Nature of Government and Civics Course for High School Students

Nature of Government and Civics Course for High School Students

Reading Level

Ages 14 and up.

Course Credits

For most educational settings, this course will satisfy 1/2 a government/civics credit.

Study Time Frame

The course can be completed in either one or two semesters depending on the time-frame available. See below for details.

ABOUT THE COURSE

America’s Founders were most concerned with establishing a government that ensured the greatest economic prosperity and the greatest liberty for individuals.

The structure of government that they created was designed to curb the ever-encroaching nature and growth of government, which the Founders believed was the basic nature of all governments.

Most civics/government books do an adequate job of explaining the structure of America’s government. However, what is often lacking is the “nature” of government — which was of major concern to America’s Founders. The books in this course provide the side of the story (the nature of government) that is most often missing from government/civics textbooks.

ABOUT THE UNCLE ERIC BOOKS

The Uncle Eric books, written by Richard J. Maybury, are written for young and old alike.

Using the epistolary style of writing (using letters to tell a story), Mr. Maybury plays the part of an economist writing a series of letters to his niece or nephew.

With stories and examples, he gives interesting and clear explanations of topics that are generally thought to be too difficult for anyone but experts.

ABOUT THE BLUESTOCKING GUIDES

Bluestocking Guides are designed to reinforce and enhance a student’s understanding of the subject matter presented in the primer. Comprehension Questions are given for each chapter – these include:

•Definition
•True/False
•Short Answer/Fill-in questions

Answers are located in the back of the study guide.

Application Exercises are also provided, depending on the chapter and the topic covered therein. Generally, Application Exercises ask the student to apply the knowledge learned from the corresponding chapter to “real world” situations so that the student may personalize the information and better retain and apply the knowledge gained from the primer. Application Exercises are typically comprised of one of the following types:

•Discussion
•Essay
•Research assignment

Suggestions for further study (books, movies, etc.) are included in many of the guides.

In addition to assisting the student in the retention of the subject matter, the study guides will serve as documentation of course completion.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

TIME FRAME FOR STUDY

Bluestocking Press’ publications were designed with flexibility in mind so that they could be used in a variety of educational settings. That said, we typically suggest the following options when using this course, depending on the student and the time-frame available.

SINGLE SEMESTER OPTION

Students should be able to complete this course in one semester by focusing their time on reading the primers, utilizing comprehensions questions in the Bluestocking Guides, and selecting only a few of the longer assignments (essay, discussion, research, etc.) from each Guide.

When completing all books in one semester, Bluestocking Press recommends the following order of use:

Start with A Bluestocking Guide: Economics. About 1/4 of the way through A Bluestocking Guide: Economics, students will be instructed to begin reading Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? as well.

Once the above two books are completed, students can complete the remaining titles in the following order:

Capitalism for Kids

Whatever Happened to Justice? and A Bluestocking Guide: Justice (with Jonathan Mayhew’s Sermon when referenced).

Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused? and A Bluestocking Guide: Political Philosophies.

Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today and A Bluestocking Guide: Ancient Rome.

DOUBLE SEMESTER OPTION

When completing this course over two semesters, students should have more time available to devote to the longer assignments in the Bluestocking Guides (essay, discussion, research, etc.) in addition to fully reading the primers.

When taking two semester to complete these books, we usually suggest the following:

FIRST SEMESTER:

Start with A Bluestocking Guide: Economics. About 1/4 of the way through A Bluestocking Guide: Economics, students will be instructed to begin reading Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? as well.

Once the above two books are completely, read Whatever Happened to Justice? and A Bluestocking Guide: Justice (with Jonathan Mayhew’s Sermon when referenced).

SECOND SEMESTER:

Capitalism for Kids

Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused? and A Bluestocking Guide: Political Philosophies.

Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today and A Bluestocking Guide: Ancient Rome.