SUMMER PROJECT AP GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 2016 2017 ACADEMIC YEAR There are a number of goals for this summer project. First and foremost, the summer project allows us to get a head start and hit the ground running in August. Another goal is to battle against the summer setback the loss of mental and intellectual sharpness that occurs with a long break from studying. This assignment allows you to stay sharp, but will in no way spoil your summer. It is important to pace yourself, especially if you are taking multiple AP courses that also require a summer project. Part One will help you become familiar with the U.S. Constitution. It is simply an assignment designed help you get a working knowledge of WHAT S IN IT AND WHERE TO FIND WHAT S IN IT. Don t worry too much about the larger principles and implications of it we ll study that together. But it will be EXTREMELY useful for you to have a good understanding of the structure and design of it at the beginning of the course. This part has 2 assignments. Part Two is keeping up to date with the 2016 Presidential Election. On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, voters will select presidential electors who will then, through the Electoral College, elect the 45th President of the United States (POTUS). This will be a great opportunity for you to experience what we are learning in class so it s important to stay up to date on how the election is going over the summer. The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is July 25 28 in Philadelphia. The Republican National Convention (RNC) is July 18 21 in Cleveland. This part of the project will help you gain a better understanding of the candidates and keep current on major issues. This part has 3 assignments.
Part One Assignment #1 Who are these people? It is important for you to get to know these Who s Who of Politics. Complete the chart by identifying the person who currently holds the office by name. Office President Person in Office Barack Obama Vice President Secretary of State Defense Secretary Attorney General Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Speaker of the House House Majority Leader House Minority Leader Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority Leader California Governor US Senator (CA) US Senator (CA) US Representative (CA District 38) CA State Senator (District 32) CA State Assembly (District 57)
Part One Assignment #2 Constitution Outline The Constitution is divided into three main sections: The Preamble, the Articles (#1 7), and the Amendments (#1 27). This outline is not meant to be definitive, but it will get you to a point where you are familiar enough with the Constitution to be able to navigate through it. Review a copy of the US Constitution online or from a book, and complete the Constitution Outline. Note: There are also Free Apps of the US Constitution available for your smart phone. Section 1 THE PREAMBLE : The Preamble to the United States Constitution states the major goals of the American government. Read the Preamble on the left hand side. On the right hand side, re write and paraphrase the section in your own words. Remember, not to use the same words when you paraphrase. For example, don t use the word justice to paraphrase establish justice. You will need to use a synonym. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Section 2 THE ARTICLES: Articles #1 7 lay out the structure and specific functions of the national government. It s the country s rule book. In this section, look through the Constitution s articles one by one and get to know what s in each one. Again, you will not have to outline the ENTIRE thing...just some of the highlights. I. ARTICLE ONE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH A. Qualifications for House of Representatives 1. 2. 3. B. Qualifications for Senate 1. 2. 3. C. Powers delegated to Congress:
D. Powers denied to Congress: II. ARTICLE TWO EXECUTIVE BRANCH A. Presidential Qualifications: 1. 2. 3. B. Powers of the President: III. ARTICLE THREE THE JUDICIAL BRANCH A. What are the types of cases heard by the Supreme Court?
B. What is the term of office for a Federal Judge (Including Supreme Court Justices)? IV. ARTICLE FOUR Relationships between the States A. Name six things in this article: V. ARTICLE FIVE AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION A. Describe, in your own words, the process by which the Constitution is amended. There are 2 ways to propose an amendment and 2 ways to ratify an amendment. VI. ARTICLE SIX VERY important (and under rated) Article... A. What does this Article state about the authority of the Constitution? VII. ARTICLE SEVEN Ratification... A. What was needed for this to become the new law of the land?
Section 3 THE AMENDMENTS: There are 27 amendments to the Constitution. Amendments are changes or updates. You will eventually need to memorize them. Start by identifying them below. Use your own words since you will not be memorizing them as written in the Constitution. Amendment In your own words. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 This the end of PART ONE.
Part TWO SELECTING A PRESIDENT: The Party National Convention Purpose: The party national convention, a.k.a. the party nominating convention, officially launches the fall presidential campaign. In this lesson, you will investigate the role and purpose of each party s national convention. Objectives: 1. Students will define key terms associated with party nominating conventions. 2. Students will analyze political cartoons. 3. Students will compare and contrast the major party platforms. Tasks: 1. Review the graphic organizer Road to the White House to gain an understanding of the presidential election process. 2. Review the graphic organizer Characteristics of a Convention to gain an understanding of what defines a convention. 3. Complete the graphic organizer Presidential Nominating Conventions: The Nuts & Bolts. (Assignment #1) 4. Analyze Political Cartoon #1 and Political Cartoon #2 by answering the questions at the bottom of each cartoon. (Assignment #2) 5. Complete the webquest activity by accessing party websites and completing the Party Platforms Comparison 2016 graphic organizer. (Assignment #3)
Part Two Assignment #1 Presidential Nominating Conventions: The Nuts & Bolts Term Nominating Convention Definition Examples (If applicable) Party Platform Plank Delegate X Proportional System
Term Winner take all System Definition Examples (If applicable) Pledged Delegates X Superdelegates Brokered Convention Keynote Address Acceptance Address
Part Two Assignment #2 Political Cartoon #1 Title : 2008 The Final Three By:Paresh Nath, National Herald, New Delhi, India 3/17/08 http://cagle.msnbc.com 1. Describe what s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?) 2. What is the artist s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose? 3. Compare and contrast the 2008 primary season depicted in the cartoon with the 2016 primary season going on now. 4. What light does this cartoon shed on party nominating conventions?
Political Cartoon #2 Title : Superdelegates By John Trever, The Albuquerque Journal 03/30/2008 http://www.politicalcartoons.com/ 1. Describe what s going on in the political cartoon (Who? What? When? Where?) 2. What is the artist s message in the cartoon? What do you think is its purpose? 3. Why do you think the Democratic Party has superdelegates as well as pledged delegates voting for the nominee at the convention? What are some advantages and disadvantages of this party rule. 4. What light does this cartoon shed on party nominating conventions?
Part Two Assignment #3 Party Platform Comparison 2016 WebQuest Activity Go online to compare and contrast the platforms of the two major parties. Write your responses on the Party Platform Comparison 2016 graphic organizer. Online Resources: http://www.democrats.org Official website of the national Democratic Party http://www.gop.com Official website of the national Republican Party http://www.ontheissues.org A nonpartisan website that provides candidates stands on issues as well as party platforms Party Platform Comparison 2016 Key Issue Democratic Party Republican Party Platform Theme (Title) Civil Rights (Affirmative Action, Gay Marriage) The Economy (Taxes, Government Spending, Jobs)
Key Issue Democratic Party Republican Party Education (School Choice, School Prayer, Accountability) Foreign Policy (US Role in the World, War & Peace) Health Care (Costs, Coverage, Medicaid, Medicare) Homeland Security (Immigration, Intelligence Gathering, War on Terror) Social Issues (Abortion, Death Penalty, Guns, Poverty) Energy & the Environment (Oil, Alternative Fuels, Global Warming)