Date Due
|
Pages
|
Key Concepts to Master |
9/3
|
Reflections on Locke, Voltaire,
Montesquieu and Rousseau are due
|
9/8
|
pp.#53-58
|
- The key elements of the organization of the
Constitutional Convention
- The basics of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans for
Representation, and the compromises necessary for resolution of the
representation issue
- The reasons for the struggle over ratification and
it's eventual outcome
|
9/10
|
pp. #123-131 |
- The requirements for membership in the House and
Senate
- The terms of service in each house, as well as the
senate
- The process and politics involved with congressional
districts and "gerrymandering
|
9/16
|
Mr. Smith
Response is Due
|
9/17
|
Speech
Research
Please Remember that in writing your speech you should:
- Make a big, clear, opening statement: "I am here
today to speak in strong support of (opposition to)…"
- State your big overarching reason (e.g. “This
threatens the daily lives of millions of Americans…”
- Break your smaller points (job loss, personal safety,
civil rights) down into 2-3 paragraphs that support your big reason
- Repeat your position and big reason - Close Hard!
|
9/21
|
pp.#68-75
|
- The rationale behind the separation of powers into
three branches of government
- The basic powers of each of the three branches of
government
- The ways that conflicts over the use of powers can
rise up between the three branches
|
9/23
Bring your book to class
|
pp.#132-137
|
- The purpose of house rules and committees in the
process of law making
- The roles of House leadership in the law making
process
|
9/24
|
Simulation Packet is Due
|
9/28
|
pp.#138-145
|
- The key differences between the rules and leadership
of the House and the Senate
- The scheduling of bills in the Senate and the use of
the filibuster
- The purpose and role of various congressional
committees
- The reasons why committee membership is so important
to members of congress
|
9/29
|
|
10/1
|
pp.#157-165 |
- The major legislative powers that Congress has, and
examples of the ways that they have used them in the past
- The major non-legislative powers of congress and
example of the ways that they have been used in the past
|
10/4
|
pp.#172-176 |
- The major ways that the Constitution places Congress
and the President at odds with each other
- The steps Presidents can take to rein in Congress and
the role Congress has in limiting the Emergency powers of the President
|
10/6
|
Unit I Test
Possible
Test
Essays
include (you will need to answer one question from Group A
& one from Group B):
Group A
- Describe the ways in
which the ideas of enlightenment thinkers are closely connected to our
national government.
- Discuss the separation
of powers between the three branches of our federal government. Provide
specific examples of how our system of checks and balances works.
Group B
- Describe the
organization of the United States congress. Be sure to include
requirements of service, leadership roles, and the reelection process.
- How
does a bill become a
law? Who are the key individuals and groups involved in this process?
- What
specific things
have you learned from your current events (e.g. the Financial Bailout)
that have strengthened your
understanding of Congress and the powers of Congress?
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