American Government

Student Expectations

• Students are expected to make up all work that was missed when they were absent. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what work needs to be made-up. All work from an absence will be due the next time the student is in class.

• This class is designed to challenge the student to think critically about the issues presented. Students will be expected to give their opinions and thoughts on a wide variety of subjects either in front of the class or in small groups. In addition, they will also be expected to justify their opinions using logic and reason. Listening is another critical skill that will prove useful in this class.

• If an assignment is late and is turned in the following class period the student will receive only ½ credit. After two class periods it is 0%. Unless the absences is excused by the front office.

• IF YOU ARE ABSENT, IT IS THE JOB OF THE STUDENT TO FIND OUT WHAT WORK THEY MISSED!

• WHAT TO EXPECT: Reading Assignments in and out of class, Worksheets, Notes, and Discussion, Quizzes, Tests, and Current Events

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What to Expect from Me

• Each unit will have one summative assessment. These assessments will be multiple choice. In addition, each unit will have, from time to time, smaller formative assessments in order to measure each student’s progress prior to the unit summative assessment. There will be a EOC (End-of-Course) exam this school year as a pilot test by the state of Missouri. The test will not be a part of the overall class grade.

• Any major assignments and/or projects in class will have explicit instructions concerning the due date and late policy.

• Parent and student contact...

The purpose of this course is to make students aware of the system of government at the national, state, and local levels. This will include an overview of the origins and principles of government, structure of the governments as defined by the U.S. and Missouri Constitutions, and processes involved in the American political system today.

UNITS OF STUDY / RATIONALE

There are eight major units of study:

Unit One - Principles of Government: The purpose of this unit is to examine the historical principles of government in order to understand the purpose and nature of governance within the United States today. In order to achieve this, students will first be presented with basic definitions and types of government. Next, they will examine the evolution of government from the Greeks and Romans to the European Enlightenment. In the course of examining the Enlightenment, students will be introduced to governmental documents from both England and America. Finally, students will compare the events and issues of the colonial period of American history to the current constitutional safeguards in place to preserve our representative democracy within a federal republic.

Unit Two - Creation of the Constitution: The purpose of this unit is to connect the principles of government to constitutional developments during and after the American Revolution. Students will examine the structure and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. This will be followed by a brief overview of political conditions within the United States under this flawed constitutional structure. Finally, students will examine and evaluate the Constitutional Convention, including plans of the Founding Fathers, explanations outlined in the Federalist Papers, and overview of the differences between this presidential system of government when compared to the parliamentary system of Great Britain.

Unit Three - Article One of the Constitution: The purpose of this unit is to examine the Legislative Branch of the United States as outlined by the US Constitution. This will include the structure of the Congress, legislative powers, legislative restrictions, legislative privileges, and enumerated powers of the Congress.

Unit Four - Articles Two through Seven of the Constitution: The purpose of this unit is to examine the Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, relationships between the states, national supremacy, amending process, and ratification process outlined in the US Constitution. This will include powers and privileges of the President, organizational structure of the federal judiciary, four ways to amend the Constitution, states’ obligations, the power of the Supremacy Clause, and the ratification process.

Unit Five - Amendments of the Constitution: The purpose of this unit is to examine all 27 Amendments to the US Constitution. This will include legal protections of the people, legal rights of the people and states, progressive amendments of the early 20th century, expansion of suffrage, changes to the presidency, reserved rights of the states and people, and other important amendments that have changed the original structure of governance.

Unit Six - Constitutional Details: The purpose of this unit is to reexamine specific parts of the Constitution and frame the document into the major principles of American government. This will include detailed examination of the Electoral College, the impeachment process, powers of Federalism, checks and balances, major principles of government, gerrymandering, federal lawmaking, and relationship with the bureaucracy.

Unit Seven - Culture, Individuals, Groups & Institutions: The purpose of this unit is the exploration and analysis of the electoral process in the United States and the role of Special Interests and Political Action Committees (PACs) as an influence on the government. Utilizing the information about the principles of government as well as the constitutional structure of the government today, students will evaluate the role of political parties, special interest groups and PACs on the political culture of the United States. The examination will look into how individuals, groups and institutions within the country are affected by the presence of these three power entities.

Unit Eight - Missouri Constitution: The purpose of this unit is to connect principles of government, constitutional developments at the national level and politically influential groups to the formation of the Constitution of the State of Missouri. Students will compare the state and federal constitutions and examine the relationship between Missouri and the Federal Government. At the conclusion of this unit, students will take the 50-question Missouri Constitution Exam. A passing grade of 70% is required to graduate high school in the State of Missouri.