Building Democracy for All

Table of Contents with Critical Media Literacy Connections

Updates & Latest Additions

Learning Pathway: Racial Justice and Black Lives Matter

Learning Pathway: Influential Women

Learning Pathway: Student Rights

Learning Pathway: Elections 2024, 2022, & 2020

Learning Pathway: Current Events

Learning Pathway: Critical Media Literacy

Teacher-Designed Learning Plans

Topic 1. The Philosophical Foundations of the United States Political System

1.1. The Government of Ancient Athens

1.2. The Government of the Roman Republic

1.3. Enlightenment Thinkers and Democratic Government

1.4. British Influences on American Government

1.5. Native American Influences on U.S. Government

Topic 2. The Development of the United States Government

2.1. The Revolutionary Era and the Declaration of Independence

2.2. The Articles of Confederation

2.3. The Constitutional Convention

2.4. Debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists

2.5. Articles of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

Topic 3. Institutions of United States Government

3.1. Branches of the Government and the Separation of Powers

3.2. Checks and Balances Between the Branches of Government

3.3. The Roles of the Congress, the President, and the Courts

3.4. Elections and Nominations

3.5. The Role of Political Parties

Topic 4. The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

4.1. Becoming a Citizen

4.2. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens and Non-Citizens

4.3. Civic, Political, and Private Life

4.4. Fundamental Principles and Values of American Political and Civic Life

4.5. Voting and Citizen Participation in the Political Process

4.6. Election Information

4.7. Leadership and the Qualities of Political Leaders

4.8. Cooperation Between Individuals and Elected Leaders

4.9. Public Service as a Career

4.10. Liberty in Conflict with Equality or Authority

4.11. Political Courage and Those Who Affirmed or Denied Democratic Ideals

4.12. The Role of Political Protest

4.13. Public and Private Interest Groups, PACs, and Labor Unions

Topic 5. The Constitution, Amendments, and Supreme Court Decisions

5.1. The Necessary and Proper Clause

5.2. Amendments to the Constitution

5.3. Constitutional Issues Related to the Civil War, Federal Power, and Individual Civil Rights

5.4. Civil Rights and Equal Protection for Race, Gender, and Disability

5.5. Marbury v. Madison and the Principle of Judicial Review

5.6. Significant Supreme Court Decisions

Topic 6. The Structure of Massachusetts State and Local Government

6.1. Functions of State and National Government

6.2. United States and Massachusetts Constitutions

6.3. Enumerated and Implied Powers

6.4. Core Documents: The Protection of Individual Rights

6.5. 10th Amendment to the Constitution

6.6. Additional Provisions of the Massachusetts Constitution

6.7. Responsibilities of Federal, State and Local Government

6.8. Leadership Structure of the Massachusetts Government

6.9. Tax-Supported Facilities and Services

6.10. Components of Local Government

Topic 7. Freedom of the Press and News/Media Literacy

7.1. Freedom of the Press

7.2. Competing Information in a Free Press

7.3. Writing the News: Different Formats and Their Functions

7.4. Digital News and Social Media

7.5. Evaluating Print and Online Media

7.6. Analyzing Editorials, Editorial Cartoons, or Op-Ed Commentaries

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