9th Grade Civics & Government

An investigation into how Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau influenced the framing of the American system.

Examine the causes of the American Revolution and the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence.

Investigating the first U.S. government, its structure, and its eventual failure.

Analyzing the debates of the Constitutional Convention regarding representation and federal power.

Examining the Connecticut Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise, and Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise.

Exploring the shifting boundary between state sovereignty and national authority.

Evaluating the core arguments regarding the size of the republic and the necessity of a Bill of Rights.

Examining the first ten amendments and their role in safeguarding individual liberties.

Analyzing the formal and informal processes by which the Constitution evolves over time.

Examining the principle that government power is derived from the consent of the governed.

Investigating how the three branches of government limit each other to prevent tyranny.

Defining the legal and ethical obligations of citizens in a democratic society.

Exploring the ethical foundations of American democracy, such as justice, equality, and respect.

Deconstructing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to understand its stated purposes.

Debating different approaches to interpreting the U.S. Constitution.

Comparing the distinct powers, cultures, and rules of the two chambers of Congress.

Examining how members of Congress are elected and the concept of constituent representation.

Examining how redistricting affects the fairness and outcomes of elections.

Tracing the legislative process from committee markup to the President's desk.

Investigating the different types of committees and their vital role in the legislative process.

Analyzing the congressional role in budgeting, taxation, and spending.

Investigating how Congress monitors the Executive branch through hearings and investigations.

Assessing the impact of special interest groups and money in the legislative arena.

Debating the advantages of experience versus the need for new perspectives in Congress.

Examining the power of the Speaker of the House and Majority Leaders in setting the agenda.

Exploring ethical dilemmas faced by members of Congress and mechanisms for accountability.

Understanding the complex process of creating the federal budget and its economic impact.

Investigating the role of staff, the CBO, GAO, and CRS in supporting legislative work.

Examining the historical use and constitutional challenges of the legislative veto.

Exploring the dynamic and often contentious relationship between Congress and the President.

Evaluating the various duties of the President as Chief Executive, Diplomat, and Commander in Chief.

Differentiating between the powers explicitly granted by the Constitution and those developed over time.

Investigating the unique and controversial system used to elect the President.

Exploring how the President manages the vast executive branch through specialized advisors.

Exploring how agencies like the EPA and FDA translate laws into specific regulations.

Investigating the power of unelected bureaucrats and the influence of interest groups on policy.

Analyzing the use of unilateral actions to achieve policy goals without Congress.

Analyzing how the executive branch interacts with the world and manages global conflicts.

Examining the evolving role of the 'second in command' from a figurehead to a key policy player.

Tracing the constitutional process for holding high-level executive officials accountable for 'high crimes and misdemeanors.'

Understanding the constitutional provisions for presidential succession and handling presidential disability.

Examining the relationship between the President and the press, including communication strategies.

Investigating the expansion of executive power during national emergencies and wars.

Exploring the various offices and councils that directly advise and support the President.

Examining how Congress and the Judiciary limit the President's authority.

Understanding the relationship and jurisdiction between state and federal courts.

Examining how the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution and checks other branches.

Analyzing the political and legal process of appointing and confirming federal judges.

Investigating how past court decisions influence future rulings and legal stability.

Analyzing the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments within the criminal justice system.

Evaluating the role of ordinary citizens in the administration of justice.

Debating the ethics of punishment, the death penalty, and 'cruel and unusual' standards.

Tracing the evolution of the 14th Amendment through landmark court cases.

Differentiating between civil and criminal legal systems and their respective processes.

Debating the appropriate role of the judiciary in shaping public policy.

Examining the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. legal system's adversarial nature.

Exploring challenges to accessing legal representation and the role of public defenders.

Investigating the unique aspects of the legal system for minors.

Exploring alternative approaches to justice focused on repairing harm and reconciliation.

Examining the ethical obligations and dilemmas faced by lawyers and judges.

Investigating the limits and protections of the First Amendment in the digital age.

Analyzing the 'separation of church and state' and government endorsement of religion.

Exploring the right to practice one's religion freely and its limitations.

Exploring the implied right to privacy and its application to technology and personal autonomy.

Examining the right to bear arms in the context of individual liberty and public safety.

Analyzing the government's power to take private property for public use under the 5th Amendment.

Investigating how the Bill of Rights applies (and is limited) within the K-12 educational environment.

Exploring the right of citizens to gather and petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Examining how the 14th Amendment extended the Bill of Rights to the states.

Focusing on the 5th Amendment's protection against self-incrimination and the 'Miranda warnings'.

Examining the 6th Amendment's right to counsel and its expansion to indigent defendants.

Tracing the historical struggle for voting rights and contemporary challenges.

Debating the legality and ethics of policies designed to address past discrimination.

Exploring the ethical and legal debates surrounding end-of-life decisions.

Examining scenarios where individual rights come into conflict with each other or with public good.

Defining liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, and other major ideological frameworks.

Investigating why the U.S. is dominated by two parties and the challenges faced by third parties.

Examining how family, media, and education shape an individual's political beliefs.

Developing skills to identify bias and evaluate sources in political reporting.

Analyzing how parties formalize their goals and build coalitions during election cycles.

Exploring the causes and consequences of increasing political division in the U.S.

Differentiating the roles and strategies of interest groups compared to political parties.

Examining the shared beliefs, values, and norms that define American political life.

Evaluating how public opinion is measured and how polls influence political strategy.

Exploring various forms of civic engagement beyond casting a ballot.

Investigating the role of money, Super PACs, and the Citizens United ruling in elections.

Analyzing who votes, why they vote, and how demographic factors influence outcomes.

Understanding the stages of the American electoral process from nomination to inauguration.

Debating the ethics and legality of voting requirements like ID laws and mail-in ballots.

Examining the norms and traditions that ensure stability after an election.

Evaluating how public opinion is measured and how polls influence political strategy.

Analyzing how digital platforms are used for micro-targeting and mobilization.

Comparing different methods of electing representatives and their impacts.

Further exploring the influence of campaign spending and dark money on elections.

Examining how news coverage, endorsements, and debates shape public perception.

Investigating how modern politicians are constantly campaigning, even while in office.

Understanding how city and county governments impact daily life and how to influence them.

Developing strategies for productive deliberation and consensus building on controversial topics.

Exploring the U.S. role in international organizations like the UN and the impact of treaties.

Examining how governments address climate change and resource management.

Analyzing when and why the U.S. intervenes in the affairs of other nations.

Investigating the civic implications of artificial intelligence, surveillance, and the internet.

Reflecting on the health of the American experiment and potential reforms.

A capstone experience where students identify a problem, research solutions, and advocate for change.

Examining the government's role in the economy, including fiscal and monetary policy.

Investigating government programs designed to address poverty, health, and inequality.

Exploring the legal and ethical dimensions of immigration, borders, and naturalization.

Examining the role of government in education and ongoing debates about reform.

Investigating the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and policy debates.

Exploring how technological advancements impact government functions and citizen engagement.

Examining the influence of non-governmental organizations in shaping public policy.

Delving deeper into the ethical obligations of journalists and media organizations.

Exploring transnational issues like pandemics, terrorism, and economic crises.

Encouraging students to identify their power and pathways for civic participation.

A culminating reflection on the strengths, weaknesses, and future of the American democratic experiment.