Unit: Judicial Branch



Unit: Judicial Branch

Indicator: Students will describe the organization, jurisdiction, and powers of the

federal and state judiciary in order to analyze how the court system functions

Activity 1.1: Match the word from the first column with the correct definition. Then read the

case summary and answer the two questions.

• Criminal law regulates public conduct by defining crimes and providing for punishment. A

criminal case is a legal action brought by the government against a person charged with

committing a crime (breaking a law or laws.)

• Civil law regulates relations between individuals or groups of individuals. A civil action

(lawsuit) can be brought when a person or persons feel wronged by another person or

persons.

|____ 1. Felony |A. A less serious criminal offense |

|____ 2. Out-of-court settlement |B. Laws that regulate individual/group |

| |relations |

|____ 3. Criminal law |C. When the parties reach an agreement |

| |before a court decision is reached |

|____ 4. Misdemeanor |D. A civil action |

|____ 5. Civil law |E. A serious criminal offense |

|____ 6. _____________ (add missing word) |Laws that regulate public conduct |

CASE SUMMARY

David and Ali argue over a football game. After a few minutes, they are both

really angry. Ali makes one final negative remark and David loses his temper

and punches him in the mouth. Ali suffers two broken teeth and a badly cut lip

that requires five stitches. His dental bills total $3,000 and he misses a week

of work while the dental work is being done. Ali is also in a lot of discomfort

from his injuries. David needs four stitches in his hand.

Which of the actions described in the story above would be settled in civil court?

__________________________________________________________

Which of the actions described in the story above would be settled in criminal court?

_____________________________________________________________

Activity 1.2: Read the information provided below. Fill in the missing words from the word

box.

beyond a reasonable doubt most likely

breach of contract negligence

crime plaintiff

damages preponderance of evidence

defendant prosecutor

evidence sentence

Activity 1.3: Match the words describing how the judicial system functions with the correct

definitions in the second column.

| ____ 1. Appellate jurisdiction |A. The concept that a person is innocent until |

| |proven guilty |

| ____ 2. Grand jury |B. Negotiations between the prosecution and defense in which a guilty|

| |plea is exchanged for a lesser charge/sentence |

| ____ 3. Habeas corpus |C. A court order to appear in court |

| ____ 4. Indictment |D. A group of people who hear preliminary evidence to decide if there|

| |is sufficient reason to charge someone with a crime |

| ____ 5. Original jurisdiction |E. A civil wrong, such as negligence or libel |

| ____ 6. Petit jury |F. A grand jury’s formal charge or accusation of criminal action |

| ____ 7. Plea bargain |G. A group of people who examine the facts presented at a trial to |

| |determine which party should win the trial |

| ____ 8. Presumption of innocence |H. A reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime |

| ____ 9. Probable cause |I. The power to hear a court case first, before any other court |

| ____ 10. Subpoena |J. The authority of a court to review decisions of lower courts |

| ____ 11. Torts |K. A writ issued to bring a party before a court or a judge |

Activity 1.4: Answer this BCR.

• What are some differences between the criminal and civil court systems?

• Explain why we have both a civil and a criminal court system.

• Include examples and details to support your answer.

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Indicators: Students will analyze landmark Supreme Court cases, and will examine Supreme Court cases illustrating conflicting interpretations of the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment

Activity 2.1: Identify each court case summarized below. Then explain how one key principle of democracy was supported or hindered, and explain the impact of the case. More than one answer may apply to each.

| Case Summary | Landmark | Principle of | Impact of Case |

| |Court Case |Democracy | |

| | | | |

|1. The Supreme Court ruled that the "equal | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|protection of the laws” clause of the 14th | |___________________ |___ government power |

|amendment allowed a state to provide | | |___ individual rights |

|“separate but equal” facilities for blacks. | |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

|Therefore, state-ordered segregation was | | | |

|constitutional. | | |Explain: |

| | | | |

|2. The Supreme Court ruled that the Court | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|could not issue a writ of mandamus. Such a | |___________________ |___ government power |

|writ would need to come from the lower court.| | |___ individual rights |

|The Court concluded that the Judiciary Act of| |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

|1789 was unconstitutional, establishing the | | | |

|power of judicial review. | | |Explain: |

| Case Summary | Landmark | Principle of | Impact of Case |

| |Court Case |Democracy | |

| | | | |

|3. The Supreme Court upheld the power of | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|the Congress to create a national bank. | |___________________ |___ government power |

|Moreover, states could not tax a national | | |___ individual rights |

|bank. | |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

| | | | |

| | | |Explain: |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|4. The Supreme Court ruled that the 5th | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|amendment requires police to inform suspects| |___________________ |___ government power |

|of their rights before being questioned. | | |___ individual rights |

| | |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

| | | | |

| | | |Explain: |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|5. The Supreme Court ruled that public | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|school officials can search a student's | |___________________ |___ government power |

|property for evidence of wrongdoing without | | |___ individual rights |

|having probable cause. School officials may| |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

|search if the search will confirm or dispel | | | |

|a suspicion. | | |Explain: |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|6. The Supreme Court held that poor | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|defendants in criminal cases have a right to| |___________________ |___ government power |

|a state-paid attorney under the Sixth | | |___ individual rights |

|Amendment. This rule applies if the | |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

|defendant can be sentenced to more than six | | | |

|months in prison. | | |Explain: |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| Case Summary | Landmark | Principle of | Impact of Case |

| |Court Case |Democracy | |

| | | | |

|7. The Supreme Court held that a public | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|school could not suspend students who wore | |___________________ |___ government power |

|black armbands in opposition to the Vietnam | | |___ individual rights |

|War. Free speech is protected in this case.| |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

| | | | |

| | | |Explain: |

| | | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|8. The Supreme Court held that racial | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|segregation in public schools violates the | |___________________ |___ government power |

|equal protection clause because the very | | |___ individual rights |

|fact of separation marks the separated race | |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

|as inferior. | | | |

| | | |Explain: |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|9. The Court overruled the President and | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|ordered him to surrender the tapes, thereby | |___________________ |___ government power |

|limiting executive privilege. | | |___ individual rights |

| | |Supported or hindered? |___ equal justice |

| | | | |

| | | |Explain: |

|10. The Court ruled that the Second | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which | |___________________ |___ government |

|guarantees “the right of the people to keep | | |power |

|and bear Arms,” applies to state and local | |Supported or hindered? |___ individual rights |

|governments as well as to the federal | | |___ equal justice |

|government. | | | |

| | | |Explain: |

|11. This decision requires each state to | |Principle of democracy: |This case impacted: |

|draw its U.S. Congressional districts so | |___________________ |___ government |

|that they are approximately equal in | | |power |

|population. | |Supported or hindered? |___ individual rights |

| | | |___ equal justice |

| | | | |

| | | |Explain: |

Activity 2.3: Read the excerpts about due process provided below. Fill in the missing words

from the word box, then answer the summary question.

double jeopardy eminent domain equal protection clause self incrimination

Fifth Amendment

“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces,

or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War, or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb (___________________); nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself (_______________

_______________), nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property; without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation (________________).”

Fourteenth Amendment

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws (__________________).”

Both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments protect due process of law. In what ways do they differ?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2.4: Respond to this BCR.

• Which democratic principle or right is involved in this case?

• Based on the court's ruling in New Jersey v. TLO (1985), how do you think the Supreme Court ruled in Acton v. Veronia School District?

• Include details and examples to support your conclusions.

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Unit 5 Policy

Vocabulary/Key Concepts:

International/Foreign Policy

• Tools of Foreign Policy

o Organizations/Treaties

▪ International Red Cross/Crescent

▪ IMF/World Bank

▪ NAFTA

▪ UN

o Military alliances -- NATO

o Economic Sanctions

▪ Tariffs

▪ Embargo

• Goals of Foreign Policy

o Diplomacy

o Humanitarian aid

o Free trade

o National security

• Other Concepts

o Economic globalization

o Economic self-interest

Domestic Policy

• Economic Goals: Redistributing income-medicare/medicaid, Economic equity, classless society, minimum wage, public assistance, Social Security

• Economic impact of laws and government, role of government in economy, opportunity cost, regulating monopolies

• Regulatory Agencies

o Must know the following without a prompt

▪ FTC

▪ FDA

▪ FCC

▪ EPA

▪ FAA

o Following have been tested using descriptions and real world examples

▪ USDA

▪ CDC

▪ CPSC (a description is given for this one) Consumer Product Safety Commission

• Consumer, Consumer protection

▪ OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration

• Worker protections, labor unions

Fiscal vs. Monetary Policy

• FED

o Increasing money supply/functions: securities, reserve requirement, interest rates

• Economic indicators, recession, depression

o CPI

o GDP

o Inflation

o Unemployment

To date Fiscal Policy has been tested using real world scenarios and cost/benefit analysis.

Focus Questions

➢ What are the goals of American foreign policy and what tools are available to achieve these goals?

➢ What is the importance of international organizations and treaties on foreign policy?

➢ What are economic sanctions and how do they help achieve the goals of foreign policy?

➢ What is domestic policy and what executive departments carry out domestic policy?

➢ What are the economic goals of government and how does policy making involve opportunity costs and tradeoffs?

➢ What is the difference between fiscal and monetary policy?

➢ How does the FED impact the economy?

➢ What are the different economic indicators?

H.S.A. Test Strategies and Information:

This unit is perhaps the most heavily tested on the exam. There are multiple questions about international agencies. Usually students are given a real world scenario and asked which agency would deal with the issue, same is true for domestic agencies. The goals of foreign policy are heavily tested, as are the tools used to carry out American foreign policy. Economic sanctions are currently in the news and expected to appear frequently on upcoming tests. The economic goals of domestic policy appear on each test. It is important to analyze real world examples of public policy making for their economic impact. Monetary policy in particular is a favorite on the exam. Special attention should be placed on the FED and how it functions to regulate the economy. Economic indicators are always tested especially GDP and CPI. Usually a chart or graph accompanies these concepts.

Foreign Policy Goals & Tools

Foreign policy consists of the strategies and goals that guide a nation’s relations with other countries and groups in the world. The foreign policy goals of a country are going to be particular to that country’s political ideals and self interests. A country’s number one self interest is that of national security. National Security interests for the United States include everything from border patrol, to fighting terrorism and stopping the proliferation (spread) of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. If a nation is not secure it will soon cease to exist, therefore it is important that a nation be able to protect itself, and discourage others from attacking.

Since the United States is a democracy and free market system, two of our foreign policy goals are to spread democracy and promote free and open trade. Along with these goals go promoting world peace and a concern for humanity. It is in our best interest economically to reduce barriers to trade by lowering our own tariffs and encouraging our trade partners to do the same. In encouraging free trade we can often influence the political system within a country. China is a good example of a political system that is contrary to our own, yet we have reduced tariffs between our countries in hopes of forcing political change through economics.

It is the job the President to carry out American Foreign Policy. The President has many tools that he can use to carry out this policy including: the use of international organizations, treaties, military force and economic sanctions to name a few. International organizations such as the United Nations (UN), International Red Cross, World Bank (WB), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) can aid the President in carrying out the goals of our foreign policy.

The UN was created after WWII in order to prevent another world war and promote world peace. Since its creation the United States has turned to the UN for support of our actions. In 1963 the United States “quarantined” Cuba in order to keep out nuclear missiles from the Soviet Union. There are times that the United Nations does not support United States actions; this occurs when the actions of our country conflict with the goals of another country. For example: China has continually blocked economic sanctions against Sudan because the Chinese need Sudan’s oil.

The World Bank and IMF work to stabilize the currency of developing nations (WB), and make low interest loans (IMF) to these nations in order to build infrastructure. Both organizations are controversial because with the money and aid that is lent, requirements for political reforms and open markets are placed on these nations.

The International Red Cross helps the United States fulfill its goal of humanitarian concern. The IRC aids disaster victims by providing emergency medical care and equipment, as well as other humanitarian assistance. The IRC also meets with prisoners of war in order to make sure that they are being treated well and are in good health.

In addition to international organizations, the President has the power to make treaties with other nations. (though they must be approved by the Senate) Two important treaties are NATO – the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and NAFTA the North American Free Trade Agreement.

NATO was created shortly after WWII during the cold war with the purpose of containing communism in eastern Europe. This is a military pact that protected all member nations from attack thereby securing the member nations. An attack on one member of NATO was an attack on all members of NATO – there is strength in numbers. The Soviets countered with their own organization known as the Warsaw Pact. NATO is still in effect today. When the terrorist attacks occurred on 9/11 it was considered an attack on NATO, therefore there are troops from NATO nations in Afghanistan along with the United States.

NAFTA eliminated all trade barriers/tarrifs between the United States, Mexico and Canada. It has since been extended into Central America through the passage of CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement). The purpose of this agreement was to encourage free trade and open new markets in North America. The act has been highly controversial since its passage. Many manufacturing jobs have moved south of the border where labor is much cheaper.

Economic Sanctions is yet another tool of foreign policy that the President can use. Sanctions are a punishment, and they can take many forms – refusal of aid, refusal of trade, restriction of trade, tariffs and embargos. The United States uses its economic power to influence other countries in order to achieve our goals. Economic sanctions were imposed on North Korea when they began their nuclear missile program. In doing so the United States was able to eventually get the North Koreans to halt their program in exchange for humanitarian assistance.

Applying Goals and Tools of Foreign Policy

Directions: List the Goals of U.S. Foreign Policy.

Part II. Directions: Read each statement below and write which goal is being fulfilled by the government’s actions.

1. _____________________ sending National Guard troops to the Mexican/U.S. border.

2. _____________________ giving military aid to Israel to support the government’s fight against terrorism.

3. _____________________ signing NAFTA to encourage new markets for U.S. goods.

4. _____________________ paying dues to the UN to support peacekeeping missions.

5. _____________________ sending medical supplies and assistance to countries that were hit by the Tsunami.

Part III. Directions: List the tools of American Foreign Policy

Part IV. Directions: Read each statement below and identify which tool of foreign policy is being used.

6. _____________________ entering into NATO for national security purposes.

7. _____________________ providing money to the IMF to help developing nations

8. _____________________ refusing to trade with Cuba until their government becomes more democratic

9. _____________________ invading Iraq in order to force a change in leadership

Part V Directions: Read each scenario and describe which tool of Foreign Policy you would use and why. Make sure you explain the advantages and disadvantages of using this tool.

1. Iraq invades neighboring Kuwait in 1990 and refuses to leave.

2. Cuba allows the Soviet Union to install nuclear missiles on its territory.

3. North Korea is testing long range rockets that could reach the US.

4. Syria is funding known terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.

International Organizations and Treaties

Part I. Directions: Use your knowledge to complete the chart below. Use pages 89 and 90!

|Organization/ Treaty |Stands For |Goals/Purpose |

|NAFTA | | |

|NATO | | |

|UN | | |

|IMF | | |

|WB | | |

|IRC | | |

Part II. Directions: Read each statement and decide which treaty/organization applies, write the correct answer in the space provided.

1. ________________________ takes medical supplies and humanitarian aid to natural disaster victims in Pakistan.

2. ________________________ allows for no tariffs between the US and Mexico.

3. ________________________ an attack on one member is considered an attack on all members of this treaty

4. ________________________ sends peacekeeping troops to war torn areas

5. ________________________ lends money at low interest rates to developing nations for infrastructure improvements.

6. ________________________ provides assistance in stabilizing the currency of Argentina so it doesn’t default on its debt.

The United Nations

Directions: Use the chart below to answer the questions that follow.

1. Based on the charts what is one of the goals of the United Nations?

2. What types of forces are involved in UN Peace Keeping missions?

3. Where does the UN get the money for its programs?

4. What is a “sanction”?

5. What types of sanctions does the UN impose?

6. What was the overall impact of these sanctions according to this report?

Trade

Directions: Use the chart about NAFTA and your knowledge to answer the questions.

1. Describe the trend on the chart?

2. What is the purpose of NAFTA?

3. Based on the chart data, has NAFTA met its purpose?

Directions: Use the chart on U.S. Trade Balance to answer the questions.

4. Describe the trend on the chart.

5. What is a deficit?

6. What impact does this have on our economy?

Domestic Policy

Domestic policy is the strategies and goals that a nation has for providing for the general welfare of its people. Domestic policy includes overall economic goals such as redistributing income-medicare/medicaid, economic equity, minimum wage, public assistance, Social Security, business regulation, environmental issues. Domestic policy also includes social issues such as poverty, education, public health, housing and transportation. Entitlement programs are those that all citizens can access, and are created to help fulfill the economic and social goals of domestic policy. Prioritizing programs for funding is dependent on the current needs of the population, as well as the current political climate.

Regulatory Agencies

There are countless government agencies that regulate everything from the environment to the air waves, however there are a few that are key to carrying out the goals of domestic policy.

The EPA – Environmental Protection Agency – was created in the 1970s to help regulate business pollution of the environment. The EPA sets and carries out air and water pollution policies. The agency can fine or shut down businesses that fail to meet its standards.

The FCC – Federal Communications Commission was created to regulate the communications industry. They set standards for decency in television program on all access stations (FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC & PBS). The FCC licenses broadcasting companies and can fine companies that fail to meet its standards.

The FAA – Federal Aviation Administration was created to control the airports in the country. The FAA hires air traffic controllers and sets rules for airport use.

The FTC – Federal Trade Commission’s main focus is on consumer/product safety. The FTC works to insure the safety of all consumer goods; issuing recalls of defective products and fining companies who engage in poor trade practices. They are also charged with insuring competition in the marketplace.

The FDA – Food and Drug Administration works to keep the food supply in the United States safe. The FDA also approves all medications.

All These Regulations…

Directions: Read each scenario in the first column. Decide which regulatory agency would be responsible, and write it in the second column.

|Scenario |Regulatory Agency Responsible |

|Ms. Nosckaj has a wardrobe malfunction on prime time television. She and the TV station are fined | |

|because of indecency. | |

|Microfoam has been monopolizing the operating software industry. They recently put out a new software | |

|package that causes computers to crash. | |

|Dead Chemical Corp has been dumping harmful pollutants into the Delaware Bay. | |

|Air Traffic Controllers are working too many hours of overtime, and having to control too many planes | |

|while they are on shift. | |

|A new medication for cancer is ready for approval. | |

|A radio “shock-jock” use profanity on his talk show in the morning. | |

|There isn’t enough flu vaccine to go around this winter. | |

|Mad Cow disease strikes pacific northwest | |

|Toys from China are recalled because of too much lead in the paint. | |

|Due to a pilot shortage, many are flying too many hours. | |

2. Which agency do you think has the most governmental power? Explain your answer.

Public Assistance and Entitlements

|Entitlement Program |Purpose |Demographic(s) |

|Welfare |Uses tax money to provide financial assistance to people who are unable to support themselves. The financial |Low-income individual’s & families |

| |assistance will allow these individual’s to function more effectively. | |

|Social Security |The Social Security Administration provides benefits for retirement, disablility, survivorship, and death. In |-Elderly |

| |2004 the U.S. Social Security system paid out almost $500 billion in benefits, which made the it the largest |-Disabled |

| |government program in the world. |-Surviving spouses and children |

|Medicare |A health insurance program administered by the U.S. government, covering people who are either age 65 and |-Elderly |

| |over, or who meet other special criteria |-Disabled |

|Medicaid |U.S. health insurance program for individuals and families with low incomes and resources |-Low-income individuals & families |

|WIC |Program through the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Promotes healthcare and |-Low-income mothers |

| |nutrition of low-income mothers and children under the age of five. |-Young Children |

|Food Stamps |The US Food Stamp Program provides food to low income people. |-Low-income individuals & families |

|Housing Subsidies |Provide housing assistance for low-income families and individuals |-Low-income individuals & families |

Directions: Use the information provided on the entitlement program chart to answer the following questions.

1. How does the government provide the funding for entitlement programs?

2. Identify 3 demographics of people who are eligible to receive entitlements? Why are benefits provided for these specific types of people?

3. Which programs address the goal of providing healthcare?

4. Which programs address the goal of taking care of the elderly?

5. Which programs address the goal of affordable housing?

6. If a woman’s husband has died and she has a child to raise, which entitlement programs would you suggest she apply for? Support your response.

7. Housing prices in Frederick County have skyrocketed over the past 10 years. Which entitlement program could a low-income family apply for to receive assistance in obtaining a residence?

8. Which programs purpose is to redistribute the wealth?

Projected Entitlement Spending

Directions: Use the bar graph above to answer the following questions. (Source: )

1. Which entitlement programs do the bars on the graph above represent?

2. Spending will increase the most for which entitlement program?

3. What assumption can be made regarding the demographic of people who will receive these entitlements?

4. What prediction can be made regarding the cost of healthcare from 2003-2050?

a. Healthcare costs will remain stable.

b. Healthcare costs will increase.

c. Healthcare costs will decrease.

d. Healthcare will cost less than Social Security.

Keeping an Eye on the Economy

Fiscal vs. Monetary Policy

The economy is very complex; many factors can influence the strength or weakness of a country’s economy. Externalities (things like hurricanes, freezes, pollution), fiscal policy (taxing, spending), and monetary policy can all have an impact.

Fiscal Policy deals with taxing and spending. The President along with Congress set the fiscal policy for the country. It is very popular for politicians to cut taxes and increase spending, however resources are limited and all programs cannot be funded, nor can all tax cuts. When taxes are cut or spending is increased, money is pumped into the economy. Consumers have more money to spend, which increases demand, it in turn increases production, employment and further spending. Raising taxes and cutting spending slows the economy by taking money out. Fiscal policy may take a long time to enact, but once it is in place it is felt immediately in the economy. Because fiscal policy is set by elected officials, it can often be influenced by political pressures.

Monetary Policy deals with the actual money in circulation, the value and cost of that money. The FED – Federal Reserve, is in charge of the nation’s monetary policy. The FED is an autonomous (self ruling and regulating) body, though there is some Congressional oversight of the FED, and the chairman of the FED is selected by the President. The tools of the Federal Reserve are interest rates, reserve requirements, bonds and securities. The FED looks at the many economic indicators to set its policy, and meets monthly to review the health of the economy. The FED’s goal is 3% economic growth. If the economy is growing too fast, the FED pulls money out by raising interest rates, raising reserve requirements (the amount of money banks must keep on hand), or by selling bonds and securities. If they want to speed up the economy they lower interest rates, lower reserve requirements and buy bonds and securities. Monetary policymaking happens quickly, but the effects take a while to trickle down into the economy. However decisions are less likely to be influenced by politics.

The Economic Indicators that both policy makers are concerned with include:

➢ GDP – Gross Domestic Product – the value of all goods and services produced within a nation’s borders.

➢ CPI – Consumer Price Index – measures the percentage increase in the cost of durable goods (core CPI is used and does not include changes in energy and food costs)

➢ Inflation Rate – using the CPI the rate of inflation is measured, inflation is the increase in the cost of goods and services

➢ Unemployment – how many people do not have a job and are seeking one; 4% unemployment is considered full employment meaning at that low a rate anyone who wants a job can probably get one.

By regulating the economy, the government can help to prevent recessions (a slowing in the economy) or depression where there is no or negative for a long time.

Summarizing Fiscal and Monetary Policy

Part I. Directions: Use what you know about Fiscal and Monetary Policy to complete the table below.

|FISCAL POLICY |CHARACTERISTIC |MONETARY POLICY |

| |Definition | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| |Who’s responsible for developing and implementing | |

| |it? | |

| | | |

| | | |

| |What tools are used for implementing it? | |

| | | |

| | | |

| | | |

| |How long does it take? | |

| |How is it influenced? | |

| | | |

Part II. Directions: Read each description below and decide if it is Fiscal Policy or Monetary Policy.

1. __________________ The President encourages Congress to pass a tax cut

2. __________________ The FED raises interest rates to slow the economy

3. __________________ Congress cuts spending

4. __________________ The FED raises the reserve requirement for banks

5. __________________ FDR created a “New Deal” for the economy which included job creation through public works.

6. __________________ The FED buys bonds to increase the money supply.

7. __________________ Congress passes new tax incentives for businesses.

Using Fiscal Policy

Directions: Use the table below to answer the questions that follow.

|How the Government May Use Fiscal Policy |

| | |

|To Encourage Growth |To Encourage Stabilization |

| | |

|Increased Spending, |Increased Taxes, |

|Lower Taxes |Lower Spending |

| | |

|The government spends more money to stimulate growth in the economy. |The government increases taxes to slow a rapidly growing economy and |

|The government cuts taxes to increase individual spending and business output |widespread price increases. |

|Businesses expand and create jobs. |Individuals spend less and businesses make smaller profits |

| |Lower business activity and decreased spending lead to lower prices. |

|Result |Result |

| | |

|Increased growth in the economy and higher employment |Low inflation rates and stable growth in the economy. |

Source: American Government, Holt 1999

Directions: Read each statement and circle the correct answer.

1. T

2. T

3. T

4. T

5. T

6. T

7. T

8. T

9. T

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

F

When the government cuts taxes it stabilizes the economy.

When the government spends money it stimulates the economy.

Business expansion occurs when the government spends money.

Decreasing spending lowers prices.

Increasing taxes lowers inflation rates and stabilizes the economy.

Cutting taxes causes economic growth.

Government tax cuts help increase individual and business spending.

When taxes are raised individuals spend less.

When taxes are raised businesses make higher profits.

Tools of Monetary Policy

Directions: Use the diagram below to answer the questions.

1. What does the FED buy in order to put money into the economy?

2. What does the securities dealer do with the money?

3. What does bank B do with the money?

4. How much money in total goes back into reserves?

5. How much money total is added to the economy?

6. How will expanding the money supply impact production, consumption and distribution of goods and services?

The Business Cycle and Fiscal Policy

Directions: Use the graph below to answer the questions that follow.

1. What can the government do to fight a recession? What does this cause?

2. What can the government do to fight inflation? What does this cause?

3. Based on the graph what is the overall intended impact of fiscal policy?

Economic Indicators

GDP

Directions: Use the tables below to answer the questions.

1. What is GDP?

2. What has happened to US GDP since 1960?

3. What does “percentage change” mean?

4. What is the GDP percentage change trend shown from 1992-2001?

5. How does the information on the second chart appear to contradict the information on the first chart?

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CIVIL LAW

Parties Involved:

This dispute is between private groups

or individuals. Cases have the names of

the groups or individuals.

_____________ is the party who brings

the lawsuit.

_____________ is the party being sued.

Key Questions:

Is a person responsible because of

_________________ (carelessness resulting

in injuries to another)? Or is the case about

civil rights, __________________ (violation

of an agreement), or domestic relations?

Standard of Proof:

________________________ requires that

more than 50% of the weight of the evidence

must be in favor of the winning party. In

other words, the plaintiff must prove his/her

claims are ______________ true.

The Relief:

The court may order the _____________ to

pay _____________ for injury, property

destruction, or violations of the plaintiff’s

rights.

CRIMINAL LAW

Parties Involved:

This dispute is between a government

(local, state, or federal) and an individual.

The government files the suit against

someone believed to have committed a

crime.

______________ brings the case to court.

___________ is accused of breaking a law.

Key Questions:

Did someone a commit a ____________?

In other words, did a person violate the

law?

Standard of Proof:

___________________________ requires

that the prosecutor must convince a jury

of a person’s guilt to a moral certainty. A

mere possible doubt is not enough. The

doubt must not be speculation or opinion,

but established by the _____________.

The Relief:

The ________________ asks the court to

find the defendant guilty of a crime and to

_____________him/her to imprisonment, a

fine, or probation.

Brown v. Board of Education Gideon v. Wainwright Marbury v. Madison

McCulloch v. Maryland Miranda v. Arizona New Jersey v. TLO

Plessy v. Ferguson Tinker v. Des Moines Wesberry v. Sanders

U.S. v. Nixon Chicago v. MacDonald

A student was denied participation in his school's football program when he refused to

consent to the school district's random drug testing policy. In Acton v. Veronia School

District (1995), the student argued that his school district's random drug testing policy

was a violation of the reasonable search and seizure clause of the Fourth Amendment.

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Source: SIRS Knowledge Source

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