Welcome to Unit 5 of Government and/or Senior Social!

This is the Personal Political Portfolio Unit and will fulfill your portfolio requirement for either Government or Senior Social Studies at PCA. In this unit, you will culminate your Government or Senior Social Studies credit by taking an in-depth and personal view of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. By completing each of the unit assignments, you will have created a portfolio that reflects your views on our country, state, and city. Hopefully during this process, you will think about:

1. The big ideas behind the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.Constitution.
2. How the Supreme Court interprets our Constitution and influences our Country.
3. The important Rights and Responsibilities that go with being a U.S. Citizen.
4. The biggest problems facing our country and possible solutions to some of these problems.
5. Your own Political Platform. Where do you fit in on the political spectrum? Why?

I hope you enjoy this unit and learn something about yourself and our Democracy.

The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are two documents that influence our world today. As Americans, we have an obligation to learn about the principles and ideas behind these documents. In this section, you will be asked to study each document and express your ideas through writing assignments that will form a digital Political Portfolio.

The Bill of Rights

A Living Document

Although the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1787, it continues to shape and influence our country today. Some of the issues facing our country are different today but the Constitution continues to outline the basic functions of our government. Through the Amendment process and decisions and opinions given by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Constitution remains a living document.

The Political Spectrum
Are you ever confused when someone mentions the terms: Liberal, Conservative, Democrat, Republican, Reactionary, Radical, Communist, Socialist, Fascist, Libertarian, Moderate, political left and right, Republic, Democracy, Monarchy, Oligarchy, and Anarchy? These terms are often used to describe people, parties, and governments. They can be very confusing because they are used in different contexts and mean different things to different people. In this lesson we will look at the terms, and try to shed light on their meanings. In addition, you will look at your own opinions on issues and determine where you may fall on the political spectrum.

Getting Involved
Now that you have studied the Declaration, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the concepts of Federalism, Checks and Balances, Judicial Review, and many of the terms connected to the Political Spectrum, it's time to get involved and make a difference.