Product Details

• Actors: Standard Deviants
• Directors: Cerebellum Corporation
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Cerebellum Corporation
• DVD Release Date: June 18, 2002
• Run Time: 114 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005R86Y
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,679 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

An unorthodox lesson in civics is presented by the Standard Deviants, a cast of energetic young performers, in this video, which is designed as an extensive review guide for a course in American civics. Starting with the ethics of Aristotle and quickly jumping forward to philosophical concepts espoused by Locke and Hobbes, the performers present the basic background of American democracy in skits and recitations that are often oddball mnemonic devices. Topics covered include the theories behind democracy, the grievances the American colonists had against the British, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, and the eventual drafting and ratification of the Constitution. The landmark legal cases and the principles of civil rights are also covered. The approach to the subject matter may not be to everyone's liking, and at times the performers do seem to trivialize matters that are generally approached with some solemnity. However, this video has academic advisors including professor Larry Sabato (a familiar name to viewers of public affairs programs), and if the presentation is sometimes off-the-wall, the actual material is very solid, and even then it comes with a disclaimer that it is intended as a review guide and is not a substitute for attending class. --Robert J. McNamara

Product Description

The American Government was carefully crafted to be a dynamic system of checks and balances. None of the three branches is more powerful than the other two, and each branch has powers specifically designed to keep the others in line. Untangling this bureaucracy is not only important for civics and history classes, but also in making sense of the evening news! With the Standard Deviants, you'll quickly understand the branches of the government, their powers, and how they've evolved over the years. (Formerly titled American Government 1 DVD)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sad state of Civics Education, July 14, 2009

By	just my 2 cents (USA) - See all my reviews

This was at first a basic lesson in Civics for kids to learn about governmental structure and how we broke down the inception of the Constitution till the makers of this DVD decided to inject their LEFTEST IDEAOLOGY into it.

What could have been a great tool for many different educators to teach the workings of American Government became a politically bias message delivery system. Who project their pro-gay agenda and their false concepts of a "living Constitution" instead of the actual facts that only Amendments can, in fact change, the CONSTITUTION.

It was a waste of money and time...It was however a complete statement on the sad state of affairs in the American School System.

Too bad they couldn't stick to the essentials and provide a good educational tool like their math DVD's which didn't contain political statements,just facts.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great review of civics, April 29, 2009

By	Belly Laugh "Public like a frog" (United States) - See all my reviews

This is a delightful if somewhat corny way to entertainingly review civics. Some students are visual learners as opposed to aural or kinesthetic; This would be a great review for them.

1.0 out of 5 stars So Boring---- WAKE ME WHEN ITS OVER, December 17, 2008

By	David R. Bennett "David Bennett" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a teacher, I purchased this video. It is a real dud and does not present concepts from an interesting enough platform. Needs to be longer and go slower, presenting each concept in a more practical and interesting way. I am so sorry to bash this product but it stinks.