AP Government & Politics with Honors Civics/Economics 2014-2015
Unit 7: The Executive Branch
CLASS ANNOUNCEMENTS
 New Teacher: For the next unit, Mr. Belvin will be taking a much-deserved rest as Mr. Price, a student in the
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M.A.T. program at UNC, teaches our unit on The Executive Branch. The classroom rules and high
expectations will be maintained with this transition, and Mr. Price is excited to get to know you as we enhance
our understanding of Government.
Classroom Expectations: Expectations of mutual respect for each other, using technology appropriately, and
striving to be our best selves academically will continue throughout this unit.
UNIT OVERVIEW
This unit, focusing on the Executive Branch, will continue our efforts in becoming familiar with the
organization and powers, both formal and informal, of the major political institutions in the United States.
The functions that the Presidency and federal bureaucracy perform and do not perform, as well as the powers
that they do and do not possess, are important. Our unit, though on the Executive Branch, should be seen in
the context of the greater national government at the federal, state, and local levels.
UNIT OBJECTIVES
 Describe how the presidency has evolved from 1789 to the present
 Discuss the approach of the Founders toward executive power
 Explain the seven roles and various powers of the President and how they relate to the greater operation
of the Executive Branch and U.S. government
 Describe the challenges the President faces in forming and implementing a program
 Identify the importance of presidential techniques of persuasion in pushing an agenda and explain why
the power to persuade is so pertinent to the presidency
 Describe how the president conveys his message to various audiences
 Compare the impact of a divided government versus a unified government on legislation
 Identify the policies that govern presidential transition and succession within the Executive Branch
 Describe the importance of the president’s cabinet and white house staff in the functioning of the
Executive Branch
 Identify the roles federal agencies play within the Executive Branch, and how they balance interests
approach the policy challenges the country faces in respect to particular issues
 Discuss the history of the federal bureaucracy and its magnitude in terms of size and scope
 Map the organization of the federal bureaucracy, as well as the various roles played by independent
agencies, regulatory commissions, and the civil service system
 Discuss the state of the federal bureaucracy today in respect to recruitment and retention, and current
constraints on the bureaucracy.
 Describe how Congress oversees the bureaucracy and legislative powers exist in regards to oversight
 Explain the relationship between the legislative branch and the federal bureaucracy and the
responsibilities each have to one and other in respect to oversight and accountability
AP EXAM REVIEW
Concept Card assignments will continue for the rest of the semester. Reminder: you should create FIFTY
concept cards. They will be collected on the following dates, each for a Civics quiz grade.
 Thursday, January 29th – Unit 2: Constitutional Underpinnings and Federalism (Chapters 3,4, 16)
 Thursday, February 12th – Unit 3: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (Chapters 5, 6)
 Thursday, February 26th – Unit 4: Political Beliefs and Behaviors (Chapters 2, 11, 14)
AP Government & Politics with Honors Civics/Economics 2014-2015
Unit 7: The Executive Branch
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Thursday, March 12th – Unit 5: Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Media (Chapters 12, 13, 15)
Thursday, March 26th – Unit 6: Legislative Branch (Chapter 7)
Thursday, April 9th – Unit 7: Executive & Bureaucracy (Chapters 8, 9)
Thursday, April 23rd – Unit 8: Judicial Branch (Chapters 10)
PROJECT: Executive Department Research Assignment
Congress is threatening to cut two or more executive departments in an effort to save money. As
Secretary of your particular department and a member of President Obama’s Cabinet, you are determined
that your department will not feel the government axe. Both the Senate and the House have allowed you 3-5
minutes to make your department’s case. This assignment will count as a Civics test grade. (1st Period: You
may work by yourself, or with a partner. 2nd Period: In order to fully cover all cabinet departments, we will
need at least 15 people working separately. We need all 15 cabinet departments to be covered because this is
the only way in which pertinent information regarding the cabinets will be presented to you without requiring
you to research each department on your own.) Once we determine how many people are working with a
partner and how many are going solo, I will announce the presentation dates and assign your departments,
and we will proceed with approximately two to three a day. When all presentations are complete, we will
have a closed-note Civics quiz that will count for two quiz grades.
Basic information (required)
Current Secretary
Special roles and functions your department plays
Agencies, bureaus, offices within your department – What are their functions?
Detailed Information (for a really good grade)
Some history of your department: Why was it created?
Any current projects or research your department wants to publicize
What kind of questions could your department help a curious person answer?
How does your department help the average American?
Presentation (required)
Five minutes to tell us about your department (three minutes if you’re working solo)
Some kind of small visual for each your classmates (such as a handout or brochure) – Be creative!
UNIT CALENDAR
Monday, January 26th
TEST: CONGRESS
Homework:
Tuesday, January 27th
Discussion:
Homework:
339-345
Project Introduction
Lecture: Qualifications and Powers of the President
346-348 (up to Qualifications and Conditions for Office) AND 359-365
Wednesday, January 28th (PLC Day)
Discussion:
Essay Analysis
Lecture: Roles of the President Part I
AP Government & Politics with Honors Civics/Economics 2014-2015
Unit 7: The Executive Branch
Homework:
Thursday, January 29th
Discussion:
Homework:
Friday, January 30th
Discussion:
Homework:
Monday, February 2nd
Discussion:
Homework:
Tuesday, February 3rd
Discussion:
Homework:
348-358 (Skip “Consider the Source,” READ “Grounds For Impeachment”)
Concept Cards due Thursday (Unit 2)
Roles of the President, Part II
Video: State of the Union Address
State of the Union Assignment
Finish Roles of the President; Presidential Gap
359-365
Finish Presidential Gap;
If time permits: Time to work on project in class
365-373
VP/Cabinet
373-380 (skip 376-377)
Wednesday, February 4th
Discussion:
Dave
Homework: 385-391
Thursday, February 5th
Discussion:
Homework:
Friday, February 6th
Discussion:
Homework:
Monday, February 9th
Discussion:
Homework:
Finish and Discuss Dave
Bureaucracy Intro
397-403
Bureaucracy Roles
none (enjoy your weekend)
Bureaucracy: Organization Part 1
Begin Project Presentations
403-410
Tuesday, February 10th
Discussion:
The Bureaucracy: Organization Part 2
Project Presentations
Homework: 410-415
Wednesday, February 11th (PLC Day)
Discussion:
Bureaucracy: Regulatory Commissions and Government Corporations Part 1
AP Government & Politics with Honors Civics/Economics 2014-2015
Unit 7: The Executive Branch
Homework:
Concept Cards due Thursday (Unit 3)
Thursday, February 12th
Discussion:
American Bureaucracy: Regulatory Commissions Part 2
How to Survive a Plague
Presentations
Homework: 416-421 (skip consider the source and 419)
Friday, February 13th
Discussion:
Homework:
Finish and Discuss How to Survive a Plague
Finish Regulatory Commissions
State of Bureaucracy Today Part 1
Presentations
421-428 (skip 422-423)
Monday, February 16th
Discussion:
State of Bureaucracy Today Part 2
Congressional Oversight & Legislative Powers Part 1
Presentations
Homework: 428-434
Tuesday, February 17th
Discussion:
Congressional Oversight & Legislative Powers Part 2
Homework: Study for test
Wednesday, February 18th
Discussion:
In-Class Essay (maybe practice, maybe it will count) & Review for Test (Jeopardy)
Homework: Study for test
Thursday, February 19th
TEST: EXECUTIVE BRANCH