Week 1 Syllabus

Lesson: Philosophical Foundations of American Government
Time: 5 Periods
Unit 1
Week: 1 Dates: August 13-17
Objectives:
1. Students will understand and become familiar with class expectations and the purpose of rules as they relate to government
2. Students will be able to name people and documents that influenced the formation of our gov’t.
3. Students will articulate what it means to live in a “State of Nature” in addition to clarifying the pros / cons of such an environment
Standards:
1.5 – Students know the fundamental democratic principles inherent in the U.S. concept of a Constitutional Democratic Republic
1.3.1 – Students can analyze the political thought that influenced the development of the U.S. Constitution
Materials:
Textbook, http://ditzenberger.blogspot.com/index.html
August 13, Monday
1. Can humans live without a government, why or why not?
2. Syllabus and Policies (20 minutes)
3. Game (20 minutes)
4. Homework-paragraph on game topic due 14/8-write what you know about your person, idea, place. No research or help is accepted. I want to know what you know! Also answer the poll on the class blog: (http://ditzenberger.blogspot.com/index.html) by Friday.
August 14, Tuesday
Collect Homework (5 minutes)
2. “I Have a Dream” speech and discussion (20 minutes). Count references to justice.
Political Philosophies Lecture (have PPT) (25 minutes)

August 15, Wednesday
Issue Textbook (10 minutes)
Activity on Justice: Plato’s Republic-Discussion Questions (15 minutes)
Current Event template and Article-15 minutes
Write a paragraph explaining what you believe about human nature, whether humans are basically good and altruistic, or selfish and tend toward what is good for oneself at the expense of others. (15 minutes). What is not finished should be completed and turned in on 16/8.
August 16, Thursday
1. Supreme Court Case
2. Types (Forms) of Government. -25 minutes
3. In groups, evaluate four forms of government by writing at least two pros and one con for each form that you choose. 20 minutes. Then answer the question: Why do you think the form of government has succeeded when and where it has?

August 17, Friday
Open Note Quiz on Week 1.
Functions of Government-(Lecture based on 24-29). (25 minutes)
Read Federalist Paper #10 and summarize Madison’s arguments. Divide into groups and give individuals sections. Students summarize arguments (identify 3 arguments for each section). (18 minutes)
Homework: Define Terms on page 3 of text book under the heading, “Political Dictionary.”