Iowa

Foundations of American Government

• Constitutional Principles and Civic Virtues

  • SS.9-12.Gov.1 Analyze the origins of government with attention to the purpose(s) of government, and alternative models from other nations and groups.

    • Authoritarian and democratic governments (CG-A.1)
    • Identify types of government (CG-A.2)
    • Influences on U.S. government (CG-B.1)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.2 Analyze the Enlightenment principles that informed the structure and principles of the United States government and its institutions.

    • Influences on U.S. government (CG-B.1)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.3 Analyze important founding and historical documents to the United States and the State of Iowa.

    • Source analysis: the Declaration of Independence (CG-B.2)
    • Source analysis: the Federalist Papers (CG-B.5)
    • Introduction to the Constitution (CG-C.1)
    • Constitutional amendments (CG-C.3)
    • The Bill of Rights (CG-C.4)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.4 Analyze the underlying principles established by the United States Constitution.

    • Introduction to the Constitution (CG-C.1)
    • Federalism (CG-C.2)
    • Constitutional amendments (CG-C.3)
    • The Bill of Rights (CG-C.4)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.5 Analyze the role of the government in maintaining order.

    • Government and politics (CG-A.)
    • Authoritarian and democratic governments (CG-A.1)

Branches of Government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

• Role and Systems of Government

  • SS.9-12.Gov.6 Analyze the function, duties, and authority of the legislative branch, including the process of lawmaking and the power of the purse.

    • The legislative branch (CG-D.1)
    • How a bill becomes a law (CG-D.2)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.7 Analyze the function, duties, and authority of the executive branch, including the scope of presidential powers, executive orders, executive agreements, and the president's role in foreign and domestic policy.

    • The executive branch (CG-D.3)
    • Executive departments and independent agencies (CG-D.4)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.8 Analyze the function, duties, and authority of the judicial branch, including the power of judicial review and interpretation of laws.

    • Interpreting the Constitution (CG-C.5)
    • The judicial branch (CG-D.5)
    • Supreme Court cases on the balance of power (CG-D.7)
    • Supreme Court cases on the Bill of Rights (CG-F.2)
    • Supreme Court cases on the Fourteenth Amendment: incorporation (CG-F.3)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.9 Assess how the United States federal system divides powers between national and state governments.

    • Federalism (CG-C.2)
    • Introduction to state and local government (CG-E.1)
    • Identify levels and branches of government (CG-E.2)
    • State courts (CG-E.3)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.10 Analyze the basic requirements and responsibilities to serve in public office.

Political Participation, Key Institutions, and Elections

• Processes, Rules, and Laws

  • SS.9-12.Gov.11 Analyze the historical, contemporary, and emerging patterns of political action and activism.

    • Political participation (CG-H.3)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.12 Critique the influence of intermediary institutions on government and policy.

    • The two-party system (CG-H.1)
    • Presidential elections (CG-H.2)
    • Role of the media (CG-I.1)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.13 Analyze the electoral process and election systems in the United States, specifically Iowa election law including registration requirements, paper ballots, and absentee voting.

    • Presidential elections (CG-H.2)
    • Political participation (CG-H.3)

Citizenship and Civic Responsibilities

• Citizenship and Civic Rights and Responsibilities

  • SS.9-12.Gov.14 Analyze the role of citizens in the U.S. political system, with attention to the definition of who is a citizen, the expansion of that definition over time.

    • Constitutional amendments (CG-C.3)
    • Rights and responsibilities of active citizenship (CG-G.1)
    • Immigration and naturalization (CG-G.2)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.15 Assess the contributions of exemplary Iowans and Americans who have played a role in promoting civic virtues and democratic principles.

    • Source analysis: the Declaration of Independence (CG-B.2)
    • The presidency of George Washington (US-C.)
    • The abolition movement (US-D.)
    • Source analysis: What to the slave is the Fourth of July? (US-D.2)
    • Civil rights movement: school desegregation (US-O.1)
    • Source analysis: Letter from Birmingham Jail (US-O.)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.16 Analyze the concept of civic virtue and its importance to a well-functioning democracy.

    • Government and politics (CG-A.)
    • Rights and responsibilities of active citizenship (CG-G.1)

  • SS.9-12.Gov.17 Analyze the rights, liberties, duties, and responsibilities of citizens of the United States and the state of Iowa.

    • Constitutional amendments (CG-C.3)
    • The Bill of Rights (CG-C.4)
    • What are civil liberties and civil rights? (CG-F.1)
    • Rights and responsibilities of active citizenship (CG-G.1)

State and Local Government of Iowa

• Role and Systems of Government

  • SS.9-12.Gov.18 Identify the function, duties, and authority of the government of the state of Iowa.

  • SS.9-12.Gov.19 Identify the function, duties, and authority of the sovereign Meskwaki Nation tribal government.

  • SS.9-12.Gov.20 Identify the functions and organizational structures of Iowa's local governments.