12th Grade American Government Syllabus
Mr. Monson
COURSE OVERVIEW:
United States Government is a one-semester required course for Grade 12.
Its goal is to foster the development of civic competence and civic participation
for all students. In this course, students use the knowledge and analytical
thinking skills learned in the Grades 10-11 United States History courses to focus
on the origins, structure, and functions of government at all levels in the nation.
Emphasis is placed on intellectual factors that influenced the development of a
republic based on the rule of law, freedom of opportunity, individual liberty, and
representative democracy. The course also includes a detailed study of the
Constitution of the United States and its provisions. Students go beyond the
acquisition of facts to develop skills for collection, in-depth analysis, and
interpretation of information important to the study of government. Students in
the Grade 12 United States Government course engage in analysis of primary
sources, including those specific to the founding of the United States, speeches,
landmark Supreme Court cases, and relevant political commentaries.
Twelfth-grade students have achieved developmental maturity sufficient
for in-depth analysis of societal issues, problems, and solutions. These students
have the potential to become participating citizens in the fullest sense—voting,
jury duty, and political office. Therefore, twelfth graders benefit from an
instructional environment that promotes critical thinking and research and
provides opportunities for civic participation. Social science research using
technological resources and presentation with computer technology is
encouraged. Simulation and debate offer vital interaction with peers that also
aids in social development, fosters long-term learning of content, and encourages
all students to reach their potential.
COMMON CORE STANDARDS TO BE ADDRESSED:
Key Ideas and Details

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and
secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the
text as a whole.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or
secondary source; provide an accurate summary that makes clear the relationships among the
key details and ideas.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.3 Evaluate various explanations for actions or events and
determine which explanation best accords with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text
leaves matters uncertain.
Craft and Structure

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used
in a text, including analyzing how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term over the
course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.5 Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is structured,
including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to the whole.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.6 Evaluate authors’ differing points of view on the same historical
event or issue by assessing the authors’ claims, reasoning, and evidence.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented
in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to
address a question or solve a problem.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.8 Evaluate an author’s premises, claims, and evidence by
corroborating or challenging them with other information.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and
secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among
sources.
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.10 By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend history/social
studies texts in the grades 11–CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
The preceding standards were taken from the following website:
http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RH/11-12
Topics to be addressed: The following are the topics that will be covered in
the semester of American Government.
Week1-2: Origins of American Government
Week 3-4: Principles of United States Government
Week 5-6: Constitutional construction and Make-up
Week 7-8: Legislative Branch
Week 9-10: Executive Branch
Week 11-12: Judicial Branch
Week13-14: Political Parties
Week 15-16: Voters and Voting Behavior
Week 17-18: Comparative Government and Review for Exam
*** This is plan is subject to change based on needs of the class. ***
Grading Scale and Weights:
The grading scale for this course is designed within the Social Science
Department framework. This course uses a graduated weighting system, which
places more work on the test portion of the course. This is done in order to help
prepare student for the undergraduate college experience. Grades and weighting
are as follows:
TESTS: 60 %
CLASSWORK/ DAILY WORK/ QUIZZES: 30 %
CLASS PARTICIPATION/HOMEWORK: 10%