Introductions

-Review syllabus

-Pew Research political typologies Pew Typology quiz

Thurs Jan 30

Foundations of American Democracy--Unit 1

-What makes a good government?  What are the roles of government?

-What were the principles of the founders regarding government.

-Analysis of the Declaration of Independence

compelte handout on the Articles of Confederation (guided reading--College Board guide) 

Mon Feb 3

 Articles of Confederation

-What issues arose in the first government?

-Will the new government be more or less democratic? 

(what principles will be priorities in the revision?)

-Constitution--locate main principles with handout /guide  6 Ideas in Constitution

Prepare for debates--using the CONSTITUTION as your resource....

Wed Feb 5

 6 Principles in Consitution

-debates on 6 ideas in Constitution 

Prepare for new debates using your constitutions and outside resources/evidence-positions as assigned next class... You MUST come prepared/ready to go.  

1. The idea: Limited Government
Question: To what extent should the federal government be involved in economic/health insurance issues?

• Position A: The federal government has the authority to require health insurance, require states to offer health insurance, and to offer it through the government (Obamacare).
• Position B: The federal government should not be involved in providing health insurance or the insurance industry. (Obamacare is unconstitutional)

2. The idea: Republicanism

1. Question: What should be the role of citizens in creating environmental policy?

• Position A: Most of the population supports tougher environmental regulations on greenhouse gasses and other environmental issues. Laws should be passed to reflect this popular opinion.
• Position B: Environmental policy, should be regulated by knowledgeable scientists and lawmakers, not an emotion an emotional public.

 3. The idea: Checks and Balances

1. Question: Should Merrick Garland have been confirmed as justice to the Supreme Court?

• Position A: No, Senators have a right to independently decide whether or not to confirm or discuss confirming a judge nominated by the president.
• Position B: Yes; the president nominated him and his candidacy should have been considered with deferment given to the president’s judgement.

 4. The idea: Federalism

1. Question: How should power be divided between the federal government and the states?

• Position A: The Federal government should enforce their national laws and policies, passed for the good of the people, to prosecute those who use and deal marijuana.
• Position B: The states (Colorado) should be able to pass laws regulating and legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

5. The idea: Separation of Powers
   Question: Once Congress declares war and the President assumes the role of Commander-in-Chief who decides how the war ends?
   • Position A: Congress has never declared war on Afghanistan. The US has had troops there since 2001.  Congress has the authority to bring troops home and end the mission.
   • Position B: As Commander in Chief, the president alone should be able to determine when the US mission in Afghanistan is over.

 6.  The idea: Popular Sovereignty

        Question: Should a ballot initiative be allowed to override existing laws on a specific issue?

Position A: Yes, DC should be able to hold its initiative to decriminalize “magic mushroom” and other psychedelic use.

Position B: No, popular votes should not be allowed to override existing laws and regulations passed by the government.

Fri Feb 7

 6 Principles applied to modern issues

-Debates

-Discussion of impeachment trial

-Introduction to Federalism....

No homework

Thurs Feb 13

Federalism and Anti-Federalism

Discussion of impeachment trial (continued)

Enumerated, reserved and concurrent powers

What is federalism? compared to anti-federalism? (who gets what powers?  how do they feel about that?)

Read/annotate document packet in groups... federalist debate documents

Jigsaw--what are the MAIN worries of the Anti-Federalists?  MAIN concerns of the Federalists?

Ways Federalism is debated today.... (notes) 

 Study the Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments).  Know them.  Be ready for a quiz on them:-) 

Wed Feb 19

 Bill of Rights

What did you think about concerns of the anti-federalists today? (homework)

Bill of Rights--was it necessary? 

Bill of Rights--analysis

 Study amendments 11-27--be ready for a matching quiz

Fri Feb 21

Constitutional Amendments & Federalism 

How has the Constitution become more just?

How has the power of the federal government evolved?

State v Federal government

-Concurrent, Enumerated and reserved powers

Prepare for debates on Federalism: 

1. Real ID/NY licenses as TSA ID 

2. Sanctuary Cities

3. Abortion Rights

4. Gender and bathrooms

5. Gay marriage

6. Minimum wage

Each group must complete the following tasks:

-research this current issue.  be prepared to tell the class a little bit about the context, what current lawsuits or enforcement conflicts exist

-use you current issue research AND your constitutions to prepare two arguements (half of your group must argue for state authority and control over the issue, and half your group must argue for federal authority and control over the issue)

Tues Feb 25

 Federalism

debates

discussion...

Thurs Feb 27

 Electoral College

Mon Mar 2

Interactions among Branches of Government--Unit 2 

Legislative Branch notes How Congress Works

Write FRQ response about legislative committees Committees homework (use chapter 11 of your textbook) 

Wed Mar 4

 Legislative Branch 

notes on video

 (Sub plans not distributed--postponed) 

Fri Mar 6

 Legislative Branch

-completed How Congress Works notes

Tues Mar 10

Executive Branch Presidential Powers Notes

Thurs Mar 12

Bureaucracy Bureaucracy notes

 Bureaucracy FRQ  

(I changed this FRQ from the one I showed you in class to make it more current events focused--let me know what you think) 

March 16-27

Snow Days and Spring Break

Mon Mar 30

Please enroll in google classroom for this and future assignments!

Expansion of Presidential Power --please read Federalist Paper 78 and Brutus 15 and answer the questions (should be in your AP Classroom course resources)

How has changing media changed the nature of government communication and power? Khan academy summary video

Make sure you understand the basics of communication's impact Khan academy review sheet

Wed April 1

 Judicial Branch

Fri April 3

 Court Cases to know 

-Marbury v Madison (1803)

-Baker v Carr (1962)

-Shaw v Reno (1993)

Tues April 7

 Civil Liberties and Civil Rights -Unit 3 

Transgender human rights and legislation

Thurs April 9

Mon Apr 13

Wed Apr 15

Fri Apr 17

Tues Apr 21

Thurs Apr 23

Mon Apr 27

Wed Apr 29

Fri May 1

May 4-15

May 18-June 15

Research Paper

Possible Field Trip...