Civics

12th grade

1. The student understands and can explain the core values and principles of the U.S. democracy as set forth in foundational documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

• 1.1 Examines original documents
  • Mayflower Compact
  • Declaration of Independence
  • Constitution
  • Federalist Papers
  • Bill of Rights
• 1.2 Explains the following philosophies behind these documents
  • Liberty
  • Equality
  • Justice
  • Rule of law
• 1.3 Investigates the workings of representative democracy
  • Voting
  • Political campaigns
  • Lobbying
  • Congress
  • Law making process
  • Representative Ð constituent communication
  • Voter apathy
  • Electoral college

2. The student analyzes the purposes and organization of governments and laws.

• 2.1 Explains the reason for separation of powers and understands the function of the three branches including federal and state governments
• 2.2 Compares our democratic system with other forms of government
  • Republican / Representative democracy
  • True democracy
  • Totalitarianism
  • Communism
  • Monarchy
  • Socialism
  • Theocracy
• 2.3 Understands the function of law and the rights and responsibilities of citizens
  • Protection of life, liberty, and national security
  • Voting/Caucus/Parties
  • Supreme court interpretations of rights
  • Watchdog / 4th branch with media

3. The student understands the purposes and organization of international relationships and how U.S. foreign policy is made.

• 3.1 Examines the role of the President, the State Department, and Congress in shaping our foreign policy.
• 3.2 Understands the role of international trade and commerce in our foreign relations.

4. The student understands the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the principles of democratic civic involvement.

• 1. Explains how the rights of the individual are balances against the rights of society.
  • Locke
  • Rousseau
  • De Montesquieu
• 2. Examines various news sources to become informed citizens.
• 3. Identifies the rights of citizens to participate in local, state, and national government
  • Qualifications for voting
  • Qualifications for running for public office
  • Town meetings
  • Representative communication
  • Writing letters
  • Voting
• 4. Explains how citizen participation can influence public policy and impact the community.
  • Initiative process
  • Voter turn out / apathy
  • Volunteering
  • Protesting / letter writing, strikes, boycotting, civil disobedience