Civics Objectives
Jackie McAsey
  1. Identify the meaning of the term civics.
  1. Determine the ideals that form the basis of the U.S. government.
  1. Identify what distinguishes a democracy from other forms of government.
  1. Evaluate the significance of the Declaration of Independence.
  1. Describe how the viewpoints of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists differed and how they resolved their differences.
  1. Identify the goals of the U.S. government as outlined in the Constitution.
  1. Explain why the Constitution established the powers of the federal and state governments.
  1. Analyze why the Constitution provides for the separation of powers.
  1. Identify the main responsibilities of each of the three branches of government.
  1. Explain how the system of checks and balances works.
  1. Examine how the First Amendment protects personal freedoms.
  1. Identify the other rights in the Bill of Rights.
  1. Explain duties and describe responsibilities of citizenship.
  1. Identify the five majors areas in which Congress has the power to make laws.
  1. Analyze the significance of the elastic clause.
  1. Describe the special powers of Congress and explain how Congressional powers are limited.
  1. Identify the four types of U.S. laws.
  1. Identify powers reserved for the state.
  1. Describe the kinds of cases that state courts handle.
  1. Explain how local governments are established and why they are needed.
  1. Identify different types of county and city governments and their functions.
  1. Explain the role of political parties in the United States.
  1. Describe how political parties developed in the United States.
  1. Determine the main purpose of the Electoral College.
  1. Identify the purpose of foreign policy.
  1.  Examine why NATO formed and describe its purpose today.
  1. Explain why the U.N. was formed and identify its six parts.
  1. Describe how the civil rights movement of the 1960’s resulted in broadening the rights of Americans.