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High School
U.S. Government (Civics)/U.S. Government Honors (Civics)
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Responsible citizenship, including civil and political participation, is essential to maintain a government that truly represents “We the People.” In this course, students examine the principles that inspired the Constitution and other founding documents of the United States. Students will study how these principles form the foundation of the U.S. federal government and distinguish it from those of other nations. They then examine the structures and functions of government to see how those principles are put into practice each day. This includes how the levels of government interact with one another. Finally, students extend these concepts to the role of the individual within U.S. civil society. They explore protections and limitations on individual rights protected through the Bill of Rights and acts of government over time. Students examine how, as individuals and as part of groups, citizens can influence public policy and help ensure the vitality of the constitutional republic.
This course meets the NH Government/Civics requirement, but does not meet the US Citizenship & Naturalization Exam Requirement. That requirement can be met by taking our .25 credit U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization Course.
Major Topics and Concepts
Segment 1:
- Origins of Modern Government and Types of Government
- Enlightenment Influences
- Declaration of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- The Constitution
- Branches of Government, Checks and Balances and Federalism
- Judicial Branch, the Court System, and the Supreme Court
- The Amendments and the Bill of Rights
- Jury Duty
- Civil Rights, Civil Liberties and the Patriot Act
- The Legislative Branch, Powers of Congress and Congressional Elections
- Role of Political Parties and Interest Groups
- How a Bill Becomes a Law
- The Executive Branch, Presidential Elections and the Cabinet
- The Media and Politics
- Foreign, Domestic and Economic Policy
- Modern Day Presidents and Presidential Impeachment
- State Governments and State Constitutions
- Citizenship and the Rights and Responsibilities of United States Citizens
- Voting Rights and Responsibilities
- Function and Role of Local Governments
Competencies
Civic Participation
Students will demonstrate an understanding of civic participation by explaining citizenship, describing civic duties, explaining civil rights, and explaining public policies.
Functions of the United States and New Hampshire Government
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the United States and New Hampshire Government by describing constitutional powers, explaining the function of theUnited States and New Hampshire legislative branches, explaining the function of the United States and New Hampshire executive branches, and explaining the function of the United States and New Hampshire judicial branches.
Principles of The United States and New Hampshire Government
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the United States and New Hampshire government by explaining the foundation of modern government, comparing the United States and the New Hampshire Constitution, describing types of governments, and explaining international government relationships.
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Projects allow students to demonstrate competence and understanding of concepts and skills by completing a career-related task. For example, the assignment might be to create a mural, a package design, a speech, a film review, or a movie set – you name it! These creative projects are about applying your learning acquired through in-depth research to real-world career tasks.
Each competency will be addressed through a project that is based on a real-life career task. Here are the careers you will explore: Community Service Manager, Playwright, Communications Specialist, and Social Science Research Assistant.
Projects
Community Service Manager
You will take on the role of a community service manager for a nonprofit that works to advise immigrants who are candidates for U.S. citizenship about the process of becoming a citizen. You will create informational material to help them understand their new government and their role as a U.S. citizen.
Playwright
You will take on the role of a playwright for a team working on a Broadway show, tasked with creating a scene for a historical drama or musical about the formation of the governments of the United States and New Hampshire.
Communications Specialist
You will take on the role of a communications specialist for a civic, non-profit organization working to mobilize voters, tasked with creating a public service announcement that informs and engages people to understand how their government works and how they can impact their government.
Social Science Research Assistant
You will take on a social science research assistant role for a scientific research and development company, tasked with helping to manage research data and preparing research findings regarding the judicial branch and civil and human rights for publication.
Competencies
Civic Participation
Students will demonstrate an understanding of civic participation by explaining citizenship, describing civic duties, explaining civil rights, and explaining public policies.
Functions of the United States and New Hampshire Government
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the United States and New Hampshire Government by describing constitutional powers, explaining the function of theUnited States and New Hampshire legislative branches, explaining the function of the United States and New Hampshire executive branches, and explaining the function of the United States and New Hampshire judicial branches.
Principles of The United States and New Hampshire Government
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the United States and New Hampshire government by explaining the foundation of modern government, comparing the United States and the New Hampshire Constitution, describing types of governments, and explaining international government relationships.
Open
Experiences allow you to explore a career field you’re curious about while mastering competencies for school credit. Through experiential learning, you will learn skills and apply them to tasks you would complete as part of a career rather than completing traditional assessments like essays or tests. During your Experience, you’ll work with a professional in the field to support your learning whom we call a “mentor.” You’ll earn a badge for your accomplishments to share on social media and higher education platforms, or with colleges, potential employers, peers, and colleagues to display your qualifications.
Here’s how Experiences work:
- Each competency you work on is addressed through a separate deliverable predetermined by you and your instructor.
- Guided learning for each module consists of research and/or work with a professional in the field. Your instructor will coach you through this process.
- Each module culminates in a final demonstration of understanding, which includes a deliverable and a discussion-based assessment with your instructor.
- Here’s an example:
Let’s say you’re curious about a career in healthcare. You decide you’d like to learn about this career area, make a professional connection, earn a badge, and meet competencies for your 9th-grade English requirement. While enrolled in English 1 Experiences, you conduct research to better understand language and structure in writing. Then you may work with an Occupational Therapist to help apply your writing skills to the creation of an informational video about adaptive equipment for patients. The video aims to advise family members of patients regarding the use of accommodations and equipment to help patients perform daily tasks. Now you’ve earned the Language and Structure in Writing competency! This is just one example of the many ways Experiences can bridge competencies to careers.
Obtaining a Mentor: Prior to enrollment, please have an idea for a mentor in mind. We have partnered with hundreds of mentors you can work with during your Experience, who you can find in our Career Mentor Catalog here. Or, you may consult with our counseling department by emailing [email protected] for help in identifying one.
*A parent/guardian permission form and background check of the mentor are both required to work with mentors without parental supervision.
Competencies
Civic Participation
Students will demonstrate an understanding of civic participation by explaining citizenship, describing civic duties, explaining civil rights, and explaining public policies.
Functions of the United States and New Hampshire Government
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the functions of the United States and New Hampshire Government by describing constitutional powers, explaining the function of theUnited States and New Hampshire legislative branches, explaining the function of the United States and New Hampshire executive branches, and explaining the function of the United States and New Hampshire judicial branches.
Principles of The United States and New Hampshire Government
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the United States and New Hampshire government by explaining the foundation of modern government, comparing the United States and the New Hampshire Constitution, describing types of governments, and explaining international government relationships.
