Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings

Essential Questions

• What is the purpose of government?
• What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
• Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
• How does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
• Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
• How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of    powers?
• Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
• Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
• Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
• What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
• What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?

Government
Public policy
Democracy
Direct democracy
Representative democracy
Pluralist Theory

Class elite theory
Hyperpluralism
Federalism
Ratification
Limited government
Popular sovereignty
Separation of powers
Checks and Balances

Amendments
Judicial review
Natural rights
Factions
Implied powers
Reserved powers
Full faith and Credit

Extradition
Interstate compacts
Supremacy Clause
Dual federalism
Cooperative federalism
Devolution revolution
Fiscal federalism
Grants-in-aid

Privileges and Immunities
Block grants
Categorical grants
Revenue sharing
Mandates
Concurrent powers
Unfunded mandates

Lecture Videos

For this unit, view and take notes from the Constitutional Beginning through the American Federalism videos.

Unit 1 Guide PDF

Mastery Project & News/Current Event Resources doc

Why Study History?

Constitution Intro

Divide a paper into 3 columns and label them CONFLICT, COMPROMISE, and PARTICIPANTS respectively. As you watch the film, complete the chart.  A completed chart should include a list of the conflicts and their respective compromises as well as the individuals involved. Remember:  conflict does not just have to be physical, but can be a conflict of ideas.


Our Constitution- A Conversation video


Key Constitutional Concepts video

Create a Weebly Portfolio for Mastery Project & Blog
Students will create a personal Weebly website which will serve as host to their Mastery project and current events/APGov blog. 
Step-by-Step How to Create a Weebly Instructions PDF
How to Create a Blog Post tutorial video (follow the creation, APGov requirements are different from Prep World)

Practice AP Exam & FRQ doc

US Constitution to annotate throughout the semester doc

Civics  Quiz 

Beginnings Chart doc

Chain Review doc

McCulloch v Maryland & Gibbons v Ogden Case study reading & questions

Amending the Constitution doc

Federalism doc

A More Perfect Union video & viewing questions

Federalism Overview doc

Federalism Powers doc

Advantages & Disadvantages of Federalism doc

Optional Reading (***There is 1 exam question based on this reading***) 
The Devil in Devolution PDF

Weebly Requirements

The following components are due on your Weebly class portfolio site by Friday January 24th. A video guiding you how to find news articles and complete a blog entry can be found at the bottom of this web page and is also located at the top of the General Resources page here. Want screen shots to walk you through??? click here

• Home Page: A picture of an item related to Government is to be inserted
  
• About Me: Briefly introduce yourself in a paragraph (5 sentences MINIMUM). You are to include a minimum of three pictures/images of your likes/interests- they do not need to be images of yourself! If you like soccer, you may insert a image of people playing soccer or of your favorite soccer team from an appropriate image search. Thirdly, you are to write three ways/actions you will take to be successful in AP Government in complete sentences.
• Blog: You should have an entry about a current event. For each blog post entry you are to have a title, FIRST PARAGRAPH: summary of the article/situation which tells me the who, what, when, where, and why for the story IN YOUR OWN WORDS in a MINIMUM OF 5 WELL WRITTEN SENTENCES demonstrating your critical thinking. In a SECOND PARAGRAPH, connect the article to one or more of the principles of the Constitution, key vocabulary from the current  unit, AND EXPLAIN the connection. Also, give your opinion/reaction to the situation in a MINIMUM OF 5 WELL WRITTEN SENTENCES demonstrating your critical thinking. Lastly, include the link/URL to the article.
• Unit Pages: Each unit will have a page with the title of the unit and your Mastery Project product for that unit typed, linked, or embedded on the page.

Unit 1 Exam Review 
The test has been moved to Monday January 27th:) Review your text book readings, handouts received, and resources found on this page. Items of particular note, not excluding the previously mentioned, are found here: doc
Concept/topic revised additions include: necessary & proper clause, categorical grants, Constitutional principles, reserved powers, federal system, interstate commerce, block grants, McCulloch v Maryland, layered & marble cake, fiscal & cooperative federalism, Marbury v Madison, formal & informal ways to amend the Constitution, advantages & disadvatages of federalism, delegated powers, concurrent powers