Week 2 Syllabus

Lesson: Philosophical Foundations of American Government
Time: 5 Periods
Unit 1
Week: 2 Dates: August 20-24
Objectives:
1. Students will understand and be able to compare the different forms of government.
2. Students will give examples of the essential functions of government.
3. Students will assess the strengths and weaknesses of each type of republican government.
4. Students will summarize the primary source, The Federalist Papers.
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 20, M
Current Event
Political Philosophies Lecture (have PPT) (15 minutes)-Finish
Homework: 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 21, T
1. Supreme Court Case
2. Activity on Justice: Plato’s Republic-Discussion Questions (15 minutes)
3. Types (Forms) of Government. -25 minutes
August 22, W
1. Opener: What form of government do you think is best? Why? (5 min)
2. Discuss project (15 min)
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 23, Th
Opener: What, in your opinion, are the basic functions of government?
Functions of Government. (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)
Read “Power Among Levels of Government” and “Power Within Levels of Government.” In a paragraph explain the differences of a unitary, federal , and confederal system. Also, in another paragraph, compare the characteristics of a presidential and a parliamentary system in which the strengths and weaknesses of each are analyzed. Due Friday, 24/8.

August 24, F.
Opportunity Quiz (10 min).
Dictator exercise. (15 min)
Get into groups of 2 or 3. For review, make a list of each purpose of government. Identify 3 ways that each function is fulfilled. (10 minutes)
Current event on American politics due Monday.
Homework-give an example of each of the forms of government under political dictionary on pg 8. Explain why your example fits the category. Due Monday.