American Studies/Civics

In this unit, students will analyze the historical foundations, principles, and documents that shaped American democracy by explaining how democratic ideas influenced the founding of the United States, examining how foundational documents established principles such as popular sovereignty, limited government, federalism, and individual rights, and connecting these principles to current civic issues and debates.

In this unit, students will explain how government power is organized, divided, and limited at the federal, state, and local levels by describing the roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government, analyzing how separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism limit government authority, and comparing the responsibilities of local, state, and federal governments.

In this unit, students will analyze how Supreme Court decisions interpret the Constitution and shape rights, responsibilities, and government power by explaining the role of judicial review and constitutional interpretation, examining landmark Supreme Court cases and their impact on individual rights and government authority, and connecting Supreme Court decisions to historical and contemporary civic issues.

In this unit, students will evaluate how individuals and groups participate in democracy and influence government decisions by examining how voting, elections, political parties, interest groups, media, and civic action shape public policy; analyzing how citizens use advocacy, protest, public discourse, and informed action to address issues; and evaluating the responsibilities of citizens in sustaining a democratic society.