Government & Law. Federalism (Overarching questions: Who governs and to what ends? Can we trust government, and if not, what then?

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Leslie Potter
5 years ago
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1 St. Mary's College High School Government & Law The Founders and the -- read and explain excerpts of Enlightenment writings (John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Hobbes) Enlightenment influences in founding documents (Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, the ) -- read and interpret the structure set forth in the Articles of Confederation -- identify the flaws in the Articles of Confederation -- read and interpret the -- explain the principles on which the is based synthesize lesson concepts answer, "Who governs and to what ends?" The Founders and the Federalism -- read and explain excerpts of Enlightenment writings (John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Hobbes) Enlightenment influences in founding documents (Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, the ) -- read and interpret the structure set forth in the Articles of Confederation -- identify the flaws in the Articles of Confederation -- read and interpret the -- explain the principles on which the is based constitutional controversy in the news answer, "Who governs and to what ends?" 1 of 5

2 -- explain the relationship between national and subnational governments federalism at work in present day (ex: reauthorizing SCHIP, abortion "trigger laws," and requirements for and use of grant-monies for Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina) -- research and present basic comparative information about other governments (two-minute presentations) answer, "How does federalism shape policy response to national issues like health insurance, abortion, and natural disasters?" Federalism The Legislative Branch -- explain the relationship between national and subnational governments -- identify federalism at work in present day (ex: reauthorizing SCHIP, abortion "trigger laws," and requirements for and use of grant-monies for Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina) -- research: who's your member of Congress, what are his/her special policy interests? what do you want to know more about? -- re-read Article I of the and explain enumerated powers -- explain bicameralism and the basic structure of the American Congress -- list, define and give examples of six congressional functions: lawmaking (including how a bill becomes law), representation, constituent service, oversight, public education, and conflict resolution -- identify, assess and discuss how answer, "How does federalism shape policy response to national issues like health insurance, abortion, and natural disasters?" -- informal reporting of researched -- write a letter to your Congressperson answer, "Can we trust Congress, and if not, what then?" 2 of 5

3 and how well Congress fulfills these functions (: SCHIP, president's press conference, CSPAN coverage of committee hearings, phone call to Rep's district office to request a service) -- explain role of committees and caucuses in the lawmaking process -- explain congressional leadership and how they coordinate with the work of the executive branch The Legislative Branch The Executive Branch -- research: who's your member of Congress, what are his/her special policy interests? what do you want to know more about? -- re-read Article I of the and explain enumerated powers -- explain bicameralism and the basic structure of the American Congress -- list, define and give examples of six congressional functions: lawmaking (including how a bill becomes law), representation, constituent service, oversight, public education, and conflict resolution -- identify, assess and discuss how and how well Congress fulfills these functions (: SCHIP, president's press conference, CSPAN coverage of committee hearings, phone call to Rep's district office to request a service) -- explain role of committees and caucuses in the lawmaking process -- explain congressional leadership and how they coordinate with the work of the executive branch -- informal reporting of researched -- write a letter to your Congressperson answer, "Can we trust Congress, and if not, what then?" - informal reporting of researched 3 of 5

4 -- re-read Article II of the -- explain the President's formal/stated and informal/unstated powers -- identify when and where the President has recently used these powers -- online tour of the Oval Office -- read and explain Richard Neustadt's argument about the modern presidency -- argue for or against Neustadt's contention that the President is both a leader and a clerk -- identify leader and clerk duties in news reports about the President's recent activities -- explain how and why the president is just the tip of the executive branch iceberg (staffs, bureaucracy) -- read and explain Hugh Heclo's argument about tensions between top political officials and bureaucrats -- explore the Library of Congress's website about executive departments and agencies -- explain the bureaucracy of the executive branch -- identify presidential candidates's positions for the 2008 elections -- discuss electability; discuss the responsibilities of citizenship and voting -- register to vote answer, "Congress? President? " The Judicial Branch -- re-read Article III of the and summarize judicial powers -- examine the judicial structure synthesize lesson concepts (fishbowl) -- compose paragraph sytheses 4 of 5

5 provided through the Judiciary Act of research the most recent Supreme Court decisions -- examine famous court cases that have evolved civil rights -- identify cases associated with selective incorporation -- determine the influence of the judicial branch in daily life -- research and present the facts and decisions in famous civil rights cases -- research and present facts in recent Supreme Court cases and facilitate a discussion about decisions (if any) or speculate with evidence/argument as to what the decision might be -- prepare to compose an in-class essay response about whether or not the Supreme Court makes policy Final Project for the Course: determine and present conclusion(s) about your own place in our political system (coordinates with Philosophy class's final project) 5 of 5

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