Course Rationale:
American Government is a one semester course that is the culmination of the
civic literacy strand preparing our students to vote, to reflect on the
responsibility of citizenship, and to participate in community activities.
Critical thinking, oral and written communication and cooperative learning
behaviors are all emphasized. The course follows the California Social
Science Standards, meets the state requirement for high school graduation
and the University of California entrance requirements. Five credits are
awarded for this one semester course.
Course Description:
The course will pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of
American government in order to prepare the student to become an effective
citizen in American society. The student will focus on the development of
the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and study the court cases defining
our rights and limitations. Students will have a thorough understanding of
our nation’s political party system, as well as the governmental
relationships within our federal system and the separation of powers/checks
and balances within our national government.
Journal: Students will be responsible for purchasing and maintaining a
journal that will be used for notes, review and preview questions, and other
entries designed to highlight thematic topics. Journals should be brought
to class every day.
Community Participation: A significant feature of American Government (and
Economics, as well) is the requirement of six hours of community
participation. Different from community service, community participation
deals with being involved in the community by attending city council
meetings, school board meetings, viewing court cases, etc. Failure to meet
the six-hour requirement per semester will result in failing the class.
This is a requirement for each American Government and Economics course at
Rancho Buena Vista High School. Further information can be downloaded from
my web page or the Rancho Buena Vista High School website.
Supreme Court Case Re-enactment and Paper: Ten percent of the grade will be
based on a research paper and accompanying re-enactment of a landmark
Supreme Court case which will take place in May.
Resource Material: Magruder’s American Government, William McClenaghan
Course Objectives: American Government
Grade Twelve Essential Standards
Vista Unified School District
12.1 Students will understand the foundation of American democracy
through the study of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of
Confederation, Constitution and Bill of Rights.
12.13 Explain the influence of classical liberalism within the documents.
12.16 Understand the importance of the Bill of Rights in limiting the
power of the federal and state governments in order to protect
individual liberties.
12.21 Students will discuss the meaning and importance of each right
protected under the Bill of Rights and how each is secured.
12.4 Students will identify the structure of the three branches of the
federal government as established in Article One, Article Two and
Article Three of the Constitution. Students will understand our
system of Checks and Balances.
12.41 Describe how the Senate and House of Representatives are organized;
requirements imposed; enumerated and implied powers, and how laws
are made.
12.44 Discuss the powers of the President; requirements; the electoral
college and presidential succession amendments.
12.45 Explain the role and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the
implementation of Judicial Review, including the role of the
inferior courts established by Congress.
12.5 Students will understand the Supreme Court’s role in the
interpretation of the Constitution, Bill of Rights and the
additional amendments.
12.51 Describe the cases involving the First Amendment’s protections of
our basic freedoms and Fourteenth Amendment‘s due process and equal
protection clauses.
12.54 Explain the controversies and changes in our protection of civil
rights and civil liberties within the past century (court cases and
political action).
12.7 Students will explain the relationship of the three levels of
government within our nation (federal, state and local).
12.73 Discuss reserved powers and concurrent powers.
12.74 Discuss the Ninth and Tenth Amendments and the impact they had on
state and federal power.
12.76 Compare the jurisdiction and organization within each level of
government and the impactlobbying and the media have had on each.
Grading Scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
Percentage Breakdown:
Attendance 10%
Participation 10%
Journal 10%
Supreme Court Research Paper / Re-enactment 10%
Classwork / Homework / Projects / Tests / Final Exam 50%
Community Participation 10%
Attendance and participation are important features of your grade. Because
class begins on time, it is important – as well as respectful – not to be
tardy. Excessive tardies and absences (more than 7) will affect your
grade. Homework is due on the due date at the beginning of the period. 10%
will be deducted for each day the homework is late, and will not be accepted
after the 4th school day it was due.
