Two secondary level social studies units concerning two aspects of American democracy, the legislative function of Congress and the basic forms of government and political systems, are translated into Vietnamese and adapted for intermediate and secondary instructional levels. They had originally been produced in Spanish and English for the federal bilingual education project. The text is divided into two sections. The first, entitled "An Idea Becomes a Law," includes information for the teacher; an introductory note to the students; information on how an idea is introduced in the legislature, bills and House committees, bills and Senate committees, and presidential action; a glossary; worksheets; and a test. The second section, entitled "The State; Forms of Government and Political Systems," contains information for the teacher; a note to the students; an introduction to the content; information about the origins of the state, forms of government, and political systems; a glossary; worksheets; and a test. The text is presented first in English and then repeated in Vietnamese. (MSE)