Unit 1: Foundations of American Government



Unit 1: Foundations of American Government

Textbook: Government in America: People, Politics and Policy (Chapters 1 – 3)

Unit summary:

Students will address the overarching essential question, “What are the origins and constitutional structures of the American Government?” This unit will include a broad overview of the three main theories of democracy and the structure of the US Constitution. This unit will include a review of the historic considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution. The students will also examine the concept of dual sovereignty and American federalism.

Essential Questions:

1. To what extent is the American government democratic?

2. How is the Constitution a result of colonial American experiences and perspectives of government?

3. How did differing views of federal and state authority result in the Constitution’s structure?

Day 1

- Collection and discussion of summer assignment

- Political Convention Quiz: Gail Collins, New York Times

- Textbook distribution

Day 2

Topic: Course introduction; overview of American government

Format:

- PowerPoint presentation

- Distribute Unit Terms

- Distribute Political Glossary

- Citizenship test

Homework: Read Chapter 1, Introducing Government in America

Day 3

Topic: Government in America

Format:

- Distribute The West Wing cast of characters

- View Episode 1 of The West Wing

- Discuss Chapter 1 of textbook

Homework: Read People of Paradox, by Michael Kammen

Day 4

Topic: Government in America

Format:

- Discuss People of Paradox. In groups, students will discuss reading and answer questions. Class discussion will follow.

- View Introduction: Crash Course U.S. Gov’t & Politics 6:47

Day 5

Quiz, Chapter 1

Discussion of FRQ format and strategies from AP Exam: PowerPoint and Handout

Homework: Read The American Political Tradition, by Richard Hofstadter

Day 6

Topic: The Constitution

Format:

- Discuss The American Political Tradition. In groups, students will discuss the reading and answer questions from worksheet, The Constitution.

- Show Constitution visuals and graphics with class discussion

Homework: Read Chapter 2, The Constitution

Day 7

Topic: The Constitution

Format:

- Distribute Summary of the United States Constitution

- Distribute Constitution Practice Sheet. Using a copy of the Constitution, students will answer questions to become familiar with the structure of the document.

Day 8

Topic: The Constitution

Format:

- Discuss Constitution Practice Sheet

- View Crash Course Separation of Powers and Checks & Balances 8:31

Day 9

Topic: The Constitution

Format:

- Complete discussion of Constitution Practice Sheet

- View The West Wing, Season 6 Episode 124 “The Wake Up Call”

Homework: Read Marbury vs. Madison

Day 10

Topic: The Constitution, The Federalist Papers

Format:

- Distribute The Federalist Papers summary

- Distribute Constitutional Change worksheet, which transitions to a discussion of Marbury vs. Madison and the Amendment process.

- View Crash Course Judicial Review #21 8:01

Day 11

Quiz, Chapter 2. Multiple choice questions and 1 FRQ

Homework: Read McCulloch vs. Maryland

Day 12

Topic: Federalism

Format:

Distribute Federalism worksheet, which transitions to discussion of McCulloch case.

Homework: Read U.S. vs. Lopez

Day 13:

Topic: Federalism

Format:

- Distribute National Supremacy worksheet, which transitions to discussion of Lopez case and Obamacare opinion.

Day 14

Topic: Federalism

Format:

- PowerPoint presentation on Federalism

- View Constitution USA with Peter Sagal (A More Perfect Union)

Homework: Read Chapter 3

Day 15

- Review

- View Crash Course Federalism #4 9:15

Day 16

Unit test

Chapter 1 (mc), Chapter 2 (mc), Chapter 3 (mc & frq)

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