U.S. GOVERNMENT: WELCOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
HOW TO USE THIS SITE: View due dates on the assignment calendar (below). Then, download needed PowerPoint notes, assigned readings, projects and homework documents by scrolling this page down to the appropriate Social Studies unit! You can submit your completed work, either by hard copy or by email!
TECHNICAL NOTE: You will need to unzip each unit file. Documents are in PDF form or Word 2003 and 2007. You can download Adobe for free here. If you do not have Word, you can download a free 60-day trial version at Microsoft's website here. Or, if your already have Microsoft Office 2003, but not 2007, you can download the compatibility pack to view 2007 and 2010 documents. If you want to use a free word processing program which opens Word and PowerPoint files, download Open Office here. If you want to write on top of a pdf file, download a free pdf editor here.
If you have any problems or questions, please email me at: [email protected].
PARENTS AND STUDENTS: EMAIL MR. CEGIELSKI HERE!
NOTE: Your comments, requests and questions will be emailed to me once you hit "submit." I should respond within 24-48 hours. If you do not receive a response, please contact me by the email listed above or by phone. Please be aware that you will need to use "The Assignment Submission Form" (below) or your own email accounts when sending me homework attachments.
Thanks, Mr. Cegielski
U.S. GOVERNMENT/CIVICS CURRICULUM (1 SEMESTER)
NOTE: DUE TO THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, THE CURRICULAR SEQUENCE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO FACILITATE LEARNING OF THE ELECTION PROCESS PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 6TH (ELECTION DAY!). UNITS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW WILL BE TAUGHT THIS YEAR.
UNIT I: INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT (SKIP)
UNIT II: CREATING A LASTING GOVERNMENT--THE CONSTITUTION (SKIP -
TAUGHT IN 8TH GRADE AND REEMPHASIZED IN 11TH GRADE U.S. HISTORY)
UNIT III: THE CONSTITUTION
MID-SEPTEMBER THROUGH MID-OCTOBER:
UNIT IV: FEDERALISM--THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES
UNIT V: FOUNDATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP (SKIP)
UNIT VI: POLITICAL CULTURE AND IDEOLOGY
MID-OCTOBER THROUGH MID-NOVEMBER:
UNIT VII: POLITICAL PARTIES, VOTING AND THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
UNIT VIII: THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
UNIT IX: THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
MID-NOVEMBER THROUGH MID-DECEMBER:
UNIT X: THE JUDICIAL BRANCH
UNIT XI: THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE SUPREME COURT
UNIT I: INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What is a constitutional democratic republic?
2) What are the purposes and functions of different political structures?
3) How do different political structures shape domestic and foreign affairs?
INTRO TO GOV. PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 2928 kb |
File Type: |
1. Intro to Government Assignments | |
File Size: | 1348 kb |
File Type: | zip |
UNIT II: CREATING A LASTING GOVERNMENT--THE CONSTITUTION (Note: This section is divided into subunits below):
Subunit: Creating the Constitution, Part I
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What intellectual movements and political events helped shape our American government?
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION PART I PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 4182 kb |
File Type: |
1. Before the Revolution assignments | |
File Size: | 2533 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. Declaration of Independence | |
File Size: | 511 kb |
File Type: | zip |
Subunit: Creating the Constitution, Part II
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) Why did the Founding Fathers fear a "direct democracy?"
2) How was the Constitution created through conflict and compromise?
CREATING THE CONSTITUTION PART II PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 4622 kb |
File Type: |
1. Constitutional History | |
File Size: | 3191 kb |
File Type: | zip |
UNIT III: THE CONSTITUTION--A LIVING DOCUMENT
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What are the powers and responsibilities of each branch of government?
2) How does the system of checks and balances serve to limit the powers of each branch?
3) What is judicial review and how was it established? Is this one of the most important and essential checks on governmental power? Why or why not?
PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 2447 kb |
File Type: |
1. Constitution assignments | |
File Size: | 1449 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. Marbury v. Madison | |
File Size: | 2183 kb |
File Type: | zip |
3. Constitution Review Aids | |
File Size: | 229 kb |
File Type: | zip |
UNIT IV: FEDERALISM--THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATES
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) Why is it important to maintain a balance of power between the Federal government and the states?
2) Which powers are separate? which are shared?
3) what types of controversies arise over Federalism?
FEDERALISM PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 2485 kb |
File Type: |
1. Federalism assignments | |
File Size: | 2074 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. Gibbons & McCulloch cases | |
File Size: | 854 kb |
File Type: | zip |
3. Lopez mock trial case | |
File Size: | 1229 kb |
File Type: | zip |
4. Create a Federalism Quiz | |
File Size: | 73 kb |
File Type: | doc |
UNIT V: FOUNDATIONS OF CITIZENSHIP
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) Define citizenship and how one qualifies as an American citizen.
2) What are the many rights guaranteed to American citizens?
3) What duties and obligations do citizens share?
4) What are the responsibilities of citizenship?
CITIZENSHIP PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 4417 kb |
File Type: |
1. Naturalization & citizenship | |
File Size: | 1174 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. Korematsu Supreme Court case | |
File Size: | 3128 kb |
File Type: | zip |
3. Ideal Citizen essay | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
File Type: | doc |
4. Project Citizenship | |
File Size: | 676 kb |
File Type: | doc |
UNIT VI: POLITICAL CULTURE & IDEOLOGY
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) How has the American political process been shaped by different political ideologies, from Left through Right-wing thought?
2) Is America too deeply divided by partisan politics and opposing political ideologies?
POLITICAL CULTURE & IDEOLOGY PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 2016 kb |
File Type: |
1. Political Ideology assignments | |
File Size: | 1660 kb |
File Type: | zip |
UNIT VII: POLITICAL PARTIES, VOTING AND ELECTIONS (Note: This section is divided into subunits below):
Subunit: Political Parties
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What are the origins of political parties? Did the Founders intend for them to exist?
2) What are the functions of political parties?
3) Are political parties necessary?
4) What are the political platforms of the Democratic and Republican parties?
5) Why aren't third parties typically successful?
6) How does one gain a political orientation?
POLITICAL PARTIES PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 2486 kb |
File Type: |
Political Party assignments | |
File Size: | 2531 kb |
File Type: | zip |
Third Parties Essay | |
File Size: | 773 kb |
File Type: |
Subunit: Public Opinion & Political Socialization
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) Why is public opinion important in the political process?
2) What social factors influence our own political socialization the most?
3) How can we judge whether a poll is accurate and trustworthy?
PUBLIC OPINION PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 613 kb |
File Type: |
1. Public Opinion Assignments | |
File Size: | 1907 kb |
File Type: | zip |
Subunit: Elections & Campaigns
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
1) What voting rights are guaranteed by the Constitution?
2) How do the voting and election process reflect the Founder's belief in a Democratic Republic?
3) What is the process by which a President gets elected? Is the Electoral College fair?
4) How does the mass media play a role in the election process?
ELECTIONS & CAMPAIGNS PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 3814 kb |
File Type: |
1. Intro. to Voting & Elections assignments | |
File Size: | 2742 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. 2012_presidential_election_activities.zip | |
File Size: | 1199 kb |
File Type: | zip |
Subunit: Interest Groups
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What are interest groups?
2) What techniques do interest groups use? To what degree do interest groups influence lawmaker's decisions?
3) What have interest groups and lobbyists been criticized for?
4) Are they necessary in a democratic republic in order to promote the rights and interests of citizens?
INTEREST GROUP PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 1739 kb |
File Type: |
1. Interest Group Assignments | |
File Size: | 3674 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. Political Parties & Elections Study Guides | |
File Size: | 196 kb |
File Type: | zip |
UNIT VIII: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT--THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What are the President's many roles and powers?
2) Has the President become too powerful in recent years?
3) What is the appointment power? What positions does the President appoint?
4) How do independent agencies, commissions and corporations work for the President?
EXECUTIVE BRANCH PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 3126 kb |
File Type: |
1. Dear Presidential Diary | |
File Size: | 306 kb |
File Type: | docx |
2. Executive Unit Part I | |
File Size: | 754 kb |
File Type: | zip |
3. Cuban Missile Assignments | |
File Size: | 1135 kb |
File Type: | zip |
4. Cuban Missile Crisis News Project | |
File Size: | 342 kb |
File Type: | doc |
5. Executive Unit Part II | |
File Size: | 1572 kb |
File Type: | zip |
UNIT IX: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT--THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) Why does the legislative branch have two houses?
2) What is the qualifications for membership for each house?
3) What are the many powers and responsibilities of each house? For example, how does a bill become a law?
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 2467 kb |
File Type: |
legislative_unit.zip | |
File Size: | 2923 kb |
File Type: | zip |
UNIT X: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT--THE JUDICIARY BRANCH
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) While the Founders intended the judiciary to be the weakest branch, is this still true today?
2) What are the different types of federal courts and what determines their jurisdiction? How does a case reach the Supreme Court?
3) What are the qualifications for becoming a Supreme Court justice. How does the confirmation process work?
4) What are the powers and responsibilities of the Supreme Court?
5) What landmark cases in history have impacted the law?
JUDICIAL BRANCH PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 1291 kb |
File Type: |
1. Judicial system assignments | |
File Size: | 530 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. JUDICIAL BRANCH ASSESSMENT | |
File Size: | 442 kb |
File Type: | doc |
UNIT XI: THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE SUPREME COURT
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1) What essential freedoms does the Bill of Rights guarantee?
2) How has judicial interpretation contributed to the development of civil liberties and civil rights?
3) How have American civil liberties and freedoms been limited or challenged in our nation's history?
BILL OF RIGHTS PP NOTES | |
File Size: | 2165 kb |
File Type: |
1. Bill of Rights assignments | |
File Size: | 2547 kb |
File Type: | zip |
2. Patriot Act activities | |
File Size: | 1405 kb |
File Type: | zip |
3. Texas v. Johnson activities | |
File Size: | 936 kb |
File Type: | zip |
SPECIAL GOOGLE SKETCH PROJECT: CREATE A FAMOUS LANDMARK OF WASHINGTON, D.C.!
Google Sketch Up Project | |
File Size: | 59 kb |
File Type: | doc |