Curriculum
Government and Politics: Civics for the American Experiment
Essential Question
How does a system of self-governance support American ideals?
Units
How does the structure of government influence the process of lawmaking and reflect the will of the people?
How does the division of power and shared responsibilities between federal and state governments affect the authority and purpose of government at each level?
How does the structure of government influence the process of lawmaking and reflect the will of the people?
What is the legitimate exercise of executive powers?
What is the role of courts in the American constitutional order?
How do we work through existing civic and political institutions to achieve a healthy civic society?
How do individuals, groups, and government interact to protect and promote civil rights and civil liberties in the United States?
Curriculum resources
How do civic virtues ensure a healthy civil society and constitutional republic?
What role does a constitution play in establishing a framework for governing a community, and how does it protect the rights and responsibilities of its members?
Is the Supreme Court the best branch of government to protect civil liberties?
How did John Locke’s ideas influence the Founding principles in the Declaration of Independence?
How did the Articles of Confederation limit the effectiveness of the new government?
Why are different powers exercised at the national, state, and local levels of government?
How does federalism enable local self-government to balance the needs of the common good, address viewpoint diversity, and promote civic virtues within a community?
What are past and contemporary (modern) examples of federalism? How does federalism create tension across the levels of government?
How does this case study illuminate key concepts and processes in government and politics?
How does the structure of government impact the way decisions are made in society?
What is the relationship between gerrymandering, the concept of representation, and the principle of consent of the governed?
Standards
Related curricula
What was the Founding vision for American government and what is the story of the on-going struggle to achieve it?
How did the Founders intend the legislative branch of government to operate? Through primary source analysis and engaging activities, examine the purpose of a legislature, the design of the U.S Congress, its powers, its history and the reality of how Congress works today with your students through these lessons.
What are the powers delegated to the Executive Branch and how have constitutional principles have applied throughout U.S. History? Examine these questions with your students and equip them to be more informed citizens and critical students of history and current events. The curriculum is made possible by The National Endowment for the Humanities and Dr. John M. Templeton, Jr.
How can you help your students develop critical thinking skills? Explore Landmark Supreme Court cases that changed history. Give your students tools to evaluate the Court's rulings and their impact on American society. Analyze primary sources spanning five centuries--colonial codes of law, the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, contemporary photographs, case law, oral arguments, the Court's majority and dissenting opinions, and others. Each Document Based Question (DBQ) will lead them towards an understanding of the role played by the Court and an assessment of its decisions. Each DBQ also contains a section called "The Issue Endures," which highlights current applications of the case issue.
Two sets of vocabulary list - one divided by unit and one in alphabetical order.
An exploration of the principles and virtues that shape the American republic and help form the conscience of the nation’s people.
Full texts of primary sources for U.S. History, Government, and Civics classrooms.
News articles relevant to topics in U.S. History, Government, and Civics classrooms.