American Government
Fall 2011 List of Assignments/Handouts/Activities
Unit 1: Foundations
1. Article, Balanced Budget Amendment + Questions
2. A Question of Democracy Worksheet
3. Political Philosopher Notetaking Grid
4. Xlandia Preliminary Recommendations
5. Parliament or Presidential System?
6. Xlandia Presentation Notetaking Features Grid
7. 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution Grid + Extension Exercise
8. Expressed and Implied Powers
9. Separation of Powers—Federalism Grid
Assessments
 Assignment Packet
 Projects: Xlandia Presentation, Xlandia Reflective Paper
 Test: Scantron 25 Questions
 Essay Test
Unit 2: Political Parties and Interest Groups
1. Worksheet—Are You A Liberal or Conservative?
2. Where Do You Fall On the Political Spectrum? --Exercise
3. Political Spectrum Exercise
4. Factions in America Grid
5. Brown’s Political Spectrum Model –emphasizing change
6. Madison’s Federalist #10 and Factions (reading + questions)
7. The Role of Special Interest Groups—worksheet
8. Frontline—the Meth Epidemic
Assessments and Activities
 Political Parties PPT
 Interest Group PPT
 Quiz
 Packet
Unit 3: Supreme Court, Rights and Liberties
1. Supreme Court Video—notes/questions
2. The Operation of the Supreme Court
3. Marbury V. Madison
4. Strict vs. Loose Constructionist
5. Notes—Scalia—6o Minutes
6. Free Speech—Snyder v. Phelps
7. Frontline—the Plea
8. Landmark Case notes
Assessments and Activities
 Supreme Court PPT
 Landmark Cases Project
 Assignment Packet
 Test—Scantron and Written Sections
Unit 4: The Legislative Branch—Mock Senate
Assignment and Activities
1. The House of Reps and Senate Worksheet
2. Mock Senate State and Senator Profile
3. Textbook and Dynamic Legislative Process
4. Frontline—Obama’s Deal (notes and questions)
5. Logrolling in Congress—Activity
6. Video: The Legislative Branch (focus on Gun Control, Campaign Finance)
7. To Filibuster or Not to Filibuster
Assessments and Activities
 Mock Senate simulation (open floor day, Tuesday, Nov. 15)
 Mock Senate Bill
 Mock Senate Speech
 Assignment Packet
 Test (Scantron)
 Test (Essay)
Unit 5: The American Presidency
 Cornell Note taking Guide, West Wing: The State Dinner