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