American Studies Pacing Calendar 2014-2015

Suggested Resources and Literacy Connection

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  Read and analyze an Oklahoma case, studying it up through the U.S. Supreme Court decision (i.e. Thompson v. Oklahoma)
  
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  Chart and graph the differences between state and federal courts.
  
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  Watch videotapes of the Civil and Criminal trials of OJ Simpson and make conclusions comparing civil v. criminal cases.
  
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  Role play the President and pick a Supreme Court member
  
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  Bill of Rights: President and the Constitution
  

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  Clip of “60 Minutes” episode featuring the relationship between Justices Scalia and Ginsberg –disagree on policy and constitutional interpretation but are the best of friends – discussion on constitutional originalist v. living document
  
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  Bill of Rights: Supreme Court DBQs
  

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  Supreme Court
  
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  Oyez
  

1. Of what importance are landmark Supreme Court cases? Explain why.

2. Are rights relative or absolute in a democracy?

3. What connection do rights have to a successful democracy?

4. How does our Constitution protect rights?

3.7 Analyze the United States government’s responsibility to protect minority rights while legitimizing majority rule including the rights of due process and equality under the law.
5.3.A. Analyze the rights and liberties guaranteed to all citizens in and protected by the Bill of Rights, how they are applied and protected within the states through the 14th Amendment, and sustained through the actions of individual citizens.
5.3.B. Explain the impact on American politics, both historically and presently, of the racial, religious, socioeconomic, and ethnic diversity of American society including the importance of adhering to constitutional values in managing conflicts over diversity.

1. 
   Application of the Bill of Rights by the 14^th Amendment 5.3A
   
2. 
   Incorporation of the Bill of Rights by the 14^th Amendment
   
3. 
   Legal Precedent 4.2G
   

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  Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896
  
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  Brown v. Board of Education, 1954
  

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  Landmark Cases Expanding Civil Rights
  

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  Mapp v. Ohio, 1962
  
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  Engel v. Vitale, 1962
  
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  Miranda v. Arizona, 1966
  
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  Furman v. Georgia, 1972
  
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  Roe v. Wade, 1973
  

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  Board of Regents for University of California v. Bakke, 1978 and current cases 5.3B
  
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  Oyez
  

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  Dred Scott v. Sanford, 1857
  
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  Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963
  
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  Abington School District v. Schempp, 1963
  
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  Tinker v. Des Moines, 1969
  
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  Gregg v. Georgia, 1976
  
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  New Jersey v. T.L.O., 1985
  
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  Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 1988
  
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  Texas v. Johnson, 1989
  
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  Santa Fe School District v. Doe, 1999
  
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  Board of Education v. Earls , 2001
  
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  Oyez
  

7. 
   Voting Rights Act of 1965
   

8. 
   Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990
   

9. 
   Current interpretation of civil rights and civil liberties 5.3A
   

10. Explain the impact of these cases on American Society 5.3B

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  Graphic organizer on definition and examples of “civil rights” vs. “civil liberties”
  
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  Research, then prepare a power point presentation over landmark Supreme Court cases
  
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  Create a simulation game of daily life without rights
  
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  Divide into groups. Each group will be given an amendment to research and present court cases dealing with that amendment
  
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  Debate issues involving rights and the roles of government and the protection of those rights
  
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  Interpret quotes from philosophers and writers regarding responsibilities and determine if these are necessary responsibilities for life in a democracy
  
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  Bill of Rights: Presidents and the Constitution Volume One: Dred Scott, pg 72+
  

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  Journal Entry: Under what conditions would you lose rights and/or protections without the 14^th Amendment?
  
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  Bill of Rights: Supreme Court DBQs
  

The Freedom of Information Act (P.L. 89-554, 80 Stat. 383) asserts the public's right to know about the activities of government. That right to know is the foundation of accountability in a democracy and in fact preserves democratic government. The First Amendment right of free speech draws power from the availability of information, because knowledge enables people to identify government misconduct or incompetence and challenge government actions. Lacking access to information about government weakens the right to speak and the right to associate with others to advocate for change. Criticism without information is less powerful; ignorance dulls outrage and reduces the incentives to organize for democratic change.

Washington College of Law, American University

1. 
   How does the structure of State branches of government compare to that of the national government?
   
2. 
   What is the difference between civil and criminal court cases?
   
3. 
   In what ways are state judges selected?
   
4. 
   Why do we need state and local government?
   
5. 
   How do they meet the needs of the people?
   
6. 
   What are the roles of the different levels of state government?
   
7. 
   How do local governments serve the people?
   
8. 
   What are block grants and revenue sharing?
   
9. 
   What are the limitations on states’ taxing powers?
   

1. 
   State Constitutions
   

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  Federalism
  
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  Similarities and differences to the U.S. Constitution
  

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  Size and structure
  
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  Qualifications, Elections
  
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  Powers
  
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  Historical perspective: Progressive reform in State
  
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  Government, La Follette, i.e., Initiative Petition, Referendum, Recall
  

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  Qualifications, elections
  
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  Powers: Executive, Legislative, Judicial
  
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  Other State level offices: Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, Corporation Commission
  

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  State Supreme Court
  
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  Court of Criminal Appeals
  
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  Municipal Court
  

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  County, Parish, Borough
  

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  Sheriff, District Attorney, Judge, Assessor, County Commissioners
  

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  Towns, Cities, School Districts
  

8. 
   Local Administrative Function
   

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  City planning, zoning
  
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  Public Schools
  

9. 
   Local Budgets and Revenues
   

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  Provide services
  

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  Financing State and local government
  

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  Oklahoma Bar Association reading: “You are 18 and It’s Your Responsibility”
  
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  Research a local problem and address how state and local government can propose solutions to this problem
  
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  Interview local business leaders who explain the impact local laws have on their businesses
  
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  Examine the previous year’s budget and prioritize where the expenditures should be made
  
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  Give students a copy of recent state-wide budget. Tell them that there is X% less money predicted for next year. Have students defend in writing where they would make budgetary cuts
  
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  Have students create a city model (drawn out or built in 3-D). Over multiple class days give students new criteria that will impact zoning issues for the future or their city (population boom, natural disaster, etc)
  
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  Research your current local government leadership (state House, state Senate, city council, mayor, school board, etc.) and write a letter addressing an issue of concern to your community.
  
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  Attend a local school board meeting, city council meeting
  

1. 
   What are the basic characteristics of free market, command and mixed economies?
   
2. 
   What is government’s role in protecting our economic freedoms?
   
3. 
   What are the four factors of production and how are they interdependent?
   
4. 
   How does supply and demand interact to determine price?
   

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  Capitalism: Economic goals, Role of government, Allocation of resources, Audits, Impact of productivity
  
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  Socialism
  
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  Communism: Role of economic and political freedom
  

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  Two major instruments for influencing economic activity
  
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  Gross National Product (GNP)
  
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  Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
  

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  Protecting the environment
  
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  Property rights of an individual are relative and limited
  
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  Contracts are legally binding
  
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  Creates laws and agencies to regulate production and exchange activities, conduct research, and establish guidelines for consumer rights and safety 4.5.C
  
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  Intervenes in labor-management relations and can regulate competition on the marketplace activity.
  

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  Read three newspaper or magazine articles concerning economies. Write two to four paragraphs summarizing the articles, indicating whether or not you agree with the articles and why.
  
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  Research current economic indicators and write an editorial on the economic state of the union
  
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  Supply and Demand debate: Are baseball players paid too much? Using information and opinions from both sides, prepare a chart or graph to indicate how player’s pay is a product of supply and demand
  
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  Describe the Federal Reserve Chairperson’s approach to using the powers of “the Fed” Reserve to influence the nation’s economy
  
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  Chart the ways government protects: the environment, property rights, consumer rights and regulates marketplace competition