American Government 1st Semester Course Outline Teachers: D. Knight, S. Lange, C. Maxwell, J. Wallace, G. Wainaina

Foundations of American Government – weeks 2-5

A. Role of Government: September 11 – 15 14.A.4 Analyze how local, state and national governments serve the purpose for which they are created. Kellman, American Government – Chapter 1: Role of Government

Section 2: Forms of Government Section 3: Foundations of Democracy B. Origins of US Government: September 18 – 29 14.F.3b Describe how United States political ideas and traditions were instituted in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Kellman, American Government – the purpose for which they are created. Kellman, American Government - Chapter 2: Origins of U.S. Government

Section 3: The First National Government Section 4: The Constitutional Convention Section 5: Ratifying the Constitution C. The U.S. Constitution: September 25 – 29 14.F.3a Analyze historical influences on the development of political ideas and practices as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Illinois Constitution Kellman, American Government - Chapter 3: The U.S. Constitution Section 1: Basic Principles Section 2: Amending the Constitution Section 3: A Flexible Document D. Federalism: October 2 – 4 14.A.5 Analyze ways in which federalism protects individual rights and promotes the common good and how at times has made it possible for states to protect and deny rights for certain groups

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 4: Federalism Section 1: Powers and Responsibilities

Section 2: Growth of Federalism Section 3: Relations among the States

Simeon Assessment #1 – October 4, 2006

Simeon Career Academy Social Studies Department

8147 S. Vincennes, Chicago, IL 773. 535.3200 ext. 2235

The U.S. Political System – weeks 6-9 A. Public Opinion: October 10 - 13 14.D.3 Describe roles and influences of individuals, groups and media in shaping current Illinois and the United States public policy (e.g., general public opinion, special interest groups, formal parties, media)

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 16: Public Opinion

Section 1: What is Public Opinion? Section 3: The Media and the Public Good

B. Interest Groups: October 16 – 20 14.D.4 Analyze roles and influences of individuals, groups and media in shaping current debates on state and national policies

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 17: Interest Groups Section 1: Role of Interest Groups Section 2: How Interest Groups Work

Chapter 18: Political Parties Section 1: Role of Political Parties

C. Political Parties: October23 – 27 14.D.5 Interpret a variety of public policies and issues from the perspectives of different individuals and groups

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 18: Political Parties Section 4: Political Parties and the Public Good

Chapter 19: The Electoral Process Section 1: Nominating Candidates Section 2: Campaigns and Campaign Financing

D. The Electoral Process: October 30 – November 2 14.C.4 Describe the meaning of participatory citizenship (e.g., volunteerism, voting) at all levels of government and society in the U.S.

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 19: The Electoral Process Section 3: Elections and Voting

Simeon Assessment #2 – November 2, 2006 First Quarter Final Exam

State Government – week 10 A. State Government: November 6-10 14.B.3 Identify and compare the basic political systems of Illinois and the United States as prescribed in their Constitutions

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 20: State Government Section 1: The States Section 2: Local Government Organization Section 3: Revenue and Local Services

The Branches of Government - weeks 11 -14 A. Legislative Branch: November 13-17 14.A.1 Describe the fundamental principles of government including representative government, government law, individual rights and the common good

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 5: Role and Powers of Congress Section 1: Role of Congress

Section 2: House and Members of Congress Section 3: Powers of Congress Kellman, American Government – Chapter 6: Congress at Work Section 1: Organization of Congress Section 3: How a Bill Becomes a Law

B. Executive Branch: November 20 – December 4 14.A.4 Analyze how local, state and national governments serve the purposes for which they were created

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 7: The Presidency Section 1: The Presidential Office Section 2: Presidential Powers Section 3: Presidential Nomination and Election Kellman, American Government – Chapter 8: Executive Branch at Work

Section 1: Executive Office of the President and the Cabinet

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 9: Economic Policy Section 3: The Federal Budget Section 4: Deficit Spending and the Economy

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 10: Foreign Policy and National Security Section 1: Goals and Principles of U.S. Foreign Policy

Section 2: Making Foreign Policy

Simeon Assessment #3 – December 6, 2006Public Law 195 Exam

Simeon Assessment #4 – January 24, 2007

FIRST SEMESTER FINAL EXAM

The Branches of Government (cont’d) – weeks 15-16

C. Judicial Branch: December 11-15 14.A.3 Describe how responsibilities are shared and limited by the United States and Illinois Constitutions and significant court decisions

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 11: Federal Court System Section 1: The Lower Courts Section 2: The Supreme Court

Section 3: The Courts and the Public Good

D. U.S. Legal System: December 18 – 22 14.A.3 Describe how responsibilities are shared and limited by the United States and Illinois Constitutions an significant court decisions

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 12: The U.S. Legal System Section 1: U.S. Law

Section 2: The Criminal Justice System Section 3: Corrections

Rights and Responsibilities – weeks 17-19 A. Fundamental Freedoms: January 8-12 14.A.5 Analyze ways in which federalism protects individual rights and promotes the common good and how at times has made it possible for states to protect and deny rights for certain groups

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 13: Fundamental Freedoms Section 1: Freedoms and the Bill of Rights

B. Individual Rights: January 15 – 19 14.C.3 Compare historical issues involving rights, roles and status of individuals in relation to municipalities, states and nation.

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 14: Assuring Individual Rights Section 1: Protecting Individual Liberties Section 2: Rights of the Accused Section 3: Ensuring Fair Trials and Punishments

C. Protecting Civil Rights: January 19 – 22 14.C.5 Analyze the consequences of participation and non-participation in the electoral process (e.g., women’s suffrage, voter registration, effects of media).

Kellman, American Government – Chapter 15: Protecting Civil Rights Section 3: Struggle for Civil Rights Section 4: Civil Rights Laws