High School Government Level 6 Year 1 Course

Course Description

In this course, students read works on character, economics, and American history to understand principles of governance, citizenship, and their role in society, as well as conflict management skills. With Plutarch’s Lives, students examine the character and actions of leaders to understand principles of governance and citizenship. Through reading and narrating Charlotte Mason’s Ourselves, students develop self-discipline and consider their role in contributing to society. Students engage with economic concepts through Kirk’s Work and Prosperity, discovering how markets, competition, and saving function in society. The course includes study of primary source documents and perspectives on events from the atomic bomb decision through the Cold War and Great Society programs.

Books and Resources

Mater Amabilis participates in affiliate programs with Amazon and Living Book Press.

Civics:

• Plutarch’s Lives, Plutarch – translation of your choice, but we recommend one by Bernadotte Perrin [online version]
  • OR The Plutarch Project Volume Two, White [Amaz]
• Ourselves, Charlotte Mason [Amaz][LVP][online at Ambleside Online]
  • Ourselves is made up of two books published in a single volume. Be aware that the page numbering begins again at 1 for the second book.
  • Ourselves pp. 1-135 are assigned within the Health plans. A student would not need to read these pages twice.
• The Art of Conflict Management: Achieving Solutions for Life, Work, and Beyond, Dues (Great Courses audio lecture series) [Amaz]

Economics:

• Economics: Work and Prosperity, Kirk [Amaz]
• Honors selection: Economics in One Lesson, Hazlitt [Amaz][online PDF] – This book is not more difficult to read, but could earn an Honors designation because of the additional reading time.

Government:

• The American Cause, Kirk (with introduction by Whitney) [Amaz]
• Major Problems in American History Since 1945, Griffith and Baker, second edition [Amaz]
  • Ad lib selections (not scheduled)
    • Term 1
      • A Song for Nagasaki: The Story of Takashi Nagai: Scientist, Convert, and Survivor of the Atomic Bomb, Glynn and Endo [Amaz]
      • The Making of the Atomic Bomb, Rhodes [Amaz]
    • Term 2
      • One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Solzhenitsyn [Amaz]
    • Term 3
      • Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy [Amaz]
• Honors selections – Adding these selections could make a course Honors level.
  • 1984, Orwell [Amaz][PDF][online version] (optional lessons scheduled)
  • OR Democracy In America, de Tocqueville [Amaz] (not scheduled, could be read through all of Level 6)

Lesson plans

All readings are narrated, orally or in writing.

TERM 1

Week 1
Day 1: Work and Prosperity, Ch 5 The Productive Market Economy & Signals of the Market & Alternatives to the Test of the Market
Day 2: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 9: Dysfunctional Conflict Strategies
Day 3: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 1-4
Day 4: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 1, “The Origins of the Postwar International System’” pp. 1-16
Day 5: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 1, Ch. 1-2

Week 2
Day 6: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 7: Ourselves, Book II. Self-Direction Introductory pp. 1-4
Day 8: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 5-7
Day 9: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 1, “The Roots of Postwar Politics” pp. 16-26
Day 10: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 12 The Drive for Exports pp. 69-74

Week 3
Day 11: Work and Prosperity, Ch 5 Profits and Productivity & The Great Expectations Bookshop
Day 12: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 10: Principled Negotiation
Day 13: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 8-11
Day 14: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 1, “The Legacies of World War II” pp. 26-34
Day 15: Make-up or Ad lib reading

Week 4
Day 16: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 17: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Section I. Chapter I. The Court of Appeal pp. 5-8
Day 18: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 12-14
Day 19: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 2, “President Harry S Truman’s Advisers Discuss the Atomic Bomb, May 1945” pp. 36-38
Day 20: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 1, Ch. 3-4

Week 5
Day 21: Work and Prosperity, Ch 5 Planktonburgers
Day 22: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 11: Preparing and Arranging to Negotiate
Day 23: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 15-18
Day 24: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 2, “Atomic Scientists Urge an Alternative Course, June 1945” pp. 38-40
Day 25: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 13 “Parity” Prices pp. 75-82

Week 6
Day 26: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 27: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter II. The Instruction of Conscience pp. 9-11
Day 28: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 19-21
Day 29: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 2, “U.S. Science Advisers Endorse Dropping the Bomb, June 1945”, “Undersecretary of the Navy Ralph Bard Urges Alternatives, June 1945” pp. 40-41
Day 30: Make-up or Ad lib reading

Week 7
Day 31: Work and Prosperity, Ch 6 The Good that Competition Does & Health Competition, Ancient and Modern & Hesiod on Competition
Day 32: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 12: Negotiating Conflict Resolutions
Day 33: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 22-24
Day 34: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 2, “General Leslie Groves Reports on a Successful Test, July 1945”, “President Truman Discusses the Bomb at Potsdam, July 1945” pp. 41-44
Day 35: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 1, Ch. 5-6

Week 8
Day 36: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 37: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter III. The Rulings of Conscience in the House of Body: Temperance pp. 12-20
Day 38: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 25-26
Day 39: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 2, “The U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey Concludes That the Bomb Was Unnecessary, 1946” pp. 45-49
Day 40: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 14-15 Saving the X Industry, How the Price System Works pp. 83-96

Week 9
Day 41: Work and Prosperity, Ch 6 How Competition Works Practically in the Market & The Melon Market at El Escorial & Thistle River Industries
Day 42: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 13: Listening in Conflict
Day 43: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 27-29
Day 44: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 2, Essays “The Biggest Decision: Why We Had to Drop the Atomic Bomb” pp. 49-57
Day 45: Make-up or Ad lib reading

Week 10
Day 46: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 47: The American Cause, Ch 4 Moral Principle: Church and State pp. 35-41
Day 48: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 30-31
Day 49: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 2, Essay “Hiroshima: Historians Reassess” pp. 57-68
Day 50: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 1, Ch. 7-8

Week 11
Day 51: Work and Prosperity, Ch 6 Imperfect Competition & Oligopoly and Monopoly
Day 52: The American Cause, Ch 4 Moral Principle: Church and State pp. 41-46
Day 53: Plutarch, Pyrrhus, 32-34
Day 54: Major Problems in American History, “The Catholic Holocaust of Nagasaki”; “Truman’s Terrible Choice, 75 Years Ago”; and “Catholic Morality and the Bomb”
Day 55: Make-up or Ad lib reading

WEEK 12: DAYS 56-60 MAKEUP/EXAM WEEK

Examination questions for exam week
To be answered as short in-class essays, taking roughly 30-45 minutes each.
The student will choose four of the questions to answer.

1. What have you learned about the market economy?
2. Tell what you know of the life of Pyrrhus and how lessons from his life apply to us today.
3. Defend a position on the bombing of Japan.
4. What does Charlotte Mason say about our conscience?
5. What are some strategies of conflict management you learned this term?
6. If you read any of the honors or ad lib reading (A Song for Nagasaki, The Making of the Atomic Bomb, 1984, or Democracy in America), tell about one of the readings for this term.

TERM 2

Week 13
Day 61: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 62: The American Cause, Ch 5 Political Principle: Ordered Liberty pp. 53-57
Day 63: Plutarch, Nicias, 1-3
Day 64: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3, “President Harry S. Truman and His Advisors Debate U.S. Policy Toward the U.S.S.R., April 1945″ pp. 70-74
Day 65: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 2, Ch. 1-2

Week 14
Day 66: Work and Prosperity, Ch 6 Monopoly versus the Market
Day 67: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter IV. The Rulings of Conscience in the House of Body: Chastity pp. 21-28
Day 68: Plutarch, Nicias, 4-6
Day 69: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3, “Russian Premier Joseph Stalin Defends Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe, April 1945”, “Secretary of Commerce Henry A. Wallace Urges a Conciliatory Approach, July 1946” pp. 74-76
Day 70: The American Cause, Ch 5 Political Principle: Ordered Liberty pp. 58-61

Week 15
Day 71: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 72: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 14: Dynamic Patterns in Close Relationships
Day 73: Plutarch, Nicias, 7-8
Day 74: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3, “White House Aide Clark M. Clifford Summarizes the Case for the Hard Line, September 1946” pp. 76-80
Day 75: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 2, Ch. 3-4

Week 16
Day 76: Work and Prosperity, Ch 7 Efficiency of Production & Measuring Efficiency & Real Cost and Efficiency
Day 77: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter V. The Rulings of Conscience in the House of Body: Chastity (Part II) pp. 29-32
Day 78: Plutarch, Nicias, 9-11
Day 79: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3, “Soviet Ambassador Nikolai Novikov Reports on the U.S. Drive for World Supremacy, September 1946” pp. 80-85
Day 80: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 16 “Stabilizing” Commodities pp. 97-104

Week 17
Day 81: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 82: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 15: Disruptions in Close Relationships
Day 83: Plutarch, Nicias, 12-14
Day 84: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3, “The Truman Doctrine, March 1947”, “Undersecretary of State Dean Acheson Calls for Economic Aid to Europe, May 1947” pp. 86-89
Day 85: The American Cause, Ch 5 Political Principle: Ordered Liberty pp. 61-64

Week 18
Day 86: Work and Prosperity, Ch 7 Efficiency and the Division of Labor & Adam Smith on Pinmaking
Day 87: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter VI. The Rulings of Conscience in the House of Body: Chastity, The Final Unchastity pp. 33-40
Day 88: Plutarch, Nicias, 15-17
Day 89: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3, “The President’s Advisors Urge Military Expansion, April 1950” pp. 90-93
Day 90: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 2, Ch. 5-6

Week 19
Day 91: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 92: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 16: How Management Theories Affect Conflict
Day 93: Plutarch, Nicias, 18-19
Day 94: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3, “President Truman and His Advisors Determine the United States’ Response to the Invasion of South Korea, June 26 1950” pp. 93-96
Day 95: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 17 Government Price-Fixing pp. 105-114

Week 20
Day 96: Work and Prosperity, Ch 7 Overspecialization & Geographic Specialization
Day 97: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter VII. The Rulings of Conscience in the House of Body: Fortitude pp. 40-48
Day 98: Plutarch, Nicias, 20-22
Day 99: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3 Essays “Soviet Unilateralism and the Origins of the Cold War” pp. 96-108
Day 100: The American Cause, Ch 5 Political Principle: Ordered Liberty pp. 64-66

Week 21
Day 101: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 102: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 17: The Manager’s Role in Dealing with Conflict
Day 103: Plutarch, Nicias, 23-26
Day 104: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 3 Essay “An Exaggerated Threat and the Rise of American Globalism” pp. 108-118
Day 105: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 2, Ch. 7-8

Week 22
Day 106: Work and Prosperity, Ch 7 Efficiency and Comparative Advantage
Day 107: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter VIII. The Rulings of Conscience in the House of Body: Prudence pp. 49-55
Day 108: Plutarch, Nicias, 27-30
Day 109: Major Problems in American History, Students may want to read selections from Ch. 4 for insights into the unique economic and social ideas introduced in the 1950s. Parents should preview.
Day 110: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 18 Minimum Wage Laws pp. 115-120

Week 23
Day 111: Work and Prosperity, Ch 7 Scale of Production as a Source of Efficiency & Henry Ford and Mass Production
Day 112: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 18: Getting Professional Help with Conflict
Day 113: Work and Prosperity, Ch 7 Intelligence and Imagination as Causes of Efficiency
Day 114: Major Problems in American History, Students may want to read selections from Ch. 4 for insights into the unique economic and social ideas introduced in the 1950s. Parents should preview.
Day 115: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 2, Ch. 9

WEEK 24: MAKEUP/EXAM WEEK

Examination questions for exam week
To be answered as short in-class essays, taking roughly 30-45 minutes each.
The student will choose four of the questions to answer.

1. Define competition or production and explain how it impacts the American economy.
2. Tell what you know of the life of Nicias and how lessons from his life apply to us today.
3. What was the Cold War?
4. What does Charlotte Mason say about the rulings of our conscience?
5. How can conflict management be useful in the workplace or in relationships? Describe some strategies you learned and how you might use them in your own life.
6. If you read any of the honors or ad lib reading (A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, 1984, or Democracy in America), tell about one of the readings for this term.

TERM 3

Week 25
Day 121: Work and Prosperity, Ch 8 Why Everybody Needs to Save & Fables of Saving & The Grasshopper and the Ant
Day 122: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Section II. Chapter IX. Opinions ‘In the Air’ pp. 56-59
Day 123: Plutarch, Crassus, 1-3
Day 124: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 5, “Fidel Castro Denounces U.S. Policy Toward Cuba, 1960”, “President Kennedy Calls for an Alliance for Progress, 1961” pp. 159-165
Day 125: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 3, Ch. 1-2

Week 26
Day 126: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 127: The American Cause, Ch 6 Political Principle: The Federal Republic pp. 67-72
Day 128: Plutarch, Crassus, 4-6
Day 129: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 5, “A Board of Inquiry Reports on the Bay of Pigs, 1961” pp. 165-169
Day 130: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 19 Do Unions Really Raise Wages? pp. 121-132

Week 27
Day 131: Work and Prosperity, Ch 8 Scarcity, Money, and the Factors of Production in Old Egypt & Joseph the Bread-Seller
Day 132: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter X. The Uninstructed Conscience pp. 60-67
Day 133: Plutarch, Crassus, 7-10
Day 134: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 5, “President Kennedy and His Advisors Debate Options in the Missile Crisis, October 16, 1962” pp. 170-177
Day 135: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 19: Helping Others Manage Conflict

Week 28
Day 136: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 137: The American Cause, Ch 6 Political Principle: The Federal Republic pp. 72-75
Day 138: Plutarch, Crassus, 11-13
Day 139: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 5, “Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev Appeals to President Kennedy, October 26, 1962”, “Anastas I Mikoyan and Fidel Castro Review the Crisis, November 3-4, 1962” pp. 177-183
Day 140: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 3, Ch. 3-4

Week 29
Day 141: Work and Prosperity, Ch 8 The Rewards of Abstinence & Payment for Risk
Day 142: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter XI. The Uninstructed Conscience pp. 68-70
Day 143: Plutarch, Crassus, 14-16
Day 144: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 5 Essays “Spinning Out of Control: Kennedy’s War Against Cuba and the Missile Crisis” pp. 183-195
Day 145: Honors (Optional), Economics in One Lesson, Ch. 20-21 “Enough to Buy Back the Product”, The Function of Profits pp. 133-144

Week 30
Day 146: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 147: The American Cause, Ch 6 Political Principle: The Federal Republic pp. 75-77
Day 148: Plutarch, Crassus, 17-19
Day 149: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 5, “Aftermath” pp. 196-212
Day 150: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 20: Moral and Cultural Conflicts

Week 31
Day 151: Work and Prosperity, Ch 8 Wise Saving and Foolish Saving & The Parable of the Talents
Day 152: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter XII. Some Instructors of Conscience: Poetry, Novels, Essays pp. 71-73
Day 153: Plutarch, Crassus, 20-21
Day 154: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 6 “Michael Harrington Describes the ‘Other America,’ 1962”, “President Lyndon B. Johnson Declares War on Poverty, 1964” pp. 215-221
Day 155: Honors (Optional), 1984, Book 3, Ch. 5-6

Week 32
Day 156: Make-up or Ad lib reading
Day 157: The American Cause, Ch 6 Political Principle: The Federal Republic pp. 78-82
Day 158: Plutarch, Crassus, 22-25
Day 159: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 6, “President Ronald Reagan Warns of the Dangers of the Welfare State, 1964”, “A Liberal Cartoonist Worries That Johnson Has Abandoned the Welfare State”, “Two White House Aids Report the Achievements of the Great Society, 1966”, “Poverty in America, 1959-1997: A Graphic” pp. 221-226
Day 160: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 21: Managing Moral Conflicts–Success Stories

Week 33
Day 161: Work and Prosperity, Ch 8 Many Forms of Saving & Savings in Stocks and Bonds
Day 162: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter XIII. Some Instructors of Conscience: History and Philosophy pp. 74-78
Day 163: Plutarch, Crassus, 26-28
Day 164: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 6, Essays “Was the Great Society a Lost Opportunity” pp. 226-240
Day 165: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 22: Managing Conflict’s Aftermath

Week 34
Day 166: Work and Prosperity, Ch 8 Investment in Land & Compulsory Saving
Day 167: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter XIV. Some Instructors of Conscience: Theology pp. 79-89 (stop before Sentimental Humility)
Day 168: Plutarch, Crassus, 29-31
Day 169: Major Problems in American History, Ch. 6, Essay “From Opportunities to Entitlement” pp. 240-246
Day 170: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 23: Teaching Our Children about Conflict

Week 35
Day 171: Work and Prosperity, Ch 8 Why Modern Societies Require Huge Amounts of Capital
Day 172: Ourselves, Part I Conscience. Chapter XIV. Some Instructors of Conscience: Theology pp. 89-96 (begin at Sentimental Humility)
Day 173: Plutarch, Crassus, 32-33
Day 174: The American Cause, Ch 6 Political Principle: The Federal Republic pp. 83-87
Day 175: The Art of Conflict Management, Lecture 24: Conflict Management–A Success in Progress

WEEK 36: MAKEUP/EXAM WEEK

Examination questions for exam week
To be answered as short in-class essays, taking roughly 30-45 minutes each.
The student will choose four of the questions to answer.

1. What are some of the best strategies for avoiding or negotiating conflict?
2. Tell all that you have learned about saving.
3. Tell what you know of the life of Crassus and how lessons from his life apply to us today.
4. Tell what you know about the Cuban Missile Crisis or the Great Society.
5. What does Charlotte Mason say about an uninstructed conscience?
6. If you read any of the honors or ad lib reading (Thirteen Days, 1984, or Democracy in America), tell about one of the readings for this term.