Download Unit/Outcome 1

Civics and Economics Outcomes, 2014
Unit/Outcome 1: Connect people, ideas, and events to the development of American
government.
Topics/Targets: Types of Government, American Independence, Enlightenment (natural
rights, separation of powers, social contract, popular sovereignty, rule of law), Articles of
Confederation, Federalists v. Antifederalists
1.P.1: Compare basic structure and function of select types of government: anarchy,
democracy (direct and representative), monarchy, constitutional monarchy, theocracy,
aristocracy/oligarchy, and totalitarianism/dictatorship.
1.HP.1: Identify examples and compare advantages and disadvantages of each.
1.P.2: Critique the reasons for American independence (or grievances against the King),
as outlined in the Declaration of Independence.
1.HP.2: Identify the articles of and/or amendments to the Constitution that
specifically address these grievances.
1.P.3: Evaluate the contributions of select Enlightenment philosophers (Locke,
Montesquieu, Rousseau) to American government. (Evaluate the impact of the
Enlightenment on democratic ideas and institutions.) AND identify/define basic
principles of democracy.
1.HP.3: Specify which values and principles of Enlightenment philosophers were
adopted and where they can be found in American documents.
1.P.4: Analyze weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
1.HP.4: Explain how these weaknesses were specifically addressed in the
Constitution.
1.P.5: Compare the basic arguments of and compromises between Federalists and
Antifederalists.
1.HP.5: Explain how Federalists and Antifederalists might align themselves with
contemporary political parties.
Unit/Outcome 2: Evaluate key provisions of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Topics/Targets: Purpose of, Delegated Powers/Separation of Powers, Federalism,
Checks and Balances, Individual Rights (Bill of Rights and students’ rights)
2.P.1: Explain the goals of the Constitution according to its preamble.
2.HP.1: Provide examples of ways in which today’s government attempts to meet
these goals.
2.P.2: Identify specific duties and powers delegated to the 3 branches of federal
government.
2.HP.2: Explain how the separation of powers is essential to each branch’s
independence and to the performance of delegated duties and powers.
2.P.3: Explain the concept and purpose of federalism.
2.HP.3: Explain how this division of power is important to the independence and
function of different levels of government (federal, state, and local).
2.P.4: Identify the ways in which the 3 branches of government “check” and “balance”
one another.
2.HP.4: Explain how the system of checks and balances helps to prevent the abuse
of power.
2.P.5: Evaluate individual rights as enumerated in the Bill of Rights.
2.HP.5: Select a Supreme Court Case involving students’ rights and explain
whether and how individual rights are protected and/or limited at school.
HP: Completed Constitution slide presentation, Pocket Bill of Rights, and Supreme
Court case presentation/poster
Unit/Outcome 3: Compare the structure and function of the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches (at federal, state, and local levels).
3.P.1: Explain the legislative process (i.e. how a bill becomes law in Congress and
how laws are passed via referendum and initiative).
3.HP.1: Explain how deliberation (long and careful consideration or
discussion), conflict, compromise, and special interests contribute (add) to or
detract (take away) from the legislative process.
3.P.2: Investigate executive powers and explain how these powers are delegated
among executive agencies and departments.
3.HP.2: Characterize the responsibilities of select executive departments and
agencies.
3.P.3: Evaluate the structure of the federal and state court systems (district, superior,
appeals, and Supreme), the process of appeals, and the interplay of courts.
3.HP.3: Explain how the court systems (state and federal) are analogous to an
elevator.
3.P.4: Explain the concept of judicial review.
3.HP.4: Explain how Marbury v. Madison established the power of judicial
review, making the judiciary a co-equal branch of government.
3.P.5: Explain the concept of jurisdiction as it applies to the courts and to law
enforcement.
3.HP.5: Given a scenario and/or a variety of scenarios, determine which type
(or types) of law has been violated, which law enforcement agency (or
agencies) holds jurisdiction and which court (or courts) holds jurisdiction.
Topics/Targets: Bill Becomes Law (incl. referendum and initiative), Executive Powers,
Court Systems, Judicial Review, Jurisdiction
Unit/Outcome 4: Explore how people, political parties, media and special interests affect
democratic processes (+immigration, naturalization, and citizenship).
P.4.1: Explain how specific Amendments and acts helped to expand the American
electorate; explain how attempts were made to suppress the electorate.
P.4.2: Evaluate political parties, their platforms, and the voting process.
P.4.3: Evaluate the media’s and special interests’ influence (e.g. campaign spending) on
political campaigns.
P.4.4: Explain the presidential electoral process; argue whether or not it is fair.
P.4.5: Evaluate the processes of citizenship, immigration, and naturalization.
Topics/Targets: Expanding the Electorate (amendments and acts), the Election Process
(incl. voting, media, special interests and electoral college), Citizenship and
Naturalization, Political Parties and Platforms, Influences on the Political Process
Unit/Outcome 5: Evaluate the impact of “landmark” Supreme Court decisions.
Topics/Targets:Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, Miranda v. Arizona,
Marbury v. Madison, District of Columbia v. Heller, Citizens United v. Federal Election
Commission, Plessy v. Ferguson, Bush v. Gore, Lawrence v. Texas, Dred Scott v. Sanford
Unit/Outcome 6: Apply knowledge of personal finance to real-world financial plans and
decisions.
P.6.1: Use a career plan to develop personal income potential.
P.6.2: Organize and plan personal finances and use a budget to manage
cash flow.
P.6.3: Apply reliable information and systematic decision-making to personal financial
decisions.
P.6.4: Implement a diversified investment strategy that is compatible with personal
goals.
Topics/Targets: budget (revenue and expenditure), credit, interest (and rates)
Unit/Outcome 7: Investigate government revenue and expenditure, economic regulation, and
consumer protection.
P.7.1: Identify sources of government revenue and types of government spending.
P.7.2: Determine the causes and consequences of surplus, deficit, and debt.
P.7.3: Analyze the government’s role in economic regulation.
P.7.4: Analyze the government’s role in consumer protection.
P.7.5: Examine the distribution of income, wealth, and economic resources in America.
Unit/Outcome 8: Analyze the ways in which economic systems, markets, and indicators
influence economic decisions.
P.8.1: Identify economic choices, factors of production, and opportunity costs.
P.8.2: Compare economic systems (traditional, market, command, and mixed).
P.8.3: Evaluate market supply, demand, and equilibrium.
P.8.4: Examine causes of inflation (and deflation) and relevant market indicators (e.g.
CPI)
P.8.5: Evaluate the ways in which we measure the economy (e.g. GDP).
Unit/Outcome 9: Explain how domestic and international economies depend upon and influence
one another.
P.9.1: Evaluate absolute and comparative advantages to determine balance of trade.
P.9.2.: Examine the purpose and policy of international trade organizations and
agreements (e.g. WTO and NAFTA).
Unit/Outcome 10: Investigate the ways in which the fiscal and monetary policies of
governments and financial institutions affect the economy.
P.10.1. Explain how the Federal Reserve acts to affect monetary supply, interest rates,
and the health of the economy.
P.10.2. Analyze the Federal Reserve’s response to the Great Depression and Great
Recession.