Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of U.S. Government

James Madison
In this unit we will study the kind of government established by the Constitution, paying particular attention to federalism, the separation of powers and checks and balances. To understand how our government developed we will study the historical situation at the time of the Constitutional Convention and become aware of the ideological and philosophical traditions on which the framers drew.


This unit comprises between 5% and 15% of the exam.


Interesting links:
Madison Checks Obama (The Weekly Standard)
Helpful Constitutional Law website


WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20

MONDAY
Day D
In Class: 
"Wake-up Call" (The West Wing)
HW: Chapter 2: pp. 17-27
TUESDAY
Day E
In Class:
• Discussion: Three most important phrases in Constitution--why?
• "This Week": Were any Constitutional issues discussed?
WEDNESDAY
Day F
In Class: 
• Historical background of Constitution
HW: 
• Chapter 2, 27-37.
• Federalist #10 and #51 (Read and analyze using APPARTS.)
• Federalist #10: illustrate one paragraph:
Meredith: From "Among the numerous advantages" to "tainted our public administrations"
Sarah: From "By a faction I mean to "division of the society into different interests and parties"
Sam Wasserman: From "the latent causes of faction" to "operations of the government"
Laura G.: "No man is allowed to "a shilling saved to their own pockets"
Matt: "If a faction consists" to "in proportion as their efficacy becomes needful"
Alex "From this view" to "over which the latter may be extended"
Sam R.: "The effect of the first difference" to "by two obvious considerations"
Sam Wallace: "In the first place" to "the local and particular to the State legislatures"
Mike: "The other point of difference is" to "proportion to the number whose concurrence is necessary"
David: "Hence, it clearly appears" to "supporting the character of the Federalists"
• Holy Sheet: The Evolution of the Constitution
THURSDAY
Day A
In Class: 
• Discussion: How does one strike a balance between the fears of tyranny and anarchy?
• Analyze Federalist #10 and #51
HW: Chapter 2, pp. 37-47
FRIDAY
Day B
In Class: 
• Discussion: What were the motives of the Framers?
• Prepare to the put the Founders on trial (readings for each side.)

  
Week of September 27

MONDAY
Day C
NO CLASS
TUESDAY
Day D
In Class:
• Final Preparations: "Founding Fathers On Trial"
• Were the Founders liberty loving saints or money-grubbing sinners?
• Phase 1 of trial
HW: Join wikispace: AP Gov. Wikispace
WEDNESDAY
Day E
In Class: 
• Phase 2 and summation of trial
HW: 
• Read "The Perils of Constitution Worship" (handed out in class on Friday)
• Wiki discussion: Do you think the Constitution is "fixed or flexible"? Should we look at it as a living document or as a sacred document, set in stone? State your opinion and respond to at least ONE other classmate using evidence from these articles and any other relevant sources.
THURSDAY
Day F
In Class: 
• Constitutional Reform/Amending the Constitution
FRIDAY
Day A
In Class: 
• Amending the Constitution
• The West Wing: "Mr. Willis of Ohio"


Week of October 4







MONDAY
Day B
In Class:
• CONSTITUTION TEST
TUESDAY
Day C
NO CLASS
WEDNESDAY
Day D
In Class: 
• Work on election project
HW: 
• Wilson, pp. 49-59
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY (10 points): "Primary Colors" will be shown at 7:00 pm in the auditorium.
THURSDAY
Day E
In Class: 
• Work on election projects
FRIDAY
Day F
In Class: 
• Econ 101
HW: Wilson, Chapter 3: pp. 49-59
Week of October 11




MONDAY
NO CLASS
TUESDAY
Day A



In Class:
• Introduction to Federalism
• Issue discussion: Gay Marriage: should it be a state or federal issue?
A Brief History of Gay Marriage
A Federalist Case For Gay Marriage
Latter Day Federalists: Why We Need a National Definition of Marriage
HW: Wilson, pp. 60-73.
WEDNESDAY
Day B
In Class: 
• History of Federalism (10th and 14th Amendments; Elastic Clause)
• Federal-State Relations (Federal aid and control)
THURSDAY
Day C
NO CLASS
FRIDAY
Day D
In Class: 
• Discussion: Bush v. Gore
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