Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Logo Title

American Government through Comparative Perspectives

Course Description

American Government through Comparative Perspectives introduces students to the origins, concepts, institutions, interactions and policies of government in the United States, has students analyze the role of the United States in the global community, and compares the government of the United States to systems of government in other countries. The course increases students’ understanding of government and encourages students to become positive contributing members of their local, state, national, and global communities. Students are also challenged to develop a civic disposition and engage in civil discourse. As a component of this course, students are prepared for and take the state-mandated American Government End of Course Exam, as well as fulfill the citizenship and constitution assessment requirements for high school graduation in the State of Missouri.

Grade Level(s):  11th-12th grades

Related Priority Standards (State &/or National):  Missouri Learning Standards (6-12)

Essential Questions

  • What does it mean to be an engaged citizen?
  • How do engaged citizens impact/shape government?
  • What should be the purpose of government?
  • To what extent does the constitution guard against tyranny?
  • How do you make/change laws?
  • Is everyone equal under the law?
  • How does the government spend your tax dollars?

Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)

Unit 1: Citizenship and Social Movements

Key questions to be explored include:

  • What does it mean to be a citizen of your community?
  • What does it mean to be a US citizen?
  • What does it mean to be a global citizen?
  • Who has the right to be a citizen?
  • Which types of citizenship are most important (local, US, global)?
  • What are the rights, responsibilities and duties of a citizen?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Analyze the causes and consequences of a specific issue tied to government as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address the problem. 9-12.GV.1.CC.E
  • Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens and institutions to address and solve problems.  9-12.GV.1.G.B.
  • Explain a citizen’s legal obligations, as well as opportunities for, engaging with and using local, state and federal governments to shape decision-making.  9-12.GV.4.GS.B.

Unit 2: Political Participation and Elections

Key questions to be explored include:

  • How are we represented as US citizens?
  • How do citizens participate / make their voices heard?
  • What is representation? Does our system achieve representation?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens and institutions to address and solve problems.  9-12.GV.1.G.B.
  • Explain the powers and responsibilities of citizens and institutions to address and solve problems.  9-12.GV.4.CC.C
  • Explain a citizen’s legal obligations, as well as opportunities for, engaging with and using local, state and federal governments to shape decision-making.  9-12.GV.4.GS.B.

Unit 3: Foundations of Government

Key questions to be explored include:

  • What types of government exist?
  • Which attributes of government are best for individual protection?  Group interests?
  • Which attributes of government are best for community security and achievement?
  • How does the form of government impact your life?
  • How do we balance the rights of individuals with government protection?
  • Why are some countries stable democracies and others are not? (? What are we looking for here?  Are we exploring what creates stability in governments?)
  • How do other countries in the world define the role & purpose of government?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Compare and contrast the structure and function of democratic governments and authoritarian governments, noting their impact on people, groups and societies.  9-12.GV.2.CC.D.
  • Analyze laws and policies and processes to determine how government systems affect individuals and groups of society.  9-12.GV.1.GS.A
  • Examine the origins and impacts of social structures and stratification on societies and relationships between peoples and governments.  9-12.GV.1.PC.B.

Unit 4: The Constitution

Key questions to be explored include:

  • What is tyranny?
  • In what context was the Constitution written? Why do we have the Constitution?
  • How does the Constitution simultaneously protect the government order and the liberties of its citizens?
  • How has our understanding of citizenship evolved over time?
  • How has what Americans see as government tyranny changed over time?
  • How do other countries' governments in the world guard against tyranny?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Trace the changing relationship between state and federal governmental power.  9-12.GV.3.CC.D.
  • Analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government to determine how they function and interact.  9-12.GV.3.GS.C
  • Describe and give examples of how the constitutional principle of checks and balances limits the power of government and leaders.  9-12.GV.3.GS.D.
  • Explain how the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments limit the power of government, protect individual liberty and provide for equality under the law.  9-12.GV.3.GS.E.

Unit 5: The Lawmaking Process

Key questions to be explored include:

  • Why do we have laws?
  • How are laws balanced? How does our system protect citizens?
  • How do citizens participate in the lawmaking process?
  • How are laws enforced? By whom?
  • How do outside influences impact the lawmaking process?
  • Why is the lawmaking process so complex?
  • What role does compromise play in the lawmaking process?
  • How do citizens / leaders in other countries make laws? How does this compare to our system?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Trace significant changes in the role, powers, and size of the three branches of government over time.  9-12.GV.3.CC.C.
  • Analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government to determine how they function and interact. 9-12.GV.3.GS.C.
  • Describe and give examples of how the constitutional principle of checks and balances limits the power of government and leaders.  9-12.GV.3.GS.D.
  • Explain a citizen’s legal obligations, as well as opportunities for, engaging with and using local, state and federal governments to shape decision-making.  9-12.GV.4.GS.B.

Unit 6: Law and the Courts (including state/local)

Key questions to be explored include:

  • Who interprets our laws? Who decides what our laws mean?
  • How does a citizen challenge their access to justice?
  • How are rights fought for / protected by the courts?
  • What are the rights of the accused?
  • How are societal changes reflected in challenges to the courts and the law?
  • When is it appropriate for a court to be active in policy-making?
  • What happens to U.S. citizens who break the laws of other countries?
  • What is the role of international law?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Analyze laws and policies and processes to determine how government systems affect individuals and groups of society.  9-12.GV.1.GS.A
  • Trace significant changes in the role, powers, and size of the three branches of government over time.  9-12.GV.3.CC.C.
  • Trace the changing relationship between state and federal governmental power.  9-12.GV.3.CC.D.
  • Analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government to determine how they function and interact.  9-12.GV.3.GS.C
  • Explain a citizen’s legal obligations, as well as opportunities for, engaging with and using local, state and federal governments to shape decision-making.  9-12.GV.4.GS.B.

Unit 7a: Federalism and the Missouri Constitution

Key questions to be explored include:

  • How has our federal system changed over time?
  • What responsibilities does Missouri have in protecting the rights of citizens?
  • What is the role of state & local government within our federal system?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Explain a citizen’s legal obligations, as well as opportunities for, engaging with and using local, state and federal governments to shape decision-making.  9-12.GV.4.GS.B.
  • Trace the changing relationship between state and federal governmental power.  9-12.GV.3.CC.D.
  • Evaluate the intended and unintended impact of government decision making on individuals, groups and societies.  9-12.GV.3.PC.B.
  • Explain the powers and responsibilities of citizens and institutions to address and solve problems.  9-12.GV.4.CC.C

Unit 7b: Economics and the Budget

Key questions to be explored include:

  • How does the scope and role of government in the economy differ among economic systems?
  • What is the responsibility of the government in protecting consumers / workers?
  • What institutions have the power to make decisions that impact our economy?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Explain a citizen’s legal obligations, as well as opportunities for, engaging with and using local, state and federal governments to shape decision-making.  9-12.GV.4.GS.B.
  • Trace the changing relationship between state and federal governmental power.  9-12.GV.3.CC.D.
  • Describe and give examples of how the constitutional principle of checks and balances limits the power of government and leaders.  9-12.GV.3.GS.D.
  • Explain the powers and responsibilities of citizens and institutions to address and solve problems.  9-12.GV.4.CC.C

Unit 8: International Relations

Key questions to be explored include:

  • How has globalization affected policy-making in different countries?
  • What international institutions exist to better connect our world?
  • Should the U.S. participate in international organizations?
  • Should the U.S. government continue to act as a global police force?
  • Should international organizations have power over U.S. citizens / military?
  • How does your home country impact your position in the global community?
  • How do foreign nations / people view the role of the U.S. in the world?
  • How has conflict changed in a globalized world?
  • How does globalism impact our economy?

“Deep focus” priority standards to be addressed include:

  • Analyze the causes and consequences of a specific issue tied to government as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by those trying to address the problem. 9-12.GV.1.CC.E
  • Analyze laws and policies and processes to determine how government systems affect individuals and groups of society.  9-12.GV.1.GS.A.
  • Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens and institutions to address and solve problems.  9-12.GV.1.G.B.
  • Compare and contrast the structure and function of democratic governments and authoritarian governments, noting their impact on people, groups and societies.  9-12.GV.2.CC.D.
  • Evaluate the intended and unintended impact of government decision making on individuals, groups and societies.  9-12.GV.3.PC.B.
  • Explain the powers and responsibilities of citizens and institutions to address and solve problems.  9-12.GV.4.CC.C

Course Resources & Materials: District and/or teacher-made resources (LINK)

Date Last Revised/Approved: 2018