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Foundations of Government

John Locke's Social Contract Theory and its Relationship to the Declaration of Independence

Chapter 1, Section 1 - Principles of Government

Chapter 2, Section 1 - Origins of American Government

Chapter 2, Section 2 - Uniting for Independence

Chapter 3, Section 4 - The Amendments

Characteristics, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Unitary, Federal, and Confederate Systems and their Relationship to U.S. History

Chapter !, Section 2 - The Formation of Governments

Chapter 2, Section 1 - Origins of Government

Chapter 2, Section 2 - Uniting for Independence

Chapter 2, Section 3 - The Articles of Confederation

Chapter 3, Section 1 - Structure and Principles of the Constitution

Characteristics, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Capitalism and Communism

Chapter 1, Section 4 - Economic Theories

Development of Limited Government and Representative Democracy Through English and American History

Chapter 2, Section 1 - Origins of Government

Chapter 2, Section 2 - Uniting for Independence

Chapter 2, Section 3 - The Articles of Confederation

Chapter 2, Section 4 - The Constitutional Convention

Chapter 3, Section 1 - Structure and Principles of the Constitution

Chapter 3, Section 2 - Three Branches of Government

The Great Compromise and its Effect upon the Congress

Chapter 2, Section 4 - The Constitutional Convention

Chapter 3, Section 2 - Three Branches of Government

Major Principles in the Constitution

Chapter 3, Section 1 - Structure and Principles of the Constitution

Chapter 3, Section 2 - Three Branches of Government

Separation of Powers, Check and Balances, and Federalism

Chapter 2, Section 1 - Origins of Government

Chapter 2, Section 4 - The Constitutional Convention

Chapter 3, Section 1 - Structure and Principles of the Constitution

Chapter 3, Section 2 - Three Branches of Government

Chapter 3, Section 3 - Amending the Constitution

Chapter 3, Section 4 - The Amendments

Federalism

Chapter 4, Section 1 - National and State Powers

Chapter 4, Section 2 - Relations Among the States

Chapter 4, section 3 - Developing Federalism

Chapter 4, Section 4 - Federalism and Politics

 

The Legislative Branch

The House of Representatives and the Senate

  • Qualifications of members            
  • Terms of office
  • Representation
  • Salaries, benefits, and privileges of members
  • Characteristics of members
  • Reelection
  • Structure, organization, and rules
  • Leadership

Chapter 5, Section 1 - Congressional Membership

Chapter 5, Section 2 - The House of Representatives

Chapter 5, Section 3 - The Senate

Chapter 5, Section 4 - Congressional Committees

PowerPoint - The Organization of Congress - PDF Version - Covers Chapter 5

Reapportionment, Redistricting, and Gerrymandering and Their Effects on the Political Process

  • Definitions
  • Elections and reelections
  • Advantage for incumbents
  • Virginia's Third and Seventh Districts
  • Effect on democracy

Chapter 5, Section 1 - Origins of Government

PowerPoint - The Organization of Congress - PDF Version - Covers Chapter 5

The Range and Scope Congressional Power

  • Two types of congressional power and their sources
    • Court cases
    • The Constitution
  • Examples of Congress using both types of powers
  • Investigative and oversight powers and relationship with the president

Chapter 6, Section 1 - Constitutional Powers

Chapter 6, Section 2 - Investigations and Oversight

Chapter Six (Development of Congressional Powers) Outline

McCarthy Video

Watergate Video

Congress and the President

  • Reasons why the two tend to clash
  • Examples of clashes, particularly ones involving the investigative and oversight powers of Congress

Chapter 6, Section 2 - Investigations and Oversight

Chapter 6, Section 3 - Congress and the President

Chapter Six (Development of Congressional Powers) Outline

McCarthy Video

Watergate Video

How a Bill Becomes a Law

  • All the steps in the process including the role of the president (textbook version)
  • Difference between the "textbook" explanation and the "real" process

Chapter 7, Section 1 - How a Bill Becomes a Law

How a Bill Becomes a Law Handout With Chart

How a Bill Becomes a Law Chart

How a Bill Becomes a Law Explanation

I'm Just a Bill Lyrics

I'm Just a Bill Video

Textbook v. Real Process Web Site Presentation

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Video

             

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