Syllabus, Week 14

Mr. Ditzenberger, American Government
Time: 5 Periods, 3:45 hours	Unit 2, Civics	Week: 14 Dates: November 12-16
Objectives: 1. Students will simulate the presidential election process and research the election process in their own country. 2. Students will develop an understanding of the evolution of democracy in the United States by listing the main events in voting history.
Materials: Textbook, http://ditzenberger.blogspot.com/index.html;
Monday 1. Discuss election process in other countries-5 to 10 min 2. Election simulation. a) campaign-two issues are the War on Terror and Social Security. Each candidate can make a two minute speech. dem v dem; rep v rep. Their campaign teams make up commercials. (Speeches, commercials-positive and attack ads). b) Paper, rock, scissors vote. c) Dem and Rep go head to head (looser in the primary is the VP running mate with the winner). d) Electoral College process. Determine two scenarios in which candidates could win the popular vote, but loose the electoral college vote. Population of states (zip drive).
Tuesday. 1. Continue with election simulation. 3. Voting history lecture
Wednesday 2. Test
Thursday 1. Vocabulary-due Monday. Legislative Branch: Bicameral legislature Censure Congressional Immunity Expulsion Gerrymandering Joint committee Reapportioned Sessions Subcommittees Whips Appropriations Contempt of Congress Elastic clause Impeachment Bills Concurrent resolutions Filibuster House Rules Committee Franking Privilege Majority Party Minority Party Currency Power Elastic Clause Oversight function 2. Introduction to Congress (announce quiz tomorrow) 3. Homework: 3 a and b, 4: Evaluating.
Friday- 1. Homework: Current Event relating to a bill that has recently (past month) or currently been voted on. 2. Quiz on yesterday’s lecture. How many representatives are in the House? Why are there differences in the qualifications between senators and representatives? What are some differences between the two houses of Congress? Which branch approves and rejects treaties and appointments? Was it a good idea to cap the House at the number mentioned in your answer to number one? Why or why not? Bonus: Who appoints a new senator if the previous died or resigned? 3. Organization of Congress