Unit 1: Purpose, Structure, and Types of Government
In this unit, we will explore questions including:
- What is government?
- Why do we have government?
- How are decisions made under different government systems?
- How are governments similar and different around the world and throughout history? Which countries have which kinds of government?
- What role has the Constitution played in the development of the United States government?
- How and why is power distributed through the Constitution?
- What are the roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches?
- How does power flow through the federal system of government?
- What are the basic structures and functions of the three different levels of government in the US: federal, state, local?
Vocabulary:
natural rights, democracy, autocracy, monarchy, dictatorship, theocracy, parliamentary democracy, presidential democracy, prime minister, checks and balances, federalism, legislative, executive, judicial, authoritarian, constitution, referendum, secession, constituent, bicameral, bipartisan, caucus
natural rights, democracy, autocracy, monarchy, dictatorship, theocracy, parliamentary democracy, presidential democracy, prime minister, checks and balances, federalism, legislative, executive, judicial, authoritarian, constitution, referendum, secession, constituent, bicameral, bipartisan, caucus
Constitution:
Here is a link to the Constitution.
The National Constitution Center has an interactive guide to the Constitution.
Here is a link to the Constitution.
The National Constitution Center has an interactive guide to the Constitution.
Article I / Legislative Branch:
See this video from the National Constitution Center explaining the legislative branch.
See this link from Project Vote Smart about the legislative process.
See this video from the National Constitution Center explaining the legislative branch.
See this link from Project Vote Smart about the legislative process.
Article II / Executive Branch:
See this video from the National Constitution Center explaining the executive branch.
See this video from the National Constitution Center explaining the executive branch.
Other Resources:
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/
This site is sponsored by the United States Government Printing Office, and offers a very accessible description of government here in the U.S. There are three levels based on people’s age (and English level).
Online Citizenship Class
http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Swearer_Center/Literacy_Resources/baha/
This site is sponsored by Brown University and the International Institute of Rhode Island. It provides basic information about United States history and government, specifically geared towards preparing people for the U.S. Citizenship test.
National Constitution Center
http://constitutioncenter.org/
Freedom House
http://www.freedomhouse.org/
Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world.