Social Studies

Unit 1: Refresh on History and Geography Tools, Events Before 1500s, Renaissance and Reformation

Learning Targets

• Students will review and apply fundamental history and geography tools, including timelines, maps, and primary sources.
• Students will identify and summarize key global events and civilizations before the 1500s, such as the Classical Period, the Middle Ages, and major non-European cultures (e.g., Islamic Caliphates, African Kingdoms, Asian Empires, and Indigenous American civilizations).
• Students will analyze the causes and effects of the Renaissance, focusing on humanism, art, and scientific advancements.
• Students will examine the Reformation, identifying major figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, and evaluate its impact on religious, political, and cultural shifts in Europe.
• Students will use political and cultural maps to trace the spread of Renaissance and Reformation ideas across Europe.
• distribution of natural resources

 

Unit 2: Early Americas to Colonization

Learning Targets

• Students will investigate and expand their understanding of early Latin American societies, including the Maya, Aztec, and Inca, focusing on their social structures, economies, and innovations.
• Students will analyze the motivations and consequences of European exploration and colonization in Latin America, examining key figures, technological advancements, and the Columbian Exchange.
• Students will evaluate the impact of colonization on Indigenous populations in Latin America, including the effects of disease, conflict, and cultural changes.
• Students will explore the development of colonial societies in Latin America up to the 1800s, focusing on the role of labor systems and interactions between different cultural groups.
• Students will analyze the political and topographical maps to understand the geography of early Latin American societies and their interactions with European colonization.

Unit 3: Asian Empires

Learning Targets

• Students will explore the rise and expansion of the Ottoman Empire, focusing on key leaders like Suleiman the Magnificent, governance systems, and cultural achievements.
• Students will analyze the Mogul dynasty's influence in India, emphasizing Akbar’s policies, architectural achievements like the Taj Mahal, and the integration of diverse cultures.
• Students will examine the Ming and Qing Dynasties in China, discussing their political structures, isolationist policies, and cultural contributions such as advancements in art and literature.
• Students will study Feudal Japan during the Tokugawa era, focusing on the role of the shogunate, samurai culture, and the impact of isolationism.
• Students will examine the political, cultural, and topographical maps to understand how geography shaped the development of these empires and their interactions with each other.

 

Unit 4: Absolutism in Europe, the Enlightenment, and Scientific Revolution

Learning Targets

• Students will examine the development of absolutist monarchies in Europe, focusing on key figures such as Louis XIV and Peter the Great, and their influence on governance and society.
• Students will analyze the Enlightenment, discussing major philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire, and their ideas about government, human rights, and societal reforms.
• Students will explore the Scientific Revolution, studying key figures such as Galileo, Newton, and Copernicus, and evaluate the impact of scientific discoveries on European thought and culture.
• Students will assess the connections between the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, particularly how scientific progress influenced new ways of thinking about politics and society.
• Students will use maps to analyze how political and cultural geography in Europe influenced the development of Enlightenment ideas.

Unit 5: Revolutions and Napoleonic Era

Learning Targets

• Students will investigate the causes and key events of the American Revolution, focusing on Enlightenment influences and the impact on global political ideas.
• Students will analyze the French Revolution, examining its causes, stages, and consequences, including the rise of radical movements and the Reign of Terror.
• Students will study the Haitian Revolution, highlighting its causes, major figures like Toussaint Louverture, and its significance as a successful slave revolt.
• Students will explore the Napoleonic Era, discussing Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power, reforms, military campaigns, and eventual downfall.
• Students will use political maps to track the changes in European boundaries during the Napoleonic Era and the resulting cultural shifts.

 

Unit 6: Nationalism, Industrial Revolution, Mass Society, and Colonialism

Learning Targets

• Students will examine the emergence of nationalism in Europe and its role in shaping nation-states, with a focus on figures like Otto von Bismarck and Giuseppe Garibaldi.
• Students will analyze the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution, discussing technological innovations, urbanization, and shifts in labor systems.
• Students will explore the development of mass society during the Industrial Revolution, focusing on changes in social structures, education, and cultural movements.
• Students will investigate the expansion of colonial empires during the 19th century, emphasizing the motivations, methods, and impacts of European imperialism in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
• Students will use topographical and political maps to examine how geography influenced industrialization, colonial expansion, and the development of mass society.

Unit 7: World War I, Its Aftermath, and World War II

Learning Targets

• Students will learn about the main causes of World War I, including nationalism, alliances, and imperialism.
• Students will examine how the Treaty of Versailles affected Europe and contributed to the rise of World War II.
• Students will study major battles, key figures, and strategies used during World War II.
• Students will identify how the outcomes of both world wars reshaped countries and global power structures.
• Students will analyze the impact of topographical geography on military strategies and the outcomes of key battles during both world wars.

 

Unit 8: The Cold War, Post-Cold War World, and Contemporary Issues

Learning Targets

• Students will understand the ideological conflict between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that defined the Cold War, focusing on key events like the Berlin Airlift and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Students will analyze the global impact of Cold War conflicts such as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Soviet-Afghan War, and their effects on international relations.
• Students will examine the causes and events that led to the end of the Cold War, including the role of the arms race, diplomacy, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• Students will explore the transformation of global politics after the Cold War, including the emergence of new alliances, the rise of globalization, and the reshaping of Eastern Europe.
• Students will analyze contemporary global issues such as the role of international organizations, economic globalization, and ongoing regional conflicts, using political and cultural maps to understand key geographic factors.

Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

Learning Targets

• Students identify types of maps, the information presented in maps, and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps

• Students identify the different methods of geographic data collection

• Students explain the geographical effects of decisions made using geographical information

• Students ​​​​​​​define major geographic concepts that illustrate spatial relationships

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how major geographic concepts illustrate the spatial relationships

• Students ​​​​​​​define scales of analysis used by geographers

• Students ​​​​​​​explain what scales of analysis reveal

• Students ​​​​​​​describe different ways that geographers define regions

 

Unit 2: Population & Migration

Learning Targets

• Students identify the factors that influence the distribution of human populations at different scales

• Students define methods geographers use to calculate population density

• Students explain the difference between and the impact of methods used to calculate population density

• Students explain how population distribution and density affect society and the environment

• Students describe elements of population composition used by geographers 

• Students explain ways that geographers depicted and analyze population composition

• Students explain factors that account for contemporary and historical trends in population growth and decline

• Students explain theories of population growth and decline

• Students explain the intent and effect of various population and immigration policies on population size and composition

• Students explain how the changing role of females has demographic consequences in different parts of the world

• Students explain the causes and consequences of an aging population

• Students explain how different causal factors encourage migration

• Students describe types of forced and voluntary migration

• Students explain historical and contemporary geographic effects of migration

Unit 3: Cultural Patterns & Processes

Learning Targets

• Students define the characteristics, attitudes, and traits that influence geographers when they study culture

• Students describe the characteristics of cultural landscapes

• Students explain how landscape features and land and resource use reflect cultural beliefs and identities

• Students ​​​​​​​explain patterns and landscapes of language, religion, ethnicity, and gender

• Students ​​​​​​​define the types of diffusion

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how historical processes impact current cultural patterns

• Students ​​​​​​​explain what factors lead to the diffusion of universalizing and ethnic religions

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the process of diffusion results in changes to the cultural landscape

 

Unit 4: Political Patterns & Processes

Learning Targets

• Students define the different types of political entities

• Students ​​​​​​​identify a contemporary example of political entities

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the processes that have shaped contemporary political geography

• Students ​​​​​​​describe the concepts of political power and territoriality as used by geographers

• Students ​​​​​​​define types of political boundaries used by geographers

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the nature and function of international and internal boundaries

• Students ​​​​​​​define federal and unitary states

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how federal and unitary states affect spatial organization

• Students ​​​​​​​define factors that led to the devolution of states

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how political, economic, cultural, and technological changes challenge state sovereignty

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the concepts of centrifugal and centripetal forces apply at the state scale

Unit 5: Agriculture & Rural Land Use

Learning Targets

• Students explain the connection between physical geography and agricultural practices

• Students identify different rural settlement patterns and methods of surveying rural settlements

• Students identify major centers of domestication of plants and animals

• Students explain how plants and animals diffused globally

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the advances and impacts of the second agricultural revolution

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the consequences of the Green Revolution on food supply and the environment in the developing world

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how economic forces influence agricultural practices

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how economic forces influence agricultural practices

• Students ​​​​​​​describe how the von Thünen model is used to explain patterns of agricultural production at various scales

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the interdependence among regions of agricultural production and consumption

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how agricultural practices have environmental and societal consequences

• Students ​​​​​​​explain challenges and debates related to the changing nature of contemporary agriculture and food-production practices

• Students ​​​​​​​explain geographical variations in female roles in food production and consumption

 

Unit 6: Cities & Urban Land Use

• Students explain the processes that initiate and drive urbanization and suburbanization

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how cities embody processes of globalization

• Students ​​​​​​​identify the different urban concepts such as hierarchy, interdependence, relative size, and spacing that are useful for explaining the distribution, size, and interaction of cities

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the internal structure of cities using various models and theories

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how low-, medium-, and high-density housing characteristics represent different patterns of residential land use

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how a city’s infrastructure to local politics, society, and the environment

• Students ​​​​​​​identify the different urban design initiatives and practices

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the effects of different urban design initiatives and practices

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how qualitative and quantitative data are used to show the causes and effects of geographic change within urban areas

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the causes and effects of geographic change within urban areas

• Students ​​​​​​​describe the effectiveness of different attempts to address urban sustainability challenges

Unit 7: Industrial & Economic Development

Learning Targets

• Students explain how the Industrial Revolution facilitated the growth and diffusion of industrialization.

• Students explain the spatial patterns of industrial production and development.

• Students​​​​​​​ describe social and economic measures of development.

• Students​​​​​​​ explain how and to what extent changes in economic development have contributed to gender parity. 

• Students​​​​​​​ explain the different theories of economic and social development. 

• Students​​​​​​​ explain causes and geographic consequences of recent economic changes such as the increase in international trade, deindustrialization, and growing interdependence in the world economy. 

• Students​​​​​​​ explain how sustainability principles relate to and impact industrialization and spatial development. ​​​​​​​

 

Unit 1: Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

Learning Targets

• Students define assimilation, author’s point of view, author’s purpose, context, audience, and primary sources

• Students analyze point of view, purpose, context, and audience of primary sources to develop a greater understanding of the impact of American Indian boarding schools

• Students understand the significance of the First Continental Congress in 1774

• Students describe the compromises made in order to reach an agreement on the steps Washington’s administration took to build the federal government

• Students explain how a two-party system emerged in the new nation

Unit 2: The American Civil War

Learning Targets

• Students analyze why slavery in the territories was a divide issue between North and South and how congress tried to settle the issue in 1850

• Students analyze why southern states seceded from the union

• Students analyze why southern states seceded from the union.

• Students analyze how the war changed the economy and society in the North and South

• Students discuss how northern and southern soldiers experienced the war

• Students assess the Impact of the Civil War on North and South

Unit 3: World War One

Learning Targets

• Students explain why World War One began and the power struggle between the British, German and Russian Empires in the years leading up to the War

• Students describe the modernization of Warfare as a result of World War One.

Unit 4: World War Two

Learning Targets

• Students interpret a Map of Major battles and locations during World War Two

• Students describe the rise of the Nazi Party

• Students explain why the United States became involved in World War Two

• Students describe the events that led to the end of World War Two

Unit 5: Korean & Vietnam Wars

Learning Targets

• Students explain why the United States decided to go to War with Korea

• Students explain why the United States decided to go to War with Vietnam

• Students analyze and interpret a Map of Korea

• Students analyze and interpret a Map of Vietnam

• Students describe the Political Theory “Domino Effect”

• Students discuss the pros and cons of War in Korea

• Students discuss the pros and cons of War in Vietnam

 

Unit 6: Civil Rights Movement of the 50's, 60's, & 70's

Learning Targets

• Students outline the events of the Civil rights Movement 

• Students describe the key events of the Movement

• Students ​​​​​​​analyze the Montgomery Bus Boycott

• Students ​​​​​​​analyze the Greensboro Lunch Counter Sit Ins

• Students ​​​​​​​analyze the March on Selma

• Students ​​​​​​​analyze and explain the significance of the assassinations of Medger Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Unit 7: The Great Recession

Learning Targets

• Students analyze the key events of the Presidential Election of 2000

• Students ​​​​​​​analyze the historical events of 9/11

• Students ​​​​​​​describe the Economic and Social effects of the Great Recession of 2008

• Students ​​​​​​​compare and contrast how the War on Terror affected different groups of peoples Civil Liberties in the United States 

Unit 1: Personal Financial Literacy: An Introduction

Learning Targets

• Students discuss the importance of financial literacy in making informed financial decisions
• Students define financial planning, personal financial goals, and financial opportunities and action plans. 
• Students create a personal financial statement to assess one's financial health
• Students explain the concept of opportunity cost and its impact on decision-making

Unit 2: Earning Income & Career Planning

Learning Targets

• Students analyze different sources of income, including earned, passive, and portfolio income
• Students explore the factors that influence career choices and income potential
• Students create a cover letter and resume
• Students explore career pathways
• Students determine the importance of income taxes and how they affect take-home pay

 

Unit 3: Money Management & Budgeting 

Learning Targets

• Students create a personal budget that accounts for income, expenses, and savings goals
• Students identify strategies for reducing discretionary and fixed expenses
• Students explain the importance of an emergency fund and develop a plan to establish one
• Students compare different savings and investment options, including savings accounts, CDs, and stocks

 

Unit 4: Banking & Financial Services

Learning Targets

• Students identify the functions and benefits of a checking account
• Students explain how to write checks, make electronic payments, and use a debit card
• Students evaluate the features and fees associated with different types of bank accounts
• Students explore online and mobile banking services and their security measures

 

Unit 5: Credit & Debt

Learning Targets

• Students define key credit terms, including credit score, interest rate, and credit report
• Students calculate the cost of credit and understand how interest rates impact loans
• Students analyze the advantages and disadvantages of different types of credit, such as credit cards and loans
• Students develop responsible credit management strategies to avoid debt problems

Unit 6: Taxes

Learning Targets

• Students explain how taxes impact their financial plan, identify different types of taxes, and develop strategies to plan for and manage their tax obligations
• Students discuss the basics of federal income tax, calculate adjusted gross income, determine taxes owed, and understand tax payments, deadlines, and penalties to ensure compliance
• Students develop tax planning strategies by evaluating education deductions or tax credits, understanding how taxes influence consumer purchases, and investment decisions

 

Unit 7: Investing

Learning Targets

• Students explain the concept of risk and return in investing
• Students compare different investment vehicles, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds
• Students explain the role of diversification in managing investment risk
• Students create an investment plan based on personal financial goals and risk tolerance

 

Unit 8: Managing Risk: Health & Disability Insurance

Learning Targets

• Students identify common types of insurance, such as health, auto, and homeowner's insurance
• Students explain the purpose of insurance and how it provides financial protection
• Students evaluate insurance policies and coverage options to make informed choices
• Students identify the importance of health insurance and how to select a plan

Unit 1: Current Issues

Learning Targets

• Students discern, evaluate, and select intricate topics related to government or the United States that intrigue our class for thorough discussion and analysis

• Students construct and articulate well-founded positions, craft compelling, nuanced arguments, and persuasively advocate for them during rigorous classroom debates, incorporating diverse perspectives

• Students conduct comprehensive research, delving into the historical, social, and political contexts of chosen topics, and adeptly employ diverse resources to substantiate my viewpoints effectively

• Students critically assess the credibility, bias, and reliability of various research sources, synthesize information into a coherent perspective, and proficiently engage in substantive discourse by critiquing the arguments presented by my peers

 

Unit 2: Political Parties & Ideologies

Learning Targets

• Students analyze and differentiate between the major political parties in the United States, discerning their core beliefs, values, and policy positions, while critically evaluating how these align or diverge from my own political ideology

• Students evaluate the influence of public opinion, interest groups, and the media on shaping political ideologies, illustrating how these factors impact voter behavior, political party platforms, and the overall political landscape

• Students synthesize my understanding of political parties, ideologies, and the political spectrum to construct an informed perspective on contemporary political issues, engaging in thoughtful discussions and debates that consider multiple viewpoints and perspectives

Unit 3: Fundamentals of Democracy & Citizenship

Learning Targets

• Students define democracy and identify different forms of democratic government, including direct and representative democracy, while evaluating their advantages and disadvantages

• Students compare and contrast various types of government systems, both historical and contemporary, such as autocracy, oligarchy, and totalitarianism, highlighting key differences and their impact on individual rights and freedoms

• Students explore the concept of citizenship and its responsibilities, including civic participation, obeying laws, and contributing to the betterment of the community, while reflecting on the qualities and behaviors of an informed and engaged citizen

 

Unit 4: Political Participation & Elections

Learning Targets

• Students explain the mechanics of elections, including the electoral process, voter registration, primary and general elections, and the roles of candidates, political parties, and electoral bodies in the United States

• Students ​​​​​​​analyze the factors that influence political participation and voter behavior, such as demographics, political ideologies, civic engagement, and the impact of media and campaign strategies, to better understand why some individuals choose to vote while others do not

• Students ​​​​​​​ differentiate between presidential, midterm, and local elections, highlighting their significance, timing, and the issues that typically dominate these elections, while also evaluating their impact on government representation and policymaking

Unit 5: Foundations of American Government

Learning Targets

• Students identify key founding fathers and their contributions to the formation of the United States, including their roles in drafting important documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

• Students analyze the core principles and philosophies that influenced the framers of the Constitution, such as republicanism, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances, and explain how these principles continue to shape the structure of the American government today

• Students evaluate the enduring relevance of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in contemporary American society, examining how these foundational documents protect individual rights, promote civic participation, and serve as a framework for governance in the modern era

 

Unit 6: The Branches of Government

Learning Targets

• Students distinguish between the three branches of the U.S. government – legislative, executive, and judicial – by describing their respective roles, functions, and responsibilities

• Students simulate and analyze real-world scenarios that illustrate how each branch of government operates, including the enactment of laws by Congress, the execution of policies by the President, and the interpretation of laws by the judiciary

• Students examine key historical events and developments within the executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch, highlighting their significance in shaping American governance and society

• Students demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the legislative process in the United States by explaining the steps involved in lawmaking, from the introduction of a bill to its final approval, and by participating in a class activity that simulates the legislative process

 

Unit 7: Civil Liberties & Rights

Learning Targets

• Students analyze the significance and historical context of the Bill of Rights, identifying specific amendments and their impact on individual rights and liberties in the United States

• Students describe the process of amending the U.S. Constitution, including the proposal and ratification stages, and evaluate the reasons for and implications of adding amendments throughout history

• Students engage in discussions and debates about contemporary issues related to individual rights, considering different perspectives, historical precedents, and legal interpretations, and formulate reasoned arguments on the relevance of rights in modern society

Unit 8: Local & State Government/Student Participation

Learning Targets

• Students explain the structure and functions of local and state governments in the United States, identifying key officials and their roles, as well as understanding the distribution of powers between these levels of government

• Students actively engage in the democratic process at the local and state levels by researching, discussing, and participating in activities that address community issues and policies, demonstrating the importance of informed citizenship

• Students analyze the impact of local and state government decisions on my daily life, evaluating the effectiveness of policies, identifying areas for improvement, and proposing potential solutions through civic participation and advocacy

Unit 1: Current Issues

Learning Targets

• Students research and formulate positions on local, state, and national issues or policies to participate in a civil society
• Students engage in civil discourse, including discussing current issues, advocating for individual or group rights, civic duty, and civic participation
• Students conduct research by gathering, organizing, and evaluating the credibility and bias of information from a variety of online, print, and non-print sources
• Students demonstrate ability to use 21st century media as a tool for civic participation
  
   

Unit 2: American Political Ideologies & Beliefs

Learning Targets

• Students explain the relationship between core beliefs of U.S. citizens and attitudes about the role of government

• Students explain how cultural factors influence political attitudes and socialization

• Students explain how social factors impact political ideology

• Students explain how major political events influence political ideology

• Students ​​​​​​​describe the elements of a scientific poll

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the quality and credibility of claims based on public opinion data

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how ideologies of the two major parties shape policy debates

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how U.S. political culture (e.g., democratic ideals, principles, and core values) influences the formation, goals, and implementation of public policy over time

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how different political ideologies affect the role of government in regulating the marketplace

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how fiscal and monetary policy actions influence economic conditions

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how political ideologies vary on the role of the government in addressing social issues.

Unit 3: Political Participation

Learning Targets

• Students describe the voting rights protections in the Constitution and in legislation

• Students describe different models of voting behavior

• Students explain the roles that individual choice and state laws play in voter turnout in elections

• Students describe linkage institutions

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the function and impact of political parties on the electorate and government

• Students ​​​​​​​explain why and how political parties change and adapt

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how structural barriers affect third-party and independent candidate success

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the benefits and potential problems of interest group influence on elections and policy making

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how variation in types of interest groups and the resources interest groups possess affects their ability to influence elections and policy making

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how various political actors influence public policy outcomes

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the different processes work in a U.S. presidential election

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the Electoral College affects U.S. presidential elections

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the different processes work in U.S. congressional elections

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how campaign organizations and strategies affect the election process

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the organization, finance, and strategies of national political campaigns affect the election process

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the media’s role as a linkage institution

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how increasingly diverse choices of media and communication outlets influence political institutions and behavior​​​​​​​

Unit 4: Foundations of American Democracy

Learning Targets

• Students explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

• Students explain how models of representative democracy are visible in major institutions, policies, events, or debates in the U.S.

• Students explain Federalist and Anti-Federalist views on central government and democracy

• Students explain the relationship between key provisions of the Articles of Confederation and the debate over granting the federal government greater power formerly reserved to the states

• Students explain the impact of political negotiation and compromise at the Constitutional Convention on the development of the constitutional system

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the constitutional principles of separation of powers and checks and balances

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the effects of separation of powers and checks and balances for the U.S. political system

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the constitutional allocation of power between the national and state government affects society

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the balance of power between national and state governments has changed over time based on interpretations of the Supreme Court of the United States

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the distribution of powers between national and state governments impacts policy making

 

Unit 5: Interactions Among Branches of Government

Learning Targets

• Students describe the different structures, powers, and functions of each house of Congress

• Students explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process

• Students explain how congressional behavior is influenced by election processes, partisanship, and divided government

• Students explain how the president can implement a policy agenda

• Students explain how the president’s agenda can create tension and frequent confrontations with Congress

• Students explain how presidents have interpreted and justified their use of formal and informal powers

• Students explain how communication technology has changed the president’s relationship with the national constituency and the other branches

• Students explain the principle of judicial review and how it checks the power of other branches

• Students explain the role of legal precedent in judicial decision making

• Students explain how life tenure can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power

• Students explain how the exercise of judicial review can lead to debate about the Supreme Court’s power

• Students explain how other branches in the government can limit the Supreme Court’s power

• Students explain how the bureaucracy carries out the responsibilities of the federal government

• Students explain how the federal bureaucracy uses delegated discretionary authority for rule making and implementation

• Students explain how Congress uses its oversight power in its relationship with the executive branch

• Students explain how the president ensures that executive branch agencies and departments carry out their responsibilities in concert with the goals of the administration

• Students explain the extent to which governmental branches can hold the bureaucracy accountable given the competing interests of Congress, the president, and the federal courts

• Students explain how the distribution of powers among the three branches of government impacts policymaking

Unit 6: Civil Liberties & Civil Rights

Learning Targets

• Students explain how the U.S. Constitution protects individual liberties and rights

• Students describe the rights protected in the Bill of Rights

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the extent to which the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First Amendment reflects a commitment to religious liberty

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the extent to which the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First Amendment reflects a commitment to free speech

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the extent to which the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First Amendment reflects a commitment to individual liberty

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the extent to which the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Second Amendment reflects a commitment to individual liberty

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the Supreme Court has attempted to balance claims of individual freedom with laws and enforcement procedures that promote public order and safety

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the implications of the doctrine of selective incorporation

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the extent to which the government is limited by procedural due process from infringing upon individual rights

• Students ​​​​​​​explain the extent to which the government is limited by substantive due process from infringing upon individual rights

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how constitutional provisions have supported and motivated social movements

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the government has responded to social movements

• Students ​​​​​​​explain how the Court has at times allowed the restriction of the civil rights of minority groups and at other times has protected those rights

• Students ​​​​​​​describe Supreme Court debates about affirmative action policies