Portable Assisted Study Sequence (PASS) Program

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to various concepts of the study of American government and democracy. Students will trace its development from the beginning to the present, compare systems of government in the world today, analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, examine the current state of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government, and analyze the relationship among federal, state, and local governments. The course examines principles of American democracy and how change and continuity of basic ideas have manifested themselves to the present day. Students will analyze expanding rights and the basic ideas of justice, equality and liberty and their impact on social and cultural life, domestic and foreign policy, business and technology. Students will trace the emergence of the United States as a world power and examine the major social problems and tensions: majority rule and individual rights; liberty and equality; state and national authority in a federal system; civil disobedience and the rule of law; freedom of the press and the right to a fair trial; and the relationship of religion and government. Students are required not only to master the essential components of American Government, but also to analyze these concepts in relation to their own lives. All Units require a supplemental textbook entitled Our United States Government.

Credits: 5

University of California
A-G Approval

State Standards

High School Exit Exam

Course Content

Unit 1 - Fundamental Principles of American Democracy

California Curriculum Standards

Students explain the fundamental principles and moral values of American democracy as expressed in the U.S. Constitution and other essential documents of American democracy. (12.1.1, 12.1.2, 12.1.3, 12.1.4, 12.1.5, 12.1.6)
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. (12.2.1, 12.2.4)

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. (12.3.1, 12.3.2, 12.3.3, 12.3.4)

Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution. (12.4.1, 12.4.2, 12.4.4, 12.4.6.)

Students analyze the origins, characteristics, and development of different political systems across time, with emphasis on the quest for political democracy, its advances, and its obstacles. (12.9.1)

Unit Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Explain and trace the rise of democratic ideas and rights.
Understand life in the colonies and the development of the Declaration of Independence.
Analyze the Articles of Confederation.
Explain the creation of the US Constitution.
Understand and articulate the Bill of Rights and the amendment process.

Unit 2 - The Way the Government Works

California Curriculum Standards

Students analyze the unique roles and responsibilities of the three branches of government as established by the U.S. Constitution. (12.4.1, 12.4.3, 12.4.5, 12.4.6)

Students summarize landmark U.S. Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and its amendments. (12.5.1, 12.5.2, 12.5.3, 12.5.4)

Students analyze and compare the powers and procedures of the national, state, tribal, and local governments. (12.7. 1, 12.7.2, 12.7.5, 12.7.6, 12.7.7, 12.7.8)

Unit Objectives

Upon completion of this Unit, the student will be able to:

Understand the legislative branches of local, state, and federal government(s).
Understand the executive branch of local, state, and federal government(s).
Understand the judicial branch of state and federal government(s) and study courts, cases, trials, and juries.

Unit 3 - Political Organizations

California Curriculum Standards

Students explain the fundamental principles and moral values of American democracy as expressed in the U.S. Constitution and other essential documents of American democracy. (12.1.1, 12.1.6)

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. (12.2.1, 12.2.2, 12.2.3, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 12.2.6)

Students evaluate issues regarding campaigns for national, state, and local elective offices. (12.6.1, 12.6.2, 12.6.3, 12.6.4, 12.6.6)

Students analyze and compare the powers and procedures of the national, state, tribal, and local governments. (12.7.1, 12.7.2, 12.7.3, 12.7.5, 12.7.6, 12.7.7)

Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the influence of the media on American political life. (12.8.1, 12.8.2, 12.8.3)

Unit Objectives

Upon completion of this Unit, the student will be able to:

Examine the methods of creating and sustaining a civil society.
Understand citizenship and the naturalization process.
Understand various federal, state, local, and tribal political parties and organizations.
Understand civil disobedience and the Rule of Law.

Unit 4 - World Governments and International Organizations

California Curriculum Standards

Unit Objectives

Upon completion of this Unit, the student will be able to:

Understand various forms of government and economic policy.
Examine the formation of the UN and understand basic human rights.
Analyze the historical and modern policies and governments of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

Unit 5 - Problem Solving Current Issues

California Curriculum Standards

Students explain the fundamental principles and moral values of American democracy as expressed in the U.S. Constitution and other essential documents of American democracy. (12.1.6)

Students evaluate and take and defend positions on what the fundamental values and principles of civil society are, their interdependence, and the meaning and importance of those values and principles for a free society. (12.3.1, 12.3.2)
Students summarize landmark U.S. Supreme Court interpretations of the Constitution and its amendments. (12.5.1)

Students evaluate issues regarding campaigns for national, state, and local elective offices. (12.6.1, 12.6.4)

Students analyze and compare the powers and procedures of the national, state, tribal, and local governments. (12.7.3, 12.7.4, 12.7.5, 12.7)

Students evaluate and take and defend positions on the influence of the media on American political life. (12.8.1, 12.8.2, 12.8.3)

Unit Objectives

Upon completion of this Unit, the student will be able to:

Problem solve using diagrams, processes, and samples.
Articulate the meaning of liberty and equality including basic values and rights.
Understand state vs. federal power (land use, National Parks, issues and tensions, etc.).
Understand work, the economy, and current tensions (capitalism, immigration, etc.).