Assess students' understanding of the constitutional principle of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Scope includes each branch's core functions, concrete checks (veto and override, appointments and confirmations, judicial review, impeachment and removal), key cases and precedents (e.g., Marbury v. Madison), and short analytical scenarios asking students to identify which branch acts, limits on power, and appropriate remedies.