Unit 2 – Structure & Function of Federalism

Day 1 – Federalism, Separation of Power, & Checks & Balances

  • System of Federalism (3 types of Power)
  • Separation of Power
  • Checks & Balances

Day 2 – Federal Legislative Branch

  • Structure & Powers of Congress

Day 3 – Finish Legislative Branch, Federal Executive Branch

  • Powers of Congress
  • Structure of the Executive Branch

Day 4 – Finish Executive Branch, Federal Judicial Branch

  • Roles & Powers of the President
  • Structure of the Judicial Branch

Day 5 – Work on Federal Government Brochure

Day 6 – NC State Government

  • History
  • NC Constitution
  • Assign State Government Brochure

Day 7 – NC State Government (3 Branches)

  • 3 Branches of State Government
  • Continue State Government Brochure

Day 8 – NC State Government

  • Checks & Balances

Day 9 – Work on NC State Government Brochure

Day 10 – Local Government

  • Structure & Powers of County Government

Day 11 – Local Government

  • Structure & Powers of Municipal Government

Day 12 – Review & Test – Structure & Function of Federalism

  • NB Check
  • Test Review & Test

Unit 2 – Structure & Function of Federalism

Day 1 – Federalism, Separation of Power, Checks & Balances

Unit Essential Question

  • How do democracies attempt to balance power & authority?

Conceptual Lenses

  • Authority
  • Structure
  • Balance
  • Democracy

Essential Question

How do democracies attempt to balance power & authority?

Questions From Reading – US Federalism - Read Handout

  • Draw a Diagram & Explain how the concept of separation of power works in the federal government.
  • Draw a Diagram & Explain the system of checks and balances put in place in the Constitution.
  • Draw a Diagram & Explain the US system of Federalism.
  • Below is a diagram to be filled in that explains the horizontal & vertical limitations on the power of government. (we will do as a class)

Day 2 – Federal Legislative Branch (Structure & Powers)

Create a Federal Government Brochure
  • Brochure may be computer generated, or hand-made.
  • Fold 8.5x11 paper in 1/3rds.
  • See Website for Template

Essential Question

What is the basic structure & function of Congress?

Chapter 6, Section 1 (pgs.177-182)

Fill in the chart with information about the US Congress

Houses
Term Length
Term Limits
Requirements / p.191 / p.191
Number of Members
Number per state
Leadership /
  • ______
  • ______
______

Define the Following

  • Bicameral
  • Constituent
  • Census
  • Gerrymander

Powers of Congress & Duties of Congress

Chapter 6, Section 2 (pgs. 185-188), Section 3 (pgs. 196)

1) Expressed Powers (Create a Chart to Categorize - 3)

Provide 2 examples of each category.

2) Explain the following power of Congress…

Necessary & Proper Clause, Elastic Clause, Implied Powers

3) Explain the following Non-Legislative Powers of Congress

Impeach – (Explain the 2 steps & 2 Presidents who have been impeached)

Oversight
4) Explain the following powers denied to Congress

writ of habeas corpus

bills of attainder

ex post facto laws

5) What powers does the President & the Supreme Court have over Congress

Day 3– Structure of the Federal Executive Branch

Essential Question

What is the basic structure of the federal executive branch?

Chapter 7, Section 1 (pgs. 209-213)

Fill in the Chart on the Executive Branch

President / Vice President
Age
Citizenship
Residency

Explain the Following

  • Electoral College
Purpose, Total # of Members, # needed to win, # per state
  • 23rd Amendment
  • Who votes for President if no candidate receives a majority?
  • How long is a Presidential term?
  • 22nd Amendment
  • 25th Amendment
  • Presidential Succession Act (1947) – 1st 3 in line of succession

Powers of the President

Chapter 7, Section 2 (pgs. 215-218); Section 3 (pgs. 220-223)

Roles of the President – Define Role & Powers

  • Chief Executive

Executive orders

Appoint officials

Pardons, Reprieves, Amnesty

  • Commander-in-Chief

Deploy Troops

War Powers Act (1973)

  • Legislative Leader
  • Head of State
  • Economic Leader

Prepare Budget (2 Step Process)

  • Party Leader
  • Diplomatic Leader

Foreign Policy & The President – Explain the Following

  • What is Foreign Policy?
  • 4 Goals of Foreign Policy
  • Foreign Policy Bureaucracy (4)
  • Treaties (Economic & Defense)
  • Executive Agreements
  • Appointing Ambassadors
  • Foreign Aid, Trade Sanctions, Embargo, Military Force

Day 4 – The Federal Judicial Branch

Essential Question

What is the basic structure & function of the federal court system?

Chapter 8, Section 1 (pgs. 239-242), Section 2 (pgs.244-247)

Explain the Following

  • What is the primary goal of the federal courts? Why is this difficult?
  • What is jurisdiction & explain each of the following types?

Exclusive Jurisdiction, Concurrent Jurisdiction

Original Jurisdiction, Appellate Jurisdiction

  • What types of cases is the jurisdiction of the federal courts?
  • What is the only court established by the Constitution?
  • Who has the power to establish lower federal courts?

District Courts

  • # of courts
  • Type of Jurisdiction
  • Judiciary Act of 1789
  • How is a case heard?

Court of Appeals (Circuit Courts)

  • # of courts
  • Type of Jurisdiction
  • Judiciary Act of 1891
  • How is a case heard? (3 Decisions – uphold, overturn, remand)

Supreme Court - pgs. (249-253)

  • # of judges
  • Type of Jurisdiction
  • How is a case heard?

Supreme Court Method of Hearing a Case

Chapter 8, Section 3 (pgs. 249-253); Section 4 (pgs. 255-259)

Explain the Following

  • In what types of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?
  • Judicial Review
  • Marbury v Madison (1803)
  • 3 Principles of Judicial Review
  • Precedent

Method of Hearing a Case

Chapter 8, Section 4 (pgs. 255-259)

  • Opinions

Majority Opinion

Concurring Opinion

Dissenting Opinion

  • Announcement

Define the Following

  • Judicial Activism, Judicial Restraint

Day 5 – Federal Government Brochure

  • Students may work on Federal Government Brochure.

Essential Question

How is the Federal Government organized to solve problems?

Day 6 – NC State Government

Create a State Government Brochure
  • Brochure may be computer generated, or hand-made.
  • Fold 8.5x11 paper in 1/3rds.
  • See Website for Template

Essential Question

How is the basic structure of NC government similar to the US government?

Chapter 12, Section 1 & 2 (pgs. 355-358)

Explain the Following about Early State Government

  • When did delegates meet to write a constitution for NC?
  • How many constitutions has NC had?
  • When was the current Constitution adopted?

Explain the Following about the Constitutions of NC

  • Constitution of 1776
  • Constitution of 1868
  • Constitution of 1971
  • 1972 Amendment
  • 1977 Amendment
  • 1996 Amendment

Chapter 12, Section 3 (pgs. 355-358)

Explain the Following - Structure & Principles of the NC Constitution

  • Declaration of Rights
  • Popular Sovereignty
  • Separation of Power, Checks & Balances
  • Amendment Process

Day 7/8 – Structure of NC Government

Essential Question

How is the state government organized to solve problems?

Chapter 13, Section 1 (pgs. 377-381)

Explain the Following about the NC Legislative Branch

  • What is the NC Legislative Branch called?
  • What are the (2) Houses? (bicameral)
  • What are the Steps in How a Bill Becomes a Law in NC?
  • Explain the following for both the NC House & NC Senate.

# of members, Qualifications, Term Length, Leadership

Chapter 13, Section 2 (pgs. 383-387)

Explain the Following about the NC Executive Branch

  • Explain the following about the Governor.

Qualifications, Term Length, & Limits

  • Explain the following about the Lieutenant Governor.

How Chosen?

Succession?

Term Length & Limits

President of the ______

  • What is the NC council of State, and what officials are on it?
  • What is the Governor’s Cabinet, and what officials are on it?
  • Explain the following powers and responsibilities of the NC Governor.

Chief Executive

Commander-in-Chief

Legislative Leader

Judicial Leader

Chief of State

Party Leader

Chapter 13, Section 3 (pgs. 389-393)

Explain the Following about the NC Judicial Branch

  • What is the primary role of the NC Judicial Branch?
  • How many levels of courts are there in NC?
  • For each court, explain the following…

NC District Court

NC Superior Court

NC Court of Appeals

NC Supreme Court

Type of Jurisdiction

Types of Cases Heard (Civil & Criminal)

How do judges get their job?

How long are terms for judges?

Explain the Following about the NC Supreme Court

  • What are the roles of the NC Supreme Court?

Day 9 – State Government Brochure

Essential Question

How is the state government organized to solve problems?

  • Students may work on State Government Brochure.

Day 10&11 – Local Government (County & Municipal Government)

Essential Question

How is the Local Government organized to solve problems?

Chapter 14, Section 1 (pgs.403), Section 2 (pgs. 407-409)

Explain the Following about County Government in NC

  • What is a county?
  • Why do states form counties?
  • How many counties has the General Assembly divided NC into?
  • Explain the following about the structure of County Government.

County Legislature

Elected by

Responsibilities

County Executive

Hired by

Responsibilities

State Boards

ABC Board, Board of Elections, Board of Education, Mental Health, Public Health, Social Services

County Law Enforcement

Register of Deeds

Clerk of Court

Chapter 14, Section 1 (pgs. 404-405)

Explain the Following about Municipal Government in NC

  • What is a municipality?
  • How are municipalities created?

Incorporated

Charter

  • What is annexation?
  • How is a municipality governed?

Mayor-Council Plan

Council-Manager Plan

  • Who enforces laws in a municipality?
  • Local Legislation

Ordinance, Referendum

Day 12 – Unit 2 Review & Test

Essential Question

How do democracies attempt to balance power & authority?

Unit 2 – Function & Structure of Federalism

Multiple Choice – 20 questions – 3 points each – 60 points total (All Classes)

Checks & Balances Judicial Review

City CouncilLocal Government Services

Concurrent PowersNC Executive Branch - Structure

Congress – StructureRoles of the President

FederalismSenate - Structure

House v SenateSupreme Court - Power

Implied Powers (Source)Supreme Court - Structure

Congress & Supreme CourtWrit of Habeas Corpus

Constructed Responses – Honors & Seminar – Do Both. Standard – Choose (1)

1)How do democracies attempt to balance power and authority? Explain using (2) of the following principles… (Federalism, Separation of Power, Checks & Balances).

2)Provide & Explain (1) similarity, and (1) difference between the US & NC Constitutions. These must be important.

Unit 2 Quizzes

Congress & The President

1)Which house of Congress would be impacted by a census?

2)Provide (1) example of the military powers of Congress. Provide (1) example of an economic power of Congress.

3)This is a written order requiring the police to bring a suspect before a judge and inform the suspect of the charges, and the evidence the police have of the crime.

4)Answer the following about the election of the President…

  • How many members in the Electoral College?
  • Number needed to win?
  • How many does each state have?
  • What is the maximum number of years a President may serve?

5)What are the first (3) people in the line of succession for the President? (Must be in correct order)

Constructed Response

Congress has (3) categories of powers (Money, Military/Foreign Policy, and Commerce). Explain (1) of these categories, and explain an example of a power Congress has in this category.

State Government Quiz

1)How many Constitutions has NC had?

2)After the Preamble, what is Article 1 of the NC Constitution? (Hint different than US Constitution)

3)What is the name of the Legislative Branch of the NC Government? What are the names of the 2 houses?

4)In the Executive Branch, what (3) positions are elected?

5)How do judges in NC get their job?

Constructed Response

The US Constitution and the NC Constitution have many similarities and differences. Explain (1) similarity and (1) difference between them.

Local Government Quiz

1)How many counties are there in NC?

2)What is the title of the county executive, and how does this person get his/her job?

3)What is a municipality?

4)What is annexation?

5)What are the two types of plans for operating a municipal government in NC?

Constructed Response

Explain the difference between the Mayor-Council Plan & the Council-Manager Plan?