Explore Justice Through Stories and Real Cases

Government isn't just laws and branches of government—it's people. Through Monster, Stamped, 13th, When They See Us, I Am Not Your Negro, and major court cases, students examine questions of justice, citizenship, race, power, and responsibility.

Understand How Government Really Works

Learn how local, state, and federal governments interact, how laws are made, how elections work, and how courts shape American life. Students explore everything from city budgets and local government to Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court.

Become an Active Citizen

Citizenship is something you do. Students complete volunteer service, investigate community issues, research elected officials, and connect classroom learning to the real world. The course challenges students to think critically about how they can participate in their communities and democracy.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome!

    2. Gather Your Materials

    3. Government Notebook Setup

    1. What's a Monster?

    2. Being Defined By Your Actions

    3. Watch "Tsotsi"

    4. Intro to novel "Monster"

    5. Read Monster: Prologue, “Monday, July 6th”, July 7th, July 8th

    6. Character Traits

    7. Draw Lady Justice

    1. Basics of Government

    2. Draw Government Diagram

    3. Exploring Your Local Government

    4. The Star Spangled Banner

    5. How A Trial Works

    6. Types of Government

    7. Watch "13th"

    8. Local Government 101

    9. Volunteer Prep

    1. The Legal System

    2. Read Monster: July 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

    3. Incident Timeline

    4. Draw a Prison

    5. Weighing the Evidence

    6. Watch RBG Film

    7. Using the Courts to Bring Social Change

    8. Local Government Budgeting

    9. Volunteer - 3 Hours

    1. Read Monster - Finish Book

    2. What Is Prison Like & Is It Effective

    3. The Central Park Five - Episodes 1 & 2

    4. Draw Central Park NYC

    5. Before Central Park was Central Park

    6. The Central Park Five - Episodes 3 & 4

    7. The New Jim Crow

    8. Essay: Justice on Trial (Planning)

    9. Essay: Justice on Trial (Writing)

    1. Federalism

    2. Volunteer - 3 More Hours

    3. Draw the White House

    4. Inside the White House

    5. Draw Congress

    6. U.S. Capitol Tour

    7. Your Members of Congress

    8. State Government

    9. Local Government: Water & Weather

About this course

  • $39.99
  • 94 lessons
  • High School

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What materials do I need?

    You'll need a notebook or binder, drawing supplies, access to the required books and films, and a way to complete community volunteer hours.

  • Is this course really self-paced?

    Yes. There are no live sessions, no deadlines, and no scheduled class times. Your student works through lessons whenever it fits your schedule.

  • How does the mastery-based feedback work?

    When your student submits an assignment, our instructors review it and either approve it or send specific feedback for revision. Students revise and resubmit until the work meets the standard. No moving on until it's solid.

  • How long does the course take to complete?

    Most students finish in 3–5 months, but there's no time limit. Some families move faster, some slower - the course works either way.

  • What do students get when they finish?

    A certificate of completion. The course is transcript-eligible through Wild Oasis Learning, or students can self-report the credit to their own school or program.

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