American Government

12th Grade Government Course: Foundations of American Government and Political Thought

​Course Description: This course explores the foundations of American government, the evolution of political thought, and the functioning of the United States political system. Students will critically analyze key historical documents, Supreme Court cases, and political theories. The course emphasizes understanding the philosophical underpinnings of American democracy and encourages students to develop their own reasoned perspectives on contemporary political issues.
Course Objectives:

• Understand the philosophical foundations of the American political system.
• Analyze key historical documents and their impact on the development of American government.
• Evaluate Supreme Court cases and their role in shaping U.S. law and society.
• Explore different political ideologies and their influence on government policies.
• Develop critical thinking and logical reasoning skills in the context of political discourse.
• Engage in informed discussions and debates on contemporary political issues.

Units and Recommended TextsUnit 1: The Philosophical Foundations of Government

• Key Topics:
  • Natural Rights and the Social Contract
  • Enlightenment Thinkers: Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu
  • The Influence of Classical Philosophers on Modern Government
• Primary Texts:
  • The Essential John Locke Collection by John Locke
  • The Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
  • The Spirit of the Laws by Montesquieu (Selections)

Unit 2: The American Founding

• Key Topics:
  • The Declaration of Independence
  • The Articles of Confederation and the Constitutional Convention
  • Federalism and the Federalist Papers
  • The Bill of Rights and Amendments
• Primary Texts:
  • The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
  • The Anti-Federalist Papers (Selections)
  • The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States (Primary Documents)

Unit 3: The Structure of the U.S. Government

• Key Topics:
  • The Legislative Branch: Congress
  • The Executive Branch: The Presidency
  • The Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court and Federal Courts
  • Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers
• Primary Texts:
  • The American Constitution: Its Origins and Development by Herman Belz
  • The Federalist Papers (Selected Essays)

Unit 4: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

• Key Topics:
  • The Bill of Rights: Understanding the First Ten Amendments
  • Key Supreme Court Cases on Civil Liberties
  • The Civil Rights Movement and Landmark Legislation
  • Ongoing Struggles for Equality and Justice
• Primary Texts:
  • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
  • The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois
  • Selected Supreme Court Cases (e.g., Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, Obergefell v. Hodges)

Unit 5: Political Ideologies and Contemporary Government

• Key Topics:
  • Liberalism, Conservatism, and Other Political Ideologies
  • The Role of Political Parties in American Government
  • The Electoral Process and Voting Rights
  • Media, Public Opinion, and Policy Making
• Primary Texts:
  • On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
  • The Subjection of Women by John Stuart Mill (for discussions on gender and government)
  • Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (Selections)

Unit 6: Global Perspectives and Comparative Government

• Key Topics:
  • Comparing U.S. Government to Other Forms of Government (Parliamentary, Authoritarian, etc.)
  • The Role of the United States in Global Politics
  • International Law and Human Rights
• Primary Texts:
  • The United Nations Charter (Selections)
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Primary Document)
  • World Order by Henry Kissinger (Selections)

Course Activities and Assessments:

• Debates: Students will engage in debates on contemporary political issues, using evidence from texts and historical documents.
• Research Projects: Students will conduct research on specific Supreme Court cases or political ideologies, presenting their findings in a written report and oral presentation.
• Essays: Analytical essays on key topics such as the role of government in society, the balance between liberty and security, and the evolution of civil rights.
• Simulations: Simulations of Congressional hearings or Supreme Court cases to develop a practical understanding of governmental processes.
• Exams: Midterm and final exams to assess understanding of course material.

Supplementary Texts:

• A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn (For alternative perspectives)
• The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek (For understanding critiques of government intervention)
• The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt (For exploring the psychology behind political beliefs)

​This curriculum offers a rigorous examination of American government while fostering critical analysis, logical reasoning, and an appreciation for the philosophical underpinnings of political systems.