Bill of Rights

Civil Rights

Freedom of the Press

Political Protest

12.2 Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the scope and limits of rights and obligations as democratic citizens, the relationships among them, and how they are secured.

1. Discuss the meaning and importance of each of the rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and how each is secured (e.g., freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition, privacy).

2. Explain how economic rights are secured and their importance to the individual and to society (e.g., the right to acquire, use, transfer, and dispose of property; right to choose one's work; right to join or not join labor unions; copyright and patent).

3. Discuss the individual's legal obligations to obey the law, serve as a juror, and pay taxes.

4. Understand the obligations of civic-mindedness, including voting, being informed on civic issues, volunteering and performing public service, and serving in the military or alternative service.

5. Describe the reciprocity between rights and obligations; that is, why enjoyment of one's rights entails respect for the rights of others.

6. Explain how one becomes a citizen of the United States, including the process of naturalization (e.g., literacy, language, and other requirements). 

12.3 Students evaluate and take and defend positions on what the fundamental values and principles of civil society are (i.e., the autonomous sphere of voluntary personal, social, and economic relations that are not part of government), their interdependence, and the meaning and importance of those values and principles for a free society.

1. Explain how civil society provides opportunities for individuals to associate for social, cultural, religious, economic, and political purposes.

2. Explain how civil society makes it possible for people, individually or in association with others, to bring their influence to bear on government in ways other than voting and elections.

3. Discuss the historical role of religion and religious diversity.

4. Compare the relationship of government and civil society in constitutional democracies to the relationship of government and civil society in authoritarian and totalitarian regimes.

12.6 Students evaluate issues regarding campaigns for national, state, and local elective offices.

1. Analyze the origin, development, and role of political parties, noting those occasional periods in which there was only one major party or were more than two major parties.

2. Discuss the history of the nomination process for presidential candidates and the increasing importance of primaries in general elections.

3. Evaluate the roles of polls, campaign advertising, and the controversies over campaign funding.

4. Describe the means that citizens use to participate in the political process (e.g., voting, campaigning, lobbying, filing a legal challenge, demonstrating, petitioning, picketing, running for political office).

5. Discuss the features of direct democracy in numerous states (e.g., the process of referendums, recall elections).

6. Analyze trends in voter turnout; the causes and effects of reapportionment and redistricting, with special attention to spatial districting and the rights of minorities; and the function of the Electoral College.

12.7 Students analyze and compare the powers and procedures of the national, state, tribal, and local governments. 

1. Explain how conflicts between levels of government and branches of government are resolved.

2. Identify the major responsibilities and sources of revenue for state and local governments.

3. Discuss reserved powers and concurrent powers of state governments.

4. Discuss the Ninth and Tenth Amendments and interpretations of the extent of the federal government's power.

5. Explain how public policy is formed, including the setting of the public agenda and implementation of it through regulations and executive orders.

6. Compare the processes of lawmaking at each of the three levels of government, including the role of lobbying and the media.

7. Identify the organization and jurisdiction of federal, state, and local (e.g., California) courts and the interrelationships among them.

8. Understand the scope of presidential power and decision making through examination of case studies such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, passage of Great Society legislation, War Powers Act, Gulf War, and Bosnia. 

12.8 Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the influence of the media on American political life.

1. Discuss the meaning and importance of a free and responsible press.

2. Describe the roles of broadcast, print, and electronic media, including the Internet, as means of communication in American politics.

3. Explain how public officials use the media to communicate with the citizenry and to shape public opinion.

For additional information see the California Department of Education web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/histsocscistnd.pdf

 

FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES CHECK THESE LINKS

Religion and Government

History of Political Parties

Constitutional Democracy

Totalitarianism