Social Studies Curriculum Standards
3407 - United States Government
Performance Indicators:

understand the influence of natural rights on American culture
1.1

identify John Locke's concept of life, liberty, and property as natural rights
Level 1

discover changing definitions of life, liberty and property in American history
Level 2

challenge which of the natural rights is most significant in American culture today
Level 3

understand the impact of the political system on American culture
1.2

list elements of American culture throughout American history
Level 1

analyze the origins of American culture inherent in the American political system.
Level 2

weigh the relative importance of political systems on culture
Level 3

Students will study historical documents concerning individual and natural rights such as the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence to write a "Student Bill of Rights" or "Student Manifesto "for their school and/or community.

Students will work in small groups to compile a list of 5 to 10 essential rights that are necessary for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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Social Studies Curriculum Standards
3407 - United States Government
Performance Indicators:

understand economic systems and political structures
2.1

know various economic systems and political structures
Level 1

differentiate between the features of various economic systems and political structures
Level 2

recommend an economic system that is most effective in today's global society
Level 3

understand the rise of capitalism in the United States
2.2

define the tools of economic foreign policy
Level 1

illustrate the growth of capitalism in the United States
Level 2

measure the relative effectiveness of capitalism on individuals and groups in America
Level 3

understand how all nations use "tools of foreign policy" such as alliances, economic aid, economic sanctions, trade agreements, propaganda, military aid, treaties, troop movements, and wars to promote national interests
2.3

define the tools of economic foreign policy
Level 1

compare the consequences of choosing and implementing each of these tools
Level 2

select and defend which tools are most effective in promoting a country's national interest
Level 3

understand the connection among resources and institutions that govern the management and distributions of those resources
2.4

identify institutions that manage resources
Level 1

calculate which institutions are most important in the management of resources
Level 2

evaluate the effectiveness of institutions which are responsible for the management, and distribution of resources
Level 3

Students will do a case study of two countries: one industrialized, developed nation and one agricultural, developing country and compare the following: GNP, type of government, major resources and industry, education and literacy rate, and foreign policy to create an economic forecast for the next five years for each country.

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Social Studies Curriculum Standards
3407 - United States Government
Performance Indicators:

Understand and analyze how the forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of the earth's surface
3.1

list examples of regional cooperation and conflicts based on geographic interests
Level 1

distinguish between geographic causes and economic, social, and political causes of conflict and cooperation
Level 2

predict possible conflicts and alliances based on geographic needs and select possible solutions
Level 3

understand and analyze the impact of physical and human geography on given political systems
3.2

trace patterns of demographic change and the growth of the American political system
Level 1

review examples of successes and failures of political systems to meet the needs of individuals and groups based on physical and human geography
Level 2

determine and create the ideal society using physical and human geography
Level 3

understand the use of geography in determining policies such as zoning, redistricting, and the census
3.3

recognize geographic factors that influence governmental policies
Level 1

illustrate the geographic factors, which influence governmental policies
Level 2

assess how each individual geographic factor influences governmental policies
Level 3

Students will study the concepts of gerrymandering and redistricting to analyze congressional districts using census data and make predictions about future decisions impacting these districts.

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Social Studies Curriculum Standards
3407 - United States Government
Performance Indicators:

understand the role of politics and government in society
4.1

define terms used in politics and government
Level 1

describe the purpose of governance and its characteristics and why it is necessary
Level 2

critique the necessity of governmenance
Level 3

understand the role of constitutions in preventing abuses of government power
4.2

notice the role constitutions have played in various governments
Level 1

explain how constitutions prevent abuses of government power
Level 2

create a constitution for a society, which prevents abuses of power
Level 3

understand the basic features of major forms of governments in the world
4.3

identify major forms of government
Level 1

compare the basic features of major governments in the world
Level 2

rank the effectiveness of forms of governments using the criteria of protection of individual rights or promoting the good of the whole as the basis for judgment
Level 3

understand the basic features of major forms of governance in the world
4.4

identify the six founding principles of the Constitution: Federalism, checks and balances, popular sovereignty, separation of powers, judicial review, and limited government
Level 1

understand the role of the United States legal system
4.5

trace the process of civil and criminal court systems
Level 1

review the principles of equal justice under the law
Level 2

determine the extent to which our justice system promotes the principle of justice
Level 3

understand the concept of federalism
4.6

describe how states and local governments are organized
Level 1

define federalism
Level 1

explain how state and local governments are interrelated with the federal government
Level 2

classify responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments and their relatedness
Level 3

resolve the conflicts that are inherent in the concept of federalism, using constitutional principles
Level 3

Students will study the major types of government in the world to create a "new, ideal society" of their peers (25 to 30). This society needs a mission statement stating the purpose of their new government, a flow chart describing the type of government and how it will work with roles clearly spelled out for all of its members, and a list of 5 laws that have to last for 10 to 15 years.

Students will work in groups to create this "ideal society" and make a short presentation to the class explaining and defending their society.

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Social Studies Curriculum Standards
3407 - United States Government
Performance Indicators:

understand historical and modern examples of the concepts of limited and unlimited governance
5.1

define limited and unlimited governments and list examples of each
Level 1

distinguish the characteristics of limited and unlimited government
Level 2

assess the reason for developing limited and unlimited government at any given time
Level 3

understand specific historical documents and institutions which shaped the principles of the United States Constitution
5.2

identify documents and institutions which shaped the principles of the United States Constitution
Level 1

illustrate the application of these principles throughout the United States Constitution
Level 2

debate the effectiveness of the principles of the United States Constitution
Level 3

understand the importance of the rule of laws and the sources, purposes, and function of law
5.3

identify the rule of law, its sources, purposes, and the function of law
Level 1

examine the effect of rule of law upon groups and individuals in the United States
Level 2

evaluate, adopt, and defend positions on the importance of the rule of law
Level 3

understand the United States Constitution as a "living document" in both principle and practice
5.4

read and know the United States Constitution and its amendments
Level 1

calculate the impact of the Constitution upon our lives today
Level 2

analyze the characteristics that make the Constitution a living document
Level 3

understand how the United States foreign policy is determined by the concept of national interest in both historical and modern settings
5.5

define the concepts of foreign policy and national interest
Level 1

illustrate how the concept of national interest affects United States foreign policy
Level 2

determine how foreign policy is based on the national interests of the United States in relation to various countries
Level 3

understand the balance between the protection of individual rights and the general welfare of all citizens
5.6

recognize examples of individual rights and the general welfare of all citizens
Level 1

detect the tensions between protecting individual rights and the general welfare of all citizens
Level 2

determine the constitutional basis for balancing the protection of individual rights and promoting the good of the whole
Level 3

Students will study the major events, ideas, and individuals of the Suffragist and Civil Rights movement to create, in small groups, a 2 to 4 minute public service announcement that targets 18 to 24 year olds (the lowest voting age group in the U.S.) and emphasizes the importance of voting and political participation in our society.

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Social Studies Curriculum Standards
3407 - United States Government
Performance Indicators:

understand the impact of individual and group decisions on citizens and communities
6.1

work independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals
Level 1

relate such factors as physical endowment and capabilities, learning, motivation, personality, perception, and behavior to individual development
Level 2

identify and interpret examples of stereotyping, conformity, and altruism
Level 3

understand how groups can effect change at the local, state national and world levels
6.2

identify and analyze examples of tension between expressions of individuality and group or institutional efforts to promote social conformity
Level 1

describe the role of institutions in furthering both continuity and change
Level 2

apply knowledge of how groups and institutions work to meet individual needs and promote the common good
Level 3

understand the evolution of political parties and their role as a mechanism for creating and sustaining political participation
6.3

trace the evolution of political parties
Level 1

associate political participation with the evolution of political parties
Level 2

consider the creation of a new political party, which will sustain political participation
Level 3

understand how the philosophies of liberalism and conservatism correlate to the two major American political parties
6.4

define the terms "liberal" and "conservative" as they relate to political parties today and in the past
Level 1

practice role-playing liberal and conservative decision-making with political party affiliation
Level 2

critique the effectiveness and consistency of political labeling related to political parties
Level 3

understand the impact and influence of participatory citizenship on government at all levels
6.5

list examples of citizen participation
Level 1

classify types of citizen participation
Level 2

select a student-designed project that requires citizen participation
Level 3

understand the role of individual leaders who have affected policies, case laws, and legislation
6.6

recall individuals who have affected policies, case law, and legislation
Level 1

associate individuals with policies, case and legislation
Level 2

rank individuals based on the impact they have had on policies, case law, and legislation
Level 3

understand the role of political action committees, non-profit organizations, and other groups that influenced policy and institutions
6.7

identify existing political action committees and non-profit organizations
Level 1

describe the processes used by these groups in shaping governmental policies and institutions
Level 2

recommend a course of action utilizing these groups to resolve a local issue
Level 3

Students will participate in a mock U.S. Senate simulation that requires: 1) identifying and researching a national issue 2) compiling research into a bill that will be submitted to a particular committee. 3) studying and selecting a political party during the simulation, 4) participating in the committee process to evaluate other bills from the class 5) participating in "Senate floor debate" as bills that passed out of committee are discussed and voted on.