U.S. GOVERNMENT

                                                                           

Textbook: American Government Grade Level: 11-12
ISBN#: 669467952 Length of Course: Year
Publisher: Great Source Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course focuses on the United States’ founding principles and beliefs.  Students will study the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels.  Students will gain knowledge of the United States Constitution, Branches of Government, foreign affairs, social problems, governmental policies and democratic values.  Students will develop the skills needed to be informed citizens in a democracy and identify fundamental American principles.

 

 

Alaska Content Standards

 

GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENSHIP

 

Standard A.  A student should know and understand how societies

                        define authority, rights, and responsibilities through a

                        governmental process.

Standard B.  A student should understand the constitutional

                        foundations of the American political system and the

                        democratic ideals of this nation.

Standard C.  A student should understand the character of government

                        of the state.

Standard D.  A student should understand the role of the United States                                    in international affairs.

Standard E.  A student should have the knowledge and skills necessary

                        to participate effectively as an informed and responsible

                        citizen.

Standard F.  A student should understand the economies of the United

                        States and the state and their relationships to the global

                        economy.

Standard G.  A student should understand the impact of economic

                        choices and participate effectively in the local, state,

                    national, and global economies.

 

Course Content

 

Beginnings of American Government

·        Identify the essential features of a state and describe the theories about the origin of government

·        Cite similarities and differences between unitary and federal governments

·        Summarize the relationship between democracy and free enterprise

·        Name the ways the United States has modified its free enterprise system

·        Explain why colonists expected representative government

·        Identify democratic ideas practiced in ancient Greece and Rome that influenced the American government

·        Explain why the Magna Carta is an important document

·        Identify English Parliament as a system that was a model for the American government

·        Relate how colonists united against British laws, leading to the Declaration of Independence

·        Explain the weakness and achievements of the Articles of Confederation

·        Describe the creation and ratification of the Constitution

Constitution

·        Explain the Preamble to the Constitution and the purpose of the Constitution

·        Explain what the first four Articles of the Constitution provide for

·        Describe the structure of and principles behind the Constitution

·        Summarize the powers, duties, and roles of the three branches of federal government

·        Explain the reason why some people demanded a Bill of Rights before agreeing to ratify the Constitution

·        Itemize the ways of proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution

·        Classify amendments by type: those dealing with individual rights, those reflecting societal change, and those affecting the structure and powers of government

The Legislative Branch

·        Explain how the senators and representatives are chosen, their qualifications, and how long they serve

·        Explain what Congress can do according to the Constitution

·        List the restrictions made on Congress by the Constitution

·        Describe the elastic clause of the Constitution

·        Describe the rules and procedures used in the House and explain its role in the lawmaking process

·        Contrast the Senate’s leadership and role in the lawmaking process with that of the House

·        Identify kinds of congressional committees and principles by which members serve on them

·        Explain how staff members and support agencies participate in the legislative process

·        Analyze the dynamics in the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of the federal government

·        Explain the process by which federal legislation is proposed, reviewed, and enacted

·        Analyze the power of Congress to raise and spend money through tax laws and appropriation bills

·        Identify factors that often influence members of Congress

·        Explain how members of Congress help voters in their state and district

The Executive Branch

·        Explain the President’s duties as head of the executive branch

·        Understand why there is a limit to the number of terms a President can serve

·        Describe what happens when the office of President becomes vacant

·        Describe how the executive branch is organized

·        Discuss the historical foundations of the Electoral College and its advantages and disadvantages

·        Evaluate how politics influences cabinet appointments and relationships

·        Summarize the historical changes in the powers of the presidency

·        Describe the seven major roles of the president (i.e., serving as head of state, chief executive, chief legislator, chief diplomat, commander in chief, economic planner, and political party leader)

·        Describe the functions of the cabinet, independent government agencies, and regulatory commissions

·        Evaluate the effectiveness of the civil service system

·        Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the federal bureaucracy

The Judicial Branch

·        Compare the jurisdiction of federal and state courts and describe the growth of the Supreme Court

·        Explain the jurisdiction of constitutional and legislative courts and the method of selecting federal judges

·        Name the purpose of the Supreme Court and describe its power

·        Describe the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, the duties of its justices, and the way its justices are selected

·        Explain how the Supreme Court selects, hears and decides cases

·        Identify ways the Supreme Court shapes public policy and explain the limits on the Court’s power

·        Describe the forces that shape the Supreme Court’s decisions

Participating in Government

·        Describe the federal bureaucracy

·        Identify some independent agencies

·        Describe the seven independent executive agencies (i.e., The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Social Security Administration, The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities, The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, The United States Postal Service, The Peace Corps)

·        Summarize the role of political parties in American politics

·        Describe the organization and function of American political parties

·        Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the four methods of nominating candidates

·        Examine the role campaign financial and political parties play in electing candidates for public office

·        Summarize the historical expansion of voting rights

·        Evaluate the factors that influence voters and nonvoters

·        Define the types of interest groups in the United States (e.g., business and labor groups, agricultural groups, professional associations, environmental groups, public interest groups, etc.)

·        Explain how lobbyist affect public policy

·        Investigate how public opinion is formed in the United States

·        Evaluate the methods used to measure public opinion

·        Discuss the role of mass media in United States politics

·        Evaluate the role the government plays in regulating the mass media

Local and State Government

·        Name the responsibilities of the city government

·        Describe the work of the city council

·        Name ways cities get money

·        Identify and evaluate various sources of state revenue

·        Explain the importance and functions of state constitutions

·        Discuss the organization and functions of the three branches of state government

·        Analyze ways in which state governments write and enforce public policy

·        Explain how local governments provide a range of services to residents of the community

The United States and Governments of the World

·        Explain U.S. foreign policy and its goals

·        Explain the roles of State and Defense Departments in U.S. foreign policy

·        Explain the provisions of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

·        Describe the governments of China and Japan

·        Explain the relationship the U.S. has with Japan

·        Analyze how nations provide security for their citizens

·        Identify the factors of production in economic systems and the chief characteristics of capitalism