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AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Course Description
American Government is a full year study of the structures, processes and issues of national, state and local government. The course gives emphasis to the responsibilities and rights of citizenship, the skills necessary for critical thinking, and the knowledge appropriate for wise decision making. National government is the focus of one semester. State and local governments are stressed during the second semester.
Critical Components
In order to satisfy the state graduation requirement, American Government classes should deal significantly with:
I. Government: Definition, Formation, and Function
A. Goal:
Students will define government and understand how it functions.
Objectives:
Students will1. Understand that people normally live in organized groups of societies that require rules for their existence.
2. Explain how governments came to be established.
3. Give a basic definition of government.
4. Understand the basic functions of government.
II. Comparative Forms of Government
A. Goal:
Students will understand the differences between democracy and a totalitarian form of government.
Objectives:
Students will1. Identify the geographical distribution of governmental power within the nation (federalism, Unitarianism, and confederacy).
2. Identify the relationship between the Executive and legislative branches of government presidential and parliamentary).
3. Know who may participate in the governmental process (dictatorship and democracy).
III. Politics: Citizenry and Government
A. Goal:
Students will understand effective citizenship roles and responsibilities.
Objectives:
Students will1. Know the qualifications for voting.
2. Understand the election process.
3. Identify the nature of campaigns, campaign strategies, and identify campaign propaganda.
4. Analyze the role of political parties in American government.
5. Predict voting patterns and trends in the U.S.
6. Understand the role of private and public interest pressure groups on public policy.
IV. The legislative Branch of Federal Government
A. Goal:
Students will understand the role of the legislative branch of our federal government.
Objectives:
Students will1. Examine Article I and related amendments of the U.S. Constitution and understand the structure and powers of the legislative branch. Explain the organization and procedures of both houses of Congress.
2. Describe checks and balances as they relate to the legislative branch.
3. Analyze contemporary national issues and evaluate Congressional efforts and their own ideas for dealing with them.
4. Identify their Congressmen and understand his/her role in the constituent representative relationship.
V. The Executive Branch of Federal Government
A. Goal:
Students will understand how the executive branch of the federal government works.
Objectives:
Students will1. Examine the Article II and related amendments of the U.S. Constitution and understand the requirements for the presidency and the structure and powers of the executive branch.
2. Identify and explain the steps involved in nominating and electing the President.
3. Describe checks and balances as they relate to the executive branch.
4. Analyze contemporary national issues and evaluate efforts by the executive branch and his/her own ideas for dealing with them
5. Identify American foreign policy - past, present and the role of the U.S. in an interdependent world.
VI. The Judicial Branch of the Federal Government
A. Goal:
Students will understand the powers and duties of our judicial branch of government.
Objectives:
Students will1. Examine Article III of the U.S. Constitution and understand the structure and jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court and other courts that comprise the national judiciary system.
2. Examine the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and understand the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting them
3. Know their civil liberties as interpreted and defined by the U.S. Supreme Court.
4. Explain checks and balances as they relate to the judicial branch.
5. Analyze contemporary constitutional issues and evaluate Supreme Court decisions.
VI. legislative and Executive Branches of Idaho State Government
A. Goal:
Students will understand how Idaho State government functions.
Objectives:
Students will1. Have a knowledge of the relationship between the national government and state government.
2. Explain the organization and powers of the Idaho State legislature.
3. Explain the organization and powers of the executive branch of Idaho State Government.
4. Describe checks and balances between the branches of Idaho State Government.
5. Analyze contemporary state issues and determine his/her views on these issues.
6. Identify the elected officials of his/her executive branch, legislative district, and understand his/her role in the constituent-representative relationship.
VIII. County Government in Idaho
A. Goal:
Students will understand how county governments operate in our state.
Objectives:
Students will
1. Understand the relationship between state and county governments.
2. Explain the organization, powers, and services of county government.
3. Understand sources of revenue and expenditures of county government.
4. Analyze contemporary county issues and formulate his/her views on them.
5. Identify the elected officials of county government.
IX. City Government in Idaho
A. Goal:
Students will realize that each city is operated by elected and appointed officials.
Objectives:
Students will1. Understand the relationship between state, county, and city governments.
2. Explain the alternative forms of city governments, their organizations, powers and services.
3. Understand sources of revenue and expenditures of city government.
4. Analyze contemporary issues in their community and formulate views on them.
5. Identify elected officials of city government.
X. School and Special Districts in Idaho
A. Goal:
Students will understand how special districts operate.
Objectives:
Students will1. Understand the relationship between levels of government, school and special district governments.
2. Explain the organization powers and services of school and special district governments.
3. Analyze contemporary issues facing schools and special district governments and identify his/her views of them.
4. Identify elected officials of their school and special district governments.
XI. The Idaho State Judicial System
A. Goal:
Students will understand how the Idaho state judicial system operates.
Objectives:
Students will1. Comprehend the dual court system in the U.S. and the relationship between state and federal courts.
2. Understand the structure and jurisdiction of each level in Idaho court system.
3. Analyze civil and criminal court procedures.
4. Understand his/her citizenship rights and responsibilities in the justice system.
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