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American Government and Politics (Civics) - Semester Course
Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate Level
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
The course objective is to introduce students to the principles behind the United States’ government and political institutions and to enable students to interact with various viewpoints. Students will understand the historical development of our current political situation, analyze the political process, and describe how various political groups function today. The goal is for students to become familiar with public policies, our Constitutional underpinnings, and political behavior in our...
3 units//16 lessons//16 Weeks
Unit 1Unit One: Foundations of GovernmentUnit One: Foundations of Government7 lessons7 WeeksWeek 1Lesson 1Legitimate government - The Declaration of IndependenceA. Key Concepts: Consent of the Governed, Natural Rights, Republic, Rule of Law, Constitution, Common Law B. Key Documents: Declaration of Independence, Common Sense, Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Declaratory Act C. Key People and Events: John Locke, Thomas Paine, Samuel Adams, Thomas JeffersonWeek 2Lesson 2Government Types and the Articles of ConfederationA. Key Concepts: Federalism, Unitary, Confederation, Sovereignty, Liberty vs. Order B. Key Documents: The Articles of Confederation, Circular Letter to the States C. Key People and Events: George Washington, Shay's RebellionWeek 3Lesson 3Constitution (Compromises and Structure)A. Key Concepts: Representative Democracy, Direct Democracy, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, Compromise, Politics B. Key Documents: The Constitution C. Key People and Events: Convention of 1787, Great Compromise, 3/5 Compromise, Commerce Compromise, Charles de Montesquieu, John Adams, James Madison, Gouverneur Morris, Benjamin FranklinWeek 4Lesson 4Federalists vs. Anti-federalistsA. Key Concepts: Dual federalism, Cooperative federalism, Antifederalists, Federalists, Enumerated Powers, Reserved Powers, Partisanship, Political Discourse B. Key Documents: The Federalist Papers, 10th Amendment C. Key People and Events: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, Patrick Henry, Roberts YatesWeek 5Lesson 5Legislative BranchA. Key Concepts: Bicameral legislature, Speaker of the House, Senate, House of Representatives, Filibuster, Gerrymandering, Incumbent, Earmarks, Constituencies, Implied Powers, Impeachment, Committees B. Key Documents: Article 1 of the Constitution, Federalist 51 C. Key People and Events: Establishment of a National BankWeek 6Lesson 6Executive BranchA. Key Concepts: President's Cabinet, Veto, Commander-in-Chief, Pardon, Executive Order, The First Lady B. Key Documents: Article 2 of the Constitution, 22nd Amendment C. Key People and Events: Theodore Roosevelt, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald ReaganWeek 7Lesson 7Judicial BranchA. Key Concepts: Judicial Review, Judicial Activism, Judicial Restraint, Federal Issue, Supreme Court, Jury, Court of Appeals B. Key Documents: Article 3 of the Constitution C. Key People and Events: Marbury vs. Madison, McCulloch vs. Maryland, Roe vs. Wade, Brown v. Board of EducationUnit 2Unit Two: Changing Models and Views of RightsUnit Two: Changing Models and Views of Rights3 lessons3 WeeksWeek 8Lesson 8Changing FederalismA. Key Concepts: Market Economy, Socialism, Progressivism, Government mandates, B. Key Documents: Commerce Clause, 13th Amendment, 14th Amendment, 15th Amendment C. Key People and Events: New Deal, Great Society, New Federalism, Gilded Age, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, New NationalismWeek 9Lesson 9Bill of RightsA. Key Concepts: Constitutional Amendments, Federal Communications Commission, Due-process clause, Establishment clause, Free-exercise clause, Negative and positive rights B. Key Documents: Bill of Rights C. Key People and Events: Schenck v. U.S. , New York Times Co. v. U.S. , Sedition ActsWeek 10Lesson 10Civil Rights movementsA. Key Concepts: Segregation, Civil Rights, Equal Protection Clause, Jim Crow Laws, Affirmative Action, The Colorblind Constitution B. Key Documents: 14th Amendment, 19th Amendment, Declaration of Sentiments C. Key People and Events: Civil Rights Act, Martin Luther King Jr.Unit 3Unit Three: Political Actions and Actors TodayUnit Three: Political Actions and Actors Today6 lessons6 WeeksWeek 11Lesson 11Political parties and their role in American governmentA. Key Concepts: Electoral College, 12th Amendment, Winner Takes All System, Whigs (political party), Third Parties, Liberal, Conservative, Moderate, "Faithless" Elector, Party Platforms B. Key Documents: 12th AmendmentWeek 12Lesson 12Policy making process - competing interestsKey Concepts: Rent Seeking behavior, Federal Budget, Federal Debt, Interest Group, Pluralism, Agenda, Consensus, Budget, Balance Budget, Government “Shutdown”, Divided government, Law, SubsidiesWeek 13Lesson 13The role of the bureaucracyA. Key Concepts: Revolving Door, Spoils System, Merit System, Bureaucrat, Iron Triangle, Parkinson’s Law, Agencies, Departments, “Fourth Branch” B. Key People and Events: Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, Andrew Jackson, Max Weber, Woodrow Wilson, George WashingtonWeek 14Lesson 14The media - role and influence ofA. Key Concepts: Yellow Journalism, Muckraking, Presuppositions, Fairness doctrine, Linkage Institution, Fourth Estate, Clickbait, Bias, Fake News B. Key Documents: 1st Amendment C. Key People and Events: “Penny Press” and changing Technology, Adolph OchsWeek 15Lesson 15America's role in the world (past and present)A. Key Concepts: Foreign Policy, Isolationism, Interventionism, United Nations, Foreign Aid, Manifest Destiny B. Key Documents: Monroe Doctrine, Roosevelt Corollary, George Washington’s Farewell Address C. Key People and Events: Cold War, Theodore Roosevelt, James MonroeWeek 16Lesson 16Review of key conceptsA game or group review time to prepare for the final quiz together.
- To introduce students to the principles behind the United States government and political institutions and to enable students to interact with various viewpoints.
- Students will understand the historical development of our current political situation, analyze the political process, and describe how various political groups function today.
I am passionate about our political system and helping students understand its foundations and importance in our everyday lives. My approach is to get students thinking about and discussing how government relates to their lives by using examples and historical illustrations.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: 1-2 per weekFeedback: includedDetails: Students will have a graded weekly quiz and a graded weekly homework assignment, which will reinforce and expand upon the classroom discussions. Assignments mostly involve reflection questions to be answered in a few sentences. There may be couple essays as well. Additional work and textbook reading is provided, but is optional for student enrichment (not graded). There is a final quiz and final assignment that are due after the final live class.Assessment
Frequency: 7 or more throughout the classDetails: Student work will be graded (the weekly quiz and assignment) and a final grade (percentage system) will be issued. There is also a participation grade, which hinges on student’s attentiveness, use of video, and contributions to the class discussion. The final grade is based approximately on 47% Quizzes, 47% Assignments, and 6% Participation.Letter Grade
Frequency: 1 after class completionDetails:
All materials/texts will be provided by the teacher in the form of website links or documents. Students will be required to submit homework in a standard file format. Every class is recorded and I post the recording for viewing after each class. Therefore, students can catch up if they happen to miss the live session.
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
The course will occasionally touch on current events and topics of controversial nature. However, discussion will be kept at an age appropriate level.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Ohio Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Cedarville University
- Bachelor's degree in Secondary Social Studies Education - Earned state of Ohio teaching license - Cross cultural teaching experience in Beijing, China - Taught a variety of subjects to multiple age levels - Currently involved in...
Reviews
Group Class
$256
for 16 classes1x per week, 16 weeks
60 min
Completed by 442 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-12 learners per class