HOMEWORK

UNIT 1 – Constitutional Underpinnings

~ From the syllabus ~

Homework: Expect nightly reading assignments from the regular textbook Government in America and supplementary readings. Take these very seriously – they are the foundation of daily discussions and lectures. You will be quizzed on readings and vocabulary from the readings.

Sept. 2 Today: Welcome, distribute syllabus, 1^st day quiz, textbook checkout.

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 1 ~ Green book: pp. 1-12 / Red book: 2-13. TAKE NOTES!!

 Sept. 3 NO SCHOOL – power outage!

Sept. 4 Today: Quiz on Chapter 1 reading; finish Day 1 Quiz.

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 1 ~ Green book: pp. 13-26 / Red book: 14-26.

Sept. 5 Today: Chapter 1, Part 2 Quiz. Discuss the nature and purpose of government.

HOMEWORK:

1) Read from Chapter 2 (entire). Take notes. Quizzes on Chapter 2 on Monday!! 

2) Syllabus signature page due Monday, Sept. 8!

Sept. 8 Today: Chapter 2 Quiz (entire). Finish nature and purpose of government. Start theories of democracy (Medicare Prescription Drug benefit video, if available) & Constitutionality.

Theories of democracy ~ philosophical questions:

Deliberative democracy is defined as: Deliberation under conditions conducive to reasoned reflection; mutual willingness to understand the values, perspectives, and interests of others; joint search for mutual interests.

A) Has the US ever been a deliberative democracy? Why or why not?

B) Are the hyperpluralist and elite/class theories “perversions” of democracy or natural consequences of the system? Explain.

HOMEWORK: Read Federalists 10 & 51 in your textbook. Complete the study guide. ~ Green book: pp. 698-702 / Red book: 740-744

Sept. 10 Today: Discuss Federalists, factions, Constitutionality

~ Review Federalists 10 & 51, factions – discussion questions.

~ Tie Federalists to theories of democracy by reviewing Monday’s questions, especially question B.

~ Watch Medicare Prescription Drug benefit video. What theory of democracy do you think is at work in the video? Justify your answers. Again, revisit question B.

~ Court case, Sanchez v. San Diego. Do you agree with the court’s decision? Are the “walkthroughs” constitutional? Do the activities of the prosecutor’s office provide equal protection of “the people”? Why or why not?

~ Court case: Marbury v. Madison.

HOMEWORK: Read and outline the Constitution and amendments. ~ Green book: pp. 703-711 / Red book: 745-753

Sept. 11 Today: No quiz. Power Grab Game (Checks and Balances – find evidence in the Constitution to prevent power grab)

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 3 (stop at Intergovernmental Relations Today) ~ Green book: pp. 64-76 / Red book: 68-81

Sept. 12 Today: Chapter 3, Part 1 Quiz. Do division of powers game/handout. As time allows, read for analysis and discussion: Federalism and Physician Assisted Suicide, Federalism and the Debate over a Proposal for a National School Test, Federalism and Medical Marijuana Laws, Federalism and the Clash over Federal and State Environmental Regulation

HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 3 (start at Intergovernmental Relations Today) ~ Green book: pp. 77-90 / Red book: 81-96

EXAM (UNIT 1) WILL BE ON THE BLOCK DAY (WEDNESDAY) NEXT WEEK.

BE PREPARED!

Sept. 15 Today: Chapter 3, Part 2 Quiz. Court cases: McCulloch v. Maryland, United States v. Lopez, Gibbons v. Ogden. Review for the exam.

HOMEWORK: Review for the exam! The exam will contain about 45 multiple choice questions and 1 free-response question.

Sept. 17 Exam review, practice Free Response Question (FRQ). Click here for the study guide.

HOMEWORK: Review for the exam! The exam will contain about 45 multiple choice questions and 1 free-response question.

Sept. 18 UNIT 1 EXAM

START NEW UNIT – SEE UNIT 2 HOMEWORK.