Unit 7: The Institutions of Government

Link to the Model Congress Wiki: http://classof08honors.wikispaces.com/

The Primaries:

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Overview: The Executive Branch

In this unit, we will examine in-depth the three branches of the federal government: the legislative branch, the executive branch (including the bureaucracy) and the judicial branch. We will examine how the Constitution structures each branch in terms of separation of power and checks and balances. We will also trace how each branch has changed over time and why. Throughout this unit, we will ask the following questions: who has power in our government and why? are the branches of our government democratic? fair? how might they be reformed or changed to be more democratic or more fair? In addition to studying each branch in isolation, we will also pay attention to the interactions between the branches, particularly in terms of how the branches tussle for power and how the balance of power has shifted over time.

The Presidency

Resources you will need:

• President Bush’s Speech following 9-11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMiqEUBux3o
• President Bush’s Approval Ratings: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2005/04/25/GR2005042500945.html
• Office of Faith Based Initiatives: http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/
• Analysis of President Bush’s State of the Union Address: http://www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/20070123_STATEOFUNION.html
  
• President Bush and signing statements: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/01/world/africa/01sudan.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
  
• President Bush and signing statements-analysis: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19096616

Topic #1: The Presidency and the Constitution

• How does the Constitution define the role of the presidency?

• How did the Framers try to balance the need for centralized authority and a fear of tyranny?

Topic #2: The President’s Many Roles

• What role should the chief executive play in a democratic society?

• What are the many roles played by modern presidents?

• Download SmartBoard notes here: thepresidency.pdf

Topic #3: Presidential Character and Presidential Greatness

• Rating Presidential Greatness: Schlesinger: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/choice2004/leadership/schlesinger.html

• James Barber, “The Presidential Character: http://academic.regis.edu/jriley/414%20presidential_character.htm

• Presidential Character Assignment | Our Analysis of Presidential Character
  

Topic #4: The Imperial Presidency–Thought Talk#3 (Emily S.& Charlotte)

• What is the “imperial” presidency?

• Is a powerful executive a good thing or a bad thing for our country?