Intro to American Gov’t | September | The Constitution and Federalism How did the enlightenment /colonial experience impact the writing of the Constitution? What are the founding principles of our U.S Government? What is the purpose of government? What did the founders’ view the purpose of government to be? How did the Federalists and Anti-Federalists influence the formulation and then adoption of the Constitution What is the role of both the national and state governments in the federal system? | Students will explain the impact of European political thought through the writings of Locke, Montesquieu, Hobbs, and Rousseau.
Students will identify the reasons why the colonists favored a limited federal government.
Students will begin to evaluate Federalist Paper #51 and tie their importance to present day government.
Students will be able to explain how the Constitution is changed both formally and informally.
Students will be able to describe the forms of government [federalism, unitary and confederacy] and their structures.
Students will debate whether the Constitution reflects pluralism or elitism.
Students will be able to evaluate the Commerce Clause, Supremacy Clause and 10th Amendment through Supreme Court Cases
Students should describe the limits of powers (Federal vs. State) as well as protections that the States have from the federal government (i.e. 10th Amendment). |
Political Beliefs and Behaviors | October / November | Public Opinion and Political Action Campaign Voting and Behavior Interest Groups Objectives: What is political culture? What is political opinion and what factors influence public opinion and the political process? What is ideology and what role does it play in the federal government? What is “political socialization” and how does it work? How much does public opinion vary by age and other characteristics in America? How have political attitudes changed in America since the 1960’s? How have political attitudes split American society? What is the extent to which money and interest groups effect the election process? | Students will find out where they stand on the political spectrum through an ideology “test” Students will be able to analyze and interpret electoral maps as well as polling data.. Students will understand the role gender, geography, occupation and race play in political elections and issues. Students will be able to read and understand graphs and data Students will be able to identify cause[s] of “single – interest” groups. Students will understand factors, which have led to a decline in voter participation in recent years. Students will understand the Theories of Interest Group Politics |
Linkage Institutions | November /December | Political Parties Mass Media and the Political Agenda
Why is it so difficult to get a presidential message out to the public? How do politicians in the United States choreograph their message within the mass media? How has media politics developed over time? What is the criteria used to determine which news stories receive the most media attention? How does the media impact the policy issues Americans think about? What functions do political parties perform in the United States? Why does the United States have a two –party system? Did the Founding Fathers think political parties were a good idea? | Students will know the functions of political parties.
Students will understand the difference between political party and party ideology.
Students will analyze the impact media has on policy issues and candidates
Students will understand the difference between political party and party ideology.
Students will be able to differentiate between different party eras in American history
Students will be able to describe how political parties are organized in the United States.
Students will attempt to assess the impact a third party has on American politics. |
Congress | December / January | What are the purposes, organization, and functions and powers of the institutions of the national government? How has legislative productivity in the U.S Congress changed over time? How closely do members of Congress mirror the American people in terms of gender, race and other demographic characteristics? What are the principle factors that influence congressional elections? How does a Bill become a law?
| Students should be able to describe the purpose, organization, and functions of the three branches of the federal government (legislative, executive, and judicial). Students will be able to list the qualifications of members of each house of Congress and President. Students will be able to consider the ways in which interests affect the decision making process. Students will be able to differentiate the committee structure and key committees in the House [Senate] Students will know the major differences between the House and Senate. Students will be able to list the enumerated and implied powers of Congress.
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Presidency | January /February | What are the purposes, organization, and functions and powers of the institutions of the national government? How have the political powers of the presidency evolved from the founding of the United States? How do presidents make policy | Students will be able to list the expressed and informal powers of the president. |
Judiciary Civil Rights Civil Liberties | February / March | What are the purposes, organization, and functions and powers of the institutions of the national government? How the rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights resulted from the founders’ belief in the social contract. How does the debate over civil rights and liberties cause us to re-examine the principles of the constitution? How does society balance the common good with the rights of the individual? What important Supreme Court decisions have been made in the 20th century in regard to civil rights and liberties? What are the theories surrounding the art of public policy making? What considerations must be made before purposing a public policy agenda? What issues have dominated the public policy agenda in the 20th century? | Students will identify and explain interest-group politics, Client politics, and Entrepreneurial politics as the major public policy theories. Students will learn how to weigh costs vs. benefits in a public policy initiative. Students will understand the legal, social, and political evolution following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding racial segregation. Students will be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of Supreme Court decisions as tools of social change. Students will know which forms of speech are protected and how the freedom of speech is affected in times of crisis. Students should give examples of how the rule of law protects the basic rights of citizens (life, liberty, property), and how it establishes limits on both those who govern and the governed. |
