Oxford High School
Courses in History and
Social Studies
#422 Civics/ Comparative Governments - Academic (10) Full Year 0.5/0.5 Credit
Student’s knowledge of our own democracy is enhanced through this exploration of what it means to
be an American in the current political climate. Building on student’s fundamental knowledge of
American history, this course seeks to deepen their understanding of every American’s general civic
obligations and also the specific civic and social expectations that are part of the Oxford High School
community. These values and systems are then compared to other major political systems in use
throughout the world today. This course fulfills the state requirement for civics. This is two separate
courses that must be taken simultaneously.
1. Enduring Understandings
(broad ideas, usually grounded in the discipline):
- Demonstrate tolerance
of differences and a respect for self and others.
- Refine such academic
skills as critical thinking, writing, and speaking.
- Develop an
appreciation for the role of ideas as a determinant in human activity.
- Understand that the
manner in which societies respond to change can determine the degree to
which they function successfully
- Understand that
geographic, economic, and political forces play major roles in the
interaction of human societies.
- Demonstrate an ability
to write and speak effectively.
- Demonstrate an ability
to read critically.
- Gather, synthesize,
and evaluate information and communicate it in a variety of ways.
- Develop and apply
problem-solving skills independently and in collaboration with others.
- Produce original and
creative work
- Apply higher-order
thinking skills to explore, develop, communicate and defend positions on
thematic historical questions.
2. Course Specific Goals
(aligned with Content Standards):
-
Develop an understanding of major concepts in the development of different
governments of the world.
-
Develop an understanding of the role of international, federal, state, and
local governments.
-
Develop an understanding of the mechanics of international, federal, state,
and local governments
-
Develop an understanding of the importance of citizen participation in the
political process.
-
Demonstrate an understanding of current events, the political process, and
the function of responsible citizens.
- Apply and interpret
key concepts related to government and historical thinking
3. Expected Performances
(aligned with state Expected Performances)
-
Develop
and defend positions on thematic questions such as:
-
Are
there themes or characteristics that are common to the human experience
(pursuit of power, desire for freedom, existence of good and evil,
spiritual exploration) or is all behavior contextual?
-
Is
knowledge discovered or created?
-
When
is war or conflict justified?
-
Apply and
interpret historical concepts such as cause and effect, change and
interdependence.
-
Apply and interpret
political concepts and generalizations such as
government, democracy,
dictatorship, political and social
diversity.
-
Apply and
interpret economic concepts and generalizations such as, factors of
production, scarcity, supply and demand, and conservation of resources.
-
Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures
-
Demonstrate
knowledge of the role
of governments throughout the world.
-
An
understanding of how constitutions may limit governments in order to protect
individual rights and promote the common good.
-
Gather, analyze, and
reconcile information including contradictory data from primary and
secondary sources to support or reject hypotheses.
-
Describe and analyze,
using historical data and understandings, the options which are available to
parties involved in conflicts or decision making.
-
Analyze
historical and contemporary conflicts through the respective rules of local,
state, national, and international governments.
-
Explain how the design of
the U.S. Constitution is intended to balance and check the powers of the
branches of government.
-
Evaluate the contemporary
roles of political parties, associations, media groups, and public opinion
in local, state, national, and international politics.
-
Identify and explain characteristics needed for
effective participation in public life.
Civics and Comparative
Governments: Scope and
Sequence Calendar
|
First Quarter
- Origins of American
Government |
|
These units
describe the foundations of the United States from its Independence
movement in 1776 to its birth as a nation. An in depth study of the
U.S. Constitution will take place with a focus on its development,
structure, and use in the lives of Americans today. We will explore
the system of checks and balances and the branches of our government
along with the Bill of Rights. |
|
Second Quarter -
Recent Past and the Growing
Complexity of the Modern World |
|
These units
will describe the relationships between local, state and federal
governments and their constituencies. Topics to be discussed will be
voting rules, rights of citizens, local and state politics, and the
different political processes used throughout the state of
Connecticut. A particular emphasis will be placed on the yearly
elections and candidates will be asked to speak to classes at this
time.
|
|
Third Quarter - Religion as A
Political Force & The Systems of Europe |
|
These units
will explore countries of the world that are governed by a
theocracy. A main focus will be on the Middle East and Southwest
Asia and the governmental structures of this region. This unit will
compare these political entities with the American system of
government. The impact of religion on global issues such as
terrorism, politics, economics, and the rights of citizens will also
be explored.Then we will
explore the governments of Europe. An emphasis will be placed on
the unique structure of many of Europe’s governments especially
England and its relationship to its “empire” and the role of the
monarchy. An examination of the economic union of Europe will be
part of our study. Ultimately a comparison of the American dollar to
the Euro will be done.
|
|
Fourth Quarter - The World is
Flat |
These
units will study America’s relationship with the many
countries in Asia including Japan, China, Taiwan, India, and
North and South Korea. The governments of these countries
will be studied with a focus on China and its rise to
economic power. With the opportunity to learn the Chinese
language in the World Languages area a comparison of the
Chinese political and economic structure should stimulate
interdisciplinary opportunities between the two departments.
We
will then explore
the role of the United Nations in world politics. A focus
of this unit will be on the UN’s mission in African
countries.
|
