and expectations, and that I can do it justice as a teacher.