DayA/B / Reading Material Due / Written Homework Due
Jan
30/31 / Midterm Exam
Feb
1/2
Feb
3/6 / Edwards Chapter 16 / Vocabulary Set 1
Unit IV Quiz 3 (Chapter 16)
Feb
7/8 / Study Guide Questions Set A
Feb
9/10
Feb
13/14 / Edwards Chapter 15 / Vocabulary Set 2
Unit IV Quiz 4 (Chapter 15)
Feb
15/16
Feb
17/27 / Study Guide Questions Set B
Feb. 28 and Mar. 1
FEB BREAK / READ: Adam Schiffer and Carrie Liu Currier article, “War Powers, International Alliances, the President, and Congress”
And Peter Yacobucci article, “The Tensions of Judicial Appointment” –both found on webpage / Free response Question found on last page of reading and answer FRQ on last page of War Powers Article
March
2/3
March 6/7 / Test Chapters 13-16 (Focus will be on chapters 15 and 16)

Unit IV: Institutions of the National Government

Part II

Vocabulary Set 1

appellate jurisdiction, circuit court, class action suit, concurring opinion, dissenting opinion, district court, dual sovereignty, Federalist #78, Judicial Activism, judicial conference, Judicial Restraint, Jurisdiction, , litmus test, Majority opinion, original intent theory, original jurisdiction, Per curium decision, precedent, rule of four, solicitor general, stare decisis, strict v. loose construction, trial v. appellate courts, writ of certiorari, writ of mandamus

Study Guide Questions Set A

. 1. Complete the following table on the structure of the federal judicial system.

Court / Number of courts / Number of Judges / Jurisdiction / Policy Implications
District Court
Court of Appeal
Supreme Court

2. List five criteria that have been important in choosing Supreme Court justices over the years.

3. Explain the difference between judicial activism and judicial restraint.

4. What is the difference between a majority opinion, a dissenting opinion, and a concurring opinion?

5. How do courts shape public policy in their decisions and in the opinions used by judges to justify decisions? Use 2 historical examples in your response.

Vocabulary Set 2

Bureaucracy, bureaucratic pathologies, civil service, discretionary authority, duplication, GS Rating, Hatch Act, impoundment, Independent Agencies, merit principle, oversight of bureaucracy, types of bureaucratic agencies,

Study Guide Questions Set B

1. What are the four basic types of agencies in the federal executive branch?

2. Explain the relationship between interest groups and independent regulatory agencies.

3. List three ways in the which the President and Congress can control the bureaucracy.

4. What is needed for an agency to perform its regulatory role? What are the pros and cons of deregulation?

5. What factors facilitate and what factors hinder successful implementation of a public policy? Use specific examples of implementation to illustrate your points

Free Response Question: 25 minute time limit

Directions: You have 25 minutes to answer the following question. Unless the directions indicate otherwise, respond to all parts of the question. It is suggested that you take a few minutes to plan and outline each answer. In your response, use substantive examples where appropriate. Make certain to number each of your answers as the question is numbered below.

The United States Supreme Court receives many appeals, but it hears and rules on a small percentage of cases each year. Numerous factors influence the actions of the Court, both in deciding to hear a case and in the decisions it hands down.

a. Define judicial review

b. Explain how judicial review empowers the Supreme Court within the system of checks and balances.

c. Describe the process through which the Court grants a writ of certiorari.

d. Explain how each of the following influences decisions made by individual justices when deciding cases heard by the Court. (see next page)

• Stare decisis

• Judicial activism