Week 18 May 9-13 Finals Week
MONDAY
-Socratic Seminar TUESDAY -AP Exam/Class Final -FRQ Questions -A Soldier's Challenge to the President WEDNESDAY -Celebration!! |
Week 17 May 2-6
Unit V Public Policy
Chapter 18: Making Foreign and Defense Policy
What role should the United States play in the world? What is, and what should be, our relationship with the United Nations?
MONDAY
-Chapter 18 PowerPoint -Supreme Court Case Quiz TUESDAY -AP Practice Test WEDNESDAY -AP Practice Test THURSDAY -Watch CSPAN Review FRIDAY -Chapter 18 Exam -AP Practice Test -Test Key |
READINGS
Magleby, Chapter 18 The Obama Doctrine Additional Sources "Weakness or Realism in Foreign Policy?" |
Week 16 April 25 - April 29
Unit V Public Policy
Chapter 17: Making Social Policy
What are subsidies and entitlements? What is the proper role for government in social issues such as education, welfare, and crime?
MONDAY
-Watch "Sarah's Uncertain Path" -Chapter 17 PowerPoint -FRQ Social Policy -Read "The Brilliant Simplicity of a Guaranteed Minimum Income" TUESDAY -Watch "Running on Fumes in North Dakota" -How Should the Government Address Poverty in the US? WEDNESDAY -Watch "An Education in Equality" -How Should the Government Address Poverty in the US? THURSDAY -Watch "Hannah's Story" -How Should the Government Address Poverty in the US? -Socratic Seminar -Chapter 17 Exam FRIDAY -No School |
READINGS
Magleby, Chapter 17 Lanahan, Lockout Lanahan, Flat Broke with Children Additional Resources: -Discussion Questions |
Week 15 April 20-24
Unit V Public Policy
Chapter 16: Making Economic Policy
Who sets policy agendas for our nation? How does federalism affect public policy? We will examine and debate several areas of public policy. How is the federal budget made? How is monetary policy different from fiscal policy? What is the “global economy”? How does the global economy influence U.S. policy generally and you specifically?
MONDAY
-FRQ Practice (handout) -Chapter 16 PowerPoint TUESDAY -Chapter 16 PowerPoint -Watch "Inequality for All" WEDNESDAY -Watch "Senior Ditch Day" THURSDAY -Socratic Seminar -Discussion Questions FRIDAY -Chapter 16 Quiz -Minimum Wage Deliberation |
READINGS
Magleby, Chapter 16 Lanahan, Understanding Economic Policy Lanahan, Bad Money ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: -Federal Reserve Research and Presentation -Watch "Lemonade War" -School Funding |
Week 14 April 11-15
Unit VI Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Chapter 15: Civil Rights
Civil Rights: What is equal protection under the law?1. Equal Protection and the 14th Amendment: What is “equal protection” under the law? How has the interpretation of the equal protection clause changed over time? How have laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and affirmative action influenced our understanding of the clause?
MONDAY
-Chapter 15 FRQs -Chapter 15 Powerpoint TUESDAY -No Class state testing WEDNESDAY -Chapter 15 Powerpoint THURSDAY -Scrutiny and Classifications -What are strict scrutiny, intermediate scrutiny, and rational basis? -Our Racist Past is Not the Past FRIDAY -Socratic Seminar (Ms. Thompson) -The Problem We All Live With -Mock Trial 5th & 14th Amendment -Chapter 15 Test |
READINGS
Mageleby Chapter 15 Lanahan, Simple Justice Lanahan, All Deliberate Speed ADDITIONAL RESOURCES -What Level of Legal of Legal Scrutiny Should Sexual Orientation -Based Classifications Receive? -Affirmative Action NY Article -Suspect Classification -Watch "14th Amendment -House Rules (podcast housing discrimination) -Segregation is Back (politico story) |
Week 13 April 4-8
Unit VI Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Chapter 14: Civil Liberties
Civil Liberties: What constitutes free speech? How does the national Bill of Rights apply to states? Do the courts “legislate from the bench”? 1 . Freedom of Speech, the Press, and Assembly: What forms of speech are protected? How is the 1st Amendment affected in times of crisis? 2. Religion: What constitutes “establishment”? What are the limits of “free exercise”? 3. Life, Liberty and Property: What is procedural due process? Is there a right to privacy? What do property rights mean in relation to community interests?
MONDAY
-Chapter 14 FRQs -Chapter 14 PowerPoint Video "Habeas Corpus: The Guantanamo Cases" TUESDAY -PFL Panel WEDNESDAY -Mock Supreme Court Conference 1st Amendment Cases -Mock Supreme Court Conference 4th Amendment Cases THURSDAY -Discussion Questions -Socratic Seminar FRIDAY -Chapter 14 Quiz -Watch "Right to Remain Silent: Miranda v Arizona" |
READINGS
Magleby Chapter 14 Lanahan, You Can't Say That Lanahan, System Under Stress -Watch "Civil Liberties intertwined w/Civil Rights" -Watch "Korematsu and Civil Liberties" -Review "Freedom of Religion" timeline -Watch "The Story of the Bill of Rights" -Watch "14th Amendment" ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Civil liberties are protections against government actions. For example, the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees citizens the right to practice whatever religion they please. Government, then, cannot interfere in an individual's freedom of worship. Amendment I gives the individual "liberty" from the actions of the government. Civil rights, in contrast, refer to positive actions government should take to create equal conditions for all Americans. The term "civil rights" is often associated with the protection of minority groups, such as African Americans, Hispanics, and women. The government counterbalances the "majority rule" tendency in a democracy that often finds minorities outvoted. |
Week 12 March 30-April 3
Unit IV Institutions of National Government
Chapter 13: The Judiciary
What role do the courts play in interpreting the Constitution and implementing public policy? Are the courts “guilty,” as some of critic charge, of supplanting the legislative and executive branches by legislating from the bench? What is the proper role for the judicial branch in the public policy process? What is the evolving relationship between the courts and “civil rights”?
MONDAY
-Chapter 13 FRQs -Chapter 13 PowerPoint -Is the Supreme Court too Supreme? TUESDAY -John Roberts Criticized Supreme Court Confirmation Process -Nominating Federal Judges WEDNESDAY -Nominating Federal Judges -Socratic Seminar THURSDAY -Chapter 13 Exam -Write an Editorial to the Durango Herald FRIDAY -Unit IV Essay Test |
READINGS:
Magleby Chapter 13 Lanahan 45, Storm Center Lanahan 46 Pursuit of Justices Lanahan 43, Federalist 78 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES -Judicial Nominations -Video "Judicial Interpretation" -Discussion Questions -Watch "Civil Liberties" |
Week 11 March 14-20
Unit IV Institutions of National Government
Chapter 18: The Bureaucracy
What are the specific issues addressed in public policy making? Define an “Iron Triangle,” does it exist and if so how does it influence policy implementation? Who controls the bureaucracy: The president? Congress? The people? Does a largely permanent professional bureaucracy serve democracy?
MONDAY
-Bureaucracy FRQ practice -How Obama Handles Protesters -Chapter 12 PowerPoint TUESDAY -Chapter 12 PowerPoint WEDNESDAY -Bureaucracy Web Quest THURSDAY -Socratic Seminar -Video "Bureaucracy: A Controversial Necessity" FRIDAY -Chapter 12 Exam -Video "Habeas Corpus: The Guantanamo Cases" use FSW for Informational documentary (25 minutes) |
READINGS:
Magleby Chapter 12 Lanahan, A Government Ill Executed Lanahan, Locked in the Cabinet Additional Resources: -Watch Judiciary Video -Discussion Questions |
Week 10 March 7-11
Read "Executive Power and Overview"
Unit IV Institutions of National Government
Chapter 11: The President
What are the formal and informal powers of the presidency? How does the president use these powers to influence policy? Is the president too powerful or not powerful enough vis-a-vis the legislative and judicial branches?
MONDAY
-FRQ Practice -CAREER FAIR TUESDAY -Chapter 11 Powerpoint WEDNESDAY -Foreign Policy: The Powers of Checks on the US Congress and the President THURSDAY -Socratic Seminar -Video "Inside Obama's Presidency" use FSW for Informational documentary FRIDAY -Chapter 11 Exam -Presidential Power Post 9/11: Comparing George W. Bush and Barack Obama -Watch Bureaucracy Video |
READINGS
Magleby Chapter 11 Lanahan, The Imperial Presidency Triumphant Lanahan, Leading From the Center United States v Nixon Project -Group 1 "Going Public" -Group 2 "Presidential Signing Statements" -Group 3 "Problem of Divided Government" -Group 4 "War Powers" Additional Resources: -Chapter 11 Discussion Questions -Constitutional Limits on Presidential Action on Immigration -Presidential Power Post 9/11: Comparing George W. Bush and -Barack Obama |
Week 9 February 29-March 4
Unit IV Institutions of National Government
Chapter 10: Congress
Congress: How does Congress represent and reflect the interest and desires of the nation? Is Congress representative of the nation as a whole? Is this the most efficient and effective way to make policy? Compare and contrast the makeup and operations of the House and Senate. How has Congress’s role in policy formulation changed over time in relation to the other branches?
MONDAY
-Congress FRQ practice -Chapter 10 PowerPoint TUESDAY -Foreign Policy: The Powers of Checks on the US Congress and the President WEDNESDAY -Foreign Policy: The Powers of Checks on the US Congress and the President THURSDAY -Socratic Seminar Lanahan Readings -Discussion Questions FRIDAY -Republican Debate -Watch "The Modern Presidency" -Chapter 10 Exam |
READINGS
Magleby Chapter 10 Lanahan 25, Stalemate Lanahan 26, The Difference Women Make Additional Resources -Congress Project |
Week 8 February 22-26
Unit 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
Chapter 9: The Media and US Politics
Unit II and III Review
What role do the media play in elections and shaping public opinion? Is the media an impartial observer or an active participant in political elections and in the formation of public policy?
MONDAY
-Chapter 9 FRQ -Chapter 9 PowerPoint TUESDAY -Presidential Campaigns and the Media -Presidential Election (Task 4,5, & 7) WEDNESDAY -Media and Politics -Socratic Seminar -Discussion Questions THURSDAY -Chapter 9 Quiz FRIDAY -Unit II and III Exam -Watch "The Legislature" |
READINGS: Magleby Chapter 9 Lanahan 80: How the Mass Media Divides Us Lanahan 81: Strange Bedfellow New York Times v Sullivan Additional Resources -Right to Work Laws |
Week 7 February 15-19
Unit 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
Chapter 8 Campaign and Elections
Unit II and III Review
How are candidates selected to run for office? What role is played by party organizations, PACS, and money generally in campaigns? What roles do these groups play? Should the present campaign system be overhauled?
SMONDAY
-No School -Chapter 8 FRQs TUESDAY -Chapter 8 PowerPoint -Colbert Report -Campaign Finance the Rules of the Game (Due Friday) WEDNESDAY -Fact Checking the Presidential Candidates -The Redistricting Game -Voter ID Laws THURSDAY -Lawrence Lessig's Super Pac Want to Kill Super Pacs -Socratic Seminar (Braxton) FRIDAY -Chapter 8 Exam -Discussion Questions |
READINGS
Magleby Chapter 8 Lanahan 74, Is 2008 a Realigning Election? Numbers Offer Some Clues. Lanahan 76, Boiling Mad -McCutcheon v FEC Additional Resources: -FEC Campaign Finance Overview -NYTimes: The Courts Blow to Democracy -Congressional Approval -The Redistricting Game -Watch "The Media" -US Elections: How do they work? |
Week 6: February 8-12
Unit 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
Chapter 6 Political Parties
Political parties and interest groups are not mentioned in the constitution yet they play a critical role. How? Why? Do they serve our democracy or are they an obstacle? Is this the best system to develop and select leaders? Are citizens well served by the current process? How are candidates selected to run for office?
MONDAY
-Chapter 6 FRQs -Chapter 6 PowerPoint -America's Election: Gunning for New Hampshire -5 Ways Sanders and Trump are More Alike Than You May Think -https://www.isidewith.com/ TUESDAY -Mickey Green on Democracy's Cancer -Green Party Platform -Libertarian Platform -Polarized Politics WEDNESDAY -Socratic Seminar (Frankie) -Discussion Questions THURSDAY -How the Electoral College Works -The Trouble with Electoral Colleges -US Elections: How do they work? -Chapter 6 Quiz FRIDAY -NO School |
READINGS:
Magleby Chapter 6 Lanahan 72, Millennial Makeover Lanahan 80, The Second Civil War Additional Resources: "Elections" |
Week 5: February 1-5
Unit 3 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
Chapter 5 Interest Groups
What is the difference between a Democrat and a Republican? Are there other options beyond these two choices? How do interest groups influence government decisions and policy making? What role is played by party organizations, PACs, and money generally in campaigns? What roles do these groups play in the electoral process? What role should they play? Should the present campaign system be overhauled and reformed?
MONDAY
-Presidential Primaries -Chapter 5 FRQs TUESDAY -Chapter 5 PowerPoint -Documentary WEDNESDAY -Documentary -"Interest Groups" Research Questions THURSDAY -Socratic Seminar -60 Minutes Jack Abramoff -Group Questions FRIDAY -Chapter 5 Quiz -Watch "Political Parties" |
READINGS
Magleby Chapter 5 Lanahan 63 More Than Money Lanahan 64 So Much Damn Money Supreme Court Citizens United v Federal Election Committee Additional Resources -Money and Campaigns |
Week 4: January 25-29
Unit 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors
Chapter 4 & 7 American Political Landscape & Public Opinion, Ideology and Participation
How do we come by our political beliefs? What are the sources of public opinion? What is “political culture,” and is there a unique American political culture? What is the “political spectrum”? How do these political beliefs define who we are as citizens? What does it mean to be a citizen? What is the role of the citizen in a civil society? Which citizens vote and why? What is the relationship between individual rights and the needs of the larger community? Is democracy in America healthy and viable today?
MONDAY
-Unit 1 Test -Unit 1 FRQ Question -Chapter 4 & 7 FRQs TUESDAY -Chapter 4 PowerPoint -Chapter 7 PowerPoint WEDNESDAY -isidewith.com -Group Study Questions -Political Ideology Research Paper (Due Monday 2/1) THURSDAY -Socratic Seminar -Political Ideology Research Paper (Due Monday 2/1) FRIDAY -Chapter 4 & 7 Quiz -Political Ideology Research Paper (Due Monday 2/1) |
READINGS
Magleby 4.3, 4.4,4.5 Magleby 7.1,7.3,7.4 Lanahan 7 Habits of the Heart Lanahan 69 Why We Vote |
Week 3: January 18-22
Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government
Chapter 3 American Federalism (Watch "Federalism")
Why did the Anti-Federalists fear this new system? Referring back to the questions from the last unit, does this new system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not? What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution? What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
MONDAY
-No School -Chapter 3 FRQs -Study Questions -Review "Court Cases Related to Legal Concepts" Tuesday -Chapter 3 PowerPoint -Present Marbury v Madison Social Media Post Wednesday -McCulloch v Maryland Explained -McCulloch v Maryland: Summary & Questions -You Make the Call: McCulloch v Maryland -Gibbons v Ogden Explained -"How Interpretation of the Commerce Clause Has Changed Over Time" Thursday -Socratic Seminar Friday -Chapter 3 Quiz |
READINGS
Magleby Chapter 3: American Federalism Lanahan 18, Federalist 39 & 46 Lanahan 20, Democratic Laboratories Supreme Court McCulloch v Maryland ADDITIONAL SOURCES Chapter 9 Exam Gibbons v Ogden Explained |
Week 2: January 11-15
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government
Chapter 2: Constitutional Foundations
How does the constitution underpin U.S. government? The concept of “checks and balances” was a novel idea in the 18th century. Why? What does "separation of powers" mean and look like? Why is it important?
(MONDAY
-Chapter 2 FRQ's -Study Questions Chapter 2 (Review for Friday's Quiz) -Watch Creating a Constitution -Chapter 2 Powerpoint TUESDAY -Marbury v Madison video -Marbury v Madison Lesson WEDNESDAY -State of the Union Introduction -State of the Union worksheet -Watch "State of the Union" -Federalist 51 THURSDAY -Federalist 51 -"Judicial Interpretation with Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen G. Breyer" FRIDAY -Chapter 2 Quiz -Chapter 2 FRQ -Work Time! |
Readings:
Magleby Chapter 2: Constitutional Foundations Lanahan James Madison The Federalist 51 Lanahan 16 The Constitution and America's Destiny Supreme Court Marbury v Madison Additional Resources: "Judicial Interpretation with Justices Antonin Scalia and Stephen G. Breyer" |
Week 1: January 6th-9th
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government
Chapter 1: Constitutional Democracy
What is the purpose of government? What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic? Are these views still relevant? In what ways does the constitution underpin US government? The concept of checks and balances was a novel idea in the 18th century.
Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government
Chapter 1: Constitutional Democracy
What is the purpose of government? What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic? Are these views still relevant? In what ways does the constitution underpin US government? The concept of checks and balances was a novel idea in the 18th century.
-MONDAY -No School -Chapter 1 FRQ's (I will choose one for Friday's quiz) TUESDAY -Classroom Expectations -Define Democracy: Critical Thinking -Introduction Lecture -Chapter 1 Lecture WEDNESDAY -How to write an AP Response (video) -The Key to Writing the Perfect AP GoPo FRQ (handout) -Explain Federalist #10 (video) -Socratic Seminar: Federalist 10 (Thompson) THURSDAY -Study Questions Ch. 1 -Snow Day FRIDAY -Snow Day -Chapter 1 Quiz |
Readings:
Magleby Chapter 1: Constitutional Underpinnings Lanahan 14 Who Governs? Lanahan 10 James Madison Federalist 10 |