Unit 1 Constitutional Underpinnings
Essential Questions
• 1- What is the purpose of government?
• 2- What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
• 3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
• 4- ow does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
• 5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
• 6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
• 7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
• 8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
• 9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
• 10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
• 11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
• 1- What is the purpose of government?
• 2- What was the founders’ view of the purpose of government and the role of the citizen in the American Republic?
• 3- Are these views still relevant at the close of the millennium?
• 4- ow does the constitution underpin U.S. government?
• 5- Why was the concept of “checks and balances” a novel idea in the 18th century versus today?
• 6- How does Madison’s concept of checks and balances challenge popular understanding of Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers?
• 7- Define the following concepts: democratic theory, republicanism, pluralist theory, majoritarianism, and the elitist theory.
• 8- Why did the Anti-Federalists fear the new governmental system?
• 9- Does this new federal system strengthen or weaken the concept of separation of powers? Why or why not?
• 10- What are the powers of state and local governments in an era of “new federalism” and devolution?
• 11- What influence should the federal government have over state and local issues such as education, affirmative action, abortion, and the environment?
Vocabulary
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Considerations that influenced the formulation and adoption of the Constitution
totalitarianism authoritarianism aristocracy anarchy direct democracy republic majoritarianism pluralism limited government elite theory unitary system |
Theories of Democratic Governments
liberty divine right of kings John Locke social contract Thomas Hobbes natural rights Articles of Confederation Enlightenment Great Compromise Shay’s Rebellion Federalist Papers |
Federalism & Separation of Powers
Anti-Federalist checks and balances concurrent power full faith & credit clause Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) reserved power enumerated powers supremacy clause separation of powers necessary & proper clause McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) dual federalism cooperative federalism |
The Constitution in the News |
Federalism in the News |
Chapter Reading Notes
Activities & Assignments
Traits of Citizens Brainstorm
Let’s think about what effective citizens look like:
(1) What do they know?
(2) What do they know how to do—what skills do they have?
(3) What attitudes do they have?
(4) What actions do they take?
Below are Wordles of the students' responses
Let’s think about what effective citizens look like:
(1) What do they know?
(2) What do they know how to do—what skills do they have?
(3) What attitudes do they have?
(4) What actions do they take?
Below are Wordles of the students' responses
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Government Brainstorm
1. What is government?
2. What are its responsibilities? (rank them)
3. What should be the top 3 priorities of the current administration? Why?
Suggest a policy for each priority.
4. What two changes would you have made to the US Constitution (Articles to Bill
of Rights)? Why?
1. What is government?
2. What are its responsibilities? (rank them)
3. What should be the top 3 priorities of the current administration? Why?
Suggest a policy for each priority.
4. What two changes would you have made to the US Constitution (Articles to Bill
of Rights)? Why?
Federalist 10 Case Study PDF
US Government Beginnings PDF
Chain Review PDF
Key Constitutional Concepts
Annenberg Classroom video (Watch beginning to 23:00 and then 41:30 until the end)
Viewing Worksheet doc
Reflection Questions doc
Annenberg Classroom video (Watch beginning to 23:00 and then 41:30 until the end)
Viewing Worksheet doc
Reflection Questions doc
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)
Follow the following format for your pages and their content.
HOME: Insert an image related to Government or create a meme. In a sentence or two, what is government? IN YOUR OWN WORDS! Write a minimum of two sentences on why government is important?
ABOUT: Insert three pictures that tell your story. In a minimum of three sentences, tell/explain your story of who you are WITHOUT giving detailed information about yourself (NO: email, address, phone number, etc).
UNIT 1: Post/link your CREATIVE demonstration of the Unit 1 Learning Objectives (Mastery Project) in an AP manner. Be sure to clearly identify which learning objective you are answering in your response.
BLOG: Select a political news article from a newspaper. The article needs to be at least a screen and a half in length. You may use one of the articles I have Tweeted out, provided it is long enough. Read and summarize the article in YOUR OWN WORDS USING COMPLETE SENTENCES forming paragraph one. In paragraph two, apply chapter two and the Constitution to your article and give your reaction to the article in COMPLETE SENTENCES. You blog post must be a minimum of 250 words.
HOME: Insert an image related to Government or create a meme. In a sentence or two, what is government? IN YOUR OWN WORDS! Write a minimum of two sentences on why government is important?
ABOUT: Insert three pictures that tell your story. In a minimum of three sentences, tell/explain your story of who you are WITHOUT giving detailed information about yourself (NO: email, address, phone number, etc).
UNIT 1: Post/link your CREATIVE demonstration of the Unit 1 Learning Objectives (Mastery Project) in an AP manner. Be sure to clearly identify which learning objective you are answering in your response.
BLOG: Select a political news article from a newspaper. The article needs to be at least a screen and a half in length. You may use one of the articles I have Tweeted out, provided it is long enough. Read and summarize the article in YOUR OWN WORDS USING COMPLETE SENTENCES forming paragraph one. In paragraph two, apply chapter two and the Constitution to your article and give your reaction to the article in COMPLETE SENTENCES. You blog post must be a minimum of 250 words.
Mastery Project doc
US Constitution (for you to ANNOTATE throughout the year!) PDF