C963: American Politics & US Constitution

Strategic Action Plan

GENERAL TIPS FOR WORKING IN THE COURSE:

1. Make sure you download the C963 Study Guide (Self Assess Questions) which is at the bottom of the
Course of Study under Course Information
 Use this document to organize your notetaking and direct your reading.

2. This plan helps you work strategically through the Learning Resource. The Instructor-created Podcasts
and Videos under Course Tips can supplement the reading and provide a foundation for understanding
but you should prioritize engaging with the e-textbook.

 The Learning Checks, Lesson Quizzes, and Section Tests are formative assessments, meaning
they are intended to provide you with ongoing feedback to help you monitor and improve your
learning. Use them as questions to build your knowledge and focus on important concepts.

 Key vocabulary terms are listed at the bottom of the Lessons (below the Learning Check
questions). You can copy and paste the Key Terms into a separate Word doc for reviewing as
part of your overall study strategy.

3. Attend as many Live Cohort Sessions as your schedule will allow. You can register for any live session
by clicking on “Explore Cohort Offerings” in your Course of Study.

Download the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions)

Section 1
Development of  Review the Section 1 Test; take note of the topics mentioned in
Constitutional Democracy each question and be sure to focus on the topics in the
Lessons 1-8 reading/videos
 Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 1-8
 Video #1: The Enlightenment and Political Philosophy
 Video #2: The Articles of Confederation
 Video #3: The Constitutional Convention
 While watching the videos, follow along using the Study
Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 2 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  
 Read Lessons 1-5
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
 Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.

 Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 9-14

Section 1  Video #4: The Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Development of  Video #5: Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances,
Constitutional Democracy Federalism
Lessons 9-14  While watching the videos, follow along using the Study
Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 2 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  
 Read Lessons 9-14
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.

 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 1 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  

 Review Section 1 by going back through the Lesson Summaries,

SECTION 1 REVIEW & Key Terms, and Infographics
SECTION TEST  Take the Section 1 Test

 Review the Section 2 Test; take note of the topics mentioned in

each question and be sure to focus on the topics in the
Section 2 reading/videos
The Structure of US Gov’t  Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 1-6
Lessons 1-6  Video #1- Structure and Powers of the Legislative Branch
 Video #2- The Legislative Process
 Video #3- Reapportionment, Redistricting, and Gerrymandering
  Video #4-The Executive Branch
 While watching the videos, follow along using the Study
Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 2 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  
 Read Lessons 1-6
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.
 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 2 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  

 Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 7-11

Section 2  Video #5-The Judicial Branch
The Structure of US Gov’t  Video #6- Power Under the American Federal System
Lessons 7-11  While watching the videos, follow along using the Study
Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 2 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast 
 Read Lessons 7-11
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.
 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 2 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  
  Review Section 2 by going back through the Lesson Summaries,
SECTION 2 REVIEW & Key Terms, and Infographics
SECTION TEST  Take the Section 2 Test

 Review the Section 3 Test; take note of the topics mentioned in

Section 3 each question and be sure to focus on the topics in the
Political Participation reading/videos
Lessons 1-4  Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 1-4
 Video #1- Presidential Elections
 Video #2 -Parties & Candidate Selection Process
 Video#3- Electoral College
 While watching the videos, follow along using the Study Guide
(Self-Assess Questions) document and take short notes under
the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 3 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast 
 Read Lessons 1-4
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.
 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 3 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  

 Click here for the Full Section 3 cohort resources (videos and
Section 3 additional resources)
Political Participation  Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 5-11
Lessons 5-11  Video #1- Interest Groups
 Video #2--Campaign Finance, PAC’s, SuperPacs
 While watching the videos, follow along using the Study
Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 3 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  
 Read Lessons 5-11
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
  Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.
 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 3 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  

SECTION 3 REVIEW &  Review Section 3 by going back through the Lesson Summaries,
SECTION TEST Key Terms, and Infographics

 Take the Section 3 Test

Almost halfway there! You can do this!!

 Review the Section 4 Test; take note of the topics mentioned in

SECTION 4 each question and be sure to focus on the topics in the
Civil Liberties and Civil Rights reading/videos
Lessons 1-5  Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 1-5
 Video #1-Contrasting Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
 Video #2- Overview of the Bill of Rights
 While watching the videos, follow along using the Study
Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 4 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  
 Read Lessons 1-5
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.
 Practice your knowledge of the court cases by using the
Significant Court Cases Self-Assess activity (Parts 1-4) located in
 Section 6/ the Appendix.
 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 4 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  

Section 4  Watch the Cohort Video Resources for Lessons 6-10

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights  Video #1-1st Amendment and Religion
Lessons 6-10  Video #2- 1st-9th Amendments and Court Cases
 Video #3-Other Key Amendments and Court Cases

 While watching the videos, follow along using the Study

Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 4 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast 
 Read Lessons 6-10
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.
 Practice your knowledge of the court cases by using the
Significant Court Cases Self-Assess activity (Parts 1-4) located in
Section 6/ the Appendix.
 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 4 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  

 Review Section 4 by going back through the Lesson Summaries,

SECTION 4 REVIEW & Key Terms, and Infographics
SECTION TEST  Complete the Significant Court Cases Self-Assess activity (Parts
1-4) located in Section 6/ the Appendix.
 Take the Section 4 test

 Review the Section 5 Test; take note of the topics mentioned in

each question and be sure to focus on the topics in the
Section 5 reading/videos Lessons 1-5
Media and Public Opinion  Video --Section 5 Cohort Recording
Lessons 1-5  Alternatively, you can listen to the Section 5 Podcasts: Click Here
for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  
  While watching the videos, follow along using the Study
Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document and take short
notes under the checklist items
 Read Lessons 1-5
 Expand the Lessons, and click on the “Lesson Quiz and
Summary” to review the Lesson Summary
 Click on the Lesson Introduction and read the Learning
Objectives
 Read the Lesson using the headings/subheadings,
infographics, and bold vocabulary terms
 Take screenshots of infographics and paste them into a
Word document
 Complete Learning Check questions and review Key Terms
 Try the Lesson Quizzes. Review the feedback and go back to
the Lesson if there are any topics that are unclear.
 While reading, continue to take short notes under each item
using the Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) document.
 For more review, you can also listen to the Section 5 Podcasts:
Click Here for Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast  

SECTION 5 REVIEW &  Review Section 5 by going back through the Lesson Summaries,
SECTION TEST Key Terms, and Infographics
 Take the Section 5 test
Take the Pre-Assessment
 Complete the pre-assessment—closed notes/closed book.
 Go through the questions on the Pre-Assessment to make
sure you understand why you got any questions right or
wrong (do not just look at the Coaching Report)
 Click on the drop-down arrows on each topic area to
identify the specific sub-topics to study further

REVIEW DAYS Prioritize any low scoring areas identified by Pre-Assessment, but
make sure you do an overall review of all of the Sections.

 Re-take the Section tests

 Re-read Lesson Summaries
 Study your Study Guide (Self-Assess Questions) notes (TIP:
after you study, take a blank copy of the Self-Assess
Questions and talk through or write down brief explanations
for each topic without using your notes/course resources)
 Review Infographics
 Watch the Cohort videos again
 Listen to the Podcasts for your focus sections: Click Here for
Episodes of the WGU Political Science Podcast

Completed!
Schedule and take the OA