Mr. Stanton E-Mail: mr.s@worldjourney.net or

Office Room: 45 Eugene_A._Stanton@fc.mcps.k12.md.us

Office Phone: 301-972-7923 Website: http://www.worldjourney.net/phs/

The NSL High School Assessment Test is May 24, 2006

Course Description

In the first semester of National, State and Local Government you will study the basic principles that shape our current political system. This includes the participation process and the functions of our government. “In the second semester, you will learn how the basic functions of government work in relation to more complicated issues, like the economic system and foreign and domestic policies (equity, education, the environment, health care, etc.). You will be challenged to apply abstract concepts of government to everyday life. In the end, you will be expected to become a citizen who can read and learn about almost anything, write to express understanding or support a point of view, and converse in a manner worthy of the title citizen.”(Hagan) Please understand that passing the National, State, and Local Government A and B Exams are important components in the Maryland State Assessment Examination System and are requirements for graduation. This course will prepare you for the test.

"Information is the currency of democracy." Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3rd US President

"If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost." Aristotle (384-322 BC), Greek Philosopher

"The experience of democracy is like the experience of life itself-always changing, infinite in its variety, sometimes turbulent and all the more valuable for having been tested by adversity." Jimmy Carter (b. 1924), 39th US President

Course Objectives

NSL A

Unit One: Political Principles and Structure of Systems

• Why people form governments; how governments vary in purpose, form and type.
• The key principles of US government, including limited government, representative government, and protection of rights based on European Enlightenment thinkers and the American experience.
• How federalism as outlined in the US Constitution is a system of separation of power and checks and balances, judicial review, and an amendment process.

Unit Two: Participation in the Political Process

• How citizenship, the basis of our democracy, includes performing the duties of a citizen, voting, and participating in the debate over what constitutes the common good.
• How and why citizens form political parties to shape the common good and have their ideologies reflected in public policies and elected officials.

Course Objectives Continued (NSL A)

Unit Three: Functions and Power: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

• How your representatives make important decisions about government on your behalf.
• How the US Constitution establishes powers for national and state governments.
• How branches and levels of government work together.

 Unit Four: Attaining Justice and Protecting Rights

• How individual rights and responsibilities, rule of law, and a system of justice are important to each of us.
• How the 14th Amendment due process clause gives “equal protection for all.”
• How the US legal system resolves conflicts through criminal and civil law systems.
• How landmark Supreme Court decisions affect due process protections.

NSL B

Unit Five: The Economic Common Good  

• Basic economic concepts and principles.
• The different types of economic systems and how each answers the basic economic questions of what to produce, how to produce it and how it is distributed.
• The organization of the mixed market economy of the U.S. and the fiscal, monetary and regulatory tools used to address economic issues.
• International trade and the role of the U.S., other nations and organizations in worldwide economic growth.

Unit Six: Foreign Policy

• The role of foreign policy throughout the history of the U.S.
• Contemporary foreign policy situations facing the U.S. and the foreign policy tools used to deal with them.
• The complexities and balance involved in making foreign policy decisions for the United States.

Unit Seven: The Role of Public Policy

• The role of government in making public policy.
• How public policy shapes areas such as the environment, entitlements, health care and public health, censorship, crime, and equity.

Grading Format

Your final grade is based on your capacity to demonstrate your ability to perform the objectives and required skills for each unit. You will be assessed based on value points on the basis of test, quizzes, essays (BCR’s & ECR’s), projects, simulations, and homework assignments.

Type of Evaluation Percentage % Value

Assessments (This includes Unit Exams, Quizzes, and 50%

ECR & BCR Essays)

Enhancement Assessments (This includes Projects, Case Studies, 35%

Simulations, and Class Assignments)

Homework (Graded on accuracy or quality in relation to established 10%

learning outcomes)

Notebook (A collection of all your notes and work in dated order) 5%

There will be due dates and deadlines for assignments; if you turn in an assignment after the due date but before the deadline, you will be penalized one letter grade.  Assignments turned in after the deadline will not be accepted and will receive a grade of E.