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U.S. Government
Mr. Leake
Room 208
Phone 480-982-1110 Ext:5347
dleake@ajusd.org
Why Study U.S. Government?
“We the people of the United States.....” (U.S. Constitution)
You are citizens of this country. The greatest nation in the history of the
world. It's your government. You make it/ You change it to fit your needs.
Our history constantly reiterates this. Your nation is changing as we speak.
As citizens we have basic needs that can only be met by our active
participation in the democratic process.
The need to be independent? (Revolution)
The need to be free? (Civil War/ Emancipation)
The need to have a voice? (Bill of Rights/ Voter Rights)
The Great Experiment
Our nation is a work in progress, a 200+ year old experiment.
We are still working towards the goals and ideals proposed by the founding
fathers. We are not perfect but in the end we are a nation with a government
of the people, by the people, for the people.
“To rule is easy, to govern difficult” Goethe
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” M.L.King Jr.
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet” Lincoln
U.S. Government
Course Syllabus
Government/ Politics/ Democracy
Our relationship with government, politics, public policy, and democracy is
inseparable from our interaction with society and the world. U.S. Government
studies will be the backbone of your understanding of this relationship, as
well as, a blue print for your responsibilities as a citizen. To understand
these concepts is to understand the part you can play to promote a free and
open society.
Course Units
** Principles of Government/ Basic concepts present in all governments
** Democratic Principles/ Theories and concepts in democracies
** U.S. Constitution/ History, key principles, text document, readings
** Executive Branch/ History, powers, principles, biographies
** Legislative Branch/ Key concepts/ principles & “Bill to Law” Unit
** Judicial Branch/ Powers, key historical decisions, impact
** State and Local Government/ Arizona History, state & local power
** Political Parties/ History, impact, voter behavior, special interest groups
** Voter Rights/ History of civil rights/ Laws, restrictions, expansion
Criteria
1.Each unit will include supplemental readings from primary and secondary
sources.
2.Daily review quizzes, study guides, unit reviews, unit tests (essay and
multiple choice), and a comprehensive semester test.
3.Writing: note taking, summaries, formal writing projects (research project,
news article, review, poster project)
4.Current events, discussion, readings, video of all related news
5.Guest speakers, relevant documentaries
6.Voter registration/ Each student will complete voter registration form
Evaluation
1.Each unit will be worth 200- 225pts. (Test 100pts.each/ S.G. 25-35pts./
Review 25pts./ 3-4 quizzes 45-50pts./ Reading W.S. 25-35pts.)
8 Units 1,800pts.
2.4 writing projects 450pts.
3.Semester test 250pts.
Total 2,500pts.
A= 2,500- 2,250pts.
B= 2,250- 2,000pts.
C= 2000- 1,750pts.
D= 1,750- 1,500pts.
F -1,500pts. (No Diploma)
Week of 01/14/08
U.S. Government
Unit I: Principles of Government
1. Complete Study Guide (Homework)#1-7 (Review Quiz 01/14/08)
2. Notes/ Discussion
* Purpose of Government (Preamble/ U.S. Const.)
* Forms of Government (Diagrams)
* Basic Concepts of Democracy
3. Review Quizzes 01/15-16-17
4. Complete Study Guide (1/17)
5. Unit Review (Test Prep 1/17)
6. UnitTest
Week of 01/22/08
Unit I Principles of Government
Writing Project #1: Review of "Lord of the Flies" (5 Paragraph essay)
** Prewrite Cluster/ Notes/ Plot & Character info/ Unit I terms in film
** Video "Lord of the Flies
** Rough Draft Friday/ Final draft due 01/29/08
Week of 01/28
Writing Project #1 "Lord of the Flies"
** 1/28-29 Complete Prewrite/ Project overview/ Criteria/ Writing Process
Rough Draft
Final Draft due Fri. 02/1
Unit II. U.S. Constitution
** Historical Background/ Ratification
** Key Sources for Constitution
** Foundation/ Concepts of Democracy
** Homework: Study Guide # 1-6
Week of 02/04
U.S. Constitution Unit
** Study Guide 1-16 complete
** Ratification process/ Notes/ Review Quiz
** Readings: Selected "Federalist Papers"/ Anti Federalist Speech- Luther
Martin
** Summary Chart (Articles I- III)
** Iraq update (Cultural Conflicts)
Week of 2/11
U.S. Constitution Unit cont.
** Amendment Process (Art.V)
** Basic Theories/ Notes/ Readings/ Analysis of Afghan./Iraq/Mexico Const.
** Reading:Analysis- Amendments 1-10 (W.S.)
** Complete Study Guide
** Complete Unit Review
** Unit Test/ Thurs- 02/14/08
Week of 2/18
** Const. Unit closure/ 2nd Amendment: Critical analysis
(Mon./Tues.)
Executive Branch Unit
** Historical Background/ Qualifications/ Inherent Roles/ Constitution Powers
** Homework: Study Guide/ Selected readings
** Review Quiz Thurs./ Fri.
** Sign up for Presidential Project
Week of 2/25
** Review quiz (Various roles of the President)
** Qualifications/ restrictions
** Study Guide #1-9
** Electoral College/ Background/ Procedure
W.S. Electoral College Map
** Review Quiz (Qualifications/ V.P. role)
** 12th Amendment/ Nomination Process (Primaries, Caucus System/ National
Conventions
** Presidential Powers (Appointment/ Veto/ Ordinance/ Pardon
** Complete Study Guide
** Review/ Test Prep
Week of 3/17
** Executive Branch research project
** Prewrite activities
1) Biographical research/ Notes
2) Summary activity
3) Interview format
Week of 3/24
Legislative Branch Unit
** Compare/ Contrast House & Senate
1) Qualifications
2) Terms/ Leadership/ AZ members
3) Powers/ War/ Impeach/ Art. II
4) Necessary and Proper clause
** Notes/ Discussion/ Readings/ Review Quizzes/ Study Guide
** Test Review
** Unit Test 3/30
Week of 3/31
** Congress in Action Unit
1) 110th Congress: Key details/ Sessions/ Leadership role/ Senority
impact/ Discipline
2) Resolutions: Concurrent & Joint Res.
3) Bill: Public/ Private
3/31- 4/3
( Notes/ Statisics/ Readings (SB 271)/ Quizzes/ Study Guide)
** Bill to Law Project
1) Students will create an informative, detailed poster depicting
the process of a Bill becoming Law
2) Formate/ Criteria/ Rubric/ Prewrite Fri. 4/4
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