HOMEWORK
Unit Four: Institutions Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, The Federal Budget and the Federal Courts
(Chapters 12, 13, 15, 14 and 16)
~ 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.
This homework
schedule is subject to change…Stay tuned and watch carefully!
Regardless, you
are responsible for Chapters 12, 13, 15, 14, and 16 for the exam.
Questions
to consider:
Oct.
31 Today: Senior Meeting &
Invisible Children Presentation. Multiple Choice exam postponed until Monday.
HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 12 (stop
at How Congress is Organized to Make Policy) ~
Green book: pp. 353-364 /
Red book: 352-364
Nov.
3 Today: Unit 3 Multiple
Choice Exam.
HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 12 (stop
at The Congressional Process) ~
Green book: pp. 364-375 /
Red book: 364-378
ELECTION DAY EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY!!!
Nov. 5 Today: Election Day discussion!!!
Using information from websites, newspapers, and other media, provide a thorough
written analysis in one or more of the following areas:
o
Campaign
organization, strategy, financing
o
Congressional
races and effect of Obama win on down-ticket voting
o
Ballot
measures
o
Voter
turnout and changing demography
o
Electoral
College map changes
o
Comparison
to historical trends
o
Divided
government vs. single-party government
o
Role
of the media
o
Hot-button
issues, ballot propositions
o
International
reactions
HOMEWORK: Finish Chapter 12
Nov.
6 Today: Chapter 12 quiz.
Complete Background on Congress.
(Click here for PDF version.)
HOMEWORK: Finish
Background on Congress.
Nov.
7 Special Schedule
(Veterans Day Assembly)
Today: Review Background on
Congress assignment and discuss any questions. Review committee system.
HOMEWORK: 2 assignments. (Click here for PDF copy of the assignment handout)
Do reading from Wilson & DiJulio textbook
(available in hard copy only). Using information from your textbook, the Wilson
& DiJulio, and handout on Committee System (available in hard copy only),
do the following:
1) Answer the FRQ below.
Both party leadership and committees in Congress
play key roles in the legislative process.
(a) Define two of the following elements of the
congressional committee system and explain how each influences the legislative
process.
o
Specialization
o
Reciprocity/logrolling
o
Party representation on committees
(b) Identify two ways party leadership in Congress
can influence the legislative process, and explain how each way influences the
process.
2) Write an FRQ and a rubric for your
FRQ on one of the following topics:
(a) Congressional reform
efforts or
(b) the politics of
decision-making.
Use your textbook and the Wilson & DiJulio
textbook to craft your question. Your FRQ should ask for some discussion or
explanation of important concepts, or ask the reader to apply important
concepts. Your rubric should contain as many acceptable answers as you can
think of.
Nov.
10 No school – Learning
Improvement Day for teachers. But, you still have
homework!
[Nov.
11 No school – Veterans Day] But, you still
have homework!
Nov. 12 C DAY
Today: Congress FRQ homework from Friday is due.
Review in class, assess each others’ work and discuss concepts behind FRQs. You
should be able to answer whatever question you are presented; if you are not,
you need to go back and review to make sure you fully understand everything you
have read.
As a review, take some time to go over some
Congressional concepts. Click here
for the handout.
HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 13 (stop
at Running the Government: The Chief Executive) ~
Green book: pp. 392-402 /
Red book: 390-400
Nov.
13 C DAY
Today: Make handouts on use of Executive Powers.
Presidents selected in class today; if you were absent, see Ms. Johnston to get
a presidential assignment.
Meeting places: 2nd period
– Lab 109 / 6th period - Library
HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 13 (stop
at The President and National Security) ~
Green book: pp. 402-417 / Red
book: 400-416
Nov.
14 Special Schedule
(Corporal’s Diary)
Today: Finish handouts on use of Executive Powers.
Meeting
places: 2nd & 6th periods – Lab 110
HOMEWORK: 2 assignments
1) Finish Chapter 13.
2) Read handouts on War Powers Resolution: the War Powers
Resolution text from the Avalon Project, and excerpt from the CRS Report on the War Powers
Resolution.
Revised due date on Executive Powers
handout: Completed handouts are now due Thurs., Nov. 20. You will not have any
additional class time to work on them.
Nov.
17 Today: War Powers
Resolution. Structured discussion ~ Is the War Powers Resolution
constitutional?
~ You will be assigned a side in the debate. You
should be prepared to argue your side effectively and using evidence from the
textbook, the Constitution, and your readings.
HOMEWORK: Write a
reflection paper that addresses the following questions ~
How far should executive privilege extend, and what
is the role of Congress in providing a check on presidential power? Use
examples from any president to support your position. How does popular support
affect the President’s use of power?
Revised due date on Executive Powers handout: Completed handouts are
now due Thurs., Nov. 20. You will not have any additional class time to work on
them.
[Nov.
18 Substitute teacher – Ms.
Johnston at Gates conference.]
Nov. 19 Today: SUBSTITUTE
TEACHER – Ms. Johnston at Socratic Seminar training.
~ Chapter 13 Quiz!!
~ Group work on impeachment – what are impeachable
offenses?
~ Watch Bill Moyers Journal on impeachment.
(Click here
to watch online if you missed class.)
~ Reflect: Explain Fein’s and Nichols’ definitions
of impeachable offenses and what they believe to be the founders’ intent in offering
impeachment as a check on power. Do you agree or disagree with their analysis
of the Bush administration’s use of executive privilege? How can the public
tell when the executive has overstepped its Constitutional authority?
HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 16 (stop
at The Backgrounds of Judges and Justices)
Green book: pp. 502-516
/ Red book: 502-516
Nov.
20 BJTAC Shopping Schedule
Today: Finish impeachment,
discussion of use of presidential powers and executive privilege.
HOMEWORK: Read from Chapter 16 (stop
at Understanding the Courts)
Green book: pp. 516-530
/ Red book: 516-532
Nov.
21 BJTAC Shopping Schedule
Move to judiciary ~
In-class write (2nd period, this is homework): Thinking
the value of the Judiciary.
THINKING ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE JUDICIARY
What is the role of the court system in our government?
·
How does the Constitution help to develop
that role? How has the court system developed that role for itself?
·
Who decides what kinds of cases are
“justiciable,” and why is that important?
·
What does the government need or want out of
the court system?
What is the role of the court system in our society?
·
What do you, as a citizen, want or need out
of the court system? (For the citizen, what is the purpose of the courts?)
·
How are those needs or wants met or not met
by the court system?
·
How des the fact that courts cannot enforce
their own decisions affect their role in our society?
How are those roles (government vs. societal) different, and why?
Many people have
looked to the courts for relief, especially as regards possible violations of
the Bill of Rights and historical wrongs (racism, gender discrimination, etc)
or civil rights. However, there is some question as to whether the courts
should be activist or restrained.
·
Write a definition for judicial activism and
one for judicial restraint (don’t be afraid to use your textbook).
·
Which kind of court do you prefer, and why? -
Defend your position:
o
Explain the value of the type of court
(activist or restrained) you would prefer and
o
Describe the arguments that an opponent on
this issue would use as counterclaims to your preference.
HOMEWORK: Finish Chapter 16. 2nd period: Also do “Thinking about the Value of
the Judiciary”
More help understanding the Federal Court System – READ THIS
More help understanding the structure of the court system – READ
THIS
More help understanding the Supreme Court – READ THIS
Nov. 24 Today: Listen to audio of arguments
in Roe v. Wade and read transcript Be prepared to answer the following
questions: What were the key arguments in the case? On what did each side rest
their cases (amendments, etc.)?
~ Click here
for the handout from class (does not contain Griswold arguments – that
is hard copy only)
HOMEWORK: Written reflection ~ This
case is considered by many to be an example of judicial activism. Taking into
account the arguments made in the case and precedent, explain in an objective
and non-judgmental way the assertion that the Court was activist in this
matter. Then, explain whether you agree or disagree with this assertion and
WHY.
Nov.
25 C DAY- BJTAC Assembly
Schedule
Today: Read excerpts from US v. Nixon (in-class
handout). Discuss the following: 1) How did the Supreme Court balance common
law (tradition of executive privilege) and Constitutional law? [There was a
lack of precedence that would have been helpful in deciding the case, so
explain how the Court used common & Constitutional law.] 2) Explain the
Court’s role (in this case) in balancing power.
~ Click here for today’s common law & precedent handout.
HOMEWORK: Read
from Chapter 14 (stop at Federal Expenditures)
Green
book: pp. 436-445 / Red book: 434-444
Nov.
26 Early Release
Today: Chapter 16 quiz and
Chapter 16 review.
HOMEWORK: Finish Chapter 14
More help understanding the Federal Court System – READ THIS
More help understanding the structure of the court system – READ
THIS
More help understanding the Supreme Court – READ THIS
[Nov. 27-28 HAPPY
THANKSGIVING!]
Remember to finish
Chapter 14!
Dec. 1 Today: Understanding the budget –
where does the money come from and where does it go? Different parts of the
budget. Start mapping the budget.
Want to continue the budget mapping activity from
today? Click
here for a copy of the transparency.
HOMEWORK:
1) Take Chapter
14 online quiz. Email to kjohnsto@bham.wednet.edu.
2) Read from Chapter 15 (stop
at Bureaucracies as Implementors)
Green
book: pp. 466-479 / Red book: 466-480
More help understanding the federal budget: CLICK HERE or HERE
or HERE
Dec.
3 Today: Finish budget
mapping activity. Review key terms and take quiz on key terms.
Start Bureaucracy ~ Videos ~ “The Cabinet” and “Regulatory Agencies”.
HOMEWORK:
1) Read from Chapter 15 (stop at
Bureaucracies as Regulators) ~
Green book: pp. 479-487 /
Red book: 480-489
2) Choose an issue that is regulated by the bureaucracy
and note what you know about the issue, who regulates it and how. Bring this to
class tomorrow!
Things to know:
o
Congressional Budget & Impoundment Act: why implemented,
tension between Congress & President, effects, how it works; compare to War
Powers Resolution
o
What programs are entitlement programs, how they work
o
What discretionary spending is
o
Why there is uncontrollable spending (causes)
o
Difference between deficit & debt
o
Difference between OMB & CBO, functions
o
Difference between authorization & appropriation
o
Relationships: Congress, committees, interest groups, agencies
o
Oversight & budget as Congressional controls
o
What the Cabinet is and does
o
What regulatory agencies are and do
More help understanding the bureaucracy: CLICK
HERE
More help with the organization of the bureaucracy: CLICK HERE
Unconstitutionally
appointed patent judges (article by Adam Liptak)
NPR
stories on Federal Contractors, the Presidency, Congress, and the Bureaucracy: Part 1,
Part 2
Dec.
4 Today: “A Look at the Bureaucracy” assignment.
(Due Monday!)
HOMEWORK: Iron Triangles:
·
Identify
an agency or division of a cabinet department (red book p. 476)
·
Identify
some of the corresponding Congressional committees/subcommittees
·
Identify
at least 2 interest groups related to this area
Make an Iron Triangle (red
book p. 497) and explain how it works!
Dec. 5 Today: Finish Bureaucracy assignment.
HOMEWORK: Finish Chapter 15 and Bureaucracy assignment.
Assignment is due Monday, no excuses!
Dec. 8 Early Release
Today: Share bureaucracy reports.
HOMEWORK: Review for exam. Write quiz questions for your
assigned chapter and bring to class on Wednesday.
Dec.
10 Today: REVIEW
FOR EXAM CLICK HERE
FOR STUDY GUIDE
We will use your quiz
questions from your chapter, so have them with you!
Click here for Jeopardy review board.
STUDY TIPS: Know the
vocabulary (key terms) and concepts! Make webs that connect concepts,
government structures, balance of power, etc. and link between/across chapters.
Know the court cases mentioned in the chapters and in class. Understand government
structures, powers, and connections between them (e.g., presidential powers,
how they are exercised, who benefits from the exercise of those powers, role of
the Cabinet and bureaucracy, and how the use of power is checked/balanced by
other branches, the people, and the media.) You can also take the chapter
quizzes at http://wps.ablongman.com/long_edwards_government_11/0,7701,718367-,00.html.
Dec. 11 UNIT EXAM – FREE RESPONSE ONLY.
Click here to
see what assignments should be turned in for this unit by Monday, December 15.
Dec. 12 UNIT EXAM – MULTIPLE CHOICE ONLY.
Click here to
see what assignments should be turned in for this unit by Monday, December 15.
HOMEWORK: Read Chapter 17, all.
Dec.
15 NEW UNIT BEGINS! Click here
to see Unit 5 work.
Turn in Unit 4 Assignments.
Things you should
consider doing over the break if you are planning to take the AP Gov Exam in
May:
1) Making key terms flash cards
for all the chapters we have covered so far
2) Organizing your notes and
handouts
3) Reviewing past units and typing
up your own study guides or quizzes for future use
4) Taking practice tests online
or trying FRQs that you find online