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Skills available for Tennessee high school social studies standards

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Tennessee Academic Standards: U.S. Government and Civics Tennessee Academic Standards: U.S. Government and Civics
Tennessee Academic Standards: United States History and Geography Tennessee Academic Standards: United States History and Geography

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Foundations of Constitutional Government

Students will explain the fundamental principles of American government, as expressed in the Constitution and other essential documents of American federalism.
- GC.01 Examine the influences of leading European thinkers (e.g., John Locke, Charles-Louis Montesquieu, Thomas Hobbes) and other roots of American government (e.g., Greek democracy, Roman republic, Magna Carta).
  - Influences on U.S. government (CG-B.1)
- GC.02 Examine the Declaration of Independence and American grievances against British rule.
  - Source analysis: the Declaration of Independence (CG-B.2)
- GC.03 Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
  - The Articles of Confederation (CG-B.3)
- GC.04 Discuss the Constitutional Convention of 1787, including the Great Compromise and the ensuing debate over ratification between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
  - The Constitutional Convention (CG-B.4)
  - Source analysis: the Federalist Papers (CG-B.5)
- GC.05 Describe the purposes and functions of government as outlined in the Preamble of the Constitution.
  - Introduction to the Constitution (CG-C.1)
- GC.06 Describe limited government within the Constitution, including: checks and balances, civilian control of the military, federalism, judicial review, popular sovereignty, rule of law, separation of powers.
- GC.07 Describe the structure of the Constitution and the process to amend it.
  - Introduction to the Constitution (CG-C.1)
  - Constitutional amendments (CG-C.3)
- GC.08 Analyze how the Bill of Rights limits the powers of the government and ensures individual rights.
  - The Bill of Rights (CG-C.4)
- GC.09 Define the concepts of democracy and republic, and examine the relationship between the two.
  - Identify types of government (CG-A.2)

The Legislative Branch

Students will analyze the functions of the legislative branch of the federal government.
- GC.10 Analyze Article I and the 17th Amendment of the Constitution as they relate to the legislative branch, including: eligibility for office, roles, length of terms, and election to office for representatives and senators, respectively.
  - Constitutional amendments (CG-C.3)
  - The legislative branch (CG-D.1)
- GC.11 Describe the census and its role in redistricting and reapportionment, including the role of Baker v. Carr.
  - The legislative branch (CG-D.1)
- GC.12 Identify leadership positions of the legislative branch, including: majority and minority leaders, president pro tempore, role of the vice president, Speaker of the House.
  - The legislative branch (CG-D.1)
- GC.13 Describe the process of how a bill becomes a law.
  - How a bill becomes a law (CG-D.2)
- GC.14 Identify the Tennessee representatives and senators to U.S. Congress.
- GC.15 Describe the powers of U.S. Congress, including: appropriations, commerce, confirmations, declaration of war, implied powers, necessary and proper clause.

The Executive Branch

Students will analyze the functions of the executive branch of the federal government.
- GC.16 Analyze Article II of the Constitution as it relates to the executive branch, including: appointments, commander-in-chief of the military, eligibility for office, executive orders, length of term (22nd Amendment), oath of office, powers of the president, succession (25th Amendment), treaties.
  - The executive branch (CG-D.3)
- GC.17 Identify major departments of the executive branch, including: defense, education, justice, state, treasury.
  - Executive departments and independent agencies (CG-D.4)
- GC.18 Explain the Electoral College system, and compare and contrast arguments for and against it.
  - Presidential elections (CG-H.2)

The Judicial Branch

Students will analyze the functions of the judicial branch of the federal government.
- GC.19 Analyze Article III of the Constitution as it relates to judicial power, including the length of terms and the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- GC.20 Explain the processes of selection and confirmation of Supreme Court justices.
  - The judicial branch (CG-D.5)
- GC.21 Explain the process of judicial review established by Marbury v. Madison.
  - Supreme Court cases on the balance of power (CG-D.7)
- GC.22 Describe the Supreme Court's role in determining the constitutionality of laws and acts of the legislative and executive branches.
  - Supreme Court cases on the balance of power (CG-D.7)
  - Supreme Court cases on the Bill of Rights (CG-F.2)

Civil Liberties

Students will identify various liberties that are ensured through the Constitution and analyze court cases that have impacted the ways our liberties are protected.
- GC.23 Evaluate the Supreme Court's interpretations of the freedoms articulated in the 1st Amendment, including: Schenck v. United States, Engel v. Vitale, Tinker v. Des Moines, Lemon v. Kurtzman, New York Times v. United States, Miller v. California, Texas v. Johnson.
  - Supreme Court cases on the Bill of Rights (CG-F.2)
- GC.24 Explain the 2nd Amendment, and evaluate its various interpretations.
  - The Bill of Rights (CG-C.4)
  - What are civil liberties and civil rights? (CG-F.1)
- GC.25 Evaluate the Supreme Court's interpretations of freedoms in the 4th through 8th Amendments, including: Mapp v. Ohio, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona.
  - Supreme Court cases on the Bill of Rights (CG-F.2)
- GC.26 Evaluate the Supreme Court's interpretations of the freedoms in the 14th Amendment, equal protection, and due process clauses, including: Plessy v. Ferguson, Gitlow v. New York, Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, Obergefell v. Hodges.
- GC.27 Identify and explain legislation and legal precedents that established rights for the underserved, including Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  - Constitutional amendments (CG-C.3)
  - What are civil liberties and civil rights? (CG-F.1)

Tennessee State and Local Government

Students will identify state leaders and explain state and local governance in Tennessee through exploration of the various structures and functions of government.
- GC.28 Identify the functions of departments and agencies of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in the state of Tennessee.
- GC.29 Explain the differences among the types of local governments in Tennessee, including county, city, and metro governments, as well as the legal, fiscal, and operational relationships between them and the state government.
- GC.30 Identify the current governor of Tennessee and the representatives in the General Assembly (for a student's respective district).

Citizen Participation

Students will examine the responsibilities and opportunities of a citizen of the U.S.
- GC.31 Describe what should be reasonably expected from any citizen or resident of the U.S., and explain why it is important for the well-being of the nation, including: being informed on civic issues, obeying the law, paying taxes, respecting the rights of others, serving as a juror, serving in the military or alternative service, volunteering and performing public service, and voting.
- GC.32 Explain the role of political parties in the nomination process for presidential candidates and the importance of and difference between primaries, caucuses, and general elections.
- GC.33 Describe the role of the media as a means of communicating information and how it influences the importance of issues and public opinion.
  - Role of the media (CG-I.1)
- GC.34 Describe the means that citizens use to participate in the political process, including: campaigning, demonstrating, lobbying, petitioning, running for office, and voting.
- GC.35 Explain the requirements to be considered a natural-born U.S. citizen, and describe the process of naturalization, including the knowledge required by the Naturalization Test.
  - Immigration and naturalization (CG-G.2)
  - The U.S. naturalization test (CG-G.3)

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Foundations of Constitutional Government

Students will explain the fundamental principles of American government, as expressed in the Constitution and other essential documents of American federalism.

GC.01 Examine the influences of leading European thinkers (e.g., John Locke, Charles-Louis Montesquieu, Thomas Hobbes) and other roots of American government (e.g., Greek democracy, Roman republic, Magna Carta).

GC.02 Examine the Declaration of Independence and American grievances against British rule.

GC.03 Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

GC.04 Discuss the Constitutional Convention of 1787, including the Great Compromise and the ensuing debate over ratification between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

GC.05 Describe the purposes and functions of government as outlined in the Preamble of the Constitution.

GC.06 Describe limited government within the Constitution, including: checks and balances, civilian control of the military, federalism, judicial review, popular sovereignty, rule of law, separation of powers.

GC.07 Describe the structure of the Constitution and the process to amend it.

GC.08 Analyze how the Bill of Rights limits the powers of the government and ensures individual rights.

GC.09 Define the concepts of democracy and republic, and examine the relationship between the two.

The Legislative Branch

Students will analyze the functions of the legislative branch of the federal government.

GC.10 Analyze Article I and the 17th Amendment of the Constitution as they relate to the legislative branch, including: eligibility for office, roles, length of terms, and election to office for representatives and senators, respectively.

GC.11 Describe the census and its role in redistricting and reapportionment, including the role of Baker v. Carr.

GC.12 Identify leadership positions of the legislative branch, including: majority and minority leaders, president pro tempore, role of the vice president, Speaker of the House.

GC.13 Describe the process of how a bill becomes a law.

GC.14 Identify the Tennessee representatives and senators to U.S. Congress.

GC.15 Describe the powers of U.S. Congress, including: appropriations, commerce, confirmations, declaration of war, implied powers, necessary and proper clause.

The Executive Branch

Students will analyze the functions of the executive branch of the federal government.

GC.16 Analyze Article II of the Constitution as it relates to the executive branch, including: appointments, commander-in-chief of the military, eligibility for office, executive orders, length of term (22nd Amendment), oath of office, powers of the president, succession (25th Amendment), treaties.

GC.17 Identify major departments of the executive branch, including: defense, education, justice, state, treasury.

GC.18 Explain the Electoral College system, and compare and contrast arguments for and against it.

The Judicial Branch

Students will analyze the functions of the judicial branch of the federal government.

GC.19 Analyze Article III of the Constitution as it relates to judicial power, including the length of terms and the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court.

GC.20 Explain the processes of selection and confirmation of Supreme Court justices.

GC.21 Explain the process of judicial review established by Marbury v. Madison.

GC.22 Describe the Supreme Court's role in determining the constitutionality of laws and acts of the legislative and executive branches.

Civil Liberties

Students will identify various liberties that are ensured through the Constitution and analyze court cases that have impacted the ways our liberties are protected.

GC.23 Evaluate the Supreme Court's interpretations of the freedoms articulated in the 1st Amendment, including: Schenck v. United States, Engel v. Vitale, Tinker v. Des Moines, Lemon v. Kurtzman, New York Times v. United States, Miller v. California, Texas v. Johnson.

GC.24 Explain the 2nd Amendment, and evaluate its various interpretations.

GC.25 Evaluate the Supreme Court's interpretations of freedoms in the 4th through 8th Amendments, including: Mapp v. Ohio, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona.

GC.26 Evaluate the Supreme Court's interpretations of the freedoms in the 14th Amendment, equal protection, and due process clauses, including: Plessy v. Ferguson, Gitlow v. New York, Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, Obergefell v. Hodges.

GC.27 Identify and explain legislation and legal precedents that established rights for the underserved, including Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Tennessee State and Local Government

Students will identify state leaders and explain state and local governance in Tennessee through exploration of the various structures and functions of government.

GC.28 Identify the functions of departments and agencies of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in the state of Tennessee.

GC.29 Explain the differences among the types of local governments in Tennessee, including county, city, and metro governments, as well as the legal, fiscal, and operational relationships between them and the state government.

GC.30 Identify the current governor of Tennessee and the representatives in the General Assembly (for a student's respective district).

Citizen Participation

Students will examine the responsibilities and opportunities of a citizen of the U.S.

GC.32 Explain the role of political parties in the nomination process for presidential candidates and the importance of and difference between primaries, caucuses, and general elections.

GC.33 Describe the role of the media as a means of communicating information and how it influences the importance of issues and public opinion.

GC.34 Describe the means that citizens use to participate in the political process, including: campaigning, demonstrating, lobbying, petitioning, running for office, and voting.

GC.35 Explain the requirements to be considered a natural-born U.S. citizen, and describe the process of naturalization, including the knowledge required by the Naturalization Test.