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QUARTER THREE
Syllabus for Government classes 3B, 4B and 6B
-----------------WEEK JANUARY 12th (B Week)--------------
1/13/09 Introduction to Government. Starting with a look at
Political Parties, Candidates, and Primary Elections, Precincts and
voting.
Notes and activity on two candidates that ran for Congressional
office in the 2006 Fall Primary. Question Sheet due at end of class.
Homework, read Chapter 16.
1/15/09 Continue discussing Primary elections. Notes on how
campaigns are run. Using C-Span look at the
recent 2008 Presidential campaign. Discuss how the image of the
presidential candidates plays an important role in the success of
the candidate. Discuss some of the primary tactics in Florida.
Homework read article on primaries and answer question sheet.
Also, read Chapter 17.
1/16/09 Continue discussion on politics and party issues. Emphasis
on image of the candidate. Short video to show examples of image and
political candidates. Activity on Inauguration.
--------------------------WEEK OF JANUARY 19th(A WEEK)--------------
01/20/09. Special preview of the Inauguration of President-Elect
Obama.
1/22/09 Finance and political campaigns. Compare elections and the
money spent. Video on raising money as a candidate and the
challenges. What are the finance laws under the Federal Election
Commission.
Homework: Finish reading Chapter 17 and do handout. Also read
Voter's handbook and do questions 1-4 on pg 491.
------------------------------WEEK OF JANUARY 26TH (B WEEK)---------
1/26/09 What are the qualifications to vote. History on past
voting amendments. Covering information in Chapter 17.Cover
worksheet on the Voting Ammendments 15,19,27. Grandfather
clause and effects on voting.
Look at the two political party issues, 2 groups form to compare
three issues Economy, Energy, and Healthcare. Prepare for debate on
Thursday 1/29.
1/29/09 Two groups debate on the 2 party issues.
Homework Read Chapter 18 ,sections 1 and 2. Handout with chapter
due 1/30..
1/30/09 Discuss Political Action Committees and Special Interest
groups. What are PACs? Homework, Read all of Chapter 18, and
Handout on public opinion polls.
--------------------WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2(A WEEK)-----------------------
2/3/09 Shaping Public Opinion. Notes and discussion about
the Nature of public opinion and polical socialization. Measuring
public opinion, look at the Harris poll, poll questions. Worksheet
in class on the findings of several polls.
Homework: Chapter 19,section 1,read p.527-535. How Media Impact
Government. Article reading with questions.
2/5/09 Chapter 19 How Media Impact Government. Discussion on the
role of the media in Government. Question and answer time. We will
look at some of the news networks coverage of governmental events,
Press Conference and Presidential Campaign adds, and the media's
influence on presidential campaigns.
Assignment select a media event, for example a
newspaper article, NY Times, Herald Tribune etc. or a news network
CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc. The media event must cover a
government/presidential campaign event. Examples are press
conferences, campaign ad, convention or campaign rally, news
release/briefing by government group. and answer the following
questions: 1)What is the event? describe what has happened.
2)Is there an opinion expressed by the journalist or did
they report the event in a straightforward manner?
3) What impact does the report have?
Homework: Read Chapter 19 section 3, do questions 2&3 page 549.
--------------------WEEK OF FEBRUARY 9TH (B WEEK)--------------------
2/10/09 Finish information for Chapter 19 Objective will be The
Internet and Democracy. Dicussion,notes on the information in the
text. HOMEWORK: To start on section The Internet and Democracy: Read
pages
543-549. Do worksheet Ch 19 Review (due Wednesday)
Using the website THOMAS mentioned in this section use address
www.thomas.gov. search for a House bill and read about what the bill
is all about. You can search by using:
LEGISLATION IN CURRENT CONGRESS
Then search �Browse Bills by Sponsor�. This way you can check on
the bill that your own Congressman or Senator is sponsoring. If you
do not know who that is look it up. Those students who do not have a
representative you can use Vern Buchanan who is the Congressman for
District 13 or Senators from Florida or a Representative that you
are interested in. Choose just one bill and write a summary of what
the bill is about and what is the current status of the bill: is it
still in committee, etc. Also notice when the bill was originally
introduced the House or Senate. You should have at least 2-3
paragraphs when you are finished. Be prepared to share your
information in class and turn in for grade.
Homework: Review sheet for Unit 6 Test. Will cover all notes, class
discussion and information in Text. Unit 6 covers chapters 16,17,18
and 19. Concepts include: Political Parties,
Politics, Campaigns, Voting, Impact of Media and Citizen
participation.
2/12/09 Review Unit 6
2/13/09 Test Unit 6
--------------------------WEEK OF FEBRUARY 16TH (A WEEK)-------------
2/17/09
Start on Chapter One People and Government read pages 5-30
Worksheet on Chapter One. This chapter covers the
Foundations of Government, Government and how it is formed.
Notes and Discussion on Chapter One Principles of
Government Discuss early form of government Greek. Theories of the
Origin of the State: Locke, Hobbes. Types of Government,
Homework: Using Chapter 1,section 1 worksheet find a current
expample of the way the American Government carried out a purpose.
Maintains social order, Provides public services, National Security
and defense and Economic Decisions. Be ready to share example on
Thursday 2/18.
2/18/09 Begin discussing Chapter 2 The Colonial Period, and move for
Independence.
Homework: Choose one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence to write a
Biography should be at least 5 paragraphs. Make sure to include how
the person that you choose impacted, American Government. This essay
will be due 2/26. Send essay to Turn It In, hand in copy in class.
Assingnment
Read Chapter 2 and do Political Cartoon Chapter 1 worksheet.
-------------------------WEEK OF FEBRUARY 23RD(B WEEK)--------------
2/24/09 :Quiz, Discuss information in Chapter 2 Origins of American
Activity on the Iroquois Constitution. Olive Branch Petiiton.
Government covering Colonies Uniting for Independence:
Notes on Richard Henry Lee. Reading on
Thomas Paine, "Common Sense" Discussion on the importance of this
pamphlet.Type of government in America at this time.
For classwork write a Letter to the King. As a Colonist under King
George III, what grievances (complaints) would you let him know
about. What type of living do you make and how have the
restrictions put out by the British Government caused you anguish,
etc.
Essay due Friday 2/27/09
2/26/09 Continue on Chapter 2 Colonist road to independence.ne, and
Richard Henry Lee. Notes, discussion
Strenghts and Weaknesses.
Reading of the Olive Branch Petiiton, what was this document and how
is it important in history. Which led into the Declaration of
Independence.
2/27/09 Finish covering Chapter 2,Section 2. Cover Articles of
Confederation. Homework: Question handout for Constitutional
Convention.
------------------------WEEK OF MARCH 2(A WEEK)---------------------
3/3/09 Cover the Constitutional Convention Chapter 2, section 4 in
class as well. Finish Chapter 2, Start Review
Sheet for Test II.
3/6/09 Test Two over Chapters 1 and 2.
Homework: Reading a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to James
Madison, covering several issues in the construction of the
Constitution.
work on summary of the Constitutional Amendments I-XXVII. You can
get to the "Archives" website to find the document for the
Amendments, use Bill of Rights tab.
--------------------------WEEK OF MARCH 9TH(B WEEK)------------------
03/10/09 Understanding the U.S. Constitution, Handouts on overview
on Constitutions. Begin also Covering the Amemndments in the
Constitution Chapter 3.
Constitution continue on the Constituiton: work on summary
of the Constitutional Amendments I-XXVII. You can
get to the "Archives" website to find the document for the
Amendments, use Bill of Rights tab.
Using the short video understand "Great Men of the
Constitutional Convention",
Homework: Worksheet on qualifications of Congress members.
END OF QUARTER 3
----------------------------QUARTER FOUR-----------------------------
-------------------------WEEK OF March 16th(A WEEK)------------------
03/17/09 Start Unit 2 on Congress, Chapter 5
Look at the set up of Congress. Powers given and denied to
Congress. Worksheet to cover this topic. Qualifications for House
and Senate members. Where is the information in the Constitution.
Worksheet on this information due
: The Leadership in Congress, who are they pages 132-140.
Activity in the websites House.gov and Senate.gov. report on leaders
of each house. Speaker of House to minority leader. Questions will
be provided to answer about the leader assigned to you.
LEADERSHIP IN CONGRESS
Write a short description of the leader you were assigned
include the following:
a. Name and leadership title
b. Background of this person, where are they from, family info
if any, education, military service etc.
c. Membership in Congress, ( how long in office, what is their
philosophy, etc.
d. What committees do they serve on.
e. Anything of interest you want to include.
Report information in class
3/19/09 Committees in House and Senate, pages141-145 Activity in
class "Committee Study"
In class/Homework assignments:
COMMITTEE STUDY
Imagine that you are a new member of Congress and that you would
like to be involved with one of the Committees. Using the websites
house.gov and senate.gov choose a Committee that you would be
interested in and report on the following:
1. Who is the Chairman of the Committee
2. Describe the Committee � what are its main functions/duties.
3. How many members are on the Committee
4. Find out what hearings are being conducted and explain about
one.
Read Chapter 6, section 1, Powers and powers denied to Congress.
Worksheet of the powers in Congress.
Powers of Congress.
Homework: Read how a bill becomes a law, Outline the process
explained in Chapter 7, section 1. Turn in on Tuesday 3/24.
-------------------------WEEK of March 23rd B Week)------------------
3/24/09 Afternoon classes have Speaker Congressman Dan Miller.
Elastic clause in relation to Powers of Congress. McCullough vs
Maryland, Landmark Supreme Court Case where the elastic clause was
first applied.
Impeachment Activity on government leaders who have been Impeached.
One of the powers of Congress. Worksheet on Impeachment Video on
Watergate.
Article on Impeachment on website www.infoplease.com search
for "Short History of Impeachment" use questions
"Questions on a Short History of Impeachment" Homework is
due Thursday 3/26/09
Elastic Clause and Impeachment. Watergate video with question
sheet.
Look at C-span Website and watch Session in House or
Senate on C-Span.
3/26/09 Finish Video on Watergate. Discuss investigation and
oversight 167-171. Handout review sheet for test on Tuesday 3/31.
Homework assignment "Congress". Using the following
link:
http://www.c-span.org/questions/week152.asp
You will find and article that has two questions at the beginning:
1. How do Members of Congress decide how to vote?
2. What influences them the most?
Using the article that is on this link answer each question at least
one paragraph in length for each question. Due Friday 3/27/09
3/27/09 Cover other types of committees in Congress. Discuss review
sheet. Bill of Rights quiz and play Amendment Bingo.
------------------------Week of March 30th (A Week)-----------------
3/31/09 Test III.
4/2/09 Section on how a bill becomes a law.
--------------------------SPRING BREAK ------------------------------
APRIL 6-APRIL 17TH
------------------WEEK OF APRIL 20TH(B WEEK)----------------------
4/21/09 Start Executive Branch information, Video "Commander and
Chief". Give Essay assignment on Cabinet Member.
Assignnment due Essay on Presidential Cabinet Member,
Each student will choose a current Cabinet member and write a 4-5
paragraph (450-500 words)informational essay on one of the current
Cabinet Members Include in your essay what makes this person
qualified for the job,(experience, education
and other factors). 2-3 sources no wikipedia Directions in Turn It
In-cite sources page
Assignment must be turned into "Turn It In".
4/23/09 Continue on Executive Branch.
Begin Section Starting Executive Branch, Discuss the President's
many roles. go into the First.Gov website click on the
line "White House Home Page" select any article
of interest pertaining to the President and present a summary to
talk about in class. Credit will be given for this in class.
Present information in First.gov in class.
Continue discussion of the President.
4/24/09 CONTINUE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. ESSAYS ON CABINET MEMBERS DUE
TUESDAY 4/28.
------------------------------APRIL 4/27 (A WEEK)--------------------
Continue Executive Branch Discussion of the Cabinet,
Students will present information on their Cabinet member. Essay is
due at beginning of class. Print out and sent to Turn It In.
HOW DOES THE PRESIDENT’S STAFF ACCOMPLISH THIS?
After choosing one of the Departments - report on the following.
1. Describe what the main purpose of the Department is? What is
this Department responsible for?
2. List some of the various programs.
3. Is there anything new happening on the “Home Page”
4. Who is the Secretary of the Department.
5. List some of the Agencies in the Department. FEMA is located in
Homeland Security.
6. Anything else interesting that you might find in the website.
4/30/09 Executive Branch.Look at other ways that the
Executive Branch is involved in the lawmaking process. Look at No
Child Left Behind and discuss
----------------------------WEEK OF 5/4 (B WEEK)---------------------
5/5/09 EXECUTIVE BRANCH
5/7/09 Finish Executive Branch. Test on the Executive Branch.
5/8/09 Begin study on the Judicial Branch
Start Unit 3 the Judicial System Watch video on Civil
Rights. Notes on the Supreme Court, Chief Justice
Marshall.
-------------------------------WEEK of 5/11/09 (A WEEK)-------------
5/12/09 Trip to the Manatee County Judicial Center
5/14/09 Judicial Branch Continue the Judicial Branch Covering Due
Process of Law. Review information on Gideon vs wainwright.
Understand Judicial Review.
Political Song Assignment
Please write 2-3 paragraphs on a song with political agenda. In your
writing cover the following: Why did the artist write the song?
What was going on in history at the time this song was written?
Include some of the important points. Do you interpret something
different as to the song’s significance? Please turn in the lyrics
with your writing. Assignment due 5/21. We will listen to the song
in class and let you comment on the information above.
Have fun!!!!!
---------------------WEEK of May 18th (B WEEK)--------------------
5/19/09 Continue Judicial Branch
5/21/09 Mock Trial
5/22/09 Finish Judicial Branch
-----------------------WEEK of May 25th (A WEEK)---------------------
5/26/09 Movie Gideons Trumpet
5/28/09 Finish Gideon's Trumpet. Review for Final Exam on June 2nd
Review sheet Final Exam
Final Exam - June 2nd
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