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Course Description:Government is a semester long course, required for graduation. Students in grade twelve pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government. An emphasis is placed on analyzing the relationship among federal, state, and local governments, with particular attention paid to important historical documents such as the Federalist Papers, The U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, as well as a variety of Supreme Court decisions. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship.
Textbook:United States Government, Democracy inAction, by McGraw-Hill / Glencoe Publishers. We will also be using other sources including current periodical literature, educational videos, as well as documentary films.
Our main units of study will include:
Unit 1: Foundations of Government
Unit 2: The Legislative Branch
Unit 3: The Executive Branch
Unit 4: The Judicial Branch (4weeks PBL)
Unit 5: Liberty and Justice for All
Unit 6: Participating in Government
Unit 7: Public Policies and Services
Unit 8: State and Local Governments
Unit 9: Political and Economic Systems
Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of historical chronology.
- Interpret and apply data from original documents, including cartoons, graphs, letters, etc.
- Effectively use analytical skills of evaluation, cause and effect, compare and contrast.
- Apply the constitution to everyday events.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how the Judicial, Executive, and Legislative Branches work.
- Explain how political parties became and the influence they have today.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding how state and local governments work.
Standards
12.1 Students explain the fundamental principles and moral values of American democracy as expressed in the U.S. Constitution and other essential documents of American democracy.
12.2 Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the scope and limits of rights and obligations as democratic citizens, the relationships among them, and how they are secured.
12.3 Students evaluate and take and defend positions on what the fundamental values and principles of civil society are (i.e., the autonomous sphere of voluntary personal, social, and economic relations that are not part of government), their interdependence, and the meaning and importance of those values and principles for a free society.
12.4 Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution.
12.5 Students summarize landmark U.S. Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and its amendments.
12.6 Students evaluate issues regarding campaigns for national, state, and local elective offices.
12.7 Students analyze and compare the powers and procedures of the national, state, tribal, and local governments.
12.8 Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the influence of the media on American political life.
12.9 Students analyze the origins, characteristics, and development of different political systems across time, with emphasis on the quest for political democracy, its advances, and its obstacles.
12.10 Students formulate questions about and defend their analyses of tensions within our constitutional democracy and the importance of maintaining a balance between the following concepts: majority rule and individual rights; liberty and equality; state and national authority in a federal system; civil disobedience and the rule of law; freedom of the press and the right to a fair trial; the relationship of religion and government.
Assessment Information and Grading Scale:
Participation & Attendance 10%
Documentary Film Essay 1 10%
Documentary Film Essay 2 10%
Midterm Exam 10%
PBL Project 10%
Chapter Tests (4) 20%
Notes (10 sets) 20%
Final Exam 10%
A = 90-100% » B = 80-89% » C = 70-79% » D = 60-69% » F = under 59%
Major Assignments/Projects Required
PowerPoint Presentations, 2 Film Essays, Construction of Foldables, study guide materials, Socratic Seminars, and debates that will be held within the class.
At any time a student is in jeopardy of failing this course, as it is a required course for graduation taken during the senior year, I will be contacting the student and parents. This will also include danger of failure notices, quarter grades, and personal communication.
General Class Information
Both students and their parents are encouraged to contact me by phone at the school213-241-4300 Ext. 105or by e-mail () if you have questions about this syllabus, homework assignments, suggestions, grades or any other issues relating to my class.
As seniors, respectful and exemplary behavior will be expected at all times.I will treat you as seniors, unless you prove me wrong.
Suggestions for success: 1) Be in class, on time, every day 2) Remember the first three tardies are free!!! The fourth+ will result in detention 3) Bring your notebook and writing utensil every day 4) Read as assigned 5) Turn in completed work on time 6) Do not disrupt the educational process for yourself or anyone else in the class 7) Try to have as much fun in class as I do!!!!
Signatures (signifies that you have read and will, to the best of your ability, comply with all of the above):
Parent ______Date ______
Student ______Date ______
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Principles of American Government
Outline – Spring 2015
Unit I“Foundations of American Government”
Chapter 1“People and Government”
Principles of Government
Formations of Government
Types of Government (Including State
and Local Ch. 23/24)
Chapter 2“Origins of American Government”
Ideas of Gov. (social contract)
Salutary Neglect
Articles of Confederation
The Constitution (Intro)
Chapter 3 “The Constitution”
Structure and Principles
Three Branches
Amending
The Amendments
Chapter 4“Federalism”
Division of Power
Supremacy Clause
Federalism –State/National Relations
Unit II “The Legislative Branch”
Chapter 5 “Congress”
Congressional Membership
The House
The Senate
Congressional Committees
Chapter 6 “Powers of Congress”
Constitutional Powers
Investigations and Oversight
Congress and the President
Chapter 7“Congress in Action”
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Taxing and Spending
Influences
Constituents
Unit III“The Executive Branch”
Chapter 13“The Presidency”
President and Vice President
Electing the President
The Cabinet
The Executive Office
Chapter 9 “Presidential Leadership”
Executive Powers
Roles of the President
Styles of Leadership
Chapter 10“The Bureaucracy”
Organization
Civil Service System
The Bureaucracy at Work
Unit IV‘The Judicial Branch”
Chapter 11 “Federal Court System”
Organization of Courts
Supreme Court
Chapter 12“Supreme Court Decisions”
Court at Work
Public Policy Decisions (Activism)
Influencing Court Decisions
Unit V‘Liberty and Justice for All”
Chapter 13 Constitutional Freedoms
Constitutional Rights
Chapter 14“Equal Justice”
Civil Rights Laws
The following units will be intertwined into units 1-6. For example, unit 8 will be looked at from the angle of Supreme Court decisions impacting local and state politics in California.
Unit 6: Participating in Government
Unit 7: Public Policies and Services
Unit 8: State and Local Governments
Unit 9: Political and Economic Systems
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