Course Curriculum Map Course Title: US Government First Quarter Second Quarter Units Included Unit I: Origins, Revolution and Independence Unit 2: Political Belief and Civic Responsibility Unit 3: The Documents We Live By Unit 4: Federalism and Checks and Balances Unit 5: Law and the Judicial Branch Unit 6: Comparative World Systems Evidence Outcomes Engage ethically in civic activities including discussing current issues, advocating their rights and the rights of others, practicing their responsibilities, influencing governmental actions, and other community service learning opportunities Critique various media sources for accuracy and perspective Describe the origins, purposes and limitations of government and include the contribution of key philosophers and documents Analyze and explain the importance of the principles of democracy and the inherent competition among values Analyze the role of the founding documents and the evolution of their interpretation through governmental action and court cases Use media literacy skills to locate multiple valid sources of information regarding the foundations, structures, and functions of government Discuss multiple perspectives on local issues and options for participating in civic life Explain how to monitor and influence public policy Evaluate how individuals and groups can effectively use the structure and functions of various levels government to shape policy Describe the roles and influence of individuals, groups, and the press as checks on governmental practices Identify which level of government is appropriate for various policies and demonstrate an ability to appropriately engage with that level of government Identify the structure, function, and roles of members of government and their relationship to democratic values Analyze how court decisions, legislative debates, and various diverse groups have helped to preserve, develop and interpret the rights and ideals of the American system of government Evaluate the effectiveness of our justice system in protecting life, liberty and property Analyze and discuss multiple perspectives on state issues and option for participating in civic affairs by shaping policies Analyze goals and tools used by the United States in developing foreign policy Illustrate how various governments and leaders interact and evaluate how interactions among nations affect domestic and world events Compare and contrast how different systems of government function Key Themes and Topics Origins, Revolution and Independence Theories of Government John Locke and Natural Rights Purposes and limitations of government Federalism and Checks and Balances Federalism States’ rights vs. Federal Rights Division of powers between local, state and federal governments
Foundational Documents: Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights Foundations of Independence Articles of Confederation Direct vs. Representative Democracy Enlightenment Philosophies Political Beliefs and the Civic Responsibility Political Spectrum Liberal vs. conservative Political parties Electoral processes including the electoral college Citizens’ role in a democracy Citizens and press as a check Civic education Documents we Live By Declaration of Independence The Constitution, with focus on the Bill of Rights Limitations on Free Speech Congress and passing legislation Executive Powers Three Branches of government Checks and Balances Law and the Judicial Branch Judicial Branch Local and state judicial systems Supreme Court Judicial Review Landmark cases Laws vs. amendments Comparative World Systems Contemporary foreign policy issues US’s role in foreign policy Different types of government (eg., anarchy, monarchy, theocracy, constitutional republic, tribal federations, democratic and totalitarian) Key Terms and Vocabulary Origins, Revolution and Independence Evolution Theory Force Theory Divine Right Theory Social Contract Theory Natural rights Perfect freedom King George III Popular sovereignty Constitution Democracy Limited government Nation Political Beliefs and Civic Responsibility Political spectrum Radical, liberal, moderate, conservative, reactionary Democratic Party Republican Party Bipartisan Civic values, civic virtue Third party candidates Federalism and Checks and Balances Federalism Tenth Amendment Expressed Powers Inherent Powers Necessary and Proper Clause Concurrent Powers Executive Powers Bills, referenda, and other types of legislation Congress and bicameral legislature Veto Impeach Law and the Judicial Branch Precedence US Supreme Court Marbury vs. Madison McCulloch vs. Maryland Gideon vs. Wainwright Plessy v. Ferguson Brown v. BOE Tinker v. Des Moines