Grade: 12
Credit: One

Students in Virginia/U.S. Government examine both the structure and function of American government at the national, state, and local levels. This course focuses on political decision making and the student’s role as a citizen and participant in American constitutional government. Critical thinking, writing, research, and group process skills are emphasized and refined.

Course Content
The course content as outlined in the Virginia/U.S. Government Program of Studies is organized around four Fairfax County Framework Standards for Social Studies (History/Civics) and the eighteen Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) for United States and Virginia Government (designated as 12.1, 12.2, etc.) as follows:

FAIRFAX FRAMEWORK STANDARD I
Students will know, understand, and explain the importance of the political and civic beliefs, values, and principles that support and maintain American constitutional government and understand the workings of their own and other political systems.

Virginia Standards of Learning
Students reach this Fairfax Framework Standard when they are able to:

12.1 Compare the United States constitutional system in 1789 with forms of democracy that developed in ancient Greece and Rome, in England, and in the American colonies and states in the 18th century.

12.2 Identify examples of fundamental American principles contained in the Virginia Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Federalist Papers, and compare them to the principles of government and law developed by leading European political thinkers such as Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Blackstone.

12.3 Analyze the amendments to the United States Constitution in terms of conflicts they addressed and the reasons for their adoption.

12.5 Identify and explain fundamental concepts of democracy, with emphasis placed on equality of all citizens under the law, the fundamental worth and dignity of the individual, majority rule and minority rights, the necessity of compromise, individual freedoms, and rule of law.

12.7 Analyze and compare national and state government with emphasis on

• the structures, functions, and authority of each;
• the principles of federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances;
• the extent to which power is shared rather than divided or separated; and
• procedures for constitutional amendment.

12.8 Explain how United States and Virginia legislative, executive, and judicial institutions make public policy, in terms of

• legislation, regulations, executive orders, and judicial review;
• constitutional requirements and institutional procedures; and
• specific policies related to foreign affairs, civil rights, and economics and budget.

12.9 Identify and distinguish among the units of local governments in Virginia, including counties, cities, towns, and regional authorities and analyze a local public issue.

12.10 Explain and give current examples of how political parties, interest groups, the media, and individuals influence the policy agenda and decision making of government institutions.

12.11 Describe campaigns for national, state, and local elective office, including

• the nominating process;
• campaign funding and spending;
• the influence of media coverage, campaign advertising, and public opinion polls;
• demographic causes and political effects of reapportionment and redistricting;
• voter turnout and the constituencies of the major political parties; and
• the Electoral College

12.14 Compare the United States political and economic systems with those of major democratic and authoritarian nations, in terms of

• the structures and powers of political institutions;
• the rights and powers of the governed including grass roots citizen movements;
• economic goals and institutions and the role of government in the economy;
• the relationships between economic freedom and political freedom; and
• the allocation of resources and its impact on productivity.

12.15 Analyze the United States market economy, in terms of

• labor, capital, and natural resources;
• the interaction of supply and demand in markets;
• the role of private ownership, private enterprise, and profits;
• the relationships of households, firms, and government;
• labor/management relationships; and
• relationships to the global economy.

12.16 Analyze the role of government in the United States economy, with emphasis on

• monetary and fiscal policies;
• interstate commerce and international trade policies;
• providing favorable conditions for markets;
• providing public goods and services;
• protecting the environment; and
• promoting economic growth.

12.17 Evaluate the effect of monetary and fiscal policies on personal economic well-being including employment opportunities, purchasing power, credit and interest rates, and opportunities for investment and savings.

12.18 Define common economic terms including productivity, recession, depression, the business cycle, and inflation, and explain and interpret indicators of economic performance, including gross domestic product, consumer price index, unemployment rate, balance of trade, and stock market averages.

FAIRFAX FRAMEWORK STANDARD II
Students will identify and understand rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States.

Virginia Standards of Learning
Students reach this Fairfax Framework Standard when they are able to:

12.4 Summarize landmark Supreme Court interpretations of the United States Constitution and its amendments, with emphasis on basic freedoms, due process, equal protection of the law, and government powers, and analyze the historical trends and contemporary patterns of United States Supreme Court decisions.

12.12 Explain the rights, responsibilities, and benefits of citizenship in the United States and Virginia.

FAIRFAX FRAMEWORK STANDARD III
Students will conduct inquiries and research--gathering, analyzing, interpreting, and communicating facts associated with themes, movements, and general principles operating in history and civics.

Virginia Standards of Learning
Students reach this Fairfax Framework Standard when they are able to:

12.13 Develop the skills needed for informed participation in public affairs by

• analyzing public issues;
• evaluating candidates for public office;
• evaluating the performance of public officials; and
• communicating with public officials.

FAIRFAX FRAMEWORK STANDARD IV
Students will apply knowledge of history and civics to make decisions and solve problems.

Virginia Standards of Learning
Students reach this Fairfax Framework Standard when they are able to:

12.6 Analyze in writing, discussion, and debate current issues confronting local, state, and national governments in terms of perennial challenges to democracies, including conflicts between

• majority rule and minority rights;
• individual rights and the public interest
• levels of taxation and expectation of public services ; and
• state and national authority in a federal system.

Textbooks and Materials
There are two approved textbooks for Virginia/U.S. Government:

• United States Government: Democracy in Action by Richard C. Remy
• Government in America by Richard J. Hardy

Additional materials such as selected readings, articles, internet web sites, videos, software, and local resources are used at the discretion of the teacher. All materials not currently approved by Fairfax County Public Schools must be approved at the school level before they are eligible for classroom use.

Assessment
Successful completion of Virginia/U.S. Government is required by the State of Virginia for graduation from high school. Although there is not a Virginia Standards of Learning Test for this course, students must meet rigorous school-based assessment standards.

Last update: August 21, 1998