For most American secondary students, U.S. Government is a semester-length class, usually taken during the senior year in conjunction with Economics. A required class for graduation in many states, most state standards include but are not limited to the following general categories: Origins and principles of American government, the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution and amendments, forms of government, basic concepts of democracy and federalism, checks and balances and the three branches of American government, political parties, the mass media and public opinion, suffrage and the electoral process, and the financing of government. These topics along with additional materials covering the Watergate Scandal, civics and Constitution Day requirements are included in the resources below.