Summer Assignments for AP Government

Transcription

1 Summer Assignments for AP Government Directions: There are THREE assignments that need to be completed for AP Government for the upcoming school year. The Federalist Papers Analysis and the Supreme Court Case Analysis will need to be ready for the first day of class. The Constitution Packet will be due on Friday, August 31, Rationale: The purpose of A.P. U.S. Government and Politics is to prepare you to be engaged citizens in this democracy. In preparation for the fall, the activities below will enhance your knowledge of government and politics. Questions or Concerns: If you have questions, you may Mrs. King at or Mr. Frost at We will not check our school everyday but we will check it at least once a week so be patient for a reply. Preliminary Assignment: Using the attached link, complete this Google form so that we can contact you during the summer if the need arises: *Assignment #1: Federalist Papers (100 Points total: 50 points for each summary) DUE DATE: Wednesday, August 15, Follow the link below and read Federalist 51 and Federalist 10. After reading the Papers address the following questions on a Google Doc. Link for Federalist Papers: The Yale Avalon Project Federalist 10 Questions: A. Do you believe factions are a threat to American civil society? B. What are the differences between a republic and a democracy? C. What solutions does Madison pose as ways of preventing factions from emerging? D. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a small republic? Of a large republic? E. Why does Madison argue that government should not try to eliminate factions? F. What is the first object of Government, as stated by Madison? G. Who was the intended audience of this document? H. What was the purpose of this document? I. Do you believe that American politics has currently become factionalized? Explain

2 Federalist 51 Questions : A. What is the purpose of separating the powers of government? B. What is essential for the preservation of liberty and how should this be so constituted? C. Why should the departments not be dependent on each other to act? D. Explain this statement in the context of Madison s argument: If men were angels, no government would be necessary E. Who was the intended audience of this document? F. What was the purpose of this document? G. Do you believe that the three branches of government currently in the United States live out what Madison wanted in Federalist 51? Why? *** Assignment #2 : Supreme Court Cases DUE DATE: Wednesday, August 15, (100 Points) Information to include in the summary and significance box: 1) Background: Who was upset with who or what laws/actions did people not like or think were unconstitutional. 2) Issue: What was the constitutional issue the court addressed? An amendment (like 1st amendment speech), a specific clause (like commerce clause)? 3) Ruling: What did the court decide? Was the law or action constitutional or not? Topic Case Summary & Significance (Decision, Amendment in Question, etc.) Legislative Apportionme nt Legislative Apportionme nt Baker v. Carr (1962) Shaw v. Reno (1993) Civil Rights Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

3 Elections, Campaign Finance Elections, Campaign Finance Civil Liberties Buckley v. Valeo (1976) Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) (2010) Engel v. Vitale (1962) Civil Liberties Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) Civil Liberties Mapp v. Ohio (1961) Constitutional Foundations & Underpinning s Constitutional Foundations & Underpinning s Marbury v. Madison (1803) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Civil Liberties McDonald v. Chicago (2010) Civil Liberties Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Civil Liberties New York Times Company v. U.S.(1971) Civil Rights Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

4 Civil Liberties Roe v. Wade (1973) Civil Liberties Schenck v. U.S. (1919) Civil Liberties Constitutional Foundations & Underpinning s Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1961) U.S. v. Lopez (1995) Civil Liberties Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

5 *** Assignment #3: Constitution Packet DUE DATE: Friday, August 31, Constitution Scavenger Hunt (100 points) 1. Read through a copy of the U.S. Constitution. In your own words, your own hand-writing, and on your own, complete the worksheet. The first one is done for you in italics. 2. WHAT CANNOT BE READ WILL BE MARKED WRONG! PART 1: Basics of the Constitution (80 points) Article 1: Label the section and Paragraph Section 2, Paragraph 2 Min. age to be Representative Min. citizenship to be a Representative Residency requirement for Representatives Term length for Representatives Head of House is called? Who is the current one? How were members of the House originally elected? Min. age to be a Senator Min. citizenship to be a Senator Residency requirement for a Senator 25 yrs old

6 Term length for Senators Who (position and name of current one) is the President of the Senate? How were members of the Senate originally elected? What are the 2 expressed powers of the Vice-President? Impeachment Power Who tries those who are impeached Bills for revenue originate here and WHY Explain VETO power: who has it and how does it work? Explain 5 expressed powers/duties of Congress. You may not use the Necessary and Proper Clause.

7 Explain the Necessary and Proper Clause and why it was needed What power is given to Congress in the area of war? Explain 5 restrictions on the powers of Congress Identify 3 powers prohibited to the States Article 2: Label the section and Paragraph Another name for the Chief Executive? Who is the current one? Min. age to be President Citizenship requirement for President Residency requirement for President

8 What power is given to the President in the area of war? Who officially elects the President? Explain how this works. Explain 4 powers/duties of the President Article 3: Label the section and Paragraph Main power of this branch Head court is called: What are the eligibility requirements for the Judiciary? Who creates lower courts? How many Justices are on the Supreme Court? Who is the current Chief Justice? Term Length for Supreme Court

9 Define Original Jurisdiction and who has it. Define Appellate Jurisdiction and who has it. Define treason Article IV: Label the section and Paragraph Main idea of Article IV Explain Full faith and credit Explain Extradition and how it works How do new states become part of the Union? Protection of the States Article V: Label the section and Paragraph What is the main idea of this Article? What is one way to amend the Constitution?

10 What is a second way to amend the Constitution? Article VI: Label the section and Paragraph Article VII: Label the section and Paragraph What is the main idea of this Article? What does supremacy mean in this context? Why is there a clause about a religious test? What is the main idea of this Article? What does Ratification mean? How many states were required for ratification? Which state ratified first? Which state enabled the Constitution to go into effect? Which state ratified last? Amendments

11 N/A What are the first 10 Amendments called as a collective group? N/A Main idea of Amendment 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Which Amendments deal with the right of the accused? Main idea of Amendment 9 Main idea of Amendment 10 3 Parts of Amendment 14 PART TWO: ODDS AND ENDS OF THE Constitution (20 points) Directions: Your Assignment is to complete the sentences below with the correct answers regarding checks and balances and the difference between majority and super majority. I. Checks and Balances : Look at the first three articles of the Constitution and identify one of each type of checks and balances. Indicate where each power is listed in the Constitution with its Article. a. A power that the executive branch has over the legislative branch: This is found in article: b. A power that the executive branch holds over the judicial branch: This is found in article: c. A power that the legislative branch holds over the executive branch: This is found in article:

12 d. A power that the legislative branch holds over the judicial branch: This is found in article: e. A power that the judicial branch holds over the executive branch: This is found in article: f. A power that the judicial branch holds over the legislative branch: This is found in article: II: Majority and Supermajority The Constitution requires a simple majority for some actions and a supermajority for others. A simple majority means more than half, while supermajority requirements can involve a 2/3 majority or a ¾ majority. Most elections in the United States require a plurality, or the most votes, but not necessarily a majority. 2. a. What bodies have the ability to override a presidential veto? b. What margin is required to override a presidential veto? c. Where in the Constitution is the veto power described? 3. a. What body has the power to ratify treaties? b. What margin is required to ratify treaties? c. Where in the Constitution is the ratification power described? 4. To impeach means to bring charges against or to indict. a. What body has the power to impeach the president? b. What vote is required to impeach? 5. a. What body has the power to convict the president of charges brought against him in the impeachment process and thereby remove him from the presidency? b. What vote is required to convict and remove a president? c. Where in the Constitution is the impeachment power described?

13 6. a. What body has the power to accept or reject a president s nominations to the Supreme Court? b. What margin is required to elevate a president s nominee to a seat on the Court? c. Where in the Constitution are judicial nominations described? 7. a. If no candidate for the presidency wins a simple majority of the total number of electoral votes, what body has the power to choose the president? b. What margin is required to choose the president?