United States Government and Politics Course Syllabus 2013-2014 Course Overview: This course will provide students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of United States Government and Politics. Students will learn to identify, describe, explain, and apply the concepts, themes, trends, and beliefs that guide and direct our Constitutional Republic. Each student will learn to think like a political scientist by analyzing statistical information and utilizing a variety of theoretical perspectives and points of view, all in an effort to gain a better understanding of our political system. Course Units: Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of the United States Government Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors Unit 3: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media Unit 4: Institutions of National Government: Congress Unit 5: Institutions of National Government: Presidency and the Bureaucracy Unit 6: Institutions of National Government: The Federal Court System Unit 7: Public Policy Unit 8: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Unit 9: Illinois Constitution and Service Learning Component Course Objectives: Each student will know the important facts, concepts, and theories as they relate to our political system and its functioning. Additionally, students will understand the patterns of political processes, behaviors, and the resultant evolving/ devolving nature of our Federalist System. Furthermore, the characteristics of political conduct, legal principles and precedents, and corresponding policies and procedures will be analyzed in detail. Each Individual will learn to use charts, graphs, and various other forms of data to reach conclusions. Students will likewise critically evaluate important theories and concepts and apply them fittingly to both past and present political events and trends. Lastly, students should understand the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in order to become active members of our Democracy. This last objective will be accomplished through both the curriculum of the course and the student service/government observation requirement. Textbook Materials: Schmidt, Steffen W., Mack C. Shelley and Barbara A., Bardes. (2007). American Government and Politics Today: 2007-2008 edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Supplementary Reading Materials: Putnam, Robert. (1996, Winter). The Strange Disappearance of Civic America. American Prospect. 24: 34-48. Serow, Ann G., and Everett C. Ladd. (2007). The Lanahan Readings in the American Polity. (4 th ed.) Baltimore: Lanahan Publishers. (Excerpts) Center for Civic Education. (2009). We The People: The Citizen and The Constitution, (Excerpts) Monk, Linda R. (2001). The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to The Constitution. New York: Hyperion. Kaminski, J. P., and R. Leffler. (1989). Federalists and Anti-Federalists: The Debate Over Ratification of the Constitution. Madison, WI: Madison House Publishing. (Excerpts) Limonic, L. (2008, December). Latinos and the 2008 Presidential Elections: A Visual Database. Center for Latin America, Caribbean & Latino Studies. The Graduate Center of City University of New York: http:web.gc.cuny.edu/lastudies The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Illinois Constitution. In addition to the readings above, the curriculum will regularly expose students to readings from political news journals such as New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, National Review, Newsweek, US News & World Report, Congressional Quarterly, and various teacher selected handouts and websites
Websites that will be utilized will include: Scotus Blog Oyez.com (NW. University School of Law) Find Law.com Quia.com Hippocampus.com Khanacademy.com Cagle.com Wordle.net Political cartoons.com Course Planner: Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings 1 Syllabus, I.D.E.A. F.R.Q. intro Reavis knowledge FRQ 2 FRQ activity and college level reading 3 The Democratic Republic/ intro to political cartoon PoliticalCartoons.com pp. 2-14 4 The Democratic Republic Continued Password/Buzzword Game 5 Quiz Chapter 1 Terms The Origins of the American Republic 6 The Constitution 7 The Constitution Constitution for Kids Activity Reading Quiz #1 8 Quiz Chapter 2 Terms Ratification In class FRQ 9 Federalism (Structure) Constitutional References Intro to Selective Incorporation 10 Federalism Historical evolution of federalism Dual Federalism, Cooperative Federalism, New Federalism Federalism notecard activity 11 Quiz Chapter 3 Terms Unit 1 Review 12 Unit Exam: 60 Multiple Choice Questions and One Take Home Free Response Question WTP: Lesson 1, 2 Traditional Political Spectrum (chart) Four Cornered Ideological Grid (chart) The Aging of America (chart) US Population-Ethnicity Predictions (chart) Political Ideology Quiz Online WTP; Lesson 6-12 What s Up With My Rights? Activity The Words We Live By Excerpts The Words We Live By Excerpts Constitution for Kids handout WTP: Lessons 13, 14 Federalist Paper (Publius)Excerpts Anti-Federalist (Brutus) Excerpts In-Class Presentations: Fed/Anti-Fed Radio Speeches Federalist 51 Revisited Flow of Power in 3 Systems of Government (chart) The Shift Toward Central Government Spending (chart) Peter Sagal clip Video Clips on Katrina Looking at a crisis in federalism FEMA Chart pp.15-25 pp. 26-36 pp.37-44 pp.45-57 pp. 79-87 pp. 87-103
Unit 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors 1 Defining Public Opinion Political Socialization Demographics: Political Preferences and Voting Behavior Voting with your Feet Activity Assignment: Create a demographics guide. Type up a chart that shows various demographic groups (as described in the text) along with the textbook description of how they vote on various issues. (Skill-notetaking/identifying key information Use voter demographic guide worksheet for guidance. Analyzing Political trends: Political ideology website and personal reflection project. pp. 190-203 Voting Age Population Data Analysis o Type up report that includes term definitions and reflective answers to the Interpret the Data section 2 Measuring Public Opinion Technology and Public Opinion 3 Political Culture Quiz on Chapter 6 Vocabulary/reading quiz Introduction to Campaigns and Elections: Who wants to be a candidate? 4 The 21 st Century Campaign Winning Using Polls and Focus Groups Campaign Finance Interest Groups and Campaign Money 5 The Presidential Election Primaries Electoral College How it works/reform? Reading Quiz notes Reflection Assignment Although technologies exist that could make voting more efficient, discuss the challenges to incorporating these various technologies. Use terminology from the book to enhance the discussion/reflection Video snippets on Campaigns Alabama Agriculture Ad Snippet Voter Turnout In the United States Chart Interpretation Type up report that includes term definitions and reflective answers to the Interpret the Data section. Understanding the Roles of Polls and micro-targeting. Micro-targeting chart and activity. Campaign Finance Reform Summary. Reflection Assignment: Describe the different methods proposed for Electoral College reform. Include advantages and disadvantages of each. Fight For Your Right to Cast Your Electoral Vote Activity. 6 2004/2008/2012 Election Results: Interpreting Data Electoral College Analysis Fast Draw Super Delegates clip Latinos and the 2008 Presidential pp. 203-215 pp. 286-290 pp.290-300 pp.300-306
7 Balloting Voter Turnout Legal Restrictions on Voting Historical Expansion of Suffrage Legislation and Voting 8 Chapter 9 Vocabulary Quiz Unit 2 Review 9 Unit Test: 50 Multiple Choice Questions Take Home Free Response Question Election Create a bullet-point summary of key trends from the 2012 election in regards to Latino voting. Identify two data points that you think need investigated further. Political Cartoon analysis activity Suffrage video clip pp. 307-317 Unit 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 1 History of Political Parties The Two Major Parties Today Party Organization The Role of Minor Parties Mechanisms of Change Alignment Realignment Tipping RNC/DNC website activity 2 Political Party Analysis: News Articles Charts on Historical Political Development, Analyzing Data on Party Loyalty 3 Define Interests Groups Incentives to Join Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups Interest Group Strategies and Regulation in a Representative Democracy FECA 1971 PACS, 527-501 Groups, Super Pacs Article on the evolution of PACS Group Research Project Components: Description of group membership, description of policy objectives of group, a reference to how much group spent in a presidential election year (2008 or 2012). pp.249-281 pp. 219-245 4 Reading/Vocab Quiz Interest Groups: Debate Elitism or Pluralism Interest Group Research 5 Quiz on Chapter 7 Terms Political Cartoon Analysis Introduction to Media and Cyber-politics 6 Politics and Television The Media and Campaigns Reviewed The Media and Government Regulation of Media Bias in Media 527-501 Independent Expenditure Groups/SuperPacs Citizens United Interest Group RAFT Activity Article on Media Bias Compare/contrast article from National Review and the New Republic. Chart on Major Corporations and What Media Sources They Own 7 Quiz on Chapter 10 Terms Review Packet Completion pp. 324-333 pp. 333-350
Interest Group Presentations Create charts/tables/media images to describe assigned interest group. 8 Unit Test: 40 Multiple Choice Questions Unit 4 Institutions of National Government--Congress 1 Congress in the Constitution Congress: Functions 2 Congress: Powers Congressional Power in a Federal System Revisited 3 House and Senate Comparisons Reading Quiz 4 Congressional Elections, Apportionment, and Perks and Privileges Incumbency Election Maps on Incumbency 2000 Congressional Reapportionment 5 Committee Structure, Formal Leadership, and Congressional Decision-Making Powers of Congress Activity pp. 353-359 Article 1, Section 8 Article 1, Section 9 Article 1, Section 10 Election maps on Incumbency Gerrymandering Video Snippit pp. 359-360 pp. 360-362 pp. 362-372 pp. 372-379 6 Chapter 11 Vocab Quiz How a Bill Becomes a Law Interest Groups and media Revisited Legislative Influences 7 Article Examination Follow TARP through media reports 8 Congress and the Budget Representation and D.C. The Problem of Pork Oink, Oink 9 Review for Exam 10 Unit Test: 40 Multiple Choice Questions Flow Chart on How a Bill Becomes a Law pp. 379-383 Senatorial Race Activity Media articles related to pork-barrel spending Activity: Budget Making Process Unit 5 Institutions of National Government--Presidency 1 Constitutional Requirements; Process; Roles of the President; President as Party Chief and Superpolitician; Special Uses of Presidential Power 2 Finish Topics from Previous Day 3 Special Topics on Presidential Power Use and Abuse of Power; Impeachment President v. Congress Activity News Articles Related to Use and Abuse of Power Johnson and Impeachment Nixon Watergate pp.389-410 pp.410-412
Clinton and Impeachment Others 4 Quiz on Chapter 12 Executive Branch Organization; The Vice-Presidency 5 The Bureaucracy Political Cartoon Analysis pp.423-440 6 Modern Attempts at Bureaucratic Reform; The Relationship Between the President, Congress, and the Bureaucracy 7 Linkages: Executive Orders, Habeas Corpus, and Japanese Internment Camps During World War II 8 Linkages: The President Who Influences the President? Video Clips Related to Presidential Powers. Reading/Vocab Quiz 9 Quiz on Chapter 13 Review and Discussion Does the President Have the Authority to Execute Only Part of the Laws of the Land (Case Study on George W. Bush and the Veto Introduce the Bureaucracy The Iron Triangle Japanese-American Group Resources on Internment Camps Website Showing Obama s first 100 days and who he met with Interest groups, government officials, foreign government officials, etc. Savage, Charlie. (April 30, 2006). Bush Challenges Hundreds of Laws, Boston Globe. pp.423-435 10 Bureaucracy Staffing, Attempts at Reform Bureaucrats as politicians and policy makers Congress and the bureaucracy 11 Unit Test: 40 Multiple Choice Questions How Regulated are we Activity pp.436-449 Unit 6 Institutions of National Government Supreme Court 1 Introduction to the Courts Sources of American Law, Federal Court System, The Supreme Court at Work, Selection of Federal Judges 2 The Supreme Court In Depth Certiorari Process 3 Introduction to Judicial Review Marbury v. Madison 4 Court Controversy Policy Making and the Court; Judicial Review; Judicial Activism and Judicial Restraint; Strict v. Broad Construction; Ideology and the Rehnquist Court 5 Court Controversy Nominations Linkages Executive branch influences on the judicial branch 6 Linkages: Structural Checks and Balances and the Court Executive, Legislative, Public Opinion, Judicial Branch Facebook Activity Video How do they see their work? (Interviews with Judges) Article on Marbury Activism v. Restrain Chart Activism Clip Judge Bork, Judge Sotomayor Chart on judges who nominated, start date, retirement date Video Snippets on S.C. Scalia 60 minutes clip pp.452-467 pp.468-473 pp.473-476
Judicial Traditions and Doctrine Selective Incorporation 7 Review for Exam Special Topic: John Marshall and the His Supreme Court Legacy 8 Unit Test: 40 Multiple Choice Questions Unit 7 Public Policy 1 Public Policy: Domestic Policy Policymaking Models; Healthcare 2 Domestic Policy Poverty and Welfare; Immigration; Crime; and Environment 3 Quiz on Chapter 15 Domestic Policy Economic Policy Fiscal Policy; Monetary Policy; World Trade; Politics of Taxes; The Problem of Social Security 4 Finish Economic Policy 5 Quiz on Chapter 16 Economic Policy Foreign Policy Brief History of Foreign Policy; Foreign and Defense Policy; Morality vs. Reality in Foreign Policy; Challenges in World Politics; Who Makes Foreign Policy? 6 Foreign Policy Congress v. the Presidency; Domestic Sources of Foreign Policy 7 Review Discussion: Iraq and Afghanistan; China: The New Super Power 8 Unit Test: 40 Multiple Choice Questions Fixing the Budget Activity Chart: How Long Will Social Security Last? Article on China s New Presence in Foreign Affairs pp.481-492 pp.492-510 pp.515-532 pp.532-535 pp.541-560 pp.560-568 Unit 8 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 1 The Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties: Incorporation Doctrine, Religion, Expression, Press, and Assembly/Petition 2 The Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties: Privacy, Rights of the Accused/Society, Cruel and Unusual Punishment. 3 Discussion: The Death Penalty, Exclusionary Rule, Evolution v. Intelligent Design, 4 The Civil Rights Movement: Eyes on the Prize (Awakenings) Reading/Vocab Quiz Chart on Rights Incorporated through 14 th Amendment pp. 107-126 pp.126-140 5 African-American Rights A Historical Perspective: pp. 145-165
Consequences of Slavery, The Civil Rights Movement, Climax of the Civil Rights Movement (Civil Rights Legislation) 6 Civil Rights and Women, Immigrants/Hispanics, Affirmative Action, Older Americans, Disabilities, Gays/Lesbians, and Juveniles 7 Review Making Sense of the Court Cases 8 Unit Test: 40 Multiple Choice Questions Create a Concept Map showing various groups who have benefitted under civil rights legislation Case briefs Students will turn in 3 case briefs relevant to a topic from the Bill of Rights Components include: Summary of Facts, Constitutional Issue, Decision, Significance to our understanding of law/right pp. 166-182 Unit 9 Illinois Constitution and Service Learning Follow Up 1 Review for Illinois Constitution Test IL Con Review Sheet 2 Take Illinois Constitution Test Round Table Discussion on Service, Government Observations, and the Roles that Citizens Play in the Community Charts on State Government Institutions Reflection Paper on Student Service or Government Observation Paper