American Government

Instructor: Brian McKitrick

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to help you gain a better understanding of the reasons for government and its place in your life. We will focuses on the role of government in history, organization and operation of local, state, and national government. You will study the U.S. Constitution with particular emphasis on the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The course is intended to enable students to become active citizens in the democratic process.

COURSE GOALS. These are listed below, and will be the used as a guide to reach an understanding of purpose of this course.

1. Investigate the purpose of government.

2. Understand the significance and impact of the Constitution on your everyday life.

3. Investigate the structure and function of federal, state and local government.

4. Understand the protections and privileges of individuals and groups in the U.S.

5. Understand the different power among the national, state, and local governments in the

United States federal system.

6. Understand the responsibilities of citizens in the United States.

7. Understand basic economic principles and how the influence everyday life.

8. Understand the relationship between the United States and the international systems of government.

9. Compare different political systems with that of the United States; (e.g., dictatorship, democracy,

theocracy, monarchy, and totalitarianism.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

With these nine standards listed above we would like to explore more specifically what you will learn this year. Each concept is restated and then broken down into very explicit ideas or concepts. This should help you focus your efforts in this class.

1. Investigate the purpose of government and be able to:

a. Explain the purposes of government.

b. Understanding how government powers are acquired, used and justified.

c. Understand how government provides basic rights and liberties guaranteed in the Constitution.

2. Understand the significance and impact of the Constitution on your everyday life by:

a. Understanding the significant ideas and events that influenced the creation of the United

States Constitution.

b. Listing the key events that lead to the creation of the Constitution.

c. Explaining the importance of popular sovereignty and limited governments in a democratic society.

3. Investigate the structure and function of federal, state and local government and be able to explain:

a. The difference between the national government and the state governments.

b. The idea of federalism and how it relates to federal, state and local governments.

c. The role of local government in the United States federal system.

d. The power given to local governments.

4. Understand the protections and privileges of individuals and groups in the U.S. by:

a. Explaining the freedoms and the rights guaranteed in the United States Constitution.

b. Know the Bill of Rights and understand how these rights and liberties affect my life.

c. Understanding the importance of the first and fourteenth Amendments in protecting individual rights

of Americans.

d. Explaining how civil rights and freedoms have been changed through court decisions. (Ex. Brown v.

Board, Miranda, Gideon, etc.)

5. Understand the different power among the national, state, and local governments in the United States

federal system by:

a. Examining the relationship between the national government and the states.

b. Explaining the concept of federalism.

c. Analyzing the role of local government in the United States federal system.

d. Describing the powers given to local governments.

e. Describe the structure and function of local government.

6. Understand the responsibilities of citizens in the United States by:

a. Understanding why I need to obey laws.

b. Understanding the election and voting process.

c. Understanding the major political parties and their ideas.

d. Knowing that to be a responsible citizen I need to participate in activities that make a difference.

e. Understanding the methods, I can use to respectfully deal with differences in my community.

7. Understand basic economic principles and how the influence everyday life by.

a. Understanding how the major economic systems work (capitalism, communism, socialism, and mixed

economic systems).

b. Explaining how supply and demand affects the availability of goods ands services

c. Examining the problems of newly developing economies in today’s world.

8. Understand the relationship between the United States and the international systems by:

a. Examining the major government structures and functions outside the United States.

b. Analyzing and evaluating conditions, actions, and motivations that contributes to conflict.

9. By comparing different political systems with that of the United States; (e.g., dictatorship, democracy,

monarchy, totalitarianism) I can:

a. Describe the main characteristics of a democracy.

b. Describe how democracy is different from other forms of government.

MATERIALS

You will need the following materials for this course:

Textbook

Note book or paper to take notes in class

HOME WORK

Homework will generally consist of reading assignments, completions of the study guides for each chapter, and essay questions along with the activities describe above. Progress will be monitored by taking quizzes and periodic tests as outlined in this syllabus.

GRADING:

Major grades will count for 60% of nine weeks grade (Tests and Major Projects)

Minor grades will count for 40% of nine weeks grade (Quizzes, Homework, Classwork)

Final Exam will make up 20% of final grade

ATTENDANCE:

1) Students will be expected to be in class on time. The policy adopted by Travelers Rest High School will be

followed.

2) Class work miss due to truancies may not be made up.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

1) Students will be expected to bring text, notebook, paper, and working materials (paper and pencil) each day to class.

2) It will be expected that each student spend a minimum of 2 to 3 hours on reading and doing homework each week.

3) It is suggested that each student keep all assignments.