Course U.S. Government
Grading
Period
Austin ISD Semester Itinerary
Big Ideas/Enduring Understandings
The Philosophy and Foundations
of Government and Political Behavior:
Societies have historically resolved conflict through
legal procedure, forced, and or compromised. Their
governments became shaped by principles and
ideas recorded over time. External and internal
factors continue to impact the evolution of
government.
Essential Questions
Focus TEKS Student
Expectations
1. Why do we have governments, and why should we care
about power, politics, and government?
2. How do the differing values of citizens, individually and
collectively, influence government policy?
3. What external factors influence your political views?
GOV1A, GOV1B, GOV2A,
GOV2B, GOV2C, GOV2D,
GOV3A, GOV3B, GOV6A,
GOV8A, GOV8B, GOV8C,
GOV8D, GOV8E, GOV8F,
GOV9A, GOV9E, GOV9G,
GOV10A, GOV10B, GOV10C,
GOV10D, GOV11A, GOV11B,
GOV12A, GOV12B, GOV12C,
GOV12D, GOV 13A, GOV 13C,
GOV14A, GOV14B, GOV16A,
GOV16B, GOV16C, GOV17A,
GOV17C, GOV18A, GOV18B,
GOV18C, GOV19B, GOV20A,
GOV20B, GOV 21A, GOV21B,
GOV21C, GOV21D, GOV21E,
GOV22A, GOV22B, GOV22C,
GOV22D, GOV22F, GOV23A,
GOV23B
1. How can abuse of political power be avoided?
2. How does the structure of a State’s political system
reflect its values?
3. Why is citizen participation necessary to preserve the
integrity of a State’s political system?
GOV2B, GOV3A, GOV3B,
GOV4A, GOV4B, GOV5B,
GOV6A, GOV6B, GOV6C,
GOV7B, GOV8A, GOV8B,
GOV8D, GOV9A, GOV9B,
GOV9D, GOV9E, GOV9G,
GOV11A, GOV11B, GOV12C,
GOV12D, GOV16D, GOV17C,
GOV20A, GOV21A, GOV21B,
GOV21C, GOV21D, GOV21E,
GOV21F, GOV 22A, GOV22B,
GOV22C, GOV22D, GOV23A,
GOV23B
1st
Institutions of National Government
Government exists to serve and protect its people.
Government establishes rules that people are
expected to live by. The way a government
enforces laws reflects who and what a particular
society values.
2nd
© 2010 Austin Independent School District
2010-2011
Course U.S. Government Page 1 of 2
updated 5/4/10
Course U.S. Government
Grading
Period
Austin ISD Semester Itinerary
Big Ideas/Enduring Understandings
Essential Questions
Rights and Responsibilities
The powers of judicial agencies found in political
systems around the world include the interpretation
of traditional laws within that society and influence
the rights and civil liberties of individuals.
1. How do governments balance the rights of individuals
with the common good?
2. How do personal responsibilities and civic
responsibilities differ?
3. What is the process of becoming a citizen? What is the
impact of that process?
3rd
© 2010 Austin Independent School District
Course U.S. Government Page 2 of 2
2010-2011
Focus TEKS Student
Expectations
GOV1A, GOV2A, GOV2B,
GOV2D, GOV3A, GOV2B,
GOV4A, GOV5B, GOV6A,
GOV6B, GOV6C, GOV8A,
GOV8B, GOV8D, GOV8F,
GOV9C, GOV9E, GOV9F,
GOV9G, GOV9H, GOV10C,
GOV10 D, GOV11A, GOV12C,
GOV12D, GOV13A, GOV13B,
GOV13C, GOV14A, G14B,
GOV14C, GOV14D, GOV14E,
GOV14F, GOV15B, GOV15C,
GOV16A, GOV16B, GOV17B,
GOV17C, GOV18A, GOV18B,
GOV18C, GOV21A, GOV21B,
GOV21C, GOV21D, GOV21E,
GOV21F, GOV22A, GOV22B,
GOV22C, GOV22D, GOV23A,
GOV23B
updated 5/4/10