This course will connect the real world to issues that have an impact on daily life. The emphasis of this course is on economics, financial awareness, and the role of different levels of government. This course features a daily review and discussion of current events at the international, national, state, and local levels. Current events will be used to highlight various topics of concern throughout the duration of the course to develop the skills to critically assess the world in which we live.
Prerequisites: Senior Status
½ credit
Topics
Topic 1: Daily Current Events
Topic 2: Federalism
Topic 3:
State Government
Topic 4: Constitutional Principles
Topic 5: Powers reserved to State governments
Topic 6: The Role of County government
Topic 7: Media & Influence - Propaganda
Topic 8: Media & Influence - What is its role?
Topic 9: Media & Influence - Interest Groups
Topic 10: Government & the Economy
Topic 11: Government & the Market Economy
Topic 12: Government Taxation
Topic 13: Government Spending
Topic 14: Personal Role in Saving and Investing
Students will be able to...
What in the world is going on?
Explain daily what events are taking place at the International, National, State, and Local levels.
Describe how the daily discussion on current events can or has impacted them today and future ramifications.
MTC: Make the connections of daily events to topic(s) covered in the course.
What is federalism and how is it designed to work in the United States?
Define federalism and explain the division of power between states and the federal government.
Identify expressed, implied, reserved, and concurrent powers.
Explain the significance of the Supremacy Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause.
Describe the ongoing tension between federal and state power.
Compare and contrast federal, confederal, and unitary forms of government.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of federalism.
What is the role of the state government in federalism?
Explain the source and nature of state and local governmental power.
Distinguish reserved powers from federal powers.
Identify types of powers that are held at the state or local level.
Examine the differences between statewide laws and local ordinances/laws
What were the key principles the Founding Fathers thought were critical to a free society?
Analyze the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution
Identify relationships among popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, limited government, rule of law, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances
Describe how these principles are incorporated into the Constitution
Explain the concerns that led the Founders to value these principles
How do State powers differ from Federal powers?
Explain the source and nature of state and local governmental power.
Distinguish reserved powers from federal powers.
Identify types of powers that are held at the state or local level.
Examine the differences between statewide laws and local ordinances/laws.
Explain the duties of various local officials.
What does the county level of government do?
Identify counties as an extension of state government.
Define Dillon’s Rule and Home Rule.
Identify the organizational structures and duties of county government, including the names and functions of county officials.
Identify the types of services counties provide.
Compare counties’ revenue sources.
Identify the effect of unfunded mandates on counties.
What impact does propaganda & the media have on public perception?
Differentiate among forms of persuasive media.
Identify bias, propaganda, and symbolism in the media.
Identify forms of propaganda in use.
What is the role the media plays in reporting the news and setting the agenda?
Analyze the role of mass media in monitoring and influencing government and the public sphere.
Explain the impact of the media on monitoring and influencing government and the public sphere.
Analyze media communications for bias.
Recognize the media acting in its roles as gatekeeper, agenda-setter, and watchdog.
How much influence do interest groups have?
Identify three ways groups and organizations can influence the actions of government.
Explain how individuals, public opinion, associations and groups form and carry out public policy.
Describe the position of opposing groups on a public policy issue.
To what degree should a government be involved in regulating the economy?
Compare the government’s role in free market, command, and mixed economies.
Analyze the role of consumers, private producers, and the government in the U.S. mixed economy.
Explain the effects of government policies on the free market.
Describe how government policies allow either free or restricted trade.
Identify U.S. laws and regulations adopted to promote economic competition.
Identify U.S. laws protecting consumer rights and avenues of recourse.
How powerful is individual choice in maintaining a market economy?
Describe the characteristics of a market economy, including the principle and protection of private property rights.
Identify the relationship among supply, demand, scarcity, and opportunity cost.
Analyze how profit, incentive, and competition motivate individuals, households, and businesses.
Describe the circular flow that shows the interaction among consumers/households, businesses/producers, and markets.
Analyze how changes in technology, costs, and demand interact in competitive markets to determine or change the price of goods and services.
Compare the market economy to other types of economies (command, traditional, mixed).
What impact does government taxation have on the economy?
Identify the government’s sources of tax revenue
Explain that the government uses tax money to provide certain goods and services.
Explain how federal, state, and local taxes support the economy as a function of the U.S. government.
Describe the impact of taxation.
Analyze a pay stub.
Calculate sales tax and compare the effect of different tax rates on total price paid.
What role does government spending have on society and personal liberties?
Describe what a budget is.
Compare the national budgeting process to the personal budgeting process.
Explain the difference between a surplus and a deficit.
Explain why and how the government borrows money.
Analyze federal spending data.
Make cuts to a fictional personal budget.
Identify reasons for people’s differing views about government spending.
What can one do to help your individual wealth by investing?
Describe the role of the Federal Reserve as the nation’s central bank.
Explain the impact of banks and the Federal Reserve on the money supply and the national economy.
Identify the importance of saving and borrowing in the U.S.
Identify the role of banks in channeling funds from savers to borrowers.
Explain that the government creates currency and coins and that there are additional forms of money.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using credit.