Advanced Government
Revised November 2016
Course Description
Advanced Government is an accelerated course offered at the junior level of lieu of
Government. This course will cover the same themes such in American politics such as
democracy, functions of government, and comparative systems. The material is more
advanced and will focus less on the basic components and more on the effects of
Government and how it impacts our lives. This course is designed for the college
bound student. The Missouri and US Constitutions are studied in detail and students
must pass both Constitution tests to meet state standards for graduation.
Big Ideas
1. The United States has three branches of government and be able to identify
them and their responsibilities.
2. The importance of voting and how it has an impact on our government.
3. Compare and contrast our current government with past government and explain
the historical events that created our current state of government.
Essential Learning Objectives
ELO
#
Essential Learner Outcome Description
Compare and contrast governmental systems, current and
historical, including those that are democratic, republican,
dictatorship, and totalitarian.
A.
Explain why the Founding Fathers chose to make the
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U.S. a republic
Explain the relevance and the connection of constitutional
principles in the following documents and ideas:
 Enlightenment writings of Locke, Hobbes, and
Montesquieu
 Declaration of Independence
 Articles of Confederation
 Connecticut Compromise, Virginia Plan, and New
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Jersey Plan
Students will be able to recognize and understand the
principles of the U.S. Constitution in order to meet state
graduation requirements.
 Checks and balances
 Separation of powers
 3 branches of government and their powers
 Define a formal amendment
 First 10 Amendments are the Bill of Rights and they
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protect individual freedoms
Students will know local and state governments and state
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constitution to meet state graduation requirements.
Standards
1.a, 2.a, 2.b,
3.L, 4.H, 4.k
1.b, 3.bk
1.b, 3.I, 3.k, 3.L
3.I, 2.a, 3.L


5
6
Define federalism
Compare and contrast state and national governments
and the powers of each
 3 branches of government and their responsibilities
 Compare and contrast local and state government and
the powers of each
Students will analyze and understand how the political process
operates.
 Voting requirements (requirements and restrictions)
 Electoral College makes the formal selection of the
president
 Identify advantages and disadvantages of the Electoral
College
 Evaluate plans to reform the Electoral College
Students will evaluate the the current state of American
politics.
 Explain how the media has influenced civil rights and
politics throughout American history.
 Identify political events that have shaped American
political culture.
2.c, 1.a