Wilson, Chapter 22: Who Governs? To What Ends?
These two chapters are the introduction to the course, exploring the questions as to who should govern, and the ends toward they should work. We will explore different theories of government, the nature of political power and how the policy-making system works. We will also look at how the powers of the federal government have expanded over the past 200 years, investigating the change from the "old" to the "new" system.
Interesting links:
Summer Assignment
Matthew Yglesias, "The Powers That Be"
WEEK OF AUGUST 30
MONDAY | NO SCHOOL |
TUESDAY | NO SCHOOL |
WEDNESDAY Day A | First day of class! Summer assignment due Discussion: What is the most important difference between a liberal and a conservative? Homework: • Pick one of the following issues: illegal immigration, the Islamic Community Center in Lower Manhattan or the BP oil spill, and write a 1/2 to 1 page response discussing what the role of the federal government should be in relationship to the topic you choose. Read the following articles and 1) summarize the thesis, 2) analyze what you find persuasive on both sides and what you feel were the weaknesses: • George Will, "Freedom vs. Equality" (Washington Post) Each one of these responses can be written on the same page. Once I get the wikispace going I will create different areas to write comments. |
THURSDAY Day B | Discussion: How do liberals and conservatives view history? Homework: Wilson, Chapter 22 (pp. 577-588) |
FRIDAY | NO SCHOOL |
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 6
MONDAY | NO SCHOOL |
TUESDAY Day C | NO CLASS |
WEDNESDAY Day D | Discussion: How can history be interpreted from both an liberal and a conservative perspective? Homework: Wilson, Chapter 1 |
THURSDAY | NO SCHOOL |
FRIDAY | NO SCHOOL |
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 13:
MONDAY Day E | • "This Week" • Discussion: Who Governs? To What Ends? (Chapter 22) Homework: Research James Wilson: Who is he? What's the controversy over his textbook? |
TUESDAY Day F | • Discussion: Is democracy the best way to govern? Where is power located? Who has it? |
WEDNESDAY Day A | Exam #1: Wilson, Chapter 1 and Chapter 22 (TENTATIVE--MAY BE POSTPONED UNTIL THURSDAY.) Homework: Read the Constitution and pick out THREE phrases that you think are the most important. |
THURSDAY Day B | Chapter 1 and 22 Test Homework: Read the Constitution (there is one in the back of your textbook) and pick THREE phrases that you think are the most important and give reasons to support your answer. NOTE: The next unit plan will be posted under "Constitutional Underpinnings" |
FRIDAY Day C | NO CLASS |
