Virginia and United States Government

The student will demonstrate mastery of the social studies skills citizenship requires, including the ability to analyze primary and secondary source documents;
•  create and interpret maps, diagrams, tables, charts, graphs, and spreadsheets;
•  analyze political cartoons, political advertisements, pictures, and other graphic media;
•  distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information;
•  evaluate information for accuracy, separating fact from opinion;
•  identify a problem and prioritize solutions;
•  select and defend positions in writing, discussion, and debate.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the political philosophies that shaped the development of Virginia and United States constitutional government by
•  describing the development of Athenian democracy and the Roman republic;
•  explaining the influence of the Magna Carta, the English Petition of Rights, and the English Bill of Rights;
•  examining the writings of Hobbes, Locke, and Montesquieu;
•  explaining the guarantee of the rights of Englishmen set forth in the charters of the Virginia Company of London ;
•  analyzing the natural rights philosophies expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of democracy by
•  recognizing the fundamental worth and dignity of the individual;
•  recognizing the equality of all citizens under the law;
•  recognizing majority rule and minority rights;
•  recognizing the necessity of compromise;
•  recognizing the freedom of the individual.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution of the United States by
•  examining the ratification debates and The Federalist;
•  identifying the purposes for government stated in the Preamble;
•  examining the fundamental principles upon which the Constitution of the United States is based, including the rule of law, consent of the governed, limited government, separation of powers, and federalism;
•  illustrating the structure of the national government outlined in Article I, Article II, and Article III;
•  describing the amendment process.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the federal system described in the Constitution of the United States by
•  explaining the relationship of the state governments to the national government;
•  describing the extent to which power is shared;
•  identifying the powers denied state and national governments;
•  examining the ongoing debate that focuses on the balance of power between state and national governments.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections by
•  describing the organization, role, and constituencies of political parties;
•  describing the nomination and election process;
•  examining campaign funding and spending;
•  analyzing the influence of media coverage, campaign advertising, and public opinion polls;
•  examining the impact of reapportionment and redistricting;
•  identifying how amendments extend the right to vote;
•  analyzing voter turnout.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government by
•  examining the legislative, executive, and judicial branches;
•  analyzing the relationship between the three branches in a system of checks and balances.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the state and local governments described in the Constitution of Virginia by
•  examining the legislative, executive, and judicial branches;
•  examining the structure and powers of local governments: county, city, and town;
•  analyzing the relationship among state and local governments.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the process by which public policy is made by
•  examining different perspectives on the role of government;
•  explaining how local, state, and national governments formulate public policy;
•  describing the process by which policy is implemented by the bureaucracy at each level;
•  analyzing how individuals, interest groups, and the media influence public policy.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the operation of the federal judiciary by
•  explaining the jurisdiction of the federal courts;
•  examining how John Marshall established the Supreme Court as an independent, co-equal branch of government through his opinions in Marbury v. Madison ;
•  describing how the Supreme Court decides cases;
•  comparing the philosophies of judicial activism and judicial restraint.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights by
•  examining the Bill of Rights, with emphasis on First Amendment freedoms;
•  analyzing due process of law expressed in the 5th and 14th Amendments;
•  explaining selective incorporation of the Bill of Rights;
•  exploring the balance between individual liberties and the public interest;
•  explaining every citizen's right to be treated equally under the law.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of the United States in a changing world by
•  describing the responsibilities of the national government for foreign policy and national security;
•  assessing the role played by national interest in shaping foreign policy and promoting world peace;
•  examining the relationship of Virginia and the United States to the global economy;
•  examining recent foreign policy and international trade initiatives since 1980.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of how governments in Mexico, Great Britain, and the People's Republic of China compare with government in the United States by
•  describing the distribution of governmental power;
•  explaining the relationship between the legislative and executive branches;
•  comparing the extent of participation in the political process.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of economic systems by
•  identifying the basic economic questions encountered by all economic systems;
•  comparing the characteristics of free market, command, and mixed economies, as described by Adam Smith and Karl Marx;
•  evaluating the impact of the government's role in the economy on individual economic freedoms;
•  explaining the relationship between economic freedom and political freedom;
•  examining productivity and the standard of living as measured by key economic indicators.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the United States market economy by
•  assessing the importance of entrepreneurship, the profit motive, and economic independence to the promotion of economic growth;
•  comparing types of business organizations;
•  describing the factors of production;
•  explaining the interaction of supply and demand;
•  illustrating the circular flow of economic activity;
•  analyzing global economic trends, with emphasis on the impact of technological innovations.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the role of government in the Virginia and United States economies by
•  analyzing the impact of fiscal and monetary policies on the economy;
•  describing the creation of public goods and services;
•  examining environmental issues, property rights, contracts, consumer rights, labor-management relations, and competition in the marketplace.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of personal character traits that facilitate thoughtful and effective participation in civic life by
•  practicing trustworthiness and honesty;
•  practicing courtesy and respect for the rights of others;
•  practicing responsibility, accountability, and self-reliance;
•  practicing respect for the law;
•  practicing patriotism.

The student will understand that thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is characterized by
•  obeying the law and paying taxes;
•  serving as a juror;
•  participating in the political process;
•  performing public service;
•  keeping informed about current issues;
•  respecting differing opinions in a diverse society.