Government Studies
The focus of the Government curriculum
is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and
on the structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state,
and local levels. This course is the culmination of the civic and governmental
content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through required secondary courses.
Students learn major political ideas and forms of government in history. A significant
focus of the course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and
ideas, and the form of government it created. Students analyze major concepts
of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular
sovereignty, and individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government
with other political systems. Students identify the role of government in the
U.S. free enterprise system and examine the strategic importance of places to
the United States. Students analyze the impact of individuals, political parties,
interest groups, and the media on the American political system, evaluate the
importance of voluntary individual participation in a democratic society, and
analyze the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Students examine the
relationship between governmental policies and the culture of the United States.
Students identify examples of government policies that encourage scientific research
and use critical-thinking skills to create a product on a contemporary government
issue.
EXPLAIN how geography, economics, and history have influenced the political development
of the United States.
a. Trace the historical development of the United States political system.
b. Describe how the Constitution embodies the principles of American democracy.
c. Compare/contrast capitalism and other economic systems.
d. Describe the impact of the different branches of government on American
society.
ANALYZE the United States federal form of government.
a. Identify the structure of the United States federal system according to
the Constitution and its amendments (e.g., separation of powers, checks and
balances, judicial review, etc.).
b. Evaluate the flexibility of the United States Constitution (e.g., language,
amendment process, etc.).
DESCRIBE the impact of science and technology on the political development
of the United States.
a. Analyze the impact of the media on United States democracy (e.g., print,
television, etc.).
b. Describe the influence of technology on the political process (e.g., polls,
television, Internet, e-mail, etc.).
DESCRIBE the relationship of people, places, and environments with the government.
a. Describe the effects of different migration patterns in the United States.
b. Explain how federal laws have affected the environment.
c. Analyze population trends and their impact on a representative government
(e.g., electoral college, census, etc.).
d. Interpret the impact of political parties, special interest groups, and
political action committees (PACS) on United States politics.
DEMONSTRATE the ability to use social studies tools (e.g., timelines, maps,
globes, resources, graphs, a compass, technology, etc.).
a. Interpret special purpose maps.
b. Analyze information on graphs, charts, tables, and timelines.
c. Analyze political cartoons.
d. Utilize primary and secondary sources.
EXPLAIN how civic responsibilities are important to Americans as citizens of
the United States and a global community.
a. Explain the rights, roles, privileges, and responsibilities of citizens
in American democracy (e.g., The Bill of Rights, etc.).
b. Compare the United States government to other governments of the world.
Government includes four fundamental themes and units of study - ranging from
historical knowledge to vocabulary:
UNIT I: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
- Analyze the importance of the Declaration of Independence. Rewrite into
modern terminology.
- Create charts on the various forms of government and economic systems (e.g.,
representative democracy, democracy, socialism, communism, etc.).
- Create a timeline about factors and events that led to United States independence.
UNIT II: CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES
- Analyze the Constitution using passages from the Federalist Paper.
- Describe the roles and powers of each branch of government and create a chart.
- Explain the rights and responsibilities of American citizens according to
the Bill of Rights using visuals. Analyze the historical change in definition
of an American citizen.
UNIT III: POLITICAL PROCESS
- Analyze the laws and amendments that pertain to voting in the United States.
- Describe the electoral college and create a visual representation of the
process.
- Design a map of the United States showing the electoral vote of each state
in light of the most recent census.
- Interpret and analyze graphs, tables, timelines, and other social studies
tools, showing voting trends and patterns in recent elections.
UNIT IV: STRUCTURE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
- Analyze conflicts between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Analyze and explain the scope of Presidential power and decision-making through
such cases as the Steel Crisis, Cuban Missile Crisis, or the Iran Hostage
Crisis.
- Explain differences in authority among the levels of government.
- Design a chart to show the compositions of the three (3) branches of government.
Offered to 12th-graders only
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