Course Description

The Legislative Branch

FEE has partnered with Strata Academics Programs to bring you The Legislative Branch. This course aims to introduce students to how Congress is organized and to how it passes laws. You'll learn about how the two branches represent the people of the United States, how congressmen are elected, what congressional committees, and, most importantly, how Congress makes laws. You'll also get an understanding of why the Legislative is organized in this way by reading Federalist 52 and 62, which discuss the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively.

The course is an hour-and-a-half, self-paced learning experience with a focus on the structure of Congress. It uses primary historical documents and informational videos to explain the Legislative Branch of the United States in a way that is entertaining and intellectually stimulating. This online course works wonderfully as a stand alone educational experience for those who want to learn on their own and as a resource for social studies teachers.


FEE Courses

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to The Legislative Branch

    • Overview

    • Content
  • 2

    Lesson One: Introduction to the Legislative

    • The Most Powerful Branch

    • Article I of the U.S. Constitution

    • Congressional Elections

    • Congressional Elections: Crash Course Government and Politics #6
  • 3

    Lesson Two: Committees, Parties, and Organization

    • Congressional Committees

    • Congressional Committees: Crash Course Government and Politics #7

    • Congressional Leadership

    • Congressional Leadership: Crash Course Government and Politics #8
  • 4

    Lesson Three: Congress and the Federalist Papers

    • The House of Representatives and Federalist 52

    • Federalist 52

    • The Senate and Federalist 62

    • Federalist 62

    • Reflection Questions
  • 5

    Lesson Four: How a Bill Becomes a Law

    • Congress in Action

    • How a Bill Becomes a Law: Crash Course Government and Politics #9

    • Schoolhouse Rock: I'm Just a Bill

    • Course Summary

    • Additional Readings and Materials