Cover
Introduction
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
Glossary
Index of Terms
References
Topic 5

The Constitution, Amendments, and Supreme Court Decisions

Preamble to the Constitution
Preamble to the Constitution, by Gordon Johnson, licenced under CC0 1.0

Snapshot of Topic 5

Supporting Question

Massachusetts Standards [8.T5.1-6]

  1. The necessary and proper clause
  2. Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
  3. Constitutional issues related to the Civil War, federal power, and individual rights
  4. Civil Rights and equal protection for race, gender, and disability
  5. Marbury v. Madison and the principle of judicial review
  6. Significant supreme court decisions:
    1. First Amendment rights
      • Religion
      • Assembly
      • Press
      • Petition
      • Speech
    2. Due process and equal protection
    3. Rights in conflict
      • United States flag and the “Pledge of Allegiance”
      • School prayer
      • National security
      • Gun control

AP Government and Politics Standards

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

Topic 5 explores the evolving nature of the United States Constitution through amendments, landmark Supreme Court decisions, social and political movements, and dramatic historical events. The chapters in Topic 5 cover the history and the present-day realities of core constitutional issues around the struggles of women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities to gain civil rights and civil liberties in our nation's democratic system.

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