Function of Government
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
In what ways can politicians and news sources be bias?
What are the perspectives on issues discussed in government today?
How does the Executive Branch function?
How does parliamentary procedure work?
How can the Constitution be interpreted in multiple ways?
In what ways can politicians and news sources be bias?
What are the perspectives on issues discussed in government today?
How does the Executive Branch function?
How does parliamentary procedure work?
How can the Constitution be interpreted in multiple ways?
John Locke
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LESSON: Functions of Government
Each political philosopher has a perspective on the purpose of government. Today, there are five commonly accepted functions (or purposes) of government:
Read chapter 1 section 1 of textbook (p.6-13) and respond to the question, "Which function of government is most important and why?" Complete the graphic organizer below and use evidence to support your claims. 
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Policy and BiasESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
In what ways can politicians and news sources be bias? What are the perspectives on issues discussed in government today? |
LESSON: Lobbying
Watch the PBS video on Capitol Crimes and respond to the questions in the Graphic Organizer on lobbying. LESSON: Political Bias
Complete the Evaluating Political Bias Activity in which you will evaluate quotes from politicians to determine their political leanings. Make sure you understand the definition of bias. Watch the video below. Newspapers can also have political bias. Read three articles on the roll out of Obama Care and complete the Activity. LESSON: Issues in Government
Making decisions in government are not easy. What makes these decisions so complicated? In class, we will discuss some of the most hotly debated issues in government. LESSON: Relevant Governmental Terms
Study relevant vocabulary to utilize in debate and discussion related to political issues. |
Legislation in ActionESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
How does parliamentary procedure work? |
MOCK SENATE: Robert Rules
In class we will examine current political issues. Using parliamentary procedure we will vote on whether certain laws should go into effect. We will use simplified Robert Rules established by Cornell University. Prepare for the debates by reading the information in the provided Packet. |
Executives in ActionESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
How does the Executive Branch function? |
EXECUTIVE BRANCH: Borrowed from Westport K-12.
Read the Executive Branch Article and complete the Executive Branch Graphic Organizer. Research the various components of the executive branch – also known as the federal bureaucracy. For each agency you should summarize their major responsibilities or powers. Use the websites below for your research: |
Court in ActionESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
How can the Constitution be interpreted in multiple ways? |
MOCK TRIAL: Same Sex Marriage
In class we will examine case law and precedents set by the courts regarding same-sex marriage, and determine whether or not it is constitutional. LESSON: Similarities and Differences
Is the gay rights issue the same thing as other civil rights issues? LESSON: Terms
Complete this Activity using the links below. Is homosexuality inalienable? Is marriage a human right? How do you define marriage? Examine the Historical Timeline of homosexuality and respond to questions in a graphic organizer. Use Procon.org to see what the arguments are on each side.
LESSON: Defense of Marriage Act
Complete this Activity using the links below. Examine the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and its redefinition of marriage as between a "man and a woman." Portions of DOMA were struck down in 2013 by the Supreme Court. Democracy Now Article on the Striking Down of DOMA |
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Why are reparations controversial?This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the use of reparations to make amends for the enslavement, exploitation, and generational racism Black people have endured. The compelling question﹣Why are reparations controversial?﹣asks students to evaluate the controversy surrounding reparations payments, engage with narratives of Black people, and compare precedents set by organizations and governments. This investigation spans the Antebellum Era through the 21st century to highlight the ongoing struggle for equality.
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Was the new deal a good deal?By asking the compelling question “Was the New Deal a good deal?” students take on a topic with a long history and plenty of relevance for today. The inquiry uses the New Deal and the expansion of federal government programs designed to stimulate the economy and support citizens in need as a context for considering the larger question about the proper role of government. Students examine a wide range of historical sources while focusing on questions concerning the extent to which government should take care of its people.
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How should the president foster economic opportunity?The goal of this inquiry is help students understand the central debate about the government’s role in fostering economic opportunity over the past half century. As this is a historical inquiry, it focuses on the motivations, actions, and impacts of two particular US presidents: Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan. Their economic programs stand in for the larger argument that persists today between liberal and conservative approaches to federal economic policy. Thus, the compelling question “How should the president foster economic opportunity?” is intentionally timeless to emphasize its relevance today. Students look at Johnson’s and Reagan’s visions for the economy, the policies they advanced to achieve their visions, and modern interpretations of each president’s legacy.
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Why is the ACA so controversial?This annotated inquiry leads students through an investigation of a public policy debate by studying the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The compelling question—“Why is the Affordable Care Act so controversial?”—calls out the persistent debate around this legislation and asks students to grapple with the roots of disagreement through the examination of the origins, opportunities, shortcomings, and constitutionality of the ACA. Throughout the inquiry, students are working with a variety of data (e.g., polling numbers, graphical representations, and economic costs) and trying to interpret, create, and analyze data as well as considering the reliability and trustworthiness of the sources.
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Competency
Local Government in Action:
See document below for information about the project. For information on local events that you could go to for your project, check out these websites:
See document below for information about the project. For information on local events that you could go to for your project, check out these websites:
This website is the property of the Social Studies Education program at Plymouth State University.
