Roles and Responsibilities of Government

Throughout the course, you will be asked to read about, analyze, and better understand the roles and responsibilities of our nation’s three branches of our federal government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. In addition, you will be provided an overview of the key relationships that are vital in the world of homeland security and emergency management between the federal, state, and local levels of government. It is my hope that you have a broad understanding of these important roles; however, since it has probably been several years since you last studied Civics 101, I recommend you review the links on the following pages that will assist you in more fully understanding the roles and responsibilities. 

 

The Executive Branch            The Legislative Branch           The Judicial Branch

 

Finally, during the course, we will be studying in detail several pieces of legislation enacted by Congress in the last decade in reaction to the attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001. It is important for you to have an understanding of this process which will be useful in providing your own interpretation of these federal laws–usually referred to herein as statutes. Before we begin those discussions, I would like for you to review the material on our U.S. Constitution provided in this lesson. You will be asked to refer to this amazing document throughout the course.