Founding Principles: American Governance in Action

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Founding Principles: American Governance in Action

How is American government defined? What are its origins? Who comprises the government and whom does it serve? How does it work both in theory and in practice? Narrated by Bowdoin College Government Professor Andrew Rudalevige, this series provides an introductory overview and basic understanding to American government, but one that is crucial to building citizen-leaders, promoting civic engagement, and working toward the common good.

Visualization of the U, S branches of government. Green arrows lead from Legislative to Executive and Judicial. A red arrow leads from the Judicial to Executive. Background is a collage of government terms like, Checks and Balances, and Gridlock.

Color illustration of a multi-story factory with 3 smokestacks. Text overlay reads, "Refined 98% of sugar sold in U, S." The name E, C Knight is visible at the bottom right corner.

Closeup of parchment with cursive writing just barely visible in the top right corner.

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige stands in front of a black and white photo backdrop of F, D, R doing a fireside chat and a portrait photo John F. Kennedy that has been placed at the bottom of the frame.

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige faces camera with a confused expression on his face. Next to him, a text box reads, "Certiorari. Noun. A writ or order by which a higher court reviews a decision of a lower court."

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige stands in front of camera, gesturing out with both hands. Behind him, a black and white collage of a baby crying and another baby looking just off camera.

Mind map chart shows a central circle, labeled Media's Effects, branching off in 3 directions to 3 circles labeled Framing, Agenda Setting, and Priming.

Portrait photos of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney with text on image that reads, "129 million 237 thousand 647 people voted in 2012 U, S Presidential Election."

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige faces camera with a video frame next to him in the shape of a T, V set. The image on the T, V shows several teenagers wearing white blindfolds.

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige faces camera next to text that reads, "Political Action Committee. Noun. An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation."

Graph shows Government Spending in trillions of U,S dollars. The Y-axis has a scale of 0 to 4. The x-axis has a scale of the years 1800 to 2015. A red line gradually increases from 1800 to W,W,2 but only slightly above 0.

Simple icon of the capitol building next to text that reads, "Testing food, drugs, and other consumer products." The background is a transparent image of a scientist doing lab tests.

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige faces camera next to an email message that reads, "To, Bowdoin College. Re, More Founding Principles!" The body of the email is empty and there is a send button at the bottom.

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige faces camera and gestures with both hands slightly up and bent at the elbow. The backdrop is a closeup of parchment.

Dr. Andrew Rudalevige faces camera and gestures with both hands up and bent at elbow. The backdrop is a collage of old newspapers. The prominent headline reads, "Women win right to vote in suffragette victory. Nineteenth Amendment ratified!"