Monday, February 15, 2010

Week One: Foundations of U.S. Government

The Essential Question for this week is: What are the roots of our democracy?



The Georgia Performance Standards that you'll work with this week are:

SSCG1 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the political philosophies that shaped the development of United States constitutional government.
a. Analyze key ideas of limited government and the rule of law as seen in the Magna Carta, the Petition of Rights, and the English Bill of Rights.
b. Analyze the writings of Hobbes (Leviathan), Locke (Second Treatise on Government), and Montesquieu (The Spirit of Laws) as they affect our concept of government.

SSCG2 The student will analyze the natural rights philosophy and the nature of government expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
a. Compare and contrast the Declaration of Independence and the Social Contract Theory.
b. Evaluate the Declaration of Independence as a persuasive argument.

The assignments for this unit are listed below. Please be sure to follow all instructions for completing assignments and receiving the maximum points possible.

Week One Assignment 1: Roots of U.S. Democracy Notes
SCCG 1, element a
- Using the Roots of Democracy power point, complete the Roots of Democracy Student Notes that analyze key ideas of limited government and the rule of law as seen in the Magna Carta, the Petition of Rights, and the English Bill of Rights.

* Complete the notes and answer each question thoroughly. Place in teacher's drop box when notes are completed. *15 possible points.

Week One Assignment 2: Enlightenment Philosophers and Their Influential Ideas Notes
SCCG 1, element b
- Using the Enlightenment Philosophers power point, complete the Enlightenment Philosophers Student Notes that analyze the writings of Hobbes (Leviathan), Locke (Second Treatise on Government), and Montesquieu (The Spirit of Laws) as they affect our concept of government.

* Complete the notes and answer each question thoroughly. Place in teacher's drop box when notes are completed. *15 possible points.

Week One Assignment 3: Habeas Corpus and the "War on Terror" Case Study
SCCG 1, element a
- In this assignment you will reflect upon the recent U.S. government's actions in regards to not providing the right of Habeas Corpus to suspected terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba. Follow all instructions in the document Habeas Corpus and the "War on Terror" Case Study for completing this assignment.

* Place your finished paper in your teacher's drop box when completed. *30 possible points.


Week One Assignment 4: Understanding the Declaration of Independence
SCCG 2, element a, b
- Using the Declaration of Independence Background Information power point, and the Declaration of Independence Text document, complete the Declaration of Independence Student Notes that compare and contrast the Declaration of Independence and the Social Contract Theory, and evaluates the Declaration of Independence as a persuasive argument.

* Complete the notes and answer each question thoroughly. Place in teacher's drop box when notes are completed. *25 possible points.

Week One Assignment 5: Social Contract Interview Project
SCCG 1

Do Americans believe we are “united”? Do people also believe there is “liberty” and “tranquility” in the U.S., as expressed as a goal in the preamble to the Constitution?

This project will revolve around interviewing members of our community to determine their attitude toward this idea of Social Contract, and whether it has been upheld by our government. You are going to record their responses and share their responses as well as your thoughts on the topic in a paper. Please follow all instructions and expectations found in the Social Contract Interview Project.


* Place your finished paper in your teacher's drop box when completed. *100 possible points.


Week One Assignment 6: Week One Quiz
SCCG 1

SCCG2

After you have completed the first five assignments and turned them in to your teacher, take the Week One quiz to check for understanding of standards you worked with in week one. You will need to get the quiz from your teacher.


* 20 possible points.


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