Civics

Course Description

This course provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible and effective citizens. Students will develop a practical understanding of the United States’ government as well as how it impacts their lives as citizens. This course serves as a foundation for the US History course. Students will become aware of the political and legal systems as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The goals of the course are drawn from the disciplines of political science, history, and geography.

Course Objectives

1. Students will understand and apply democratic and civic values.
2. Students will gain an understanding of the development and meaning of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 
3. Students will understand the role and connections of the Courts and the governmental process. 
4. Students will understand the roles and influence of the legislative, executive, and “bureaucratic” branches of the government. 
5. Students will understand the connections between politics and economics.
6. Students will understand the relevance of government in relationship to the current and ongoing issues that face our world today.

Readings & Study Materials

Readings and study materials will be provided by the teacher throughout the course of the semester using Google Classroom. 

Course Outline

Unit 1 - US Facts & Symbols 

Unit 2 - Background of Government

Unit 3 - Building a New Nation

Unit 4 - US Constitution

Unit 5 - Legislative Branch

Unit 6 - Executive Branch

Unit 7 - Judicial Branch

Unit 8 - Constitutional Rights & Freedoms 

Unit 9 - Citizenship

Unit 10 - American Law

Unit 11 - Politics, Voting, and Elections 

Unit 12 - Interest Groups, Public Opinions, and Mass Media