U.S. Government Semester Curriculum
Day 1:
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Read chapter 1 section 1
Definition of government and public policy
3 powers of government
Dictatorship v. democracy
Characteristics of a state (nation/country)
4 theories on origins of government
Purpose of American government
Day 2:
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Read Chapter 1 sections 2 & 3
Different forms of government (democracy, dictatorship)
Differences between unitary, federal, and confederate governments
Presidential Government v Parliamentary Government
Foundations of American government
Day 3:
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Read Chapter 2 section 1
3 major concepts of government for colonies
English charters that impacted American government
3 types of colonies during Pre-Revolutionary Period
Day 4:
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Read Chapter 2 section 2
First attempts to unite the colonies
First and Second Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence
Day 5: Read Chapter 2 sections 3 & 4
- Weaknesses of Articles
- Creation of Constitution
Day 6:
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Read Chapter 3 section 1 & 2
Six Principles of Constitution
Amendment Process
Bill of Rights
Day 7:
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Read Chapter 4 section 1
Federalism
3 types of powers
Reserved and concurrent powers
Supremacy Clause
Day 8:
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Read Chapter 4 section 2 & 3
Federal Government’s relationship with the states
Federal financial aide to states
Relationship states have with each other
Day 9: UNIT 1 EXAM
Day 10: Read chapter 10 section 1
- Reasons for bicameral legislature
- Terms and sessions of Congress
Day 11: Read chapter 10 section 2 & 3;
- Size, Terms, Elections
- Qualifications
2 DAYS
Day 13: Read Chapter 10 section 4
- Current makeup of Congress
- General job of members
- Compensation
Day 14: Read Chapter 11 section 1
- Powers of Congress
- Interpretation of Constitution
Day 15: Read chapter 11 sections 2 & 3
- Expressed Powers of Congress
Day 16: Read Chapter 11 sections 4 & 5
- Implied Powers
- Nonlegislative Powers
- Impeachment and involvement in other branches
Day 17: Read Chapter 12 section 1
- Beginning of the term
- Presiding Officers
- Caucus
- Seniority Rule
Day 18: Read chapter 12 section 2; 2 DAYS
- Committees
- Do committee activity in the media center
Day 20: Read chapter 12 section 3 & 4; 5 DAYS
- How a bill becomes a law in Congress
- Making bills activity
Day 25: MAKE-UP DAY
Day 26: UNIT TEST
Day 27: Read Chapter 13 sections 1 & 2
- Term, Qualifications, Role of President
- Role of Vice President and Succession
Day 28: Read chapter 13 sections 3 & 4
- Role of Electoral College
- Role of Primaries
- Role of Convention
Day 29: Read Chapter 13 section 5
- Elections and Election reform
Day 30: Read Chapter 14 sections 1 & 2
- Growth of Presidential Power
- Executive Powers of Article II
Day 31: Read Chapter 14 section 3
- Military Power of the President
Day 32: Read Chapter 14 section 4
- Judicial Power of the President
Day 33: Read Chapter 18 section 1
- U.S. court system
- Jurisdiction
- Qualifications and pay for Judges
Day 34: Read Chapter 18 sections 2 & 3
- Inferior courts
- Supreme Court
Day 35: Read Chapter 18 section 4
- Specialty courts
Day 36: UNIT EXAM
Day 37: Read Chapter 5 sections 1 & 2
- Definition of political parties
- Job of parties
- Two-party system
- Multi-party system
Day 38: Read Chapter 5 section 3
- History of the two-party system
Day 39: Read Chapter 5 section 4
- Minor parties in America
Day 40: Read Chapter 5 section 5
- Organization of the party
Day 41: Read Chapter 7 section 1
- Nominating process
Day 42: Read Chapter 7 section 2
- Elections
Day 43: Read Chapter 7 section 3
- Campaign Finance Laws
Day 44: Read Chapter 8 section 1
- Influences on public opinion
Day 45: Read Chapter 8 section 2
- Measuring Public Opinion
Day 46: Read Chapter 8 section 3
- Role of Mass Media
Day 47 – 51: Measuring Public Opinion @ OLCHS activity
- Group activity creating and analyzing surveys
Day 52: Read Chapter 9 sections 1 & 2
- Explanation of Interest Groups
- Role of Interest Groups
- Types of Interest Groups
Day 53: Read Chapter 9 section 3
- Jobs of interest groups
Day 54 – 57: Interest Groups Activity
- Formulation of interest groups around 2 candidates stances on issues
- Creation of explanation of purpose, logo, and slogan
- Influence of public officials on agenda
- Conclusion of the activity
Day 58: UNIT EXAM
Day 60: Read Chapter 19 section 1
- Civil Liberties v Civil Rights
- Purpose of 5th and 14th Amendment
- Purpose of 9th Amendment
Day 61: Read Chapter 19 section 2;
- Establishment Clause
- Free Exercise Clause
- Related cases
2 DAYS
Day 63: Read Chapter 19 section 3
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedom of Press
Day 64: Read Chapter 19 section 4
- Freedom of Assembly
- Freedom of Petition
Day 65: Read Chapter 20 section 1
- Explanation of Due Process
Day 66: Read Chapter 20 section 2
- Probable Cause
- Exclusionary Rule
- Arrest v Search warrant
- Automobile v home search
Day 67: Read Chapter 20 section 3
- Rights of the accused
Day 68: Read Chapter 20 section 4
- Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Day 69: Read Chapter 21 sections 1 & 2
- Discrimination in the U.S.
- Segregation in the U.S.
Day 70: Read Chapter 21 sections 3 & 4
- Civil Rights Acts
- Citizenship and Naturalization
Day 71: UNIT MAKE-UP DAY
Day 72: UNIT EXAM