Lutheran High School
Government Syllabus
2015 - 2016
Course: U.S. Government – 1 semester, 5 credits
Teacher: Rev. Berndt
Description: This is a one-semester course studying how government works at the city, state, and federal
level. We will discuss how our government was formed and how it affects our lives on a day to day basis.
This course will also look at how the U.S. Government compares to other governments around the world
and what role our government plays in an ever-changing world.
Goals/Objectives:
- The student will be able to describe the role of government at the city, state, and federal
levels.
- The student will be able to explain the role of the U.S. Government in the world around
them.
- The student will be able to identify he basic rights of every American citizen and how the
government protects those rights.
Course Outline
Quarter 1
Principle of Government
- Differences between a State and Nation
- Identify the key features of the State
- Describe the purpose of Government
- What gives Government its authority?
Assignment – Purpose of Government Diagram
Formation of Governments
- Two major types of government systems
- Parts of a Constitution
Writing Assignment – What are the advantages and disadvantages to an unwritten
constitution versus a written constitution?
Types of Governments
- Three major types of Governments
- Two main forms of Democracy
- Features of a Democracy
Research and Writing Assignment – Identify 4 key characteristics of a Democracy and
how are they Present in America
Origins of American Government
- British Influences on American Government
- Formation of Colonial Governments
- Uniting for Independence
- The First and Second Continental Congress
- Formation of the Declaration of Independence
- Three main parts of the Declaration of Independence
- The Article of Confederation
o Type of Government formed
o Powers given to Congress
o Strengths and Weaknesses
The Constitution
- The Constitutional Convention
- Key Agreements
- Three major Compromises
- The Fight for Ratification
- Bill of Rights
Assignment – Debate Federalist v Anti-federalist
o Federalist Papers 10, 51, and 84
o Anti-federalist Papers 17, 51, and 84
The Federal System
- Three main parts of the Constitution
- Principles of Government built into the Constitution
- What is Federalism?
- Separations of Powers
- Checks and Balances
- Limits Placed on Government
- National v. State Powers
- Responsibilities of the State
- Process for Admission of new states
- Guarantee equality of the states
- Interactions between the national and state governments
- States Rights v Nationalist
Assignments
Memorization of Preamble and describe what it means
Memorization of the Bill of Rights
Diagram – The Three Branches of the U.S. Government and their Powers
Diagram – Division of Federal and State Powers
Writing Assignment – Write a response to the quote by Thomas Jefferson“When government fears the people there is Liberty, when the people fear the
government there is Tyranny.”
Writing Assignment – Who do you believe should have more power, the National
Government or the States? Why?
The Legislative Branches
- Organization of Congress
o House of Representatives
o Senate
- Privileges of Congress
- Congressional Committees
o Purpose of committees
o Kinds of Committees
o Support Agencies
- Congressional Powers
- Process for a Bill to become a law
- Taxing and Spending
- Helping Constituents
- What influences their decisions?
Assignment – How a Bill becomes a Law a worksheet
Research Assignment – Congressional Standing Committee
Quarter 2
The Executive Branch
- The Electoral College System
- The Powers of Executive
- Responsibilities of the Vice-President
- The Roles of the cabinet
- The Executive Office
- Presidential Leadership
o Powers of the President
o Qualities of the President
o Roles of the President
Movie – “Dave” – Identify how the main character fulfills each of the seven roles of
President.
The Judicial Branch
- The Federal Court system
- Powers of the Federal Court
- The Supreme Court
o How to become a Supreme Court Justice
o Make-up of the Supreme Court
o Tasks of the Supreme Court
o How decision are made and communicated
Assignment – Supreme Court Case Briefs that define the Judicial Branch Power
Citizenship
- Classifications of Immigrants
- Alien Rights, Responsibilities, and Restrictions
- How do you become a Citizen
- Qualifications for Citizenship
- Responsibilities of Citizens
Assignment – Supreme Court Case Briefs about Constitutional Freedoms of American
Citizens
Political Parties
- Development of Political Parties
- Types of Party Systems
- Role of the Third Party
- Organization of Political Parties
- Process for Nominating Candidates
- The National Convention
Writing Assignment – What challenges do 3rd parties face and how can they impact
legislation?
Research – Research the history and development of the two main political parties in the
U.S. today and identify their current platforms.
Elections and Voting
- Elections Campaigns
- Red States v Blue States
- Campaign Strategies and Organizations
- Financing the Campaign
- History of Voting Rights
- Major Influences on Voters
Opinion Paper – Why should you vote and why do people not vote?
Structure and Function of State Governments
- State Constitutions and their Characteristics
- Powers of State Legislative Branches
- Organization of the Three Branches of Government in States
- Financing State Governments and Sources of Revenue
Research Assignment – California State Constitution
Structure and Function of Local Governments
- Types of Local Governments
- Purposes of Local Governments
- Financing Local Governments and Sources of Revenues
- Challenges Faced by Local Governments
Political Systems in the World Today
- Different Types of Democracies
- Authoritarian States
- Global Security
Projects
Quarter 1 – Founding Father Paper and Presentation
Students will pick one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and write a short 3-5 page
biography. Students will need to describe the Founding Father’s childhood, role in the fight for
independence, and the impact they had on the development of the government. Each student will
then present their Founding Father to the rest of the class in a power point presentation.
School-wide Learner Outcomes attained – 1 and 2
Quarter 2 – Discovering your basic rights
Each student will research a Supreme Court cases that deals with our basic rights. Students will
write a one page summary of the case that includes; Who is the plaintiff? Who is the defendant?
What are the facts of the case that brought it before the Supreme Court? What is the constitutional
issue involved? How did the Court decide? Each group, or student, will develop a 3 slide
PowerPoint presentation that highlights the important points of the case and present it to the class.
School-wide Learner Outcomes attained – 1, 2, 4, and 5
Materials:
Textbook – Remy, Richard, Ph.D., United States Government: Democracy in Action, Glencoe
McGraw-Hill, 2002.
Other Resources – U.S. Constitution
Notebook Paper (student)
Pens or pencils (student)
Grading: Homework will be graded on a point system. Points will be translated into percentages, which
will determine the student’s final letter grade. The grading scale is as follows:
94% - 100% = A
74% - 77%
=C
90% – 93% = A70% - 73%
= C87% - 89%
= B+
67% - 69%
= D+
84% - 86%
=B
64% - 66%
=D
80% - 83%
= B60% - 63%
= D77% - 79%
= C+
59% & lower = F
Homework is due on the day it is due! If a student is absent they will have the same number of days to
turn in the work as they were absent. Tests will cover one to two chapters at a time or one every two to
three weeks. Your final quarter grade will be calculated using the following:
- Homework/Participation
- Tests/Quizzes
- Project
= 40%
= 40%
= 20%
Your final semester grade will be calculated using the following:
- Semester 1 Grade = 40%
- Semester 2 Grade = 40%
- Semester Final
= 20%
Student participation is mandatory. You will be required to read, remember, and apply what you have
learned. Quizzes may be given to check for reading and understanding and fit into the test portion of the
above quarter grade calculation. Students will be required to work in groups on some assignments and
will receive grades based on the performance of their group as well as the effort put in by the individual.
All group projects will fit into the homework and participation portion of the above quarter grade
calculation.
Lutheran High School Standards:
A student at Lutheran High School will:
-Respect People
-Respect Policy
-Respect Teaching & Learning Process
-Respect Property
-Respect Purpose