By the end of the semester, students should be able to-

1) Describe the structure of the U.S. national government and evaluate the roles of major forces shaping the formation of public policy including public opinion, interest groups, and political parties.

2) Describe the origins and evolution of the U.S. Constitution, especially with regard to citizens' rights.

3) Evaluate the dynamics of a federal system with particular attention to the relationships between California and the federal government.