UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
CURRICULUM
COURSE DESCRIPTION
United States Government provides a framework for understanding the nature and importance of
responsible civic participation and for learning the rights and responsibilities of individuals in a
constitutional democracy. The course enables students to explore the historic origins and evolution of
political philosophies into contemporary political and legal systems. Constitutional structure and the
processes of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the national, state, and local levels of
government are examined. Students learn to draw conclusions about the impact and interrelationships
of history, geography, and economics upon our system of government. They also learn to demonstrate
an understanding of the governmental structure of the United States and other political systems, as well
as the relationship of American government to world affairs. Students learn to analyze the roes of
individuals and groups in the political process by identifying and analyzing political issues. They also
learn to access data from primary and secondary resources and use current technology to access
relevant source materials and as a tool for producing documents in support of learning projects.
Students have opportunities to take, defend, and evaluate positions on current issues that impact
political decision making. They should understand their ability to influence policies and decisions as
individuals and in groups. Related learning experiences in the school and community enable student to
learn how to participate effectively in the political process. The study of United States government
also offers students opportunities to develop knowledge, inquiry skills, and the means to preserve and
improve our constitutional democracy.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course provides a framework for understanding the purposes, principles, and practices of
American government as established by the United States Constitution. Students are expected to
understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and how to exercise these rights and
responsibilities in local, state, and national government.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
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Explain the various histories and philosophies behind the idea of government, including our
own form of government.
Understand the basic steps that led to the creation of the American Government.
Understand power sharing and the concept of federalism.
Describe the various parts of the U.S. Constitution and understand how each part affects the
operation of our government.
Understand civil liberties and civil rights and how they are seen today in the U.S.
Explain the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
Understand civic participation, including political participation in various forms, such as voting
and elections.
Explain the purpose behind political parties and how they function in American politics
Understand the role and functions of American foreign policy and how it affects the U.S. today.
INDIANA STATE STANDARDS
Standard 1 — The Nature of Citizenship, Politics, and Government
Students will identify, define, compare, and contrast ideas regarding the nature of government, politics,
and civic life, and explain how these ideas have influenced contemporary political and legal systems.
They will also explain the importance of government, politics, and civic engagement in a democratic
republic, and demonstrate how citizens participate in civic and political life in their own communities.
Standard 2 — Foundations of Government in the United States
Students will identify and define ideas at the core of government and politics in the United States,
interpret founding-era documents and events associated with the core ideas, and explain how
commitment to these foundational ideas constitutes a common American civic identity. They will also
analyze issues about the meaning and application of these core ideas to government, politics, and civic
life, and demonstrate how citizens use these foundational ideas in civic and political life.
Standard 3 — Purposes, Principles, and Institutions of Government in the United States
Students will explain how purposes, principles, and institutions of government for the American
people are established in the United States Constitution and reflected in the Indiana Constitution. They
will describe the structures and functions of American constitutional government at national, state, and
local levels, and practice skills of citizenship in relationship to their constitutional government.
Standard 4 — The Relationship of the United States to Other Nations in World Affairs
Students will analyze the interactions between the United States and other nations and evaluate the role
of the United States in world affairs.
Standard 5 — Roles of Citizens in the United States
Students will explain the idea of citizenship in the United States, describe the roles of United States
citizens, and identify and explain the rights and responsibilities of United States citizens. They will
also examine civic dispositions conducive to the maintenance and improvement of civil society and
government, and describe and demonstrate how citizens can participate responsibly and effectively in
the civic and political life of the United States.
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION
Unit 1:
Unit 2:
Unit 3:
Unit 4:
Foundations of Government
The Congress
The Presidency
The Judiciary
COURSE ASSESSMENTS
Daily Classwork
Essays
Tests
TSRs
Media Presentations (PowerPoint, Word)
TIMELINE
Week 1: “Founding Fathers” (Ambrose), Types of Government, Declaration of Independence,
American Revolution, Constitution, Breaking down Constitution,
“In God We Trust” Article (1, 2, 3)
Week 2: Three Branches of Government, Separation of Powers, Check & Balances, “Church and
State” (Carter), Pelican Brief (1, 3, 5)
Week 3: Congress, Terms, Sessions, Legislative Profile Writing Workshop, “Grant vs. Congress”
(Ambrose), Pelican Brief (1, 2)
Week 4: Elections, Jobs of Congress, Implied Powers vs. Enumerated Powers, “Teddy Roosevelt and
the beginning of the American Century” (Ambrose), Pelican Brief, Budget Problems
Social Security, Baby Boomers (1, 3)
Week 5: How a Bill becomes a Law, “Sins of Divorce & Homosexuality” (Carter), Special interest
groups, Pelican Brief (1, 3, 4)
Week 6: Foreign Policy, “The Distortion of American Foreign Policy” (Carter), Class Project US
Foreign Policy, Pelican Brief (1, 4)
Week 7: Foreign Policy Essay, Presidential Qualifications, Presidential Profiles (DVD) (1, 4, 5)
Week 8: Presidential Profiles (DVD), Presidential Powers (1, 4, 5)
Week 9: Writing Workshop (F.P. Essay) “Legacy of World War II Foreign Policy” (Ambrose), Civil
Rights & Civil Liberties (1, 4, 5)
Week 10: “Protect Our Arsenal” (Carter), Supreme Court, Marbury v. Madison, N.J. v. TLO
Discussion of Supreme Court Cases effecting students, Civil Liberties v. Civil Rights (4,5)
Week 11: Supreme Court Case Project, “A Time to Kill” (Essay) (4, 5)
Week 12: “The United States & Nation Building” (Ambrose), State and Local Government, Finals (1,3)
COURSE MATERIALS: MAJOR TEXTS, PRINCIPAL MATERIALS AND FILMS
KEY TEXTS:
United States Government (Holt/McDougal)
Our Endangered Values (Jimmy Carter)
Letters to America (Stephen Ambrose)
The New York Times: Up Front
Pelican Brief
An Innocent Man
FILMS: (MAY INCLUDE)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Air Force One
Pelican Brief
All the President’s Men
Why We Fight
Gideon’s Trumpet
Who Killed the Electric Car
An Inconvenient Truth
Sum of All Fears
A Time to Kill
Breach
War Room
Runaway Jury
Man of the Year
Presidential Profiles
Amistad