EPPING HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS

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1 Course Title: Course Description District Competencies for Learning District Skills Competencies for Learning Civics This required course prepares students to learn the rights and responsibilities necessary to be productive citizens while also developing decision-making skills. Special attention will be given to origins of American Government, the Constitution and how the three branches of government function at the national and state level. The political party process will be integrated into the study of civics in an effort to help students define their role in the democratic process. As part of this course, students will also study how to become responsible, knowledgeable citizens who are committed to participation in public affairs. Students will be expected to participate in class and complete research and projects; tests and quizzes; and to continually improve critical thinking and writing skills in order to master the competencies of this course. Students will understand concepts and demonstrate ability to transfer skills across content areas and apply concepts and skills to real-life situation. People, Places & Environment Students will understand that individuals, groups and societies interact with each other, their social and physical environments such that cultures evolve over time. Conflict & Cooperation Students will understand that conflict and cooperation together shape the development of society. Global Communication Students will understand that society is impacted by its history, the arts, literature, language and technological advances. Citizenship Students will understand the role of citizens as members of national and global communities and their responsibilities as individual members of a group. Students will become a: Collaborator Students will understand that respect, collaboration, and leadership are critical to interacting and working effectively with others. Communicator Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly using the most appropriate and effective means. Contributor Students will demonstrate the ability to contribute toward a better world through community service, acceptance and tolerance of diverse people, and responsibility for the environment. Evaluator Students will demonstrate the ability to access, evaluate, use, and manage information. Learner Students will demonstrate the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and accountable throughout the learning process. Producer Students will demonstrate the ability to manage projects, produce results, and create media products. Technology User Students will demonstrate the ability to use technology respectfully and apply it effectively.

2 Thinker Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, creatively, and systemically to define and solve problems. School Based Course Competency Statements (CCS linked to DCL) Units of Study 1. Conflict and cooperation together shape the development of government. (Conflict and Cooperation / Global Communication) 2. There is a relationship between civic ideals and practices. American political relations have been influenced by changing patterns of class, ethnicity, race and gender. (People, Places and Environment / Citizenship) 3. As the individuals, groups, and societies interact with each other and their social environments, the political environment evolves, both domestically and on a global scale. (People, Places and Environment / Conflict and Cooperation / Global Communication) 4. The role of government in the economy varies as forms of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services change over time. As cultures interact or collide on the American continent the interpretation of the Constitution changes. (People, Places and Environment / Conflict and Cooperation / Citizenship) 5. Americans express their values and beliefs in art, literature, music and philosophy. Technological advancements have both positive and negative impacts on the development of American policies. (Global Communication / People, Places and Environment) 6. Americans have experienced an ongoing tension between freedom and security, liberty and equality, and individualism and the common good. (Citizenship / Conflict and Cooperation)) 1. Power, Authority and Government The Nature of Power, Politics, Economics and Government Comparing Forms of Governments 2. Foundations of American Government The Roots of American Democracy The United States Constitution The Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties

3 Federalism: National, State, and Local 3. Political Participation and Behavior Citizen Participation in a Democracy Parties, Interest Groups, and Public Policy Public Opinion and the Media Political Campaigns and Elections Course Unit Content and Skills Power, Authority and Government 1. Why should you care about power, politics and government? Examine the concept of power and how it influences politics and shapes government authority. Complete a personal power assessment to evaluate power in their own lives. In an Experiential Exercise, students participate in a trading game to explore how people gain and exercise power. Analyze quotations that express various views about power to determine which they believe are most true about power, politics, and their own lives. Analyze the relationship between power and authority. Describe the purpose and role of government. Explain how political behavior is a natural function of society. Evaluate differing assumptions held by people across time and place regarding power and authority. 2. How should political and economic power be distributed in a society? Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of governments and economic systems. Debate the benefits and drawbacks of having various groups of people at their school make the rules. In a Response Group activity, students take on the role of representatives at a constitutional convention that is charged with creating a stable government and an economic system for a fictitious, newly independent country. Suggest government and economic systems based on a new country s various priorities. Analyze the origins and development of governments over time and classify various political systems. Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various political systems and compare the ways in which power is distributed in systems of shared power. Compare and contrast constitutional democracies with authoritarian regimes;

4 presidential and parliamentary governments; and federal, confederal, and unitary systems of government. Classify and evaluate various economic systems and identify the role of government in each. Foundations of American Government 1. What ideas gave birth to the world s first modern democratic nation? Trace the evolution of democratic government in the United States by analyzing the political philosophies, documents, and historical figures that shaped its development. Compare ancient Greek and Roman buildings with those in Washington, D.C., to predict how ancient ideas influenced the United States. Evaluate the historical ideas and political philosophies that shaped the development of the U.S. government. Summarize key political principles expressed in the foundational documents of the US. Examine events that led to the writing and ratification of the Constitution. 2. How and why did the framers distribute power in the Constitution? Examine the Constitution to understand its guiding principles and the basic structure of the government it created. Examine an outline of the Constitution and draw inferences about the intentions of the framers in creating our government. In a Social Studies Skill Builder, students delve into the Constitution during three engaging challenges that require them to examine specific provisions of the document as well as its overarching principles. Examine the fundamental governing principles on which the Constitution is based and how those principles are embodied in the document. Analyze how the Constitution establishes a limited government in which powers are distributed among different levels and branches. Summarize how the various elements of the Constitution exemplify efforts by the framers to divide power. Propose and defend amendments to the Constitution. 3. How are your rights defined and protected under the Constitution? Study the Bill of Rights, with a particular focus on debates over the protection of civil liberties contained in the First Amendment. Examine a school-based situation involving a conflict of rights and then explain what they think is fair. In a Problem Solving Group work activity, students simulate a Supreme Court hearing on a First Amendment case that focuses on a conflict of rights. Students examine a current event involving a conflict of rights and argue what

5 they believe is constitutional and fair. Examine the Bill of Rights and Supreme Court decisions and explain the evolution of the first 10 amendments. Discuss the meaning and significance of each right secured by the Bill of Rights. Debate landmark Supreme Court cases to explore what happens when rights conflict. Evaluate a current situation involving a conflict of rights to determine what they believe is constitutional and fair. 4. How does power flow through our federal system of government? Analyze the purpose and function of the U.S. federal system of government, identifying the roles and responsibilities of national, state, and local governments. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of sharing decision making with their parents. In a Response Group activity, students discuss three case studies illustrating the challenges of defining state and national powers in the federal system. Create a public service flyer to help young people understand how to use the federal system to create change in issues of importance to them. Identify the benefits and drawbacks of the federal system. Analyze historical and current challenges to defining national and state powers. Summarize the roles and responsibilities of national, state, and local governments. Demonstrate how to use the federal system to create change in a public issue. Political Participation and Behavior 1. How can you make a difference in a democracy? Learn about the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and how citizens can influence all levels of government. Analyze a photograph of a lunch counter sit-in and predict the problem being addressed and the tactics people in the picture are using to try to effect change. In a Visual Discovery activity, students identify forms of civic participation that individuals or groups have used to effect change on the local, national, and international levels. Identify and develop plans of action to address particular issues. Examine paths to U.S. citizenship and the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. Analyze methods of bringing about political change or maintaining the status quo. Identify forms of civic participation. Develop a plan to address a local, national, or international problem. 2. Political parties and interest groups: How do they influence our political decisions? Learn about the influential role of political parties and interest groups in

6 Instructional Strategies Assessment Strategies Approved February 2012 Revised August 2013 government and public policy. Analyze their political beliefs and reflect on their preconceived notions about, and affiliations with, political parties. In an Experiential Exercise, students work in groups to create informational Web sites about simulated presidential candidates and interest groups, before participating in a meet-and-greet to learn about the relationship between politicians and interest groups. Register to vote and then answer questions about their party choice and the role of parties in government and society. Analyze the roots of political parties and the role parties play in the political process and public policy development. Identify the organization of political parties, including third parties, and evaluate how participation in parties affects the government. Analyze the platforms of political candidates and parties. Evaluate the significance of interest groups in terms of their goals, methods, and influence on government and public policy. 3. To what extent do the media influence your political views? Learn about the role that public opinion and the media play in American politics. Analyze a political advertisement and identify the purpose of such media. In an Experiential Exercise, students work in groups to analyze persuasive techniques and then create and evaluate campaign commercials for presidential candidates. Write position statements on the reliability and effectiveness of campaign commercials. Analyze the role of the media in shaping public opinion. Evaluate the extent to which the media act as a free press. Analyze the influence of media coverage, political advertising, and public opinion polls on local, state, and national elections. Identify persuasive techniques and their application in U.S. campaigns. Write position statements about the influence of political advertising on voters. Individual and group learning through lecture, discussions, demonstrations, Experiential Exercises, Response Group Activities, Social Studies Skill Builders, Problem Solving Group Work, Visual Discovery, research and investigation. Homework, quizzes, mini-projects, unit tests, icivics labs, and presentations.

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